A few baseball observations after a week.

Darin · April 2, 2026 5:16PM

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Darin · April 2, 2026 5:24PM

Also if you’re not aware…..
Corbin Carroll is the greatest combination of speed and power I’ve ever seen.
Never forget to embolden his name when writing of his exploits.

bgr · April 2, 2026 7:15PM

That was Bauers. With the infamous Buckner on the call… daydreaming I’m sure.

Funny story tho cause Bauers missed 2nd the next game.

What I’ve noticed is that umpires knew how to call balls and strikes all along. I see challenges being won but I also see a ton of clean innings behind the plate. Wild.

Darin · April 2, 2026 9:02PM

@bgr said:
That was Bauers. With the infamous Buckner on the call… daydreaming I’m sure.

Funny story tho cause Bauers missed 2nd the next game.

What I’ve noticed is that umpires knew how to call balls and strikes all along. I see challenges being won but I also see a ton of clean innings behind the plate. Wild.

Yes, Buckner with the crazy call.
Same with me, I’ve seen challenges won but most are borderline. The one I mentioned with Tatis was an obvious ball and he didn’t challenge.
I like how the rule works, start with 2 challenges and you can either retain them or lose them depending on how wisely they’re used.
Brewers vs. Royals starting tomorrow.
We have a relief pitcher last name Falter. If you can get him in the game he will live up to his name.
Royals just played the Twins and they have a player named Outman, I kid you not. If Falter faces Outman what happens? Somebody has to rise above his name.

Darin · April 2, 2026 9:35PM

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VikingDude · April 3, 2026 5:26AM

I did not know the strike zone was that large - that it takes only a sliver of the ball to be in it for it to be a strike.

Maywood · April 3, 2026 11:29PM

I’m not a fan of all the changes made to MLB in the past years. Just because technology is available doesn’t mean it should be used. That probably means I’m in the minority but really how far are we away from eliminating the Umpires completely??

perkdog · April 4, 2026 5:24AM

I can't name a single rule change, that's how much I follow base all outside of betting

Darin · April 4, 2026 7:38AM

@perkdog said:
I can't name a single rule change, that's how much I follow base all outside of betting

The pitch clock saved baseball. You don’t see batters grabbing their crotches, adjusting batting gloves after every pitch etc. and the pitchers are no longer squirming around nervously acting like they’re afraid to throw a pitch. All of that crap used to add 45+ minutes to every game and has now been eliminated.

perkdog · April 4, 2026 8:20AM

@Darin said:

@perkdog said:
I can't name a single rule change, that's how much I follow base all outside of betting

The pitch clock saved baseball. You don’t see batters grabbing their crotches, adjusting batting gloves after every pitch etc. and the pitchers are no longer squirming around nervously acting like they’re afraid to throw a pitch. All of that crap used to add 45+ minutes to every game and has now been eliminated.

I stand corrected, I was aware of that and it is a great change without question

I think the extra innings rule change is a runner on 2nd?

Maywood · April 4, 2026 8:39AM

Clock on the batter.
Clock on the pitcher.
Limit on relief pitchers.
Runner starts on 2nd base in extra innings.
Multiple allowed reviews.
Intentional walk rule.
Mound visits to the pitcher restricted.

Future changes:
I'm sure on the horizon the home-run-trot will be eliminated.
Someone will invent a perfected pitching machine and that position will be eliminated.
No more tossing around the ball between innings while the pitcher warms up, see above.
Etc, etc, etc.

Let's just stop pissing around and get these games over with. Not sure if that covers everything but it has altered the game I grew up with, watching and playing.

JMHO, one of Mankind's obsessions is to eliminate the affect of Human error in everything and the advent of technology in the past quarter/half century has enabled that and emboldened people to use it in places where it really shouldn't be used. Sports might be the best example of where it shouldn't be used, the last bastion of relaxation for many.

craig44 · April 6, 2026 6:34AM

@Darin said:

@perkdog said:
I can't name a single rule change, that's how much I follow base all outside of betting

The pitch clock saved baseball. You don’t see batters grabbing their crotches, adjusting batting gloves after every pitch etc. and the pitchers are no longer squirming around nervously acting like they’re afraid to throw a pitch. All of that crap used to add 45+ minutes to every game and has now been eliminated.

this right here!! I couldnt agree with you more!

I loved Nomahhh back in the day, but he drove me right up the wall when he would call time and back out of the box nearly every pitch to adjust those stupid batting gloves.

bgr · April 7, 2026 9:58AM

I did not like the pitch clock at first and I thought it was a tough first season for the pitchers. Love it now. I think ABS is also a win here. Maybe it ends up with 100% robo-umps someday and I'm not so sure that's what I would want, but I don't have to think about that for now. It just seems like a lot of clean games behind the plate.

BLUEJAYWAY · April 7, 2026 11:59PM

@craig44 said:

@Darin said:

@perkdog said:
I can't name a single rule change, that's how much I follow base all outside of betting

The pitch clock saved baseball. You don’t see batters grabbing their crotches, adjusting batting gloves after every pitch etc. and the pitchers are no longer squirming around nervously acting like they’re afraid to throw a pitch. All of that crap used to add 45+ minutes to every game and has now been eliminated.

this right here!! I couldnt agree with you more!

I loved Nomahhh back in the day, but he drove me right up the wall when he would call time and back out of the box nearly every pitch to adjust those stupid batting gloves.

Chuck Knoblauch was another annoyance.

Darin · April 12, 2026 6:22PM

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Darin · April 15, 2026 6:49PM

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1948_Swell_Robinson · April 16, 2026 5:57AM

@Darin said:
Done watching the Royals. 14 runs scored in last 8 games for a scorching 1.75 runs per game average.
They’re white hot trash…. Pure garbage in baseball uniforms. Apparently our genius manager has appointed Salvy cleanup hitter for life. Salvy was never a very good hitter but at this point it’s embarrassing to all involved watching him flail away. Pasquintino needs to move to Italy and open a nice restaurant and get out of our faces. Witt turned into Buddy Biancalana somewhere along the line. He’s now the guy who gets sand kicked in his face when he goes to the beach. Except Charles Atlas is nowhere in sight to help him. When they do have a 1-0 lead late in the game you can bet your life savings they’ll lose 1-2.
They couldn’t hit the local star pitcher on the little league team, you know the kid, the 12 year old with the mustache.
Opposing pitchers can’t stop smiling when they’re on the mound… knowing their era’s are going to drop precipitously.
It’s a shame because KC has good pitchers who never get wins they deserve because the offense is trash.

Good rant.

It's crazy that Witt still only has one run scored through 18 games.

Darin · April 16, 2026 10:27AM

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Maywood · April 17, 2026 4:35AM

The skill set required to play MLB is the greatest of the major sports and that’s why seeing it done at a high level is so entertaining. Right now we aren’t even 20% done with the season. Teams are still settling in.

Being a cold weather team, the Indians usually struggle early but get better as the weather warms. They have already looked good in some areas. A surprising rookie in Delauter, an early call up for an injury in Brito, young pitcher Messick flirted with a no-no into the 9th. And then there is the ever steady Jose Ramirez who has found his sweet swing early!!!

I always admire the fact that a small market team on the shores of Lake Erie can challenge the big boys. One day…………………….👏👏👍

1948_Swell_Robinson · April 17, 2026 6:16AM

@Darin said:

@1948_Swell_Robinson said:

@Darin said:
Done watching the Royals. 14 runs scored in last 8 games for a scorching 1.75 runs per game average.
They’re white hot trash…. Pure garbage in baseball uniforms. Apparently our genius manager has appointed Salvy cleanup hitter for life. Salvy was never a very good hitter but at this point it’s embarrassing to all involved watching him flail away. Pasquintino needs to move to Italy and open a nice restaurant and get out of our faces. Witt turned into Buddy Biancalana somewhere along the line. He’s now the guy who gets sand kicked in his face when he goes to the beach. Except Charles Atlas is nowhere in sight to help him. When they do have a 1-0 lead late in the game you can bet your life savings they’ll lose 1-2.
They couldn’t hit the local star pitcher on the little league team, you know the kid, the 12 year old with the mustache.
Opposing pitchers can’t stop smiling when they’re on the mound… knowing their era’s are going to drop precipitously.
It’s a shame because KC has good pitchers who never get wins they deserve because the offense is trash.

Good rant.

It's crazy that Witt still only has one run scored through 18 games.

And I was easy on them. When I wait all winter for baseball to start and this is the pathetic product I get I’m going to be ticked off. And I vividly remember right before the season started Vinnie talking about not getting off to a slow start. And his slugging % is under .200
I’m tired of watching serial slumpers try to hit a baseball. Im done with them.

The offense heard ya yesterday...but the pitchers took the night off...ugh.

Maywood · April 21, 2026 9:18AM

Consider this payroll for the LA Dodgers:
$345.3 million payroll.
$169.4 million tax.
total of $514.6 million.

I would wonder why MLB and the players union can't reach some sort of agreement on limiting the spending. It's clear that certain teams aren't affected by the "penalty" imposed for going over the salary cap. It tends to distort the game.

Maywood · April 25, 2026 5:31AM

And………………after 2.1 innings, 7 earned runs and -0- K’s last night Max Sherzer is still looking for strike-out number 3,500.

Maxie had a rough outing with the Tribe and is stuck at 3,499.

Basebal21 · April 25, 2026 9:12AM

@Maywood said:
Consider this payroll for the LA Dodgers:
$345.3 million payroll.
$169.4 million tax.
total of $514.6 million.

I would wonder why MLB and the players union can't reach some sort of agreement on limiting the spending. It's clear that certain teams aren't affected by the "penalty" imposed for going over the salary cap. It tends to distort the game.

@Maywood said:
Consider this payroll for the LA Dodgers:
$345.3 million payroll.
$169.4 million tax.
total of $514.6 million.

I would wonder why MLB and the players union can't reach some sort of agreement on limiting the spending. It's clear that certain teams aren't affected by the "penalty" imposed for going over the salary cap. It tends to distort the game.

The Dodgers payroll is only 345.3 million on paper, thats not what theyre actually paying.

Over a billion dollars of Dodgers payroll is significantly deferred. Othani is getting paid 2 million a year 680 million is deferred for the decade he plays there. Over 100 million of Betts contract is deferred. Almost 60 million of Freemans contract is deferred. Almost 70 million of Snells contract is deferred. Edman has 25 million of his contract deferred which is over 1/3rd of his total contract. Will Smith has 50 million deferred.

Any team that wants to can go heavy on the deferred contracts like the Dodgers have. Yamamoto is the only big contract where he is actually getting paid what his contract says with no deferred money

Maywood · May 11, 2026 3:04PM

Now that the MLB season is one quarter finished it's interesting to see who is playing well, who sucks and which teams need to settle into a groove of some kind. I always like MLB more once the warmer weather sets in and games aren't played it the 40's and low 50's. That has an adverse affect on things.

Darin · May 16, 2026 10:19PM

Elly de la Cruz only has 3 errors so far this season. If he can keep it up that only projects to 10-12 for the year. He had 26 last year and 29 in 2024. And he’s been great at the plate. He hasn’t been listed on many top 10 shortstop lists because of the defense. I hope he keeps it up, it’s nice to see the young players with huge potential start to live up to it.
On the other hand a couple years ago I thought Jackson Merrill and Jarren
Duran could become big stars but they are both having a disastrous year. Wonder if they will rebound?

Maywood · May 17, 2026 1:30PM

@Darin, you're rooting for Cincy now or just De La Cruz??

He had a solo shot today and stood at the plate to show-up the pitcher, then the announcers seem mystified that the fans booed him. Baseball etiquette is simple and universally understood, you'll be booed every time in every visiting stadium when you do that. DUH!!! Cleveland as it is, hit 4-two run shots and smoked the Reds 10-3 at HOME and never saw the need to showboat. It's something I don't understand, you hit an HR, so run the bases and get back in the dugout.

BTW, Cleveland's counterpart at SS, Bryan Rocchio, has 4 errors so far while dividing his time at 2nd base. Two pretty good gloves in the Buckeye State rivalry.

bgr · May 17, 2026 1:39PM

Watching HRs is definitely something that has changed in the game. The let the kids play campaign ushered in a new era of bat flips and hr gazing. If the moment makes sense I don’t mind but doing it in a loss or a blowout misses the mark.

Darin · May 17, 2026 4:58PM

@Maywood said:
@Darin, you're rooting for Cincy now or just De La Cruz??

He had a solo shot today and stood at the plate to show-up the pitcher, then the announcers seem mystified that the fans booed him. Baseball etiquette is simple and universally understood, you'll be booed every time in every visiting stadium when you do that. DUH!!! Cleveland as it is, hit 4-two run shots and smoked the Reds 10-3 at HOME and never saw the need to showboat. It's something I don't understand, you hit an HR, so run the bases and get back in the dugout.

BTW, Cleveland's counterpart at SS, Bryan Rocchio, has 4 errors so far while dividing his time at 2nd base. Two pretty good gloves in the Buckeye State rivalry.

Just De la Cruz but I don’t like the showboating for sure.
When KC sucks I kind of follow players on other teams more, it just makes the season more interesting for me.

Basebal21 · May 18, 2026 4:29PM

@bgr said:
Watching HRs is definitely something that has changed in the game. The let the kids play campaign ushered in a new era of bat flips and hr gazing. If the moment makes sense I don’t mind but doing it in a loss or a blowout misses the mark.

Loss is fine if its not meaningless. You can lose and hit a huge homerun to tie the game or get your team back in it.

Blowout you look like a tool unless its off a position player. The position guys generally do quite well with everyone just messing around and will celebrate Ks and swings and misses especially sword ones so its all fun an games at that point of a long season

bgr · May 18, 2026 6:47PM

@Basebal21 said:

@bgr said:
Watching HRs is definitely something that has changed in the game. The let the kids play campaign ushered in a new era of bat flips and hr gazing. If the moment makes sense I don’t mind but doing it in a loss or a blowout misses the mark.

Loss is fine if its not meaningless. You can lose and hit a huge homerun to tie the game or get your team back in it.

Blowout you look like a tool unless its off a position player. The position guys generally do quite well with everyone just messing around and will celebrate Ks and swings and misses especially sword ones so its all fun an games at that point of a long season

Sure. I guess it’s like people vs Larry flynt. When you know you know. If the moment fits flip em high. Otherwise jog it in.

galaxy27 · May 19, 2026 9:31AM

i can't believe St. Louis is 8 games over .500 after the quarter pole. only reason i can name any player on their roster other than Jordan Walker is because of my dad. he can't believe it either. they're in total rebuild mode, therefore i just don't see how this level of play is sustainable for them.

Maywood · May 20, 2026 1:51PM

@galaxy27 said: they're in total rebuild mode

I think what has happened, at least in MLB, is that the term "rebuilding" has lost its meaning through the years.

The Indians were supposed to be rebuilding with the 2024 season and they made it to the playoffs before losing the ALCS to the Yankees. During 2025 and now into 2026 they have been forced to find new starting pitching with guys like Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi, and rookie Parker Messick. They also added a few new faces to the BP. Some new position players are here now including veteran Rhys Hoskins(1B), rookie Travis Bazzana(2B) and Bryan Rocchio(SS) who has been up/down a few times the last three years as the team worked on him. That means the entire 2026 Infield, with the exception of Jose Ramirez, is new. They also have a rookie, Chase DeLauter, playing Right Field.

Does that constitute a rebuild?? I think it used to, but not so much anymore.

I'll be honest, I don't follow the Indians like I used to but I still pay attention and this season I need a roster in front of me to know who the players are. One of the latest things I've noticed is where Jose Ramirez is batting: during 2025 he was in the three slot for 152 games and at 50 games in 2026 he's already been moved from 2-6 a few times.

I hate change!!!

Basebal21 · May 20, 2026 3:37PM

Cards started with a pretty easy schedule but the thing no one is talking about is that the owners simply arent spending money right now. Theres just a lot of bad teams, more so in the AL. The owners have saved billions in preparation for the lockout thats coming at the end of the year barring a miracle or one side just completely caving.

The AL West still doesnt have a team above 500. The records will sort them selves out as the season goes on but a lot of teams didnt really address their needs in the off season

bgr · May 20, 2026 7:29PM

At this point of the season you can rely pretty heavily on Bill James’ Pythagorean expectation which predicts results within 3-4 games MAE with a r-value around .95.

The owners have amassed a war chest of around $2 billion. Which sounds like a lot but it’s not that much if there is a lengthy stoppage.

Maywood · May 23, 2026 9:32AM

The Indians are on a bit of a roll right now with good pitching and timely hitting. They aren't scoring many runs but they keep winning because their starters are doing well and the team always manages to have a good BP. As usual, this will go unnoticed and unspoken to because all the media attention in the AL is on the Yankees who are currently eating the dust from the Devil Rays.

Hard not to enjoy.

Maywood · May 26, 2026 4:44AM

Most of the best teams have a "stopper" in their starting rotation, the guy who can be counted on to stop anything resembling a losing streak or a lethargic dugout. The Indians have that in reverse with Tanner Bibee, he is the "stopper" who ends any sort of a roll the team might be on. Last night against the Nationals he gave up 5-HR's in the first two innings on his way to an 0-7 record and a 4.57 ERA, ending in a 10-2 loss. Pretty ugly. If you watch the highlights the pitches that went bye-bye were really grooved. Seems like Tanner has no problem finding the heart of the plate.

No doubt the Boston Red Sox are anticipating his his next start on Sunday, I'm anticipating some kind of a rehab reassignment for him to get his head together.

Absent Mr. Bibee the Indians are 32-17. That's .653 and very stout.

Darin · May 26, 2026 6:45PM

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Darin · May 26, 2026 7:04PM

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Darin · May 27, 2026 5:44PM

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1948_Swell_Robinson · May 27, 2026 6:37PM

@Darin said:
This is why it’s so hard to watch the Royals. Losing 0-2, Bobby Witt leading off 4th inning, works the count to 3-0, swings at next pitch, pops it up. Now this is one of the fastest players in baseball, we’re losing by 2 runs, and he’s swinging 3-0. It wasn’t even a pitch right down the middle. That’s terrible baseball, it’s losing baseball and he should know that.
Taking another sabbatical from watching these idiots, I’ve had enough. When your star player is doing crap like that something is seriously wrong.

You might have to start watching the White Sox. They have a fun exciting team of all types of players....although Rikku couldn't get the bunt down in extra innings and then tried with two strikes and fouled strikeout....I didn't like the two strike attempt especially since his bunting technique didn't look too good.

Darin · May 27, 2026 7:15PM

@1948_Swell_Robinson said:

@Darin said:
This is why it’s so hard to watch the Royals. Losing 0-2, Bobby Witt leading off 4th inning, works the count to 3-0, swings at next pitch, pops it up. Now this is one of the fastest players in baseball, we’re losing by 2 runs, and he’s swinging 3-0. It wasn’t even a pitch right down the middle. That’s terrible baseball, it’s losing baseball and he should know that.
Taking another sabbatical from watching these idiots, I’ve had enough. When your star player is doing crap like that something is seriously wrong.

You might have to start watching the White Sox. They have a fun exciting team of all types of players....although Rikku couldn't get the bunt down in extra innings and then tried with two strikes and fouled strikeout....I didn't like the two strike attempt especially since his bunting technique didn't look too good.

Yes I did notice how good their position players seem to be compared to past years. Except they still have Andrew Benentindi. 😂
I see they finally gave up on Luis Robert Jr. He was supposed to turn into a superstar but never did very well with the White Sox. Their fans deserve a winning team so I hope they continue winning since KC is going nowhere anyway.

Darin · May 28, 2026 9:54PM

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Darin · May 31, 2026 1:37PM

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Darin · June 2, 2026 10:04PM

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Darin · June 2, 2026 10:16PM

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Darin · June 2, 2026 10:25PM

Tomorrow I’m going to delete all my r****s posts in this thread, I don’t want to be associated with them anymore.
I’m going to take up knitting or flamingo dancing or senior division go kart racing or great boxing photo thread reading to occupy my time.
I’ve learned my lesson.

Maywood · June 3, 2026 10:09AM

@Darin, maybe you should take up Flamenco dancing. If you get caught dancing with flamingos you might end up practicing your knitting in the nut house.

Darin · June 3, 2026 10:25AM

@Maywood said:
@Darin, maybe you should take up Flamenco dancing. If you get caught dancing with flamingos you might end up practicing your knitting in the nut house.

Dancing with flamingos is far more preferable than watching any more r****s games for sure. 😂😂

galaxy27 · June 3, 2026 11:13AM

who would have ever thought that darin had this much rhythm

Maywood · June 3, 2026 12:02PM

Every time I get disgusted with the Indians like the past weekend against Boston they suck me back in like last night with a 9-4 win over the Yankees.

Darin · June 3, 2026 12:29PM

@galaxy27 said:
who would have ever thought that darin had this much rhythm

I got shut down several times before a nice, homely looking flamingo would even dance with me. 😫

A few baseball observations after a week.

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