Chi Sox will be out of it by next month.

Never seen a batter strike out, have the catcher drop it, the runner run and be safe at 1st.... and 2 runs come in to score on the play.
too bad he Jays still lost

They lost it early on when Stroman pitched to Ortiz with first base open and runners on second and third.... terrible call by him or Gibbons for allowing that to happen....absolutely no reason to let Ortiz, the hottest hitter in the league, to hit at that moment

And now Donaldson, who has a bruised thumb, in the lineup as DH but not a 3B.... seems like if he's healthy enough to hit, he's healthy enough to field his position.... I'd understand if he jacked up his ankle/knee/hamstring and getting him off his feet for a day, but its his hand.....

Stro's hit a bit of a rough patch but I think he's competitive and smart enough to get back on track.

Arrieta time!

Estrada took a no hit bid into the 8th, gave up a homer to Chris Young. Got through the rest of the inning.

Didn't even have "great" stuff. Love watching this guy work.

Had a feeling in my gut Boston would come back in the ninth... Was dead against Estrada coming on in the 9th because a) Boston was starting to smash the ball (albeit mostly into gloves) and b) it meant Osuna (who always has adventures against the BoSox) would have to come on with a runner on base. He did and was uncomfortable until he got the 3rd out. Good win though and big series.

He finally lost..

In better news the Os got 3 In the 8th off Chapman when Girardi put him in for a 5 out save after warming him up prior to a 90 minute rain delay. Not sure why he would do that seemed like a recipe fir disaster

Dodgers DFA Carl Crawford, who's due $35 mil between now and next season.

And all this time I thought he was out of the game.

someone will take a chance on him to increase their OF depth.... not the player that he once was, but worth a gamble to a non-contender to plug in for a few weeks when their main OF is on the DL and they don;t have a decent option in AAA

That is of course if Crawford isn't happy sitting at home letting that money roll in....

He'll find a place to play. Once he clears waivers and is officially released some team will pick him up for the league minimum and give him a look on the cheap.

It is crazy looking at Boston's batting line up with seemingly 70% of them hitting over .300 and the rest hitting like .280. Just ludicrous.

And yet they're still tied for 1st with the Orioles

The Red Sox have a far better run differential. While that doesn't always catch up to teams, it's a good indicator of what to expect.

Even with all their dingers Baltimore is barely outscoring their competition. I'd expect them to explore the pitching market to try and avoid regressing to the mean.

The fact that the Yankees and Rays are mediocre helps their cause but the Jays are heating up and that should make it really interesting.

The Sox wont be able to sustain batting 20 points better than the 2nd best team (.293 vs Pittsburgh's .277) and their Team ERA is actuslly worse than the Orioles (4.38 vs 4.10). So when they go into their hitting slump they're going to fall like a rock..

As for the Jays they're a threat if they start hitting given they have best pitching in AL. But they aren't going anywhere with a team avg of .237

Yes but they're still outscoring their opponents by a wide margin. That's more indicative of where they're headed than banking on their batting average fluctuating. While there may come down a bit if they maintain their run prevention it's not going to make that big of a difference unless their offense just crumbles.

The same could also be said of Baltimore. They're not going yo be able to keep up if they're barely outscoring their opponents. So unless the offense goes even more crazy or their pitching starts to improve greatly it's more likely they regress to a team that's above 500 but not by many games.

The jays are over 500 hitting 237. They also have a 316 team on base. So even with a low average they're still getting guys in base at a decent clip to give them chances to score.

Nonetheless it's going to fun watching the al east. Can Boston keep bludgeoning their opposition to death? Can Baltimore keep playing above their run differential? Can the Jays make another mid season turn around?

Might be the most exciting division in the league.

If the Jays can get Martin/Tulo (when he returns from injury) hitting anywhere close to .250 and EE/Bautista/Donaldson hitting at 75% compared to what they did at the end of last season, they will begin to run away with the division, considering how much better their SP's have been this year....

Lorenzo Cain just outright robbed Pedro Alvarez of a 2 run homer..I dare say play of the year candidate...ridiculous catch

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lorenzo Cain forever. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash">#Royals</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZsdMH5wmDP">https://t.co/ZsdMH5wmDP</a></p>&mdash; Kendall (@kkaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkaut/status/740324832810655744">June 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Definitely better than Trouts catch in 13 which was considered a top play of 2013

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XRMJ-Y9k9ac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Think the Steven Souza catch from earlier this year was better.

Manny got hit by Ventura and he pulled an Odor on him but didn't land the punch as good..

Ugh...

Next batter Trumbo hit HR #20
Next batter Davis smacks a HR

Venturas an asshole (was suspended last year for hitting guys) but Manny didn't need to rush the mound.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Yordano Ventura's Wikipedia Page: <a href="https://t.co/9qaOVElAJD">pic.twitter.com/9qaOVElAJD</a></p>&mdash; you stupid idiot (@BasedUbaIdo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasedUbaIdo/status/740351350345748481">June 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Manny Machado's annihilation of Yordano Ventura narrated by <a href="https://twitter.com/JRsBBQ">@JRsBBQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/1LbcVYexpQ">https://t.co/1LbcVYexpQ</a></p>&mdash; Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) <a href="https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/740348597225414657">June 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Let's not pretend that Machado himself has been an asshole. However. Ventura is an asshole too. So I guess They cancel each other out.

Hard to see how clean that punch was. I don't advocate fighting but Ventura is a shit bag so maybe a solid right hand (bah gawd) will wake his ass up.

Mets-Braves trade:
Mets get Kelly Johnson while Braves get prospect Akeel Morris in return.

Making things interesting is Mets did a similar trade last year only for Johnson to go right back to the Braves once the season ended.

Don't know why the Mets would want Johnson. Depth I guess. I wonder if they make a bigger move once they figure out if Wright is going to be out longer than they're hoping.

I know David Wright is the Mets' darling and all, but they need to seriously start looking their next big star in the upcoming draft. Or, get a big name either through free agency or trade.

I honestly don't think he can go much longer with the back injuries he's been through.

Man, I know the Jays staved off the Sweep today but fuck John Gibbons, shoulda been 2/3 from Detroit but he hung two of his young studs out to dry yesterday. As soon as he sent Sanchez out for the ninth I turned the game off. 2-0 up in the ninth inning means bring in your fucking closer, he had the night off the night before, don't care how overworked he's been. He gets bombed on, you tip your cap and you move on. Total incompetence. Atkins needs to shitcan him and find someone who knows what he's doing at the highest level.

I like Gibby the guy, but Gibby the manager is not elite.

and lol I've never been a big fan of Machado but he won me over yesterday. Good on him.

Orioles swept the Royals allowing 2 runs in 3 games..and 3 runs in their 4 game win streak. Should be interesting 4 game series in Toronto

Bachelor party weekend for me, catching Saturday & Sunday games... hoping Machado suspension isn't handed down until next week so I can see him play in person...

Even if it is he's likely to appeal it, so you should be safe.

Manny only got 4 games.

Ventura should get double that then....

Plus 1..

9 games. A joke really since 9 means he only missed 1 start.

I still don't get why starting pitchers aren't suspended for starts instead of games.

Chatter going around the rumor mill is that the Royals are trying to move Yordano Ventura. I guess he's become quite the head case lately.

White Sox continue their big name roster moves. DFA Mat Latos, sign Justin Morneau to a $1 mil deal for the season.

And, the Cubs brought back Chris Coghlan from the A's. Sent Arismendy Alcantara to them in exchange.

Either MLB is really lazy or managers would just find a loophole like demote those pitchers to the bullpen to serve the suspensions.

Since the usual rotation is 5 pitchers, MLB could multiply whatever the punishment is by 5 to get something more fairer against pitchers. Anything bigger than 2-3 starts would probably be a good deterrent against pitcher antics causing fights.

Gibby is such a twat sometimes. 5-4 game, bring in Aaron minor league Loup to face Chris Davis. Rest of the story tells itself.

Which is that the Orioles win and everyone thinks Battista got diarrhea and had to leave the game

We'll see what Mr. Estrada brings to the table tomorrow. If the Jays starters don't pitch well, they're fucked. Once they're figured out in game, they're figured out. Very frustrating team to watch sometimes.

mind you, baltimore's line up is dangerous

White Sox roster overhaul continues. DFA Jimmy Rollins, call up their top SS prospect.

That should be it for Rollins. He's been a non factor two years in a row. Time to move on.

With the Justin Mourneu signing, I'm trying to come up with a roster of former all stars the white Sox have signed long past their prime. OMG IT'S THAT GUY.......who won an mvp 12 years ago.

Jimmy Rollins, Jr Griffey, Youk, Roberto Alomar, Darin Erstad, Mike Mcgougal, Orlando Hudson, Omar Visquel, Manny Ramirez. That's just off the top of my head.

Fuck Droford you musta been shocked Brach gave up that homerun to Encarnacion I know I was, dude was dealing. Good game.

That Givens kid is fucking nasty too.

All about the slider from Givens

Wil Myers hits a 3 run bomb into the c.f. shrubbery to give the Padres a 9th inning lead and eventual win.

He's far and away the only Padres player I'd like to see them sign long term.

Encarnacion is heating up big time

Didn't see his 2 jacks today, cuz of work but his homer yesterday to win the game was an absolutely gorgeous piece of hitting.

Droford, in a series (and a season) where the Jays and the O's have had no real nonsense between them, how come some rookie with a an era over 5 is talking about how there's a reason Edwin is hitting .240 and they give him too much credit. Obviously the guy is not a perfect hitter, but if the shoe was on the other foot I feel like someone on Baltimore would be throwing bean balls.

for the record I don't think he was trying to incite anything or insult Encarnacion but that's an awful lot to say for a rookie with a barely passable ERA, who just got beaten pretty badly.

Chris Davis has homered in 5 straight games

God can these guys hit. Knew when it was 7-1 they were going to make it difficult.

Have 1 decent starter and a bunch of hot garbage 2-5..

Ubaldo is worse than that though.

Pretty great 2 games from the Jays to be in attendance for over the weekend...

Something to think about:

Ichiro Suzuki is 1 hit away from Pete Rose's 4,256 hits. 2 to pass him, obviously do-able.

Now, 1,278 of those hits were from his 9 seasons in Japan. He's got 2,977 in MLB right now.

So, do you make him the Hit King, or should the numbers from Japan not count? Pete Rose already piped in and says no.


I think he's got a good chance of joining the 3,000 hit club this season. But, this is a big record.

He can sit in the record books right next to Sadaharu OH! as far as I'm concerned

But better. Ichiro's the man

If you include his hits in Japan, include everyone's numbers from the minors. Its also pro ball.

I think the fact that Ichiro spent 9 years in Japan and STILL is going to be able to reach 3000 hits is pretty damned amazing.

I think they should acknowledge that he's collected the most hits in professional baseball. Just because a quarter of them were in Japan doesn't mean they don't count for something.

Pete Rose is still the all time major league hit record. Nobody's touching that. However, Ichiro should be acknowledged for accumulating the hits he has in two different countries' top professional league.

I kinda wish Ichiro was in Seattle for his 3k hit. I don't know if they even need an outfielder but he's still a useful player and I'm a softie for homecomings.

Os beat David Price again. Was actually a bit of a nail biter

Well he pitched a gem, just got out-duelled it seems.

Price has pitched well the past 2-3 games but HRs have been an issue. Last two games he's given up a HR very late in the game and end up being the reason why they lost both times.

I love Ichiro, but those hits in Japan shouldn't count towards the total, Pete Rose FTW....

Rockies DFA Jose Reyes.

Ichiro got his 2 hits. One might say he passed Pete Rose for most all time.

Why is anyone acting like hits in Japan count?

because they are stupid....

Seems like the MLB considers the NPB as a "major" league which would mean his Japan career counts for the official record.

Don't think they usually reference other leagues and records unless they'd count them as MLB worthy for the books.

Rose technically would still own the most MLB-only hits record but Ichrio owns most career hits ever record.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most hits EVER across <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a> and Japan’s NPB: Ichiro! <a href="https://t.co/gEHnuoClvv">https://t.co/gEHnuoClvv</a> <a href="https://t.co/mf16TOXwht">pic.twitter.com/mf16TOXwht</a></p>&mdash; MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/743210572498362368">June 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Cubs brass has always said their goal was to create a competitive team year after year. They have done that. Lots of long term viability. This is a team built to win 100 games for the next 3-5 years. The problem I see is that it wouldn't be hard to beat this team in the playoffs. If you have pitchers who can pound the strike zone, you take away their advantage of being able to draw walks and get your starter to throw 115 pitches in 5 innings. Max Scherzer and to a lesser extent Stasberg today gave the blueprints for how to beat them. You can argue that after the WC game, every team has a 13% chance with the sample size so small and I think that's what they're doing here. They know the roster is flawed in a 7 game series against top tier pitchers but as long as they keep winning the division the more spins of the wheel they get. I understand, but as I see it now the Cubs get beat by the Mets and Giants with a series against the Nats going 7 games.

Really hope Marco Estrada keeps up his numbers. It should be possible, he's a pitch to contact guy and with his array of pitches and newly found cerebral style, he may be able to keep the batting avg down where it is on balls in contact. Jays are also a great defensive team. Want him to "stick it to the haters"

What does everyone think about Marco thus far this year?

Well I don't think his babip is going to stay under 200. But he's pitching well. He's punching more guys out but he's also walking more guys.

I think he'll regress a bit but more back to what he was last year, which is still a great for Toronto.

yeah mid 3's era makes sense, and that's what they need him to be.

The Cerebral Assassin

The Cerebral Estrada

The Cerebral Estrassin

All of the rep

Was going to text you about this, but your opinion has obviously not changed.

Stupid Toronto media thought that they overpaid him when he first resigned, but I loved the signing a great 3-4 guy for the rotation, nothing ever flashy but eats innings like crazy and is super dependable, I'd take a rotation of Estrada & Happ's every day of the week.

Dickey is hit or miss, but all the other Jays starters have been excellent, now with the bats starting to heat up, the AL East could be in trouble.... the biggest wrinkle is the inning limit on Sanchez that will force him to the bullpen later on in the season, I assume the original plan was to bring Hutchison back up from AAA-Buffalo, but if they're at the top at the standings I don't see how they couldn't make a trade for another starter for the playoff push, likely with Hutschison as the main piece going back

ChiSox release Mat Latos.

Edwin rockin and rollin again tonight lol, when that guy gets locked in, such a beast

Playing the Finding Dory commercial like two times per commercial break... really tiring of that song....

Os got 2 of 3 from the Red Sox. I hate whoever did the schedule that the Os are playing the jays again this weekend.

1. There is no such thing as a start until the game stars. Pitch rotation is unofficial.

2. Would take weeks for suspensions to be through.

3. That would makes batters charge the mound more to try to goat them into fighting to get suspended for weks.

1. How many times a season do teams mess with the set rotation? Unless there's an injury or an off-day to give someone a bit more rest, most teams keep the rotation set for awhile

2. And that's a bad thing?

3. If I'm a Superstar that gets plunked in a blowout by a fringe AAA kid, I'd be angry too. Established pitchers hardly ever get suspended, because managers never instruct them to plunk a guy.

it's a bit much. BUT I think the O's take this series at home.

1. Irrelevant. Everyone knows Ventura is a starter. There's no grey area there. He's a regular member of the starting rotation, with predetermined schedules starts based on where he's placed in the rotation. We all know.

2. Who cares if it takes weeks? How is it fair that a position player miss 5 games he'd have otherwise been in, but a pitcher misses 1 game he'd have otherwise been in? The only time a suspension based on games makes sense is for a reliever, which Ventura is not.

3. Pretty bigv reach there. Why would a batter risk fines and suspensions himself to try and get a starting pitcherv suspended when the likelihood they'd have to face that spot again in the pitcher's team's rotation during the suspension period, let alone the rest of the year, is slim and none?

A pitcher missing one start over 5 games, particular someone like Ventura who isn't very good, is not the same as an mvp/best player on his team Manny Machado missing 5 games. The guy who got plunked is getting the short end of the stick while the guy who started it all, and his team, get off easy.

Pitchers are more valuable than a everyday player. It evens out because the everyday player plays everyday and the starting pitcher does not.

Yeah how's that working out for ya

The Jays should have saved runs for the next 2 games

Saunders for the win

Fucking Jays. Always peaking.

No they're not. At least not in the blanket statement you are presenting it as. Mike Trout is not less valuable than any pitcher. Except maybe Kershaw, but probably not.

Any normal pitcher has more of an effect on the game than any starting normal everyday player. So yes they are.

Maybe you need more of a breakdown. A pitcher is on every defensive play. If a pitcher has a bad game then multiple runs are given up and it's probably going to be a lose. If a everyday player has a bad game then they go 0 for 4 and might post an error. Those stats will not doom the game for the team.