Beaneater

Good point. There might still be some really specific game situations where an AL manager would crunch the numbers and decide that it's still better to chuck the pitcher into (say) RF for one batter. But he'd have to be a real iconoclast to try it, especially if, as you say, Girardi has already done it and had it blow up in his face.

Couldn't agree more, notin. EDIT: And while we're at it, wasn't there going to be some sort of emphasis on getting and keeping batters in the box this year? All this hoo-hah of calling time, stepping out, adjusting the gloves, ordering a pizza, stepping back in, receiving the pizza, etc. – it gets pretty old.

Hi Bellhorn. In what way do you see limiting pitching changes as being unfair? I'd like to hear you unpack that a bit. I have always liked the idea of stashing a pitcher in RF (or wherever) for one or two batters. I find that elegant somehow. The idea of pitchers learning to play a little bit of outfield isn't all bad either!

I've been thinking about pitching changes. Frankly, there are too many of them. It may be good strategy to change pitchers so often, but it's not good entertainment, and that's what baseball is in the end. Having numerous commercial breaks in the tense late innings ruins the flow of the game and could reasonably be imagined to annoy people who might otherwise be fans. And baseball needs fans. So, while I know that MLB will never make any major rule changes regarding the way pitchers are used, I thought it'd be fun to spitball an idea intended to improve the game. That's what a baseball talk site is for, right? The strong form of the proposed change: No voluntary mid-inning pitching changes. None. The only exception would be for injury, and in that case the removed pitcher would be required to go on the DL. The medium-strength version: Managers get one mid-inning pitching change per game. They have to choose wisely when to use it. The weak version: Mid-inning pitching changes get no warm-up pitches, no commercial break, no major interruption to the flow of the game. When the manager takes the ball from his pitcher's hand, the reliever has (say) 75 seconds to get on the mound and throw a pitch. Again, I know that MLB is realistically not going to make any major changes to its rules here. But do you think these would be improvements? Deteriorations? Do you have other propositions?

The Braves are sitting back with a very satisfied smile on their face right now.

For example, the Rockies were on a hellacious roll in 2007. Then they weren't.

Interleague at NL stadium = Porcello batting = game over.

Oh yes! It's YOTN's "Who wants to hit a grand slam today?" merry-go-round again!

That is comedy gold.

JBJ now officially up to .700 OPS. Pretty hot considering how he started.

This was the game that got postponed with the Sox up 5-0, right? I guess that score was just meant to be.

So, uh, Boone is not supposed to use his closer, who has blown one save all year and hasn't pitched in 5 days, to start the 9th inning in a save situation against their division rivals? When and how is he supposed to use him, then? Or am I missing something? I'm interested to see what Francesca's reasoning is here. Maybe he's just trying to say that once Chapman has demonstrated he can't find the zone in a given outing, he should be out of the game?

Yankees: "We have assembled perhaps the greatest bullpen of all time." Red Sox: "Yeah, about that..."

More like RIP Chance Adams, amirite? (groan...)

6 run lead with Sale on the mound. Nothing's given in baseball, but this feels pretty comfortable.

A couple of manly RBI groundouts there. I'll take it!

Good thing we don't have Mientkiewicz on the roster any more. That would be a tough rhyme.

Recently Bellhorn04 gave some pitching advice to Porcello in the form of a ditty: Nice work! With my tongue in cheek, I asked him to do one for Pomeranz, too. Well, since it's Pom's turn today, I'll provide the poetical advice: I bear no animosity But I see low velocity So if that knuckle curve won't dance You're gonna get shelled, Pomeranz

Nice! Now do one for Pomeranz!

Indeed. He's currently leading the majors in hard-hit percentage and #2 in BABIP, 'cause that's what happens when you barrel it up just about every freaking time. Glad he's on our team.

I'm pretty sure we all predicted a 4-pitch 3-out save from Joe Kelly tonight...

Let's borrow them from the Orioles. They've got a few extra.

Holy cow, Baltimore is up two touchdowns and a field goal on TB.

Mookie is adequate.

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