IL opening weekend

[Frayed Knot]

With the exception of the Phillies, each NL East team faces an above-.500 opponent to start off the IL section of your programming.

- A bit odd that the Red Sox (18-20) are the worst team faced this weekend but that's who Philly gets.

- Marlins head to Cleveland to face the first place Indians. Yeah they're only 22-16 and the only above-.500 team in the AL Central, but 1st-place os 1st place.

- Nationals (3rd best record in NL) host the best-in-AL Orioles

- Braves go to Atlanta to face the 25-16 Rays


- As Gary noted late in yesterday's game, the Mets did the Yanx a bit of a favor wearing out both Chapman (35 pitches) & Ondrusek (34) as the Reds finish up their 5-day visit to NYC to face the Yanx this weekend.
Which brings to mind the question about whether the Mets & Yanx have ever "traded opponents" like this before? Toronto just finished hosting the Yanx for a two-game series (Jays took both) and now immediately get the Mets, while the Reds simply change the direction the team bus drives from their mid-town hotel.

[metirish]

Is it just me or does IL play seem to be very early this year?

interesting thought on trading opponents.

surely has happened with O's and Braves maybe? or some combo of teams?

[Edgy MD]

I think I read it was the second time that a team picked up both the Mets and the Yankees on one trip to New York. Seems like a staggering waste of resources not to do it more often, but I guess that's a byproduct of the over-commitment to creating a universal interleague weekend.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: I think I read it was the second time that a team picked up both the Mets and the Yankees on one trip to New York. Seems like a staggering waste of resources not to do it more often, but I guess that's a byproduct of the over-commitment to creating a universal interleague weekend.

Which clearly won't be the case next year. I wonder if it happens more often next year. On the other hand, not staggering it creates more makeup opportunities. I could even create interesting ones. Imagine the Mets and Reds rained out in April, but he Reds are playing the Yankees in June. Maybe in June the Mets play the Reds in the afternoon, and then the Reds bus over to Yankee Stadium while the Mets host whoever was the regular team for that homestand. freaky.

It was nice of the Yankees to wake up Jose Batista though for us in exchange, and keep the Blue Jays bullpen rested (rusty?)

[Chad ochoseis]

Heard on WFUV this morning on the way in: "The Yankees are in Toronto tonight and the Mets are at CitiField to face Cincinnati."

It certainly sounds more natural.

[Frayed Knot]

Once they start going to year-round IL next year rather than just in pockets like now it'll be interesting to see how often teams that are scheduled to play an IL team in a 2-team city get scheduled back-to-back with those teams. So if the Mets travel to the ChiSox have them stick around for a Cubs series too. Ditto LA/LA, SF/Oak, etc.

Seems to me that the players would tend to like and endorse that set-up - especially seeing as how it would only occur in the bigger cities - but yaneverknow.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: On the other hand, not staggering it creates more makeup opportunities. I could even create interesting ones. Imagine the Mets and Reds rained out in April, but he Reds are playing the Yankees in June. Maybe in June the Mets play the Reds in the afternoon, and then the Reds bus over to Yankee Stadium while the Mets host whoever was the regular team for that homestand. freaky.

I imagine that scenario can play out pretty much as easily by the Reds returning later in the week while they remain in town to play the Yankees.

[smg58]

Frayed Knot wrote: With the exception of the Phillies, each NL East team faces an above-.500 opponent to start off the IL section of your programming.

And every team playing against the NL East faces an above-.500 opponent. How often does that happen?

[Ceetar]

smg58 wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: With the exception of the Phillies, each NL East team faces an above-.500 opponent to start off the IL section of your programming. And every team playing against the NL East faces an above-.500 opponent. How often does that happen?

East coast bias.

[bmfc1]

Evan, of Joe & Evan, suggested yesterday that for inter-league games, rather than have the DH used in the AL parks only, you could designate each season as DH or non-DH. Alternatively, it might be interesting to use the DH in the NL parks only. Of course, the best option is to eliminate the DH but that's not going to happen. I like the idea of having an alternating "DH year" given that we will be forced to have inter-league games throughout the season. What do you think?

[Guest sharpie]

AL teams with full time DH's (think Travis Hafner or David Ortiz) would object. They would say it is bad enough that they lose important players for those road games but it isn't fair that they lose them for home games for a full year.

[Gwreck]

bmfc1 wrote: Alternatively, it might be interesting to use the DH in the NL parks only.

Removing strategy from the game is interesting?

[Edgy MD]

I'm in favor of letting the pitcher bat on Earth, and using the DH in Hell.

Barring that, I'd suggest sending down an extra reliever or a versatile bench player like Valdespin, and calling up a potential masher like Lutz or Pascucci.

[bmfc1]

Gwreck wrote: bmfc1 wrote: Alternatively, it might be interesting to use the DH in the NL parks only. Removing strategy from the game is interesting?

I meant if we have to have it for 50% (or so) of the games, then have it in NL parks rather than AL parks, as it is at present. Believe me, I don't like it either but Selig isn't doing away with it.

[bmfc1]

Edgy DC wrote: I'm in favor of letting the pitcher bat on Earth, and using the DH in Hell. Barring that, I'd suggest sending down an extra reliever or a versatile bench player like Valdespin, and calling up a potential masher like Lutz or Pascucci.

Excellent point. Did they need to rush Carson up for one game? I'd like to see Pascucci up for these games.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think the removal of Duda from the playing field but not the lineup is the ideal answer right now.

[Vic Sage]

yeah, its not the run scoring we're having so much trouble with; it's the run preventing.

With Doodie as the DH, we put Hairston/Baxter in the OF, either of whom is an upgrade on D, and still have Valdy in reserve. Maybe we should consider a DP... a "designated pitcher". How about Koufax? I bet Fred could get him to come out and get us a few key outs.

[Gwreck]

Verlander no-hitting Pittsburgh through 8 innings. Just struck out the side in the 8th; 12 Ks so far.

[G-Fafif]

How come mentioning other team's no-hitters isn't bad luck?

[G-Fafif]

8.1 IP.

[Guest sharpie]

Single ends it.

[G-Fafif]

8.not.

Sorry Justin. Poor Tigers fans haven't had a no-hitter since, when, 2011?

[Gwreck]

He's got two already, so I figure he's doing ok.

Broken up with one out in the ninth by Josh Harrison (who?)

[Frayed Knot]

Hey lucky us ... the only NL teams to be leading today are Miami, Philly, and Atlanta.
All others have lost, are losing (most of them big), or are tied (O's/Nats = 1-1 in extras)

[Frayed Knot]

Markakis HRs in the top of the 11th - now 2-to-1 O's
Something named Strop in to attempt the close-out for Bal'mer ... and he promptly hits the first batter.

Marlins, Braves, & Phils all won

[Frayed Knot]

Orioles tried to give it away but couldn't - so at least someone from the division besides us lost.


Meanwhile, 86 y/o Andy Pettitte tossed an 8-inning shutout on 4 hits w/9 Ks - and Niese can't get out of the 1st unscathed.

[Frayed Knot]

More adventures in closer-land:

Dusty brings Aroldis Chapman in for the 8th inning up by 3 runs at YSIII and he promptly retires the side K, K, Pop-out (Granderson, Cano, ARod) ... so of course this means he can't possibly pitch the 9th.
Two pitchers, one replaced closer, four hits, two runs, and two LOBs at 2nd & 3rd later the Reds escape with a 1-run win.

[Ceetar]

Every NL East team lost. free day.

Every AL East team won, except the Yankees. oops. Red Sox are now only two behind them.

[Frayed Knot]

Y'know what's really stoopid about inter-league games? ... Game announcers citing IL stats for players as if there's some sort of cause-and-effect to it all.

[Frayed Knot]

Do you suppose Jarrod Saltalamacchia HR-ing* off Cliff Lee this afternoon -- in addition to being one of the bigger surprises of the season -- sets the mark for largest last name letter disparity in HR history?


* a LOOOONG 3R shot to CF at CBP ... 5-0 Boston at mid-game