Baseball
Related: About this forumKansas City @ Cleveland game on 7-7 ...
was played in one hour, fifty-one minutes.
Helped that Cleveland pitched a two-hit shut out.
Pitch clock. Wow.
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)Auggie
(31,967 posts)We might have to wait a few days, or months, until somebody digs deep enough to publish pitch clock results of 2023. I suspect this may be the one of the shortest of the season so far.
Civale was masterful last night. Two hits, no walks, 70 strikes through 100 pitches. Though to be fair, it sounds like home plate umpire Brennan Miller's strike zone was expanding and shrinking throughout the game and really messed with some of the Royals' hitters.
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)I have had my doubts about him because he seems to be on the IL so much. But last night he sure had his stuff. Now if only McKenzie was back in top form
. Its anybodys guess how long hell be out.
TY for the ESPN article. Hey, they even included a stat (about JRam and Naylor) that topped a New York team!
Auggie
(31,967 posts)Probably helped that Judge has been on the injured list for a while.
Cleveland.com reported that that Guardians record is near what it was last year at this time.
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)Many Gs fans are anticipating the return of Oscar Gonzalez to the lineup - apparently hes been hitting the cover off the ball in Triple-A. Maybe well see a late season surge for the team if that happens.
I see Judge is still 5th in the league in HRs, pretty amazing since hes been out for so long.
Auggie
(31,967 posts)Thanks for sharing that.
Ive given up on Myles Straw. Very little contribution at the bottom order a rally-killer mostly. Hes guaranteed nearly $19 million through 2026 and would be tough to trade with his current numbers.
Is there hope? What do they do with him?
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)And has continued to make some highlight reel catches this year as well. Hes got speed on the base paths too. They could do a lot worse than Straw. I think the catchers bats are more rally killers than Straw.
Auggie
(31,967 posts)RBIs, advancing runners, productive outs, sacrifices. He cant be counted on to bunt consistently either. You think with his speed this would be a huge plus.
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)Tito has played Will Brennan in cf a few times when giving Straw a day off. I still like Straw though. Too bad he doesnt hit more like Grady Sizemore . Lol
Auggie
(31,967 posts)I know Straw's been working hard so I have to give him that.
If Gonzales returns, who goes?
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)Auggie
(31,967 posts)Arias has a cannon arm, can play any infield position, and is always an option as a pinch runner. Question is if Fry has the defensive abilities and can call a game as well as Gallagher. I'm not close enough to Cleveland baseball to know that answer.
Arias is definitely struggling at the plate though. He likely has more minor league options too.
Yeah. Probably Arias.
BTW, worst case scenario is we're .500 at the All Star break. Considering the tough start, that's darn good.
Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)I remember thinking to myself last year at this time, Eh. Theyre not going anywhere this year.
There are some pretty tough teams this year to get past, though, and Im not sure the Guards will have what it takes. What if they win their division and have to play Tampa Bay in the first round like last year??
lastlib
(25,074 posts)Diamond_Dog
(35,468 posts)LonePirate
(13,948 posts)chicoescuela
(1,726 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,903 posts)how much concession sales are down because of the shorter games.