IGT: WAS@NYM, 2026-04-28

[seawolf17]

Okay that was fuckin weird because it was 1-0 when I got into the car, and 8-0 when I checked my phone when I got home.

1-0 was one thing, bur now this is going to be a soul-crushing loss.

[Frayed Knot]

So the only NYM pitcher who can consistently get to the 5th inning and beyond is the career reliever.

[Edgy MD]

Please don't believe that.  The fifth inning has frequently been breached.  And beyond is breachable country.

Also, Carson Benge is in the interstate exit lane.

[Edgy MD]

Booth chatter has come around to discussion of The Princess Bride, and Howie Rose seemingly is completely unfamiliar with it.

[seawolf17]

2 minutes ago, Edgy MD said:

Booth chatter has come around to discussion of The Princess Bride, and Howie Rose seemingly is completely unfamiliar with it.

Inconceivable!

[Edgy MD]

Is Taylor in there just for the defense and the work, or did I miss Melendez getting hurt?

[Edgy MD]

Kimbrel's last two pitches there were 94.7 and 95.7.

Maybe he has something left in the tank after all.

[Gwreck]

Mark Vientos challenging a strike call with no one on, one out, and an 8-run lead in the 5th inning…and the pitch nowhere close to a ball…to burn the last challenge…is something.

He needs to lose his challenge privileges for a week or something for that.

[Frayed Knot]

The previous NYM challenge wasn't smart either but, yeah, the one by Vientos was really dumb, and selfish. 

Freddie Freeman said early on that he wasn't going to challenge anything all year, that he was going to leave all the challenges for his defense.  Now there might be a particular situation here or there where it would be smart of him to break that pledge but overall he has the right attitude.

[MFS62]

Well, you can’t lose ‘em all. 
later

[Edgy MD]

8 hours ago, Frayed Knot said:

The previous NYM challenge wasn't smart either but, yeah, the one by Vientos was really dumb, and selfish. 

Freddie Freeman said early on that he wasn't going to challenge anything all year, that he was going to leave all the challenges for his defense.  Now there might be a particular situation here or there where it would be smart of him to break that pledge but overall he has the right attitude.

The only problem I have with Freeman's position is that he made it public, letting umps and pitchers and catchers know he isn't arming himself with the same tools they have.

Batters sort of have a disadvantage here.  In order to work up your confidence, you have to program your mind — at least for the moment — with the notion of your indomitability.  You are so potent and prepared and locked in that the only thing that could defeat you is the malicious conspiracy or supreme incompetence of others.

That's all bullshit, of course, but you kind of go up there believing it anyway.  You have to.  So when a strike — especially a third strike — comes in on the corner, your first response is going to be "Oh, BULLSHIT!"

Now, when you relax your muscles and take a sober second thought, you come to realize that the fault probably lies with you and your judgment, but the rule says that the challenge has to come immediately, before you get to step out and take that breath.  And your first instinct is to double-down.

Pitchers who feel like they executed their pitch but didn't get the call may have the same problem.  This guy didn't give me the strike I earned and its damned personal!  But the defense has the advantage of the catcher making the bulk of the challenges.  And the catcher can be objective.  His team has a stake in the call but there aren't any neurons firing in his head that says his manhood is on the line and the ump is undermining him personally.

[Frayed Knot]

4 hours ago, Edgy MD said:

The only problem I have with Freeman's position is that he made it public, letting umps and pitchers and catchers know he isn't arming himself with the same tools they have.

I doubt umps are going into a F.F. AB thinking that they can call several inches off the plate a strike because he's not going to do anything about it. Pitchers/catchers may try to (if they even heard/remember what he said) but he always has the option of a surprise challenge. I see his statement of not challenging as less of a vow and more of an attitude, and I think it's a good one to have.