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| 3:01 |  Dan Szymborski: And hello! |
| 3:01 | Dan Szymborski: OPENING DAY |
| 3:01 | : Happy Opening Day everyone! |
| 3:02 |  David Laurila: Hello, Dan. Hello, Matt. Hello, all. |
| 3:02 | Dan Szymborski: Hello people! |
| 3:03 | David Laurila: Time begins on Opening Day. |
| 3:06 | : I was surprised to see how many FG writers had the Red Sox as AL #1 seed (12 out of 26 voters). I see them as a good sleeper team, given last year’s record–but was surprised to see them with that much traction among the wonkery. What say you? |
| 3:06 | David Laurila: The AL is a bit of a crapshoot, is it not? While I was a bit surprised myself, the Red Sox are as good a choice as any. That said, I went Orioles. |
| 3:06 | Dan Szymborski: Spring at least does |
| 3:07 | : Give us the poll about you eating or not eating Skyline Chili, Danny Zips! |
| 3:07 | Dan Szymborski: Oh yeah, hang on a sec |
| 3:08 | : Paul Skenes vs the Miami Marlins feels like the epitome of hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby. Think the pirates would let Skenes go 8+ innings if he’s dealing? |
| 3:08 | David Laurila: This seems as good a place as any to say that Bob Feller threw a no-hitter on Opening Day in 1940. |
| 3:09 | : Did Baseball-Reference alter their WAR calculation slightly? I saw that some of the JAWS measures had changed (Altuve now has 40 peak war, for example). |
| 3:09 | Dan Szymborski: DO you know when? I hadn’t heard anything |
| 3:10 | : How soon do we see Bubba Chandler? |
| 3:10 | David Laurila: Every day is a day wasted. |
| 3:10 | Dan Szymborski: Uecker  |
| 3:11 | : Let me begin my 78th season of avid Red Sox fandom by thanking all of the people at Fangraphs, including the bloggers, who add so much to my enjoyment of baseball. Let the games begin!! |
| 3:11 | : How am I supposed to take the Padres seriously with Yuli Gurriel batting 6th? |
| 3:11 | :  According to CBS the Yankees are going to kick it off with a bit of an unusual defensive alignment |
| 3:11 | : Opening Day is the first of many days of the year in which I wonder why MLB can’t figure out a way to take my money and stop blacking out the teams I want to see, instead of using a VPN (not that I would ever do that). |
| 3:11 | Dan Szymborski: I use a VPN! lol |
| 3:13 | : It’s funny how FanGraphs Depth Charts have the Yankees as the no. 3 team in baseball in fWAR this year, but the staff picked them to miss the postseason. Is that just injury concerns? The volatility of the AL? |
| 3:13 | Dan Szymborski: Stockholm syndrome? |
| 3:15 | David Laurila: My favorite Yo La Tengo song. |
| 3:14 | : I feel like the Giants regressed analytically and philosophically this offseason. Am I a young person yelling at the clouds? |
| 3:14 | David Laurila: On paper (remember paper?), they seemingly did. That said, it will interesting to see what happens going forward. It’s not as though there aren’t a lot of smart people in the org. |
| 3:15 | : Happy Opening Day!!! Looking forward to some homemade crab cakes after a road win! #Orioles2025! |
| 3:15 | : Will Chourio lead all the Jacksons in WAR in 2025? Yes (55.6% | 89 votes) No (44.3% | 71 votes) Total Votes: 160 |
| 3:15 | Dan Szymborski: You still get the crabcakes if they lose, don’t you? |
| 3:16 | Dan Szymborski: Kyle Nelson’s ERA was over four, but in only a few weeks due to injury. Does Szym have to eat Skyline chili? Yes (39.0% | 41 votes) No (13.3% | 14 votes) Let it Ride for This Year (47.6% | 50 votes) Total Votes: 105 |
| 3:17 | Dan Szymborski: And half an inning is in the books |
| 3:17 | Dan Szymborski: Also on paper! |
| 3:17 | Dan Szymborski: I’ve discovered that in the rare event I write something on paper these days, my handwriting is absolutely horrific now |
| 3:17 | : looks like a super position state for the Jacksons |
| 3:17 | : Is there a team with a larger variance of outcomes than Toronto? Division winner to trade deadline seller and a 2026 rebuild are all possible. |
| 3:17 | David Laurila: Maybe the Mariners? |
| 3:19 | : Well, in the last few years a lot of very smart people have left the Giants org. We lost a great analytics guy this year. Dan can you give Buster a piece of your mind? |
| 3:19 | : FWIW: Depth Charts and ZiPS projects Jackson Merrill to have the most WAR out of the Jacksons in 2025. |
| 3:20 | : One AB, 1 K. I am so afraid that hitting continues to become too difficult, almost unacceptable, as more and more pitchers are simply too big and too fast. |
| 3:20 | David Laurila: Maybe (but maybe not). It’s a long season. |
| 3:20 | Dan Szymborski: If the world ends right now, Austin Wells s the MVP! |
| 3:20 | : Austin Wells, leadoff extraordinaire! |
| 3:21 | Dan Szymborski: I mean, he has the mustache of an All-Star catcher |
| 3:21 | : True or False: Devers is a great offensive 3B but a mediocre offensive DH. |
| 3:21 | David Laurila: False. |
| 3:22 | Dan Szymborski: No, he’s well above average for a DH too |
| 3:22 | : Wells on the 1st pitch of the season!!!! |
| 3:22 | David Laurila: Shades of Dwight Evans. |
| 3:22 | Dan Szymborski: There are like three good DHs, some decent ones, and a whole bunch of “OK, mostly the injured guy or an off day” DHs |
| 3:24 | David Laurila: Lead-in to US National Anthem in Toronto was a well-spoken urge to separate baseball and politic, and be respectful. |
| 3:25 | : My back hurts just watching Cody Bellinger swing |
| 3:25 | : Dave. I remember 1986 from first pitch to last. |
| 3:25 | David Laurila: I was in a basement office at the Detroit Institute of Arts when Evans went deep. Had to return to work upstairs shortly thereafter. |
| 3:28 | : Did you see the White Sox lineup today? I wish them well, but… yikes. |
| 3:28 | David Laurila: Definitely a few years away from contending. Very promising farm, though. |
| 3:29 | : What is causing the long delay in Toronto? it ain’t theeweather. |
| 3:29 | David Laurila: Way too much pregame stuff it seems. They are honoring Kevin Kiermaier on the field at the moment. |
| 3:29 | Dan Szymborski: ZiPS has 42.6 WAR the rest of Devers career at 3B, 42.3 WAR at DH. He’s fine at DH |
| 3:31 | : That would put his career WAR at 67.8. Are we underrating how good he is? |
| 3:29 | : It would be the most Angels thing ever if the White Sox ended this weekend as the only undefeated team in baseball |
| 3:30 | : Pretty sweet tribute to Kiermaier in Toronto |
| 3:30 | Dan Szymborski: If the white sox are the only undefeated team this weekend, someone needs to unplug the MLB season and reboot it |
| 3:30 | : “Let it ride for this year” is currently winning…an unprecedented showing of pity from the usually cruel internet |
| 3:30 | :  BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE HAHA |
| 3:33 | : Just so you Americans are aware, the US is public enemy number one up here. |
| 3:33 | David Laurila: Fight The Power. |
| 3:38 | : https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team The 3 AL Central playoff teams are projected for exactly 40 WAR (CLE, DET, and KC). Which team will have the best season? |
| 3:38 | : Do you guys see Devers now as the heir apparent to the throne of David Ortiz, sort of a knight to the never to be deposed King? |
| 3:38 | Dan Szymborski: He’s good enough to be his own dude! |
| 3:38 | : Woohoo! Really impressed with the Blue Jays’ new hitting coach. He is working with the players’ natural movements rather than trying to mould them all into one vision. The previous regime managed to mess up many hitters. |
| 3:38 | David Laurila: Did the “previous regime” truly attempt to do that? |
| 3:39 | : AnGoney Volpe |
| 3:40 | : Not sure if I’m proud or disappointed in you for this |
| 3:39 | : Porched! |
| 3:40 | : here’s a pop fly into right, |
| 3:40 | David Laurila: Park factors are more a positive than a negative… are they not? |
| 3:41 | : They tried to change hitters to match the coach’s philosophy rather than work with each hitter’s natural movement individually. Addison Barger a prime example. |
| 3:41 | : That Volpe HR would’ve been gone in 9 ballparks, per Statcast. Wasn’t as much of a Yankee Stadium cheapy as it looked. |
| 3:44 | David Laurila: Blue Jays broadcast just said that Adley Rutschman is 13-for-22 in his career versus Toronto pitching. Make that 14-for-23, as Rutschman just went deep. |
| 3:44 | : Adley revenge season. |
| 3:45 | Dan Szymborski: I appreciate homers from my boom picks! lol |
| 3:45 | : Would have been awesome to see that Rutschman bomb. Anyone else having issues with MLB.tv |
| 3:45 | David Laurila: Working for me. |
| 3:46 | Dan Szymborski: It didn’t like my login at first, but it took mys econdary one |
| 3:46 | Dan Szymborski: tmobile keeps giving me free mlb.tv every year for some reason |
| 3:47 | : Dan apparently has a burner mlb.tv login so know one knows he’s watching the Orioles |
| 3:48 | Dan Szymborski: I’m not in Baltimore, so I can watch them straight up! |
| 3:48 | : The score is now 4 solo HR’s and 3 singles. |
| 3:48 | David Laurila: And five strikeouts. |
| 3:51 | : Aaron Boone’s aviators are incredible |
| 3:53 | David Laurila: Anthony Santander was a good signing by the Blue Jays. That said, he just popped out against his old team. |
| 3:53 | Dan Szymborski: The Jays needed that signing |
| 3:54 | David Laurila: Speaking of Santander’s old team, I have the Orioles winning the AL East and advancing to the World Series. |
| 3:55 | : Oh so this is what we’re doing now? Brewers are just going to magically turn Vinnie Capra into a stud? |
| 3:55 | Dan Szymborski: Works for me! I like looking smart |
| 3:56 | : Which matchup today is most likely to re-occur in the postseason? (besides LAA-CHW) |
| 3:56 | David Laurila: Maybe Boston-Texas? |
| 3:57 | : How come nobody wants Roansy Contreras? May 11: DFAed by Pirates |
| 4:02 | Dan Szymborski: I’m lots of pounds stronger than I was at 20 too! |
| 4:02 | : Since I am trying to get off social media I am going to use this chat as my place to complain about MLB TV having widespread issues on opening day |
| 4:03 | : Dan, I’ve noticed this stock language in your boom/bust article: “Of the approximately 4,000 players projected every season, some 800 or so will fail to meet their 10th-percentile projection or exceed their 90th, meaning ZiPS.” What should I make of the fact that 800/4000 is 20%, not 10%? I feel like I’m missing something obvious. |
| 4:03 | Dan Szymborski: 10% fail to meet 10th and 10% exceed 90th is 20% |
| 4:03 | : Who do you think ends with a better line today between Skenes and Sandy? |
| 4:03 | Dan Szymborski: Skenes |
| 4:06 | : My MLBTV is also busted. Network Error, for every game I’ve tried. |
| 4:06 | Dan Szymborski: It’s not like you can expect Opening Day! lol |
| 4:06 | Dan Szymborski: it’s not like it’s scheduled and they coudl plan |
| 4:06 | : Goodness, if Rodón is hurt too…. |
| 4:07 | Dan Szymborski: That will negatively affect the projection! |
| 4:08 | : Dan can you share your credentials so we can watch? |
| 4:08 | Dan Szymborski: THAT wil definitely get my account taken away! |
| 4:09 | : I am unprepared to live in a world in which Julio Borbon is a major league coach. Time comes for us all. |
| 4:09 | : Nice quick release there by Jazz Chisholm. That’s a much tougher play than it looked |
| 4:09 | : What sort of position players do fans most undervalue or under appreciate? What do teams most underappreciate (if anything at all). I would say athleticism, but that doesn’t seem right considering people love watching dudes like Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr. etc |
| 4:09 | Dan Szymborski: I think well-rounded players without one SPECIFIC trait to point out are hard to explain to fans |
| 4:10 | : Is totally borked today. “No streams available.” On Opening Day. |
| 4:10 | : Luckily for me, nobody’s blacking out my access to radio |
| 4:11 | : I’d say probably Marcus Semien, especially because his best skill is durability. |
| 4:11 | : MLBTV being completely broken for OD is an annual tradition at this point. It’s like they spend all winter forgetting people use it. |
| 4:11 | Dan Szymborski: “Hey, we’re not putting in overtime on the free days” |
| 4:12 | : My audio feeds don’t work for MLB either. And since Verizon removed MASN from me and I’m blacked out for Orioles…. I guess there’s always bourbon. |
| 4:12 | Dan Szymborski: bourbon is good for happy times too |
| 4:13 | : At least MLBTV remembered to charge us! |
| 4:13 | : Have you played OOTP 26 yet? |
| 4:13 | Dan Szymborski: I haven’t had time to really dig in yet |
| 4:13 | Dan Szymborski: the last week before the season is a killer for me |
| 4:13 | : Eno choosing violence today, I guess. https://x.com/enosarris/status/1905351224469377325 |
| 4:13 | : I need a ruling. At what point do I have to abandon a Bay Area-related Joey Bart pun as my username? Last year it felt justifiable, but this year feels like it’s pushing it… |
| 4:14 | Dan Szymborski: I know someone who still uses Joe Crede Clearwater Revival as their handle |
| 4:15 | : Joe Crede! Didn’t expect to see that name today |
| 4:15 | : Is “Center Field” by John Foggerty more or less obnoxious on opening day? |
| 4:15 | Dan Szymborski: I was a terrible outfielder as a kid as my judgment on trajectories was atrocious |
| 4:16 | Dan Szymborski: I mostly played second and always hurt myself because I played ultra-aggressively, charging every hard hit ball like a little psycho |
| 4:18 | : Sorry, we accidentally fired all the MLB.TV Tech folks. We’re in the process of giving them their jobs back. |
| 4:18 | Dan Szymborski: POlitical but I laughed! |
| 4:18 | : Is run scoring generally lower on opening day compared to regular season averages? You’d think with mostly aces on the mound it would be, but wasn’t sure if that actually ends up being true |
| 4:18 | Dan Szymborski: I believe it is |
| 4:18 | : Dan can we get an off the cuff odds that Ernie is top 2 on the Jays for position player WAR this year? |
| 4:18 | Dan Szymborski: I dunno, 15%? |
| 4:18 | : Mike Trout’s handguard early league MVP candidate. |
| 4:19 | : Is it just me or is the crowd noise really loud in Houston? Sounds like the 2010 World Cup in there |
| 4:19 | : I wish I could watch Trout hit right now |
| 4:19 | Dan Szymborski: I just can’t remember the new park name yet |
| 4:19 | Dan Szymborski: I keep calling it Daikon Park |
| 4:19 | : I realize batter-vs-hitter splits are dumb. But Rutschman is 15-24 with 4 HR off Berrios. Impressive. |
| 4:19 | : Might as well be Dunkin Park |
| 4:19 | Dan Szymborski: There’s an article where I was just about to say “screw that” and call it Dovahkiin Park |
| 4:20 | : I just wanted to mention that mlb.tv is also not working for me. |
| 4:20 | : If it’s Daikon Park they really out to trade for the O’s Kyle bRadish.  |
| 4:21 | Dan Szymborski: ONEILL |
| 4:21 | Dan Szymborski: ZiPS had a weirdly optimistic projection for him |
| 4:22 | Dan Szymborski: ZiPS had him with a 130 wRC+ |
| 4:22 | : Tyler O’Neill again! |
| 4:23 | : MLb.tv started fine an hour ago – but switched devices and now not working at all on either device… |
| 4:23 | Dan Szymborski: So I better not refresh the browder page lol |
| 4:23 | : can someone just incept Tyler O’Neil into thinking every day is opening day? |
| 4:23 | : Won my first bet of the year with Tyler O’Neill. |
| 4:24 | : Can everyone log off mlb.tv so I can log on? Thanks in advance. |
| 4:25 | : I’m guessing there are players whose modal projection is notably different from their median projection? I understand why you go with median, but if you wanted “single best guess for what a single player does this year” how much different would it be? |
| 4:25 | Dan Szymborski: Not usually terribly off. Kopech and Scott did used to have weird bimodal distros |
| 4:25 | : Reddit isn’t working either. It’s like the universe wants me to actually do work today. BAD UNIVERSE |
| 4:25 | : (To be clear for anyone troubleshooting — I’m listening to radio directly on my local station’s app, not through MLBTV) |
| 4:28 | Dan Szymborski: crap, i tried to change back to brewers yankees and my mlb.tv died |
| 4:29 | : “Unable to read responses from MLB media services.” That’s a new one. |
| 4:29 | Dan Szymborski: IF ONLY MLB HAD A SALARY CAP THEN MLB.TV WOULD WORK |
| 4:31 |  Jay Jaffe: Say hey, happy Opening Day everybody! Unless you’re trying to watch a game via MLB TV, that is. |
| 4:31 | Dan Szymborski: Welcome Jay! |
| 4:31 | : Your mileage will vary but I logged out of MLBTV and then logged back in and games reloaded…. |
| 4:31 | Dan Szymborski: Did nto work for me |
| 4:31 | Jay Jaffe: I’ve got Yankees-Brewers on here from Brooklyn via my cable TV package |
| 4:31 | Jay Jaffe: and hold the phone, Mabel… |
| 4:32 | Dan Szymborski: technically, we just said it was an opening day chat not necessarily that it would involve baseball we could watch |
| 4:32 | Jay Jaffe: i just logged out of MLB TV and logged back in and I’ve got live baseball from Cincinnati |
| 4:32 | Dan Szymborski: Without baseball, I’ve had to resort to shenanigans |
| 4:32 | Dan Szymborski: |
| 4:33 | : Seriously, 80% of this chat is complaining about MLBtv |
| 4:33 | : Chourio going for the early golden sombrero |
| 4:33 | : Thank goodness for ESPN I guess? |
| 4:33 | Dan Szymborski: I don’t even have my office rigged for regular cable TV anymore! |
| 4:34 | : So what we’ve learned is the Orioles are going to score in every inning and not allow a baserunner all season… right? |
| 4:34 | Dan Szymborski: Sounds good to me |
| 4:34 |
| 4:34 | : I’ve bribed my children to watch baseball with me promising cheddar dogs, carmel corn, and cotton candy. They’re all wearing Braves gear today. They’re still young enough to trick them into loving what I love – it can’t go down like this! |
| 4:35 | Jay Jaffe: That worked for awhile with our daughter — and to some extent still does when it comes to taking her to the ballpark. But at 8 1/2 now, she’s mostly out when it comes to actually caring about the game. Sigh. |
| 4:35 | Dan Szymborski: there’s nothing wrong with bribing children. They gotta learn about the benefits of selling out SOME day! |
| 4:37 | : The “big inning” channel works for me but none of the individual games |
| 4:37 | Dan Szymborski: I’m not even sure WHERE Big Inning is, I’ve never watched it befroe |
| 4:37 | : Hey Jay. Do you think Marcus Semien makes it to the hall? |
| 4:39 | Jay Jaffe: I think he’s building a sneaky-good case. Thanks to his defensive prowess, he’s reached the 40-WAR peak threshold (best seven seasons worth at least 40 WAR); something like 76% of eligible players with that threshold get in eventually. However, he’s still got work to do, as he’s at 45.9 career WAR/40.6 peak WAR/43.3 JAWS , so he’s about 13 points shy of the standard and he’s already 33. He’s gonna need at least a few more very good seasons. |
| 4:38 | Dan Szymborski: His excellence isn’t prolonged enough to get my vote (at least now) and I imagine I’d be one of the easiest gets |
| 4:38 | : What are some of the 80 grade pitches out there right now? Devin Williams’ airbender, maybe Skenes splinker, maybe Lugo’s curveball, Treinen’s sweeper….? |
| 4:38 | Dan Szymborski: I think the movie killed airbender as a compliment |
| 4:39 | : *flips on MIL@NYY* Carlos Rodon strikes out the side! *flips on BOS@TEX* *slips on SFG@CIN* Hitting is hard. |
| 4:39 | : Clase cutter = 80 |
| 4:40 | Dan Szymborski: snap, it let me into red sox rangers! |
| 4:40 | Dan Szymborski: I’m too afraid to change it now |
| 4:40 | Dan Szymborski: I like Jay’s answer better than mine; I like Semien |
| 4:41 | : mlb.tv is doing a psych experiment on variable reinforcement upon the unsuspecting public |
| 4:41 | : sasaki splitter |
| 4:41 | : The log out and back in trick eventually worked. Thanks Jay! |
| 4:41 | : Thanks jay! I’m rooting for Semien. He’s the embodiment of skill meets will. If he makes it, it will be because he’s earned it. |
| 4:41 | Jay Jaffe: Glad to see this is working for some pepple |
| 4:42 | Dan Szymborski: still no luck jay? |
| 4:42 | Jay Jaffe: it worked for me! and seems to work for desktop/laptop |
| 4:42 | : My laptop isn’t loading MLB tv |
| 4:42 | Jay Jaffe: but so far not so much for people on phones |
| 4:42 | : i logged out too |
| 4:44 | Dan Szymborski: I did make this while I was waiting for my baseball to come |
| 4:44 | Jay Jaffe: LOVE IT! |
| 4:45 | : Do any of y’all watch Foolish Bailey’s work? He’s totally adorkable. I feel he’s like 1.5 standard deviations from being a Fangraphs staffer. Plus the final fantasy midi tunes. No way you don’t dig that Dan? |
| 4:45 | : Logout/login worked after the third time on computer. Just in time to see Sale give up two runs  |
| 4:46 | Dan Szymborski: I think I did a podcast with himi once if I haven’t lost my mind |
| 4:46 | Dan Szymborski: or maybe I just talk with him occasionally in DMs? |
| 4:46 | : GIMENEZ WITH THE POWER |
| 4:46 | : Semien turned himself from a very poor defender into a Gold Glove finalist through massive amounts of hard work (and the magical tutelage of Ron Washington) |
| 4:46 | Dan Szymborski: Yeah, there was a great article in I think the athletic several years ago about that |
| 4:47 | : Worked on ipad, not phone, and…dont seem to have a choice of feeds… |
| 4:47 | : I know Skenes may become one of the best of all time but, darn if I don’t believe that Merrill was the ROY last year and he starts the year with a 2 out 2 run single off of Sale, as tough a lefty as there is. |
| 4:47 | Jay Jaffe: Jackson Merrill had a fantastic season in the midst of a playoff race. I think i might have leaned that way on the ROY vote – and Dan, isn’t that what you went with for your official vote? |
| 4:47 | Dan Szymborski: Just take whatever feed you can before MLB.TV takes it away again |
| 4:47 | Dan Szymborski: Yes, I voted for Merrill |
| 4:47 | Dan Szymborski: I don’t think anyone bought my argument, but I stand by it! |
| 4:47 | Jay Jaffe: I just read that piece again the other day while writing about Skenes |
| 4:48 | Dan Szymborski: But at least I wasn’t 29-1 like India year, that messed up my social media for weeks and I still get the occasional angry person in random DMs |
| 4:48 | Dan Szymborski: I don’t mind being the lone vote on something out of principle, but I woudl PREFER to not be alone |
| 4:49 | Jay Jaffe: I am perfectly happy to not vote for the annual awards |
| 4:49 | Jay Jaffe: odds of me getting a vote in the very deep NY chapter are very very low, thankfully |
| 4:49 | : Re; Devers – how can he have higher WAR as a DH when there is a 15 run difference on defense? What am I missing? Has his D been that bad? |
| 4:50 | Jay Jaffe: Devers’ defense is subpar but not DH-only subpar. the roster fits together better with Bregman at 3B and Campbell at 2B, though. Wrote about the situation last week https://blogs.fangraphs.com/red-sox-third-base-drama-appears-to-be-res… |
| 4:50 | Dan Szymborski: I haven’t checked it, but someone told me that I’m the only hometown chapter voter to prevent a unanimous vote in BBWAA history. |
| 4:51 | : Its a little early, but CWS first place team becoming more likely by the minute |
| 4:51 | : Does Ron Washington have the biggest gap in respect as base coach/position coach vs respect as manager? |
| 4:51 | Jay Jaffe: Managing, as Wash would probably tell you, is incredibly hard |
| 4:51 | : Lindor hasn’t been an All-Star SINCE 2019?!?!? |
| 4:51 | Dan Szymborski: Yeah, that’s weird a shell |
| 4:51 | Jay Jaffe: Lindor has had slow starts just about every year with the Mets |
| 4:52 | Jay Jaffe: And so he doesn’t get the All-Star votes/attention he deserves |
| 4:52 | Dan Szymborski:  |
| 4:52 | : White Sox offense roaring to life |
| 4:52 | : Lindor the actual most underrated player, now that everyone appropriately appreciates Jose Ramirez |
| 4:52 | : The Angels are hilarious |
| 4:52 | Dan Szymborski: |
| 4:53 | : I like how your AI comics are keeping up with inflation Dan. |
| 4:53 | Jay Jaffe: Francisco Lindor 2021-24 1st half: .242/.325/.436 (113 wRC+) 2021-24 2nd half: ..285.354.499 (137 wRC+) |
| 4:54 | : Is it just me or does the Skenes sinker/splitter not look very good? |
| 4:54 | Dan Szymborski: I’m afraid to switch to antoher game now that I have A game working |
| 4:54 | : that first half Lindor still an all-star with his defense |
| 4:54 | Jay Jaffe: He is, but fans vote based on batting stats |
| 4:55 | Jay Jaffe: Or i should say, they tend to vote based on batting stats |
| 4:56 | : I always say, vote for the best players, not who had the best 1st half. At the very least, it makes for a more entertaining All-Star Game |
| 4:56 | Jay Jaffe: it’s the right principle, and if you try to pick a team that way instead of who had the hottest last 3 months, people will absolutely cry bloody murder. |
| 4:57 | Dan Szymborski: and the thing is since votes are cumulative, if you vote for the players having the best season at any given point, you’re making an April All-Star team |
| 4:57 | Dan Szymborski: sicne the April games will have three times the weight as June games |
| 4:57 | : Pasquatch is back. |
| 4:59 | : Mackenzie Gore with 9 STRIKEOUTS THRU 4 INNINGS |
| 4:59 | Jay Jaffe: it’s all a matter of whose ox is being Gored |
| 5:00 | : Seems like I entered the chat at a normal time. |
| 5:00 | Jay Jaffe: Davy! |
| 5:01 | : Hello Jay, hello Dan, hello people! |
| 5:01 | Jay Jaffe: Brooklyn has double representation in this chat now |
| 5:01 | : Excuse me, Jay? |
| 5:01 | : Now? |
| 5:02 | : Oh, I knew you were moving, but you never said where. |
| 5:02 | : (Hi, Matt.) |
| 5:02 | : Hi Davy! |
| 5:02 | : I’ve been in Brooklyn for 3 1/2 years now. It’s the place to be |
| 5:02 | Jay Jaffe: oh, right! |
| 5:03 | Jay Jaffe: lost count! Triple-Brooklyn chat now, perhaps a FanGraphs first |
| 5:03 | : Do you think Correa and Seager make the HOF with sub-2000 hits (basically, how much will the electorate change by 2038)? |
| 5:05 | Jay Jaffe: They respectively need 950 and 949 hits — wild that they’re just one apart. I’m less worried about their chances of getting to 2,000 than I am about the quality of their play eroding. Which is to say that I don’t think they’ll be as solid candidates as we currently presume/hope if they’re not getting to 2,000 |
| 5:04 | : Ozzie Albies HR batting lefty! |
| 5:05 | : Can Davy watch baseball? |
| 5:05 | : I can see the Yankees-Brewers and Big Inning. I don’t enjoy Big Inning, though. It makes me feel like I’m a thousand years old. Too many screens. |
| 5:05 | : You Brooklyn guys can all celebrate this local pride nonsense on July 18. Let’s focus on Opening Day. |
| 5:06 | Jay Jaffe: hey pally, nobody tells anybody from Brooklyn what to do around here. |
| 5:06 | : We will forget about it, kwah. |
| 5:06 | : Salvador Perez’s walk-up music should be a bastardization of the Lorde hit: “and we’ll always be Royals…” |
| 5:08 | : I am strongly in favor of this. In the meantime, I did record a song very early one morning whose main premise was that we can be Royals. |
| 5:07 | : MLB.tv is working for me |
| 5:07 | : finally |
| 5:07 | : Hey, y’all Brooklyn-ites…can we focus on the Orioles offensive explosion and Eflin pitching a gem?  |
| 5:07 | Jay Jaffe: can it qualify as a gem if the lone hit is a 2-run homer by a 161-pound second baseman? |
| 5:08 | : Ozzie with a big donger. Would be fun to see a real resurgence from him this year |
| 5:08 | : Could not agree with this more. Really hoping he’s excellent again. |
| 5:09 | : How many runs can you give up and still have it be a “gem” |
| 5:09 | : Can’t be more than two, right? |
| 5:09 | : Renfroe already cost royals a run in RF… inexcusable not to plug at least one of the corner OF holes |
| 5:10 | : I agree, but I have to imagine they were thinking he’d bounce back once his entire body wasn’t injured. Also, they checked in on Soto. How much more do you want? |
| 5:13 | : If only they did a Zoom call with him |
| 5:10 | : If you’re the White Sox that answer is 6 |
| 5:10 | : I feel like 9 innings and 15+ K is a gem regardless of runs scored. |
| 5:13 | Jay Jaffe: There have been 52 such starts with 9 innings and 15 or more strikeouts during the Wild Card era. Only 4 times did a pitcher allow more than 2 runs: 3 by Randy Johnson in the late 90s, 1 by Chris Sale in 2018 https://stathead.com/tiny/fkAxm |
| 5:11 | : Also in credit to Gore he is touching 99 with great stuff today |
| 5:11 | : This is the Orioles starting rotation we’re talking about…this definitely qualifies. |
| 5:12 | : A.J. Burnett’s no-hitter (with 9 BBs) challenges the concept and the operational definition of “a gem.” |
| 5:14 | : Can I do a bold prediction? The Dodgers fail to make the playoffs. Betts is basically on his deathbed and also old, Muncy is old, Freeman is old, Ohtani is surgically repaired, Glasnow and Saski are injury-prone. Come @ me. |
| 5:14 | : I’m officially coming at you. The depth, Chip. The depth. |
| 5:14 | Jay Jaffe: Our Playoff Odds did give them a 2.1% chance of missing the playoffs. It’s not entirely implausible! |
| 5:14 | : Put your full name on here Chip and then make that claim! |
| 5:15 | : That is his full name, Matt. This the chipmunk from the Rescue Rangers you’re talking to. Show some respect. |
| 5:15 | : Dale, by the way, huge Dodgers fan. |
| 5:15 | : I think one of those Randy Johnson starts was the one where McGwire hit one off the back wall of the Kingdome |
| 5:16 | Jay Jaffe: This tracks based on the box score! https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA199706240.shtml?__hstc… |
| 5:16 | : Not saying it’s likely, but it wouldn’t shock me. Dynasties decline. |
| 5:18 | : Gotta love the Dave Niehaus call too! |
| 5:18 | Jay Jaffe: He hit the ******* **** out of that one |
| 5:19 | : This is what I tell everyone – in the late 90s the Yankees were “going to ruin baseball”, but then guys got old, bills came due. LAD will eventually be paying $200 mil in deferred payments to guys either retired or way past their prime |
| 5:20 | : You’re not wrong, but it’s worth noting that they’re already setting aside that deferred money now. It’s not like they’re spending it at the time that they pay it. |
| 5:20 | : Fair enough Jay…. I would add that any 15K start is very likely a gem… I should do more searching before typing…thanks for the correction. |
| 5:21 | Jay Jaffe: Wouldn’t call it a correction so much as an opportunity to indulge my curiosity. We all learned something and got to watch an absolute beast of a homer! |
| 5:21 | : Keibert home run! Did not expect to see one of those for a while. |
| 5:21 | : Still under 100 mph EV. |
| 5:21 | : Does it make me old that when I see Atlanta-vs-Padres I think ‘Oh those are the teams the Yankees beat in 1996 and 1998’ and also when I see Yankees-vs-Brewers I think ‘Oh that’s an odd American League matchup to start the season’? |
| 5:21 | : It makes you one of us. |
| 5:22 | : By the way, so fun to see all your usernames again. I love these chats. |
| 5:22 | : In the “you can’t predict baseball Suzyn” category Wilyer Abrey had 1 hit in ST so he starts off the season with 2 knocks including a home run. |
| 5:23 | : He seems destined for regression, but I sincerely hope it doesn’t happen. I will be rooting for him this year. Happy for a fast start. |
| 5:24 | Jay Jaffe: Not a Wilyer Won’t Year? |
| 5:24 | : Write that down somewhere. It’s too good to lose. |
| 5:23 | : Is this chat still going to be happening during the Dodgers game? |
| 5:24 | : Yes, we’ll have a shift change at seven eastern. |
| 5:25 | : Former Guest here. Orioles fan. Figured it out…technology is hard at my age. |
| 5:25 | : Ok shadows are mostly gone across the infield in DC… lets see if I can luck my way into a timely update when Gore pitches. I predict a HR for PHI this inning to break the shutout. |
| 5:25 | : Here we go. |
| 5:26 | : Pirates take the lead! |
| 5:27 | : Due to Effectively Wild and Editor Growley (a.k.a. Fangraph), I now have an intense interest in every Isaac Paredes plate appearance. EWStatsdotcom is fun. |
| 5:28 | : I had too many starters going in fantasy today, as most do. Decided to bench Gore and go with Gallen tonight. So, there’s that. |
| 5:28 | : 7:10 Pacific, I mean |
| 5:28 | : Oh, I’m sorry. I doubt it. I think we’re on two-hour shifts, so we’ll be wrapping up by five or so your time. |
| 5:28 | : And now Gore is up to 13 strikeouts through 6 scoreless |
| 5:28 | : I read recently that his defense was expected to drop off because he won’t throw out so many runners? Of course this is in too obvious for words category!!!! The league now knows that it is foolish to run on his cannon. |
| 5:28 | Dan Szymborski: The best defensive catcher is a strong armed catcher that runners DIS respect! |
| 5:30 | : One of the coolest Russell Carleton articles. |
| 5:30 | : Which is saying something. |
| 5:29 | : Crow for me… Gore is looking very very good today |
| 5:30 | : Can we give Kirk the moniker “El Tortuga II?” Too harsh? |
| 5:31 | : I would say that while that is a cool nickname and he deserves a cool nickname, he probably deserves an original one. |
| 5:32 | : Colt Keith or Cam Smith this year? |
| 5:34 | Jay Jaffe: I saw an article at The Athletic where Maurcio Dubón called Smith “the next 60-homer guy” and… man, I’d say let’s pump the breaks just a bit before we see if the kid with 32 professional games so far can survive April without being sent down. (that’s to him, not to you) I’m not all that high on Colt Keith but I expect to see a better version of him this year. so that’s my pick for this particular choice. |
| 5:32 | Dan Szymborski: People would always try to tell me “Yadier Molina is underrated because you’re not giving him credit for the guys who won’t run now!” and I’m all “why the hell wouldn’t you want runners run on him if you’re a Cardinals fan? If runners tried 300 SBs against him, he’d be the league MVP” |
| 5:32 | : What player(s) do you think will significantly beat their zips playing time projections? |
| 5:33 | Dan Szymborski: A lot of them are in my booms/busts column! |
| 5:33 | : Kirk…Sasquat? |
| 5:33 | : La Paloma for Kirk |
| 5:33 | : I don’t think we’ve found it yet. |
| 5:35 | : Riley is lookin strong. Dark horse MVP candidate? Defense too weak for that? |
| 5:36 | : I actually picked him for MVP last year, so that would definitely make me feel better. |
| 5:36 | Dan Szymborski: When people say Riley I still think Matt Riley first |
| 5:36 | : Jays fans are just calling him Captain. |
| 5:36 | : OK, serious question. Recent extensions for Raleigh and Kirk…what should an Adley extension look like? |
| 5:37 | : Dan, what does ZiPS have for that? |
| 5:37 | Dan Szymborski: starting next year? |
| 5:37 | : yep |
| 5:37 | Jay Jaffe: I still think of Kirk as “Absolute Unit” because I had never heard that term before fans started calling him that when he was a rookie https://www.instagram.com/kirkfans/p/CFbAF3EiYeM/?hl=en |
| 5:38 | : Adley gonna get PAID. like 30 x 10 |
| 5:38 | : for FA years |
| 5:38 | : Adley probably 5 years at 40 a year |
| 5:38 | : You get a mulligan for any Atlanta prediction last year, Davy |
| 5:38 | : Very kind. |
| 5:38 | Dan Szymborski: Remember, there’s going to be a hit starting a guy’s contract three years in advance |
| 5:38 | Jay Jaffe: Wow that was not a good throw from Chourio on what should not have been a successful sac fly |
| 5:40 | : He was not in the best position to make the throw. Looked like the shadows and the wind made it tough for him to track it and get behind it. But yes, bad throw |
| 5:38 | : Royals pull Ragans and Zerpa immediately gives up a 1st pitch Homer followed by two more hits. Its definitely baseball season. Sad face. |
| 5:39 | : What’s important is that my Cy Young pick (for the second year in a row) has a clean sheet. |
| 5:39 | Jay Jaffe: I went with Ragans too |
| 5:39 | Dan Szymborski: ZipS says 6/221 extension if you start in FA |
| 5:40 | Dan Szymborski: 8/241 if you buy out 2026/2027 arbitration |
| 5:40 | Dan Szymborski: err 8/251 |
| 5:41 | Jay Jaffe: Hey Dan, what does your magic spreadsheet say for the career hit totals of Correa and Seager? Somebody was asking earlier about their HOF chances. |
| 5:41 | : Gore is out of the game |
| 5:42 | Jay Jaffe: 6 1 0 0 0 13 — now that’s a gem! |
| 5:42 | Dan Szymborski: seager 2212 hits, 360 HR, 271/346/469, 124 OPS+, 58.1 WAR, 47 JAWS |
| 5:43 | : This would be an interesting case – considering the 2 W.S. MVP awards. |
| 5:42 | : And it’s a tie ballgame |
| 5:42 | : HR Bryce Harper |
| 5:42 | Dan Szymborski: Correa 49.4 JAWS, 1913 hits, 285 homers, 117 OPS+, 53.6 WAR, 264/345/442 |
| 5:43 | : Thanks Dan. Beer at Pickles on me if we ever cross paths in Balmer. |
| 5:43 | Dan Szymborski: Pickles is WAY too crowded for me on game days! lol |
| 5:43 | : bHRyce HRpr |
| 5:43 | : I’ve missed us. |
| 5:43 | Dan Szymborski: I’m just getting too old to enjoy the EVERYBODY STUFF INTO THE BAR bars |
| 5:44 | : Nick Gonzales just hurt himself on his home run trot. |
| 5:44 | Jay Jaffe: Thanks Dan! Those would be the 19th and 20th-best JAWS at SS assuming nobody else passes them, but Lindor is ALREADY at 49.8 WAR, 45.6 JAWS |
| 5:44 | Dan Szymborski: yeah, zips has lindor best jaws of any SS |
| 5:44 | Dan Szymborski: active that is |
| 5:44 | Jay Jaffe: he’s lapped the field practically |
| 5:44 | Jay Jaffe: among the current crop |
| 5:45 | : Brandon Lockridge up right now for San Diego. Left field is a big hole in that lineup. |
| 5:46 | : Cade Smith is the way, the truth, the cold side of the pillow |
| 5:46 | : Cade Smith is still Cade Smith |
| 5:46 | : scooped! |
| 5:46 | Dan Szymborski: ZiPS JAWS projection current all-stars: Freeman 56.7, Altuve 49.7, Ramirez 56.4, Rutschman 42.6, Trout 80.7, Ohtani 56.7 JUST as DH, Yelich 42.1,Soto 74.6 |
| 5:47 | : Just as DH?! |
| 5:48 | Jay Jaffe: ooh tasty! |
| 5:47 | Dan Szymborski: yup |
| 5:47 | : Wowsers. |
| 5:47 | : Lol the Nats lost the lead |
| 5:48 | : Hard to imagine something less wow than that. |
| 5:48 | Dan Szymborski: Pitcher proj in ZiPS by JAWS: Verlander, Kershaw, Scherzer, Sale, deGrom, Wheeler, COle, Nola, Webb, Alcantara |
| 5:48 | : Sean Burke pulled after 73 pitches. Seems foolish from a development standpoint. |
| 5:48 | Jay Jaffe: First start of the year, 4th of his major league career, it’s still March… I don’t think there’s anything particularly egregious about pulling the guy. He did only throw 90.2 innings last yer between minors and majors, they don’t need to burn him out. |
| 5:48 | Dan Szymborski: then Skenes, Skubal, Burnes, Cueto, Crochet, Gray, Fried, Greene |
| 5:48 | : So if Clay Holmes doesn’t work as a mid rotation starter… How worried should the mets be about the rotation |
| 5:50 | : Very worried. I nearly didn’t pick the Mets to make the playoffs because of this rotation, but that lineup is good and I think the Mets will go out and add as the season goes on if needed. But that rotation has a bunch of no. 4s |
| 5:48 | Dan Szymborski: at least moderately |
| 5:48 | : update on Nick Gonzales – apparently he was already hurt from end of ST, and just tweaked it on his home run trot. |
| 5:49 | : Lindor is the best defender. Keeps his WAR high even in off years |
| 5:49 | : Looking at WAR, WAR7 and JAWS, Lindor’s career right now is basically Jim Fregosi’s…I had no idea Jim Fregosi was that good. |
| 5:50 | Jay Jaffe: he really fell apart with the Mets and turned that into a very lopsided trade (for Nolan Ryan and 3 other players, for those who don’t know the lore) |
| 5:49 | : I was so close to nailing the Nats game prediction |
| 5:50 | Dan Szymborski: Jim Fregosi is only my all-time forgotten awesome 60/70s players team |
| 5:50 | Dan Szymborski: on |
| 5:51 | : Ozzie almost with a right-handed homer. Anyone know who in MLB history has the most games with a homer from both sides of the plate? Mantle? Chipper? Eddie Murray? |
| 5:51 | Jay Jaffe: In a throwback to the 2009 Yankees, the record is apparently shared by Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher https://www.mlb.com/news/home-runs-from-both-sides-of-the-plate |
| 5:52 | : After the top starter came out it took 2 hitters to tie the Phillies- Nats game and only 1 hitter in the Guardians-Royals game for the team trailing to jump on the bullpen and people question why I believe that top of the rotation aces should not be removed for middle relievers. At least let the studs get the game to the back end of the pen. |
| 5:52 | Dan Szymborski: I’m also shocked how forgotten Toby Harrah is |
| 5:56 | Jay Jaffe: Break out Mike Shropshire’s Seasons in Hell and read about Toby Harrah playing a game with congealed vomit in his hair, and you’ll never forget him again. Me, i got his baseball card in one of my first Topps 1978 packs so he was always a favorite. |
| 5:52 | : Hey Dan, Cinci guy here. I won’t pick on your abhorence of Skyline today… How big are the ZIPS error bars around a guy like Kristian Campbell, who doesn’t have a long track record in the minors. Are you comping to other guys who have a similar path to the majors or solely on his own minor league record? |
| 5:52 | Dan Szymborski: It’s more baseline comp than path comp |
| 5:53 | Dan Szymborski: he’s compared to a lot of major AND minor leaguers |
| 5:53 | : I never understood why it is “Balmer” when my best approximation of the accent would be something like “Bawdimore” |
| 5:53 | Dan Szymborski: people in baltimore swallow the tim |
| 5:53 | Dan Szymborski: tim |
| 5:53 | Dan Szymborski: ti |
| 5:53 | Dan Szymborski: dangit |
| 5:54 | : Good lord are they actually going to let Skenes get to 100 pitches?? In this economy?! |
| 5:55 | : Never mind! |
| 5:54 | : Juan SottoVoce (He hit a lazy bloop out to RF.) |
| 5:55 | : Believe in TORK rebound? |
| 5:55 | : I think it’s possible. He needs to get more aggressive. |
| 5:55 | : Framber double play, hello season. |
| 5:55 | : Update: Skenes pulled at 94 after back to back full count walks. I’ll take it I guess. |
| 5:58 | : Hi Dan, Davy, and Jay– Thanks for chatting. What are your thoughts on expansion? Montreal Expos fan here. I don’t think baseball will ever come back to Montreal in my lifetime, but what cities could be welcoming baseball teams in the near future, if we were to have expansion teams? |
| 5:58 | : I would refer you to this masterpiece. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-playoffs-arent-too-big-the-league-is-w… |
| 5:58 | : Keibert Ruiz just swung and missed on an Orion Kerkering sweeper that hit him in the shin. |
| 5:58 | : Another outstanding AB for Wilyer Abreu. a 9 pitch walk against a lefty. I was stunned that Cora didn’t call on Refsnyder there. |
| 5:59 | : I really want him to get a chance against lefties this season. But that’s just me. |
| 5:59 | : PSA: Mike Trout is up with runners on the corners and two outs with the Angels down 3-0 |
| 6:01 | : Oh my God, the Blue Jays. |
| 6:01 | : wish i could watch baseball. no money tho |
| 6:02 | : Adley again! What an Opening Day for Birdland! |
| 6:02 | Dan Szymborski: for at least one day, we can dispense with the weird OMG IS ADLEY RUTSCHMAN BAD NOW? talk |
| 6:02 | : Jazz Chisholm needs to learn it is *not* about the pitches at which you don’t swing. |
| 6:02 | : badley rutschman is a myth. adley clutchman is real |
| 6:03 | : Agree Dan…that second half had to be injury-related. This is more who he is, although not THIS incredible. |
| 6:03 | Dan Szymborski: I refuse to believe he can’t hit 324 HRs |
| 6:03 | Dan Szymborski: hoepfully whoever wanted Campbell offensive comps is still here |
| 6:03 | Dan Szymborski: cause I’m about to rip off a whole bunch of the top ones |
| 6:04 | : has anyone said trout looks slim this year? |
| 6:04 | : You saw it with several catchers last year; the 2nd of the year is really, really hard on them |
| 6:05 | Dan Szymborski: Gavin Lux, Dilson Herrera, Rickie Weeks, Adam Riggs, Jorge Orta, Tom Tresh, Josh H. Smith, Cass Michaels, Ben Chapman, Von Hayes, Kevin Young, Rob Refsnyder, Chad Curtis, Billy Sample, Adrian Beltre, Dave Anderson, Rod Carew, Lyn Lary, Bucky Harris, Keith Miller, Bobby Grich, Chris Taylor, Steve Boros, Mickey Morandini, Carney Lansford, Gil McDougald, Ian Kinsler, Jim Fregosi, Dan Driessen, Paul Molitor |
| 6:05 | : Jay: re: Toby Harrah: he was in one of the first packs of cards I ever opened as well, wood-framed 1987 Topps. I remember thinking it was weird he had the Senators on the back of his card. |
| 6:06 | Jay Jaffe: Nice! I had stopped collecting by 1987 — I missed the whole Junk Wax era. |
| 6:05 | : Dan, have you read “Seasons In Hell” by Mike Shropshire? It’s about the 73-75 Rangers and is funny as all get out. Harrah was around for that |
| 6:06 | Dan Szymborski: I have not, though I have had a mental note to catch at it somepoint |
| 6:06 | Jay Jaffe: Oh that one is a gem, Dan |
| 6:07 | : Boy, I was not expecting to see Gavin Lux on the same list as Paul Molitor. |
| 6:07 | Dan Szymborski: Remember, the baseline is *at that age* not what they eventually became |
| 6:08 | : Baseball is hard. Wearing the “Tools of Ignorance” is hard as hell. |
| 6:08 | : Chalk another something up on the list I thought I would never see, Joey Bart hitting 4th in a major league in a major league game. |
| 6:08 | : Worked for Andres Giménez. |
| 6:08 | Dan Szymborski: SOme guys with an offensive profile like Campbell *became* Molitor. SOME became Adam Riggs |
| 6:08 | : Jay: I only collected the Junk Wax Era unfortunately. I went back to Chicago in January to clean out my childhood home to prepare to sell it, and left behind all of my thousands of cards for the estate sale. I almost took them home to CA for my kid but decided he had plenty and didn’t need more trash. |
| 6:09 | : Oh boy – Brewers have the tying run at the plate against Devin Williams with nobody out |
| 6:09 | : Devin Williams revenge save??? |
| 6:10 | Dan Szymborski: oh shoot, I haven’t check the MLB the Show Pitch Classification for Devin Williams this year yet. They seem to go back and forth on saying his changeup is basically a screwball |
| 6:10 | : I still have all my Junk Wax Era cards, along with my 70’s collection. I’m waiting till I retire for good, gonna dig them out and go through them with any of my grandkids might show interest. |
| 6:10 | : Devin Williams revenge save or Jake Bauers revenge homer. One way or another. Revenge. |
| 6:10 | : Not gonna lie, rooting for a Devin Williams BS |
| 6:10 | : {yankees fan voice:} DEVIN WILLIAMS IS A PLANT WTF I’ |
| 6:10 | Dan Szymborski: The cards I loved as a kid were those early-to-mid-80s Fleer cards because it had those heat maps and strengths/weaknesses on the back |
| 6:11 | : would a changeup/screwball mix be called a screwup? |
| 6:11 | : Changeball is also pretty good. |
| 6:11 | Dan Szymborski: Basically the closest we could get to pitch/fx in the 80s  |
| 6:11 | : give the world series trophy to Baltimore already |
| 6:11 | Dan Szymborski:  |
| 6:14 | Jay Jaffe: Wow, never saw those. I think 1983 was the last year I really collected. |
| 6:12 | Dan Szymborski: I don’t honestly remember Kerfeld’s stuff being that good  |
| 6:13 | : Hey Dan, did Jacob Wilson’s spring improve his ZiPS? I don’t remember what his previous projection was |
| 6:13 | Dan Szymborski: it did, quite a bit actually! |
| 6:14 | : Yankees fans are going to have a totally rational reaction to this Devin Williams performance |
| 6:14 | Dan Szymborski: 283/332/421 before spring for Wilson, 290/333/453 after |
| 6:14 | : Wally World! Such a weird career. Looked like a slugger for a year and then turned into like a less-than Mark Grace for most of two decades. |
| 6:15 | Dan Szymborski: would a lesser Mark Grace be Mark Forebearance? |
| 6:15 | : We Yankees fans are 3 runs away from rescinding the new lax facial hair rules. |
| 6:15 | : I have Yankees fans in my life already yearning for Clay Holmes back. Lol. |
| 6:16 | Jay Jaffe: Jake Bauers: .200/.291/.384 (87 wRC+) in 618 PA for the Yankees and Brewers over the last two years. 24 HR, 16 SB… and a 34.5% K rate. -0.4 WAR. Can’t believe teams still think he’ll turn the corner and be useful. |
| 6:16 | Dan Szymborski: Holmes starter was going to be on my breakout list, but I didn’t since I also picked Michael King last year, but it turned out I didn’t pick Michael King last year |
| 6:16 | : clay holmes the starter or clay holmes the closer? |
| 6:16 | : The player avatars in Gameday are still all-white. Not sure why this would be the year that changed… |
| 6:17 | : But seriously, this is a good point, and I will see if I can raise it with someone. |
| 6:17 | Dan Szymborski: If you ground players faces with a belt sander, you’d eventually get down to the white skull |
| 6:17 | : Also, you would probably go to jail. |
| 6:17 | : Oof that double play by the royals was brutal. |
| 6:17 | : hunter (gaddis) does not get a bunter (isbel) out |
| 6:18 | : Jake Bauers stolen base! |
| 6:18 | : That’s why they’re sticking with him, Jay. The wheels! |
| 6:18 | : ever think about your bones are always wet? |
| 6:18 | : I will now and for the rest of my life. Thank you for that. |
| 6:18 | : Dry bones sound painful |
| 6:19 | Dan Szymborski: I mean, that’s only while we’re alive. Our bones will be dry longer than they’re wet |
| 6:19 | : Well, now I’m thinking about my mortality – thanks Dan! |
| 6:19 | : I think the appeal with Bauers is the elite chase rate, the very good walk rate, and the decent enough barrel rate that you can dream on him. |
| 6:20 | Jay Jaffe: he’s on his sixth MLB organization, so yeah six GMs have dreamt on him. And most of them woke up screaming. |
| 6:19 | : luckily once you’re dead that can change! |
| 6:19 | Dan Szymborski: My executor is going to have a lot of surprises when he reads my will. I’ve left instructions that he has to use my twitter to troll Carson once a year |
| 6:20 | : This chat got dark fast. Can we go back to mocking Blue Jays pitching? |
| 6:20 | Jay Jaffe: wait, Dan is going to tell us about his DIY trepanning |
| 6:20 | : Dan, can you leave me a bowl of Skyline chili in your will? |
| 6:21 | : How good do you think Campbell will be–not is, necessarily–defensively? Can he really stick at 2nd permanently? That was a tough play he just muffed, to be clear. |
| 6:21 | : My sense — and this is just from reading what smart people think — is that he just needs some time, but it might be bumpy for a bit. |
| 6:21 | Dan Szymborski: I DO have facial textures for players and people for use in WWE2K games |
| 6:21 | Dan Szymborski:  |
| 6:21 | : Chourio can check off Platinum Sombrero from his 2025 To Do List |
| 6:22 | : Aaron Boone is gonna let Devin Williams throw 40 pitches |
| 6:23 | : on his 36th pitch, he strikes out Christian Yelich to pick up his first Yankee save. That was ~something~ |
| 6:23 | Jay Jaffe: whew, that was an adventure |
| 6:23 | : 36??? wow |
| 6:23 | : Boone gonna Boone…love it |
| 6:23 | Jay Jaffe: and with that, I’m going to go ice my arm, too. |
| 6:23 | : Bye, Jay! |
| 6:24 | Dan Szymborski: cya jay! |
| 6:24 | Jay Jaffe: great chatting with you folks! Enjoy the rest of Opening Day! |
| 6:24 | : Who will be the first Mets MVP in franchise history – Lindor, Soto, or someone else |
| 6:26 | : I love both of them, but I’m going with someone else. It just seems like too much to ask Lindor to put up another almost eight-win season. And while Soto’s floor is crazily high, his defense and baserunning mean he’ll need to have like a 200 wRC+, and he just hasn’t done that yet. |
| 6:24 | : Lol the White Sox are up 8-0 now |
| 6:24 | Dan Szymborski: I’m glad the Boones, Griffeys, and Bells don’t have baseball kids this generation, I’m not prepared to be old enough to have seen THREE generations of a family play ball |
| 6:25 | : Wait, Dan, you didn’t see Ray Boone? |
| 6:24 | : Bye Jay! |
| 6:26 | Dan Szymborski: Even my mom was only 6 when he retired! |
| 6:26 | : The Boone’s would be a 4th wouldn’t they? |
| 6:26 | Dan Szymborski: Yeah, but I didn’t see Ray Boone or Gus Bell |
| 6:26 | Dan Szymborski: I saw Bob and Buddy |
| 6:26 | : it’d be extraordinarily funny if josh bell were related to david bell |
| 6:27 | Dan Szymborski: It blew my mind that Andy Ashby and Alan Ashby weren’t related |
| 6:27 | : Wait, what about Aaron? |
| 6:27 | : I am more than old enough to remember watching Ray Boone play SS, quite well, for the Indians and the Tigers. |
| 6:27 | : WilmeHR FloHRes |
| 6:27 | : aaaaaand Romano blew it. Phils fans will love this |
| 6:27 | Dan Szymborski: He’s Andy’s nephew |
| 6:27 | : Jordan Romano starts the year with a blown save |
| 6:27 | Dan Szymborski: Alan was an Incidental Ashby |
| 6:28 | : Kjerstad with an amazing assist! |
| 6:28 | : My bones wont be dry longer than they’re wet. Cremated pulverized bone fragments decompose rather quickly, unless you’re weirdly going to store them in an urn forever. |
| 6:28 | : are the angels going to break the loss record this year |
| 6:28 | : No. |
| 6:28 | Dan Szymborski: I still frequently call him Keston Hjerstad |
| 6:28 | : Yeah, I did that for so long. |
| 6:28 | : WD-40 solves most problems. |
| 6:29 | : I don’t even remember what this was in reference to. |
| 6:28 | Dan Szymborski: Poor Meg ahd to keep reminding me that Cody Bellinger is not Clay Bellinger |
| 6:29 | Dan Szymborski: And I called BOTH Romines “Kevin” constantly |
| 6:29 | : i know the keston-heston thing… but what about blumenthal? could he ball? |
| 6:29 | : i still believe in keston hiura |
| 6:29 | : Playoff Clase is still here… Sadness |
| 6:29 | : Team Chaos is losing but for mlb tv issues today |
| 6:29 | : What’s more likely for Chourio – eventual MVP candidate, or replacement level/post hype prospect? |
| 6:29 | : I’ll take MVP candidate. |
| 6:30 | : Good at-bat there for Story. I would really like to see one actual, decent season during the life of this contract. Ooh, and a steal–good jump. |
| 6:30 | : Yeah, I don’t know how you can expect much from him at this point, but if he can be solid, it would be a huge deal for them. |
| 6:30 | : Ready for Skubal vs Snell…should be a good nightcap for us East Coasters. |
| 6:30 | : First career hit for Campbell. |
| 6:31 | : Oh, definitely should’ve been an error. |
| 6:30 | Dan Szymborski: good for Soup |
| 6:31 | : Guardians blown save as well. Apparently no one told their bullpens the season started today |
| 6:31 | : what happened clase… i know he got lucky last year but like. wow what a swing |
| 6:31 | : I know the score is 12-2 and the game is over but Kirk, what are you doing? |
| 6:31 | : What did the Captain do? |
| 6:31 | : Can’t wait for Campbell to make his first trip to Cleveland’s Progresso Field |
| 6:32 | : He tried to stretch a single into a double and was hung out to dry. |
| 6:32 | : Lars Nootbaar just went yard, two-run shot. Cardinals up 3-0 against Pablo López |
| 6:32 | Dan Szymborski: I never liked those charity drives that pay depending on a pitcher’s strikeout. You’re basically saying “sorry kids, you could have gotten treatment, but we’re starting Kyle Hendricks” |
| 6:33 | : Wilyer!!!! |
| 6:34 | : 110.7 mph off the bat. |
| 6:34 | : average angels cost-cutting move i fear, szymborski |
| 6:34 | : “Can you believe it”. I couldn’t resist Joe Castiglione’s great iconic call as Wilyer hits another bomb!!!!!!! |
| 6:34 | : i never thought i’d like mlb version of nfl redzone so much, but this is good today |
| 6:34 | : Never thought i would like the mlb version of nfl redzone but this is good today |
| 6:35 | : Ok, who is who here? |
| 6:35 | : The Angels went from tying run at the plate to down 8-0 so fast. |
| 6:35 | : So, apparently pitchers do need the minor leagues….. |
| 6:35 | Dan Szymborski: the guy playing first |
| 6:35 | : can’t believe it. i got raw beef on my laptop and gavin sheets just homered. |
| 6:36 | Dan Szymborski: I’ve ruined a $140 keyboard with gravy, but never raw beef in anything |
| 6:37 | : can we start breaking out the “on pace for” s yet? |
| 6:37 | Dan Szymborski: they’re best after first PA so you can have guys with 600 homers |
| 6:37 | : (external thankfully. if it got inside i would genuinely cry) |
| 6:37 | : Millville living up to their username |
| 6:37 | : today sucks >:( |
| 6:37 | : Angels on pace for a mid-season Mike Trout trade |
| 6:37 | : I’m personally a little peeved that Ron Washington abandoned his whole “slap hitting, wet noodle 2B bats in the two-hole” thing he was doing all spring training. Stand for what you stand for! |
| 6:38 | : no cans of corn for that game |
| 6:38 | Dan Szymborski: Rosen/Clemens and eventually Sporer are coming for 7 PM window |
| 6:38 | Dan Szymborski: I’ll go at seven, I’ve already overstayed my welcome |
| 6:38 | : Where does the chat stand on the Manfried zombie runner? |
| 6:38 | Dan Szymborski: Hate it, even though I appear to have named it |
| 6:38 | : Yeah, not a fan. |
| 6:39 | : Steven Kwan My GOAT |
| 6:39 | : Did Hunter Renfroe write this? |
| 6:39 | : Kill it with fire |
| 6:39 | : Hunter Renfroe took a terrible route to that ball |
| 6:39 | : Everything about that was ugly. |
| 6:39 | Dan Szymborski: Makes sense; Hunter Renfroe took a terrible route to being the starter in 2025 |
| 6:39 | : I agree, it is horrible. Who likes it and why? |
| 6:40 | : I think anybody inside the game, because it means the games don’t go til four in the morning and destroy bullpens. |
| 6:40 | : I also hate the Zombie Runner, but I do enjoy seeing Steven Kwan get an easy GWRBI, despite the travesty of the rule and scenario that allow him to achieve it. |
| 6:40 | : mlb is blinded by the light of the manfred man |
| 6:40 | : renfroe at like -2 OAA today already |
| 6:40 | : I will look that up tomorrow morning. |
| 6:40 | Dan Szymborski: I do like the zombie runner in MLB the Show if I’m trying to get some achievement at a very high difficulty level so I can run into a 1-0 win at some poitn |
| 6:40 | : i think that more rules should be made because they’re funny, not because they improve the game |
| 6:41 | : Cags might even be a defensive improvement for the royals outfield. |
| 6:41 | Dan Szymborski: Baserunners have to eat a hot dog to be eligible to advance to the next base at some point |
| 6:42 | Dan Szymborski: Only for dead plays though; a runner going for a double doesn’t need to consume the hot dog |
| 6:42 | : but Renfroe is one of only 2 players to hit a ball onto the metal supply roof in SD |
| 6:42 | : no make them get the hot dog from the 1b coach and finish it before they arrive at 2b |
| 6:42 | : one player must eat 9 hot dogs and drink 9 beers within the 9 innings or else you are ineligible to win |
| 6:42 | : My leaguemate gets to have the team name of Defiant Jazz. I am flamingly envious |
| 6:43 | : remember that crazy behind-the-head catch renfroe made as an angel? result of a bad read and route, no? has he ever been a good defender? |
| 6:43 | : Giants struck out 17 times and somehow won that game |
| 6:43 | : by taking the hot dog you signal intent to advance to 2nd. clearer than the whole turning thing |
| 6:44 | : Tim PHI is on 18 and tied at 3 |
| 6:45 | : So, I am indifferent about the zombie runner rule, and at first I was in the minority and actually in favor of it because of the instant action. I don’t like it as much now that we have the pitch clock to move things along. As long as it’s regular season only, I’m OK with it, but I don’t like it anymore |
| 6:45 | : i assume noted vegan spencer strider, hearing this, is punching the air |
| 6:46 | : I’m pretty sure most stadiums have vegan dogs at this point. They’re usually pretty good. |
| 6:46 | : The thirdbase coach is required to throw up a handful of sunflower seeds for each player as they round third after a HR. If they fail to catch one in their mouth they must remain on 3 and only get a triple. |
| 6:46 | : What if I told you I have Zack Wheeler and Mackenzie Gore on the same fantasy team? I hate wins… |
| 6:47 | : Hader gonna try to one up Clase it seems |
| 6:47 | : the cleveland groundoutians |
| 6:49 | Dan Szymborski: OK, time for Dan to hit the ol’ dusty trail |
| 6:49 | Dan Szymborski: See you gang! |
| 6:49 | : By, Dan! |
| 6:49 | : i forgot hader was an astro… i looked for him in the brewers, then the padres game |
| 6:49 | : Who do you think the SF Giants Starting pitcher maybe for Sunday April 6th 2025 the 1:05 p.m. game And The Seattle Mariners |
| 6:49 | : Pass. |
| 6:49 | : By Dan! |
| 6:50 | : How many blown saves have we had today? |
| 6:50 | : The Pirates just blew one against the Marlins |
| 6:50 | : Um, Phillies, Guardians, Rangers? No, not Rangers, right? |
| 6:51 | : Maybe Braves? |
| 6:51 | : I’m not sure that postgame analyst is the job Papelbon was born for. It’s fun when he is saying weird stuff in a hillbilly accent, but factually incorrect summations of the game I just saw in a hillbilly accent is less charming. |
| 6:51 | : I had no idea he was doing that. I am not interested. |
| 6:51 | : boodbye szymborski dan |
| 6:51 | : Bye Dan! |
| 6:51 | : Thanks for everything you do Dan. |
| 6:51 | : Adios, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good bye! |
| 6:52 | : Reds did too |
| 6:53 | : It would be really funny if this Mets-Astros game came down Altuve misplaying a ball in left field. |
| 6:53 | : It would also not be terrrribly surprising. |
| 6:54 | : lol clase gets the win and a blown save? |
| 6:54 | : i wish altuve a very daikin park left field (which i have to consciously remind myself is not daikon park, which sounds more delicious) |
| 6:56 | : Who do you think will be the starting Pitcher For your San Francisco Giants on Sunday April 6th 2025 at 1:05 pm PST against the Seattle Mariners who are the Seattle Mariners and your San Francisco Giants starting pitcher for that game I’m going to to that game for my birthday party 2 days after my birthday on Friday April 4th 2025 next Friday Is my Actual 17th Birthday |
| 6:56 | : We’ve got Hicks. https://www.fangraphs.com/teams/giants/schedule |
| 6:56 | : soto with the perfect bat path to meet high hader fastball… |
| 6:57 | : yup |
| 6:57 | : god soto’s swing weirds me out. it’s so… flat? not really? but like. it looks unnatural |
| 6:57 | : And Soto chases a breaking ball to strike out and end the game |
| 6:58 | : Can’t wait to listen to WFAN tomorrow |
| 6:58 | : We all had that on our bingo cards, right? |
| 6:58 | : That was a fun game. Hey guys |
| 6:58 | : May I request a new crowdsourced broadcast rankings for next season? Would love an up-to-date one of those handy for days like today where I’m watching a game or a few as a neutral. |
| 6:58 | : I think that’s a great idea and I would be happy to steal it. |
| 6:58 | : hello |
| 6:58 | : Hey Michael! |
| 6:59 | : SOTO STRUCK OUT HE’S A BUM THE YANKEES TOTALLY WON THAT NEGOTIATION GOOD RIDDANCE I’M NOT CRYING |
| 6:59 | : Kwah cried so much into the keyboard that their caps lock key got stuck. |
| 6:59 | : Send him back to Manhattan! |
| 7:00 | : PHI update now 19K’s winning by 2 |
| 7:00 | : Is that Ben Clemens too? |
| 7:00 | : What games are people watching? I’m over on the Nats/Phils now |
| 7:00 | : Hey Davy |
| 7:00 | : Hi there! |
| 7:00 | : west coast crew is now arriving |
| 7:00 | : How is the west coast contingent doing? |
| 7:00 | : so much baseball |
| 7:01 | : Ben, good start for your bold White Sox prediction. It is kinda funny that people are talking about the White Sox being merely bad rather than terrible as a huge shocker. |
| 7:01 | : It looks like my MLB app is working again, so I’m going to check out Twins-Cards. |
| 7:01 | : mlb redzone |
| 7:03 | : the MLB big inning quad box is a must-have on opening day |
| 7:01 | : I am very curious to see how likely the EW readers think my ‘white sox end a day in first place’ prediction is to occur |
| 7:02 | : I gave it a 0% on the website. |
| 7:02 | : If white sox face more guys who skipped the minor leagues they will be ok |
| 7:03 | : “White Sox better than expected” was one of my big views for this year |
| 7:03 | : so I made a few variations of the prediction |
| 7:03 | : Can’t ever quit Miguel Vargas |
| 7:03 | : After what he did to Jazz???? |
| 7:03 | : angels worse than expected is mine |
| 7:04 | : 10% |
| 7:04 | : 10% its kinda just a random one in 5… but they are twice as bad as the other 4 teams |
| 7:04 | : I learned from Justin Mason’s bold prediction that Elias apparently spent less than Rubenstein wanted to–is that true, do you think? And have you ever heard of such a thing from a GM/POBO? I always always assume it’s the other way. |
| 7:05 | : “Angels: this years White Sox?” |
| 7:06 | : Salazar in the Nats game is obviously using something off his neck for every pitch |
| 7:06 | : he is still at a loss for control |
| 7:06 | : That only seems fair |
| 7:07 | : maybe he forgot to put something sticky there and so it’s just sweat |
| 7:08 | : Alrighty, friends. I need to go edit some stuff. Enjoy the rest of the baseball! |
| 7:08 | : Have a great night, Matt |
| 7:08 | : Grant Holmes pitching in relief? Who’s my fifth starter then |
| 7:09 | : Huh, I was gonna say that there are always enough days off to make it work, but the Braves start the season with 7 games in 7 days. So…. Waldrep? I dunno. |
| 7:08 | : Hi, Ben… Bye, Ben! |
| 7:08 | : Bye, Matt! |
| 7:09 | : gooby matt |
| 7:09 | : twins on the board!! |
| 7:10 | : I literally clicked away from the game one second ago. |
| 7:10 | : Ben, were you watching the Giants live? Was the approach as bad as the box score looks? |
| 7:11 | : I only saw the end. The’re always blacked out on my mlb.tv so when I’m switching between a ton of games I generally leave them out. I watch enough of them overall anyway. |
| 7:10 | : Bader! Bader! Bet he’s enjoying a return to StL |
| 7:10 | : bader??? |
| 7:10 | : thwing baderbaderbader |
| 7:10 | : He got a healthy cheer |
| 7:11 | : Bader of the Twins hitting a homer off Gray of the Cardinals feels weird |
| 7:11 | : “Home runs aren’t hit, they’re thrown” say the Cardinals announcers and like |
| 7:11 | : what man, c’mon |
| 7:11 | : Aaron Judge is just preternaturally lucky I guess |
| 7:13 | : Still unclear who won, or “won”, the Harrison Bader – Jordan Montgomery trade. |
| 7:13 | : Both teams would probably do it again, I think |
| 7:13 | : can ohtani throw his own home runs? |
| 7:14 | : bednar might not be long for the closer job in pittsburgh |
| 7:14 | : oof |
| 7:14 | : wow, Brendan Donovan with the defense! And Masyn Winn with the not throwing the ball 200 mph there |
| 7:14 | : what if he took his pitching glove into the batters box, caught the ball, and then chucked it over the short porch. would that count |
| 7:14 | : Am I changing my name to Saverman this year? |
| 7:15 | : sorry but i don’t see it for you either |
| 7:15 | : Colin Bullpenbycommitteerman |
| 7:15 | : I’m probably gonna switch to Dodgers/Tigers for a bit, I didn’t catch the games in Japan so this’ll be my first look at them live |
| 7:16 | : Be real with us Ben, CLE brough back Jones to join Naquin in the bullpen, right? |
| 7:16 | :  |
| 7:17 | : Welcome Ben, nice to have you aboard. My 76th season as a Red Sox fan off to a great start in typical baseball fashion. In all of ST Wilyer Abreu got exactly one hit so he goes 3 for 3 with 2 HR’s including the game winning 3-run shot in the 9th. John Sterling coined the phrase that defines the game and I won’t say it again but to say that I am excited about the 2025 season falls far short of the reality. |
| 7:17 | : It’s so good to have baseball back, I completely agree. Great to have you here, and looking forward to a great season |
| 7:18 | : love david cone |
| 7:18 | : talking induced vertical break on ESPN we love to see it |
| 7:18 | : Blake Snell looks very strange as a Dodger |
| 7:18 | : snake blell |
| 7:19 | : Cards nachos looking pro tier |
| 7:20 | : Any thoughts on Tyler O’Neill’s Opening Day homer streak, now at six? |
| 7:20 | : Tremendous, baseball is more fun when weird stuff like that happens |
| 7:21 | : I’m at work no tv, can someone provide a report on how emaciated or not Mookie looks? |
| 7:21 | : uniform looking baggy |
| 7:22 | : Oh man, he totally crushed one and it did not make it to the warning track. |
| 7:22 | : 99.7 exit velo by gameday tho |
| 7:23 | : Tarik Skubal standing at the bag, waiting for Keith to run over there, and then giving him a butt pat was awesome |
| 7:23 | : they have a little working out who stands on the bag to do still |
| 7:23 | : How Keith fares at first is going to be very interesting |
| 7:25 | : bryce harper did it so surely keith will be ok right??? it’s not like harper’s a surefire hofer or anything.. |
| 7:25 | : Haha yeah, for Keith the worry is that he doesn’t hit enough, at least for me |
| 7:25 | : but the fielding part is hard too |
| 7:25 | : man Tork cleanup is some vote of confidence |
| 7:26 | : how do you gain weight during a season? it seems impossible given the demands. more offdays? |
| 7:26 | : I feel confident that I could find a way. |
| 7:27 | : Manuel Margot batting fifth is crazy too! |
| 7:27 | : it’s all working |
| 7:30 | : scott the second with the second best catch of the day |
| 7:30 | : Do EV’s on foul balls get counted? |
| 7:30 | : they do! they’re kind of a pain to look through |
| 7:31 | : Ben, you going to any Sacramento A’s games this year? |
| 7:31 | : Oh yeah |
| 7:31 | : I’m interested in seeing big stars play in a minor league park in Sacramento |
| 7:31 | : so like: Judge, Trout, Ohtani, etc. |
| 7:31 | : Oh, that sounds so fun |
| 7:32 | : I guess I haven’t checked to make sure the Dodgers visit them this year |
| 7:32 | : But the rest |
| 7:32 | : Also am I dreaming or did MLB.tv just tell me I should pay attention to Astrology…. |
| 7:32 | : Maybe it’s a sign. |
| 7:32 | : Of the end times? |
| 7:32 | : star signs are overrated. what’s your road sign |
| 7:32 | : Yield. |
| 7:33 | : same ! |
| 7:34 | : Like 90% sure you’re dunking on John Fisher but please confirm |
| 7:34 | : Oh yeah. What a silly spectacle |
| 7:34 | : I actually really like that stadium, to be fair |
| 7:34 | : a nice day in Davis with a River Cats game is a really fun daytrip |
| 7:35 | : Has any player gone on the IL for an illness before? Every year a handful of players get sick and they’re usually only out for a few days. But 18 lbs is like a tenth of Mookie’s body weight |
| 7:36 | : They definitely have. Something was going around Red Sox camp and a bunch of people were out for a while. Would’ve mean IL trips if it had come a bit later. Abreu lost a ton of weight and wasn’t a lock for Opening Day (though it turned out ok). |
| 7:36 | : Look, I think we just need to accept that Tommy Edman is a power hitter now. |
| 7:36 | : Tommyard Edman |
| 7:36 | : I’m happy that the ‘Tommy Edman isn’t a switch hitter’ story is going national |
| 7:36 | : I’ve been on this beat since he was a rookie |
| 7:37 | : should he go the mullins route do you think |
| 7:38 | : Yes. Let me put it this way: he already does it against some righties |
| 7:38 | : so it’s clear that he’s thought about it |
| 7:39 | : 65 PA as righty/righty is a pretty weird number for a long-time big leaguer |
| 7:39 | : Was Varland’s velo up again in spring? |
| 7:40 | : he sat 97 in the spring, so up a tick vs 2024 |
| 7:41 | : i hear mullins had a good day today |
| 7:41 | : Ice Cube too. |
| 7:41 | : i mean i think with public bat speed numbers, handed swing speed splits might start being a thing that ppl use to judge whether a hitter should switch or not. granted, swing bat hard is not all there is to being a good hitter (sorry giancarlo) |
| 7:41 | : Varland = Jax? |
| 7:43 | : God bless Dan for dropping a Matt Riley reference. I saw him play with the Frederick Keys when he was the next big thing. |
| 7:43 | : feels like varland’s got the stuff to be a quality high leverage guy |
| 7:44 | : Yeah, I’m optimistic about it. |
| 7:44 | : wasn’t there a story y’all ran about ketel? |
| 7:44 | : But he is a good switch hitter! confusing |
| 7:44 | : WS MVP (NL guy) vs AL Cy Young on opening day has to be a rare HR occurrence. (statblast, yo) |
| 7:44 | : How are people feeling about the gold unis for the Dodgers? |
| 7:45 | : Up there with my favorites, personally. The Royals have probably done it best |
| 7:45 | : (favorite gold lettering post WS win, I mean) |
| 7:47 | : Davy… I do not like them at all. It looks tacky and screams of orange stink. |
| 7:47 | : Davy its like fake gold… looks horrible and when passed off as real, what it says about the person is worse. |
| 7:47 | : They aren’t offensive but still a downgrade from the usual Dodger unis. |
| 7:47 | : Now this I agree with. Usually it’s just an opening series thing right? |
| 7:48 | : I think these lightly altered jerseys to recognize the previous season are fine so long as they don’t go on too long. NBA has some good versions of it too |
| 7:49 | : I’m sure someone said something about it already, but Jordan Walker out here hitting a single at 116.5 MPH. I’m told that is very hard and that he is now better than every other hooman at baseball. |
| 7:50 | : It was a VERY well struck grounder. Meanwhile my boy Nootbaar is doing the heavy lifting, you love to see it. |
| 7:50 | : I think people would be happy if Walker could do any lifting at all. |
| 7:50 | : They’ve often done a bit of gold trim on the WS winner’s jerseys all year long, which I’ve really enjoyed. |
| 7:50 | : jordan walker swing bat hard |
| 7:52 | : looks aside there is something just ugly about reminding the rest of the league what you did LAST year… |
| 7:54 | : I get what you’re saying, but I actually disagree with this. You’re the defending champs all year. Moreover, I remember when the Nats won in 2019 and then didn’t get a real season to be the champs, it really bummed me out. It felt like we’d waited so long for it, then didn’t get the full experience, if that makes sense. |
| 7:53 | : filthy from skubal |
| 7:54 | : Tarik Skubal knows how to TeosKar Hernandez when he needs to. |
| 7:54 | : for real tho that was like the guy leaning forward in the gaming chair meme |
| 7:54 | : I think Walker just needs someone to show him how to lift. I nominate Davy Andrews of the Fangraphs’ Andrewses |
| 7:54 | : Here’s my dirty little secret: |
| 7:55 | : I am such a line drive hitter. I was taught to hit the ball right back up the middle, and it is so deeply programmed into me. |
| 7:55 | : Don’t tell the other sabermetricians. |
| 7:56 | : Was sure the dirty little secret was going to he androstenedione |
| 7:57 | : That strikes me as a big one. |
| 7:57 | : Aaron Judge is officially eligible for HOF voting once he retires as of having played in today’s game. |
| 7:57 | : That’s fun! Put him in right now. |
| 7:57 | : was typing a joke about that more data… looks like we need to find someone to teach D. Andrews to bro lift first… |
| 7:58 | : Michael, Ben, did you/do you play? |
| 7:58 | : I knew Phil Maton had signed with the Cardinals. And still, when he came in I went ‘whoa him??’ |
| 7:58 | : I never really did. I play some adult league softball, where I’m a line drive hitter b/c I am not uncoordinated |
| 7:58 | : i was one of the worst little league hitters you’ll ever see |
| 7:59 | : but i played a decent 2nd base |
| 8:00 | : MATT. DAMON. |
| 8:00 | : Finally. |
| 8:00 | : Tariq Skubal’s sinker should be called the Skubal Diver. I’ll show myself out. |
| 8:01 | : i tried playing badminton for the first time in ages the other day. shocked at how quickly i had to react. i’m glad i’m on this side of the screen laughing at javy baez swinging at a slider down and away and not the one trying to do it |
| 8:02 | : I play a lot of tennis which helps with that part |
| 8:02 | : sports moves so fast! |
| 8:02 | : To follow up on the Judge thing, people say “unless he goes Ryan Howard/Chris Davis” but I think the whole thing was those guys were never THAT good so when they declined they were unplayable. He seems much likelier to be more like a Frank Thomas/Chipper Jones where he might just play 120 g as he ages but he’s gonna keep hitting. |
| 8:02 | : I mean, I’m pretty sure he’s a Hall of Famer already. |
| 8:02 | : Whattttt did anyone just see Ivan Herrera’s throw? |
| 8:03 | : That was one of the least, well, least everything throws I’ve ever seen |
| 8:03 | : It is a little thing but that was quite a play by Winn. |
| 8:03 | : Spectacular play. I don’t know how he was exacxtly where he needed to be, what a strange place to field a ball. |
| 8:03 | : Badminton is so weird because of the rapid deceleration too, takes adjusting |
| 8:04 | : I just replayed Benn |
| 8:04 | : Let’s just say I think I might be able to steal on Herrera if he’s gonna do much more of that. |
| 8:06 | : I think he never had a grip and knew it would have been a steal unless he just threw it… so he went for it anyway |
| 8:06 | : Yeah, but I think you need to not throw that one. The best possible outcome is what happened. |
| 8:07 | : Which do you prefer? 600 PA of Contreras at 1B or 450 PA of Contreras at C? I hated the move at first but like that he will get a good amount more PA |
| 8:08 | : Yeah I like it actually. He’s a good enough hitter for first, and this way they can find more out about Herrera. If they were one of the best teams in the NL I think they might make a different decision. |
| 8:10 | : omg |
| 8:10 | : that catch? |
| 8:10 | : I mean, amazing play, but let Tommy slug. |
| 8:11 | : I’m sorry, I must have missed this: Javy Baez, CF? |
| 8:11 | : who is he gonna tag? |
| 8:13 | : I know there’s an accent in his last name but if Pedro Pages joined the mob would they call him “Petey Books”? |
| 8:13 | : 100% yes. I actually call him this already. |
| 8:14 | : And not Peter Paper? |
| 8:15 | : Wow, really good commercial for a macular degeneration drug. Baseball is so back. |
| 8:15 | : Side effects: You’ll die instantly. |
| 8:16 | : Baby Biblio… |
| 8:16 | : So there are two of us then. Spread it around! Petey Books and Jimmy Crooks, the Cubs will have to look for a pitcher named Eliot Ness! |
| 8:16 | : see if there’s a rundown he can do whatever he wants ben |
| 8:17 | : Why Thursday for Opening Day with most games during work hours still? Amazing day, but with work it is hard to be as into it and watch your teams opening game |
| 8:18 | : I have to imagine the scheduling parameters kind of are what they are. |
| 8:19 | : do you think my boss would let me watch baseball while i move boxes around |
| 8:19 | : Depends. Is your boss cool? |
| 8:19 | : Ben, was catching up on the chat and saw your comments about Sacramento. Are you near there? I’m about an hour away and going to Opening Day and the Wednesday game next week. |
| 8:20 | : I live in the bay, so I’ll be up a few times this year for sure |
| 8:20 | : The gold looks tremendous, but no one has looked better with it sartorially than the Royals. |
| 8:20 | : That is my opinion as well |
| 8:22 | : i have to imagine “let’s ball, sactown” was not a popular idea for a cheer |
| 8:23 | : Ok, well, chat’s over, everybody. No one’s going to top that. |
| 8:23 | : I have an A’s question for the Californians among you all. I’ve been to a lot of sporting events in California. In almost all of them, California Love has been played as background music at some point |
| 8:23 | : Are the A’s gonna risk it? “Oakland is definitely in the house” comes right before the part about Sacramento |
| 8:24 | : lol |
| 8:24 | : it’s such a staple |
| 8:24 | : i say yes |
| 8:24 | : All Cake. Only Cake. |
| 8:25 | : my two alarms are “Not Like Us” and “Arco Arena”. I support a mix of California songs for the A’s and I feel like almost every Cake song qualifies |
| 8:25 | : Do teams/DJs actually listen to the lyrics of the songs they play? It’s just about having a beat and a hook, right? |
| 8:25 | : Eh, songs that reference california are very popular out here |
| 8:25 | : b/c then people hear it and are like ‘ooh I like this one’ |
| 8:26 | : If Born in the USA can be effective as a campaign song… |
| 8:27 | : well that was an on-brand blake snell performance |
| 8:27 | : I haven’t really been paying attention can someone tell me why Masyn Winn is batting ninth? Is that a thing the Cardinals do? |
| 8:27 | : Ehhhh…. not really? Like, not never, but not frequently |
| 8:27 | : he hit 8th a lot last year |
| 8:27 | : but mainly leadoff |
| 8:28 | : I mean if “California” is in the title sure, but would they notice if a song was about Oakland? Either way, I’ll keep an ear out to see what they play next week. |
| 8:29 | : Yeah, I assume they’ll play it. It’s interesting though, a lot of the California pump up rap songs reference Oakland |
| 8:29 | : and I can imagine the A’s are very sensitive to the word “Oakland” right now, with good reason, them talking about it is a great way to get booed |
| 8:29 | : Low OBP from lead off last year and had a terrible spring. |
| 8:29 | : Nootbaar is a great leadoff hitter vR imo, and yeah, Winn is not really a high OBP guy |
| 8:30 | : i like how the bullpen has “scott, tan” listed because there’s too many t scotts |
| 8:30 | : That happens when you move to LA, I guess. |
| 8:32 | : I think “viva las vegas” should be a staple |
| 8:32 | : The Dead Kennedys version. |
| 8:33 | : Winn’s OBP and other numbers were good from 8/9 slot last year. Data supplied from Bernie M. |
| 8:35 | : My wife just saw the Dodgers on and was like “The Giants won today… have the Dodgers won any games this year? looks like no’ |
| 8:35 | : and I had to be like “Yeah, two…” |
| 8:35 | : curse you, japan |
| 8:35 | : i hope imanaga does well this year too |
| 8:36 | : Mookie Betts could wither away to 50 pounds and still draw tough walks |
| 8:37 | : Ok friends, I am going to call it a night here. You are in good hands with Ben and Michael. |
| 8:37 | : ty for hanging around davy |
| 8:37 | : My pleasure. |
| 8:37 | : teoscar sends you off on a good note |
| 8:37 | : Oh no, poor Tarik. |
| 8:37 | : TeoscaHR Hernandez |
| 8:38 | : I mean, TeoscaHR HRnandez was right there |
| 8:38 | : Thanks Davy, you content usually makes me smile. |
| 8:38 | : Thanks! Good night! |
| 8:39 | : is it tare-ik (like a scale) or tar-ik (like la brea) |
| 8:40 | : i believe it’s the latter |
| 8:40 | : oops |
| 8:40 | : i was wrong |
| 8:40 | : it is tare-ik |
| 8:41 | : If MacKenzie Gore is taking another step forward, How exactly do we evaluate the 1st Juan Soto trade? The Nat weren’t resigning Harper and Strasburg’s career was over. Sure, they traded the best hitter in baseball, but they might have essentially consolidated an entire rebuild in 1 trade. I mean Abrams, Gore, and Woods could easily be a great core to build around. |
| 8:41 | : I was trying to think of a good blackjack or craps pun for a while before throwing this one in, but I came up empty |
| 8:42 | : yeah, very good return, the kind of return you need to get to trade a star like Soto |
| 8:43 | : I disliked the circumstances that led them to trade a great player hoping to get other great players. Not sure what the Harper part means but eh, other than that |
| 8:43 | : They had to hit on 18 against a likely dealer 19 and got a 3? |
| 8:43 | : So ending up having to trade Soto is like staying at the casino until 6 a.m. |
| 8:44 | : but getting three good players back in the deal is like hitting 00 on your last roulette roll |
| 8:44 | : Should Riley Greene really be batting this high against lefties? |
| 8:44 | : I think it’s fine. he’s a really good hitter, you know? |
| 8:45 | : Like, not all your ABs always come against lefties, you’re not gonna stack the top 5 with all righties, get him more PA in general |
| 8:45 | : also snell isn’t a classic lefty killer, he’s got the super over-the-top arm angle and doesn’t throw that many sliders |
| 8:47 | : Has there been any recent gravitational change in the nexus of MLB – celebrity such that there is any >0% chance that Sabrina Carpenter will soon date a famous baseballer? #AskingForASurvey |
| 8:47 | : I know Baumann said he’s seen her in a Phillies jersey |
| 8:47 | : but….. no |
| 8:47 | : I’ve spent more time than I would have expected wondering about that particular question |
| 8:47 | : what is snell’s mix anyway? fastball, curveball? |
| 8:48 | : fastball/curveball/slider/(rarely used) changeup |
| 8:48 | : A broader question than just about the games played today has been in my mind all spring. There is no place whatsoever on the Red Sox roster for Yoshida with Devers morphing into Little Papi. He can hit, an OPS over .775 and an OPS+ of 111 would look good in lots of lineups, and I think he was injured last year. Is there any market if some middling prospect, Mikey Romero or Franklin Arias perhaps, is included. |
| 8:49 | : sort of think the mariners should’ve taken the yoshida/casas for castillo trade (if that was a real thing) |
| 8:49 | : I’m not really sure, tbh. it’s not so much that he’s a monster creation as that he MIGHT be a monster creation, didn’t really carve out playing time with the team that clearly had the highest opinion of him, and isn’t cheap |
| 8:49 | : if the Sox eat the money, I’m sure some teams would be interested. But, good teams? I dunno, risky to give up something of value for a platoon DH |
| 8:50 | : maybe if he comes back from injury and looks GOOD |
| 8:50 | : dinner, dishes, more work time for me soon. gnight all, enjoy your night at the ball |
| 8:51 | : night! thanks for chatting |
| 8:51 | : I agree that I couldn’t imagine the Mariners passing up that deal if it was real. |
| 8:51 | : I didn’t follow the reporting around it closely but that seems like a win/win that the M’s wouldn’t accept b/c they have a very high valuation on their pitching |
| 8:52 | : man, Gleyber looks so much different with a beard |
| 8:53 | : casparius’s stuff is so nasty |
| 8:54 | : the broadcast was very out of sync with what I was perceiving. I was like ‘man this slider and cutter look good’ and they were saying he was trying to work through not having his best stuff |
| 8:54 | : glad you agree with me |
| 8:56 | : I agree, Casparius’ stuff looked amazing |
| 8:56 | : So looking briefly at Yoshida… Is it common for batted ball profiles to be so different with platoon splits? He is bad yandy Diaz against lefties. |
| 8:56 | : It is probably, though not definitely, a sample size issue. He only has about 200 batted balls against lefties in his career |
| 8:57 | : I haven’t watched enough of him l/l to know more specifically than that. The Sox definitely don’t like letting him face lefties |
| 8:58 | : He has a 95 wRC+ against lefties in the past two seasons though? It actually shocked me when I read it because I’d never heard anyone mention his platoon splits before |
| 8:58 | : What about the last three years? |
| 8:58 | : seems like his career platoon split is not too far away from league average (8% wOBA gap), and with a small enough sample size that it’s definitely within the ‘noise’ band |
| 8:59 | : Freddie Freeman has a meaningfully higher platoon split, for example |
| 9:00 | : I just wouldn’t be that worried about it. If Greene absolutely can’t hit lefties, we’ll find out eventually. But I think a bigger question is can he hit like an MVP or at leats a perennial All Star, so I’d throw him 1 or 2 in the lineup and find out |
| 9:01 | : Like, the Tigers got Manuel Margot more or less off the street and he’s batting fifth on opening day |
| 9:01 | : Ben – Snell actually threw over 20 (!) change ups tonight, to the slider’s detriment. |
| 9:01 | : whoa |
| 9:01 | : that’s kinda wild |
| 9:02 | : although it looks like I misspoke earlier |
| 9:02 | : he used his changeup more last year than I’d thought he did |
| 9:04 | : Over the past two years he’s really minimized the slider |
| 9:04 | : tork tank |
| 9:04 | : Tork heard me scoffing at hitting him cleanup and took it personally |
| 9:05 | : the snell slider shape is pretty weird. today it played more like a cutter (89 mph, 10″ iVB, 0 inches HB) |
| 9:05 | : he went through a period of using it a lot on the Padres, but not shaped like that |
| 9:06 | : Fair or foul. The Dodgers will win more games than the combined wins of the two lowest win totals of the Marlins, Rockies and (1st Place) White Sox. |
| 9:06 | : I’ll take the bad teams in that one. The Dodgers are great but we’re talking 110 wins or something. |
| 9:07 | : Eguy Rosario will land on his feet, right? As much as I expected them to do it I still can’t believe that the Padres did that. |
| 9:07 | : I mean, if I were a GM of a bad team and had a spot for him, I’d give him a shot |
| 9:08 | : The guy can hit – it’s just a question of whether he has enough big league power and versatility |
| 9:08 | : The Padres roster is WILD by the way. Martin Maldonado, Yuli Gurriel, Jose Iglesias |
| 9:09 | : Stars and scrubs, but on a budget! |
| 9:09 | : “he went through a period of using it a lot on the Padres, but not shaped like that”. That’s a very interesting “That’s what she said!”. Even more so if “Padres” isn’t capitalized LOL |
| 9:09 | : What should we make of RHH having smaller platoon splits than LHH (10 points of wRC+ vs 17 in 2024)? It makes me think that a team built around lefty hitters can be neutralized without much fanfare if it runs into a lefty heavy pitching staff. Or a righty pitching staff built around changeups. |
| 9:11 | : I think that we already kind of perceive this effect, even if we don’t specifically call it that. You hear a lot more about LOOGY’s than ROOGY’s. Lefties have probably practiced much less without the platoon advantage than righties, so it makes intuitive sense to me too. I think that teams very specifically think about having lefty relievers to neutralize lefty hitters, even though the effect is not enormous (a 140 wrC+ lefty hitter is still good against a lefty reliever, a 95 wRC+ righty hitter isn’t great even with the platoon advantage). |
| 9:12 | : It’s definitely true that having an overly lefty dominant lineup can leave you vulnerable |
| 9:12 | : but…. it’s a matter of how good the hitters are, to me. if it’s a bunch of league average types facing bad matchups, that’s not gonna work. if we’re talking about using a lefty to neutralize Ohtani/Freeman or Harper/Schwarber, well, those guys hit homers off of lefties too |
| 9:15 | : super impressive homer by schwarber off a lefty earlier today — 96 mph sinker running in on his hands |
| 9:14 | : I believe Tom Tango’s theory is the gap in platoon splits is due to there just being more RHP than LHP. In a hypothetical world where batters grow up seeing 50/50 from each side, the platoons would be equal. |
| 9:14 | : Hello everyone! |
| 9:14 | : Yeah 100%. I concur, too. I think it goes across sports. I’m less comfortable against a lefty, any lefty, despite being lefty myself |
| 9:14 | : hello paul! |
| 9:14 | : so maybe there’s a “handedness” split, and also a “familiarity” split. And the familiarity split makes it easier to hit righties, for both groups |
| 9:14 | : Hey Paul! |
| 9:16 | : Paul I talked a little trash about the Tigers opening day lineup and Tork is making me look silly for it |
| 9:16 | : ohtani makes it look so easy |
| 9:16 | : I’m still not in for signing Margot and tossing him in fifth right away though |
| 9:17 | : If there is a familiarity split for handedness, what about for arm angle… wouldnt that same logic have to apply? |
| 9:17 | : isn’t there? |
| 9:17 | : That looks like one of those deep contact home runs we’ve heard about from Ohtani |
| 9:18 | : oh totally. It’s not like Tyler Rogers succeeds because the stuff is just completely unhittable |
| 9:18 | : he succeeds b/c people go ‘wait what the hell was that?’ after every pitch |
| 9:18 | : With every HR that this man hits I wonder if the Dodgers are having second thoughts about ever using him as a pitcher which could affect his hitting in any way. |
| 9:18 | : There was this awesome Sam Miller article about how rare it was going to be for him to be good enough at pitching and hitting, but not overwhelmingly good at either, to keep playign two ways. |
| 9:18 | : nooooo |
| 9:18 | : let shohei pitch |
| 9:19 | : this was before he debuted |
| 9:19 | : I honestly dont know Michael in anecdotal evidence i would say yes… but dont know if that holds |
| 9:19 | : Shohei’s playing a different damn sport |
| 9:19 | : If Shohei played RF do you think he would be a better defender than Juan Soto? |
| 9:20 | : 100% if he played it regularly |
| 9:20 | : Completely agree w/Ben |
| 9:19 | : Any news on why Grant Holmes pitched today? |
| 9:20 | : He’s the 5th starter, basically a bullpen game for him |
| 9:20 | : They have 7 games in 7 days coming up – I speculate that something weird could be going on |
| 9:21 | : I mean, very weird opening schedule to have no off days, but they have it. So I guess yeah, they bullpen game the fifth start? |
| 9:21 | : or they have a sixth starter planned and haven’t told anyone |
| 9:22 | : are pitchers with weird deliveries forced into that position because there stuff is not otherwise good enough? |
| 9:22 | : i think that can be true for pitchers with extreme arm angles |
| 9:23 | : Maybe Chad Bradford? Per Moneyball, every time he was getting hit hard he kept dropping down and then eventually ended up underhanded |
| 9:24 | : Are y’all fans of the gold jersey thing? Any teams you think it’d look particularly good or bad on? |
| 9:24 | : Yeah, I think they’re dope. Trying to think if there’s a gold scheme where it wouldn’t work, but I definitely like ’em |
| 9:25 | : I think the Mets would look bad in gold |
| 9:25 | : teams with two primary colors that aren’t white or black, basically |
| 9:25 | : or yellow, like the Brewers could pull it off easily |
| 9:25 | : The gold would probably look pretty bad on the A’s or Marlins, but we won’t have to worry about that anytime soon. |
| 9:25 | : It would just turn the A’s into Notre Dame |
| 9:26 | : so yeah, I guess you’re right, bam sick ND burn |
| 9:29 | : Shohei Ogonei |
| 9:29 | : Disclaimer that I haven’t seen these particular gold jerseys. But the A’s had a gold alt for awhile that looked great. I think they’re bringing it back this year |
| 9:29 | : Do you think the Mets would replace the orange with gold? |
| 9:29 | : like the Dodgers took the red off of theirs |
| 9:30 | : the Giants would almost certainly go black and gold, which I think would be fine for a weekend |
| 9:30 | : I made a guy swing and whiff on a pitch that hit his face |
| 9:31 | : sHRohei Oppoway? |
| 9:32 | : Oppohtani I think |
| 9:32 | : alright time for some SWEEPERS |
| 9:33 | : The number outlines on the Dodgers’ jerseys are red. |
| 9:33 | : ooh! |
| 9:34 | : how did I miss that? |
| 9:34 | : An early story line to follow as the season progresses will be Adley Rutschman’s play. Was his complete collapse strictly because of his injury which raises the question of just when an injured player begins to hurt the team by gutting it out or hiding the injury. |
| 9:34 | : Yeah, “was Adley hurt?” became a personal fascination of mine this winter |
| 9:34 | : I still think he was. but he and the team were both adamant that he wasn’t |
| 9:34 | : it’s a very good question. and he looked a loit better today, although obviously he did, he hit two homers and it’s one game |
| 9:36 | : will the Dodgers be able to wear white after Gleyber Day? (I had this joke lined up in case he hit a homer, but what am I gonna do, let it go to waste?) |
| 9:36 | : oh boy if Treinen is going to be 96 this year instead of 93… |
| 9:36 | : Is it the classic hurt v. injured thing, Ben, wherein he def wasn’t 100%, but at a % good enough to keep playing? |
| 9:36 | : Right. And it’s tricky too. He’d improve more quickly if he rested, but the team maybe couldn’t withstand an absence |
| 9:37 | : is there a prettier pitch than a front door sinker |
| 9:39 | : the only contender for me is a 12-6 curve for a strike |
| 9:38 | : Blake “seam-shifted wake” Treinen |
| 9:38 | : Seam-Shifted bWake Treinen |
| 9:40 | : Are relievers constitutionally incapable of learning to slide step? |
| 9:41 | : treinen is so bad at holding guys on |
| 9:41 | : insert Blake Treinen stop the steal joke |
| 9:41 | : “For as much time as Blake Treinen spent trying to stop the steal, he’s surprisingly bad at it” there we go |
| 9:41 | : Shorter. Re:Adley…it didnt have to be a physical issue. |
| 9:41 | : For sure. There was an injury that seemed like the culprit though |
| 9:42 | : What would you consider a “successful” (arbitrary, I know) season for Matt Shaw? |
| 9:42 | : Consolidates a major league role |
| 9:42 | : 140 gms of league avg work |
| 9:44 | : So what’s the closer strategy for the Dodgers? Is it Treinen? Switching with Scott? What’s the deal? |
| 9:44 | : playing matchups i think, scott faced a bunch of lefties |
| 9:45 | : Yeah. They both got paid, tell them the rewards come in October |
| 9:45 | : What’s your biggest Opening Day overreaction take? |
| 9:46 | : Reds are cursed |
| 9:46 | : oh, OVER reaction |
| 9:46 | : um…. Adley is gonna win MVP |
| 9:46 | : for fantasy folks – every closer stinks! |
| 9:48 | : The literal second after the Dodgers win and the camera cuts to Rob Lowe IMMEDIATELY walking out of the stadium. Not great look. |
| 9:48 | : amazing |
| 9:48 | : was he wearing an “NFL” hat? |
| 9:49 | : shocking not today, but Collin Hanks was wearing the MLB equivalent… an umpire hat |
| 9:48 | : a real angeleno wouldve left in the 7th |
| 9:48 | : alright guys I’m gonna head out, this has been a great day of baseball and it’s time to cook some dinner |
| 9:49 | : I hope you had as good of a time as I did welcoming baseball back today |
| 9:49 | : haha Paul I saw that and laughed |
| 9:50 | : Actually I think this is gonna do it for all of us |
| 9:50 | : The FanGraphs crew is tapped out, we went noon to 7 but that’s all w’ve got |
| 9:51 | : Have a great rest of your day. |
| 9:51 | : thanks everyone! this was fun |
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