Edgy MD

What we have stinks.

It strikes me that the way to get filthy rich as a gambling dude is to tamper with the data the detection technology spits out.

It seems every ump working the third- and first-base lines has a different definition of what constitutes a swing based on divergent understandings of the rule book (which, as noted above, has been almost deliberately ambiguous on the matter), although generally, these divergent definitions tend to favor the pitchers, who tend to get strikes on motions that don't resemble an offer. It will be nice to see this standardized, but the system will clearly need some calibration and review of its own to work out. Umps seemingly try to read a feel for the batter's intent as much as a judgment of the batter's actions — which is a losing game, as the batter's intent is, by definition, conflicted. It will also create interruptions in game flow and cause more degeneration into the videogamification of baseball. It will also create a challenge for the batter, as starting and then stopping a swing — at a ridiculously fast pitch thrown by a ridiculously close pitcher — is a physically and mentally challenging act that you have to take a few beats to recover from, and having to make a high-stakes decision to pat your helmet while you are in the midst of that recovery seems like it could be tricky. I assume you get to challenge a swing ruling from the home plate umpire as well as the base umps, correct?

You're supposed to walk Young in that situation to set up the double-play. Seattle had a lefty on deck and just the backup catcher available on the bench.

I kind of want to see Waggy batting for Young, and save Vientos to hit for Melendez.

Baty is feeling himself after that play at third. I'm picking him for the game-winning hit.

Yeah, but that's just asking to be punched in the face by Young.

Hammer may not have been, you know, good, but he was mega-big. Multiple hits and some huge tours. MLB.tv just gave me an ad for Bluechew Gold — dick pills with oxycontin in them. Who approved that shit?

Ewing is the stuff. I don't think we're going to see him at second any time soon.

Melendez is supposed to take a few steps and fall down on that play.

And that derails pretty quickly.

Mets trying to ride the Raley-Weaver-Williams Train home.

Translation: Gary: "Keith said some dumb things about women in San Diego." Murf: "Well, I, for my part said ... um, Happy Pride Month everybody!"

And yet, somehow, we get Hancock out of the game, and Seattle replaces him with an Oscar-winner.

A model of contemporary baseball happening here. Each team has cycled through six innings and not a single player has reached on a ball in play. Only one walk between the two teams also.

Bichette showing a serious deficit of hustle.

The Ordóñez Line disappearing in the rearview mirror for Marcus Semien.

Ewing can just keep doing that.

The other lefties should be looking to see if they can go to left against this guy.

There's a statement!! An opposite-field statement!

Game moving along quickly. We need a statement from Jared Young.

The Mets should have brought Mazzilli with them. He knows how to hit in Seattle.

FUN FACT: The Mets accomplished that three game sweep at home while wearing three different uniforms.

Hancock looks like the goodz. But hey, a 5-4-3 DP by the Mets retires the very odd Rob Refsnyder.

Is that Blevvy in the booth with Cohen?