TWiB Notes - March 30 thru April 5

[Frayed Knot]

On Monday night the Yanx lost (Cal Raleigh walk-off PH single) as did the Marlins, Blue Jays, Brewers, and Dodgers, leaving no undefeated teams four games into 2026.

Meanwhile the Rockies, White Sox, Giants, and Diamondbacks all won leaving the Athletics (0-4) as this season's only winless team.

[Frayed Knot]

Longest active on-base streak: Shohei Ohtani, 36 games 

Longest active scoreless innings streak: Shohei Ohtani, 22-2/3 innings

Both extend back to last season obviously, but the fact they're both held by the same guy might be just as obvious.

 

 

 

And if our game ever gets off the runway it'll be a good day for scoreboard watching: 15 games today, 14 of them are day games with only KC not getting with the program.

[MFS62]

5 minutes ago, Frayed Knot said:

And if our game ever gets off the runway it'll be a good day for scoreboard watching: 15 games today, 14 of them are day games with only KC not getting with the program.

But we thought everything was up to date in Kansas City.

Later

[Gwreck]

It’s not getaway day in Kansas City.  Their series against Minnesota ends tomorrow, so no need for a day game today.

[Frayed Knot]

There was a clash of the Titans at YSIII today as the AL best 5-1 Yanx hosted the NL best 5-1 Marlins for their home opener. The Fish got smoked.

 

 

Pirates called up #1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin for their home opener today after just 500 total minor league ABs and less than 100 of them above A ball. The 1st round/9th overall 2024 draft* pick out of a Mississippi HS is a 6' 3"/222 R/R SS who doesn't turn 20 until three weeks from now. And, seeing as how he was called up just a week into the season, he'll still play enough (assuming he doesn't get sent down for any length of time) to get credit for a full season so his FA-gency won't be delayed (iow: NOT like the Cubs did to Kris Bryant) although that's likely a moot point as there's talk (not yet official afaik) of an immediate multi-year contract.

He seems to have about 80 family members in the stands who have seen him hit an RBI double, walk, strikeout and gave him a Standing O for his successful ABS challenge.

 

 

* he's not the first from his draft class to reach the majors, but he's the only high schooler in the top 10 so the others are all around three years older than him

[The Hot Corner]

From most accounts I have seen, Konnor Griffin was considered the best prospect in all of baseball and the consensus was that it was by a wide margin.  He is huge for a shortstop and has prodigious power.  It will be interesting to see how he does. 

[metirish]

Thanks a terrible way to spell Conor 😂 

[Frayed Knot]

Following up on my post yesterday about the relationship between hits and runs, the Yanx last night got out-hit by the Marlins 15 to 6 but won 9-7 despite the fact that five of the six hits were singles and the pin-stripers were a mere 3/13 w/RiSP. But Miami pitchers were kind enough to chip in with 10 walks and the Yanx scored twice on passed balls in a game. There were also EIGHT ABS challenges (seven overturned) in a game that ran 3:49 (gonna party like it's 1999!!)

[Edgy MD]

I imagine out-walking the other team better aligns with winning (these days in particular) than out-hitting the other team.

[Frayed Knot]

Baseball world, meet Angels RF'er Jo Adell

 

 

 

Final score: Angels 1 - Mariners 0

[Frayed Knot]

6 minutes ago, Edgy MD said:

I imagine out-walking the other team better aligns with winning (these days in particular) than out-hitting the other team.

Possibly. Although 15-6 is a pretty ridiculous deficit.

Yanx had five singles, three of which knocked in four runs, a 2R HR plus a Sac Fly (both Bellinger). And then the Marlins catcher decides to wait until there's a runner on 3rd for both of his passed balls.

[metirish]

Following up on FKs post ,here are all three catches , amazing 

 

 

[The Hot Corner]

The first two were okay, but the third one was one hell of a catch and he hung on after flying into the stands.

[Frayed Knot]

2 hours ago, metirish said:

Following up on FKs post ,here are all three catches , amazing 

 

 

Thanks. I thought I had posted the videos but looks like I grabbed and dragged the wrong link.

Toriiiii Hunter was in the stadium at the time -- he works for the Angels in some capacity -- and HE said he nearly passed out watching Adell's catches and few played the wall  better than Torii in his day.

btw, the only run of the game was a HR on the first pitch of the game (bottom 1st) by Seattle, meaning Mariner pitching managed to hold the Angels scoreless over 27 outs wile Mariner bats hit three over the wall to the Angels one ... and yet still found a way to lose the game.

 

And, finally, a fan took this picture of the last of the three catches (1st out, top 9):

Los Angeles Angels (@angels) • Instagram photo

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

104K likes, 477 comments - angels on April 5, 2026: "good night, Jo Show viewers 😴 📷: @kay_kraus".

Pretty cool, huh?

[Frayed Knot]

So with the first full week of the MLB season in the books ('cept for the 4-4 Cards and Tigers still battling it out in the Sunday Night NBC  Peacock game) and all teams at either the 9 or 10 game mark, here's how things look:

 

NL Best:

LAD: 7-2; MIL: 7-2; MIA: 6-3 after (barely) salvaging their final game in the Bronx are leading the pack, while bringing up the rear are the 3-7 Giants along with the 3-6 Nationals & Rockies

The AL is being paced by the 7-2 Yanx with everyone else kind of pushed towards the middle with the exception of the 2-7 Red Sox. Oh that's not going to make the chowder go down well tomorrow.

 

[Centerfield]

Mets won. Braves lost. Philly lost. Marlins won, but at least they beat the Yankees. 

[Edgy MD]

Anybody who can hit a homer, if the stars align, can hit two or three.

But how rare is the opportunity actually steal three homers in a game?  Three balls over the wall, behind you, but within leaping reach, in one game?

That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and to be ready and firing on all cylinders and meet that opportunity?  That's amazing.

I'd feel so good.  I'd retire.

[Frayed Knot]

And what lesson teams should take form Adell's afternoon is: Don't make your fences too high!!

Yeah, you might get burned by it on occasion too, but it's an exciting play either way and it gets your logo on the hi-light reels.