Baseball 2017

[Dr Markus]

I've read up on the history, but to clear the bench over a bat flip? This Bautista won out here to get that reaction.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

The Houston Astros are putting on stunning numbers and I'm not quite sure how to deal with it---it's kind of insane to see them truly firing on all cylinders. This is pretty obviously the best team they've ever had (not to damn them with faint praise). They got a good win in Arlington last night and with any luck they can take that series. It would feel really good to take a series in Arlington, where they've been historically vexed. We've got a lot going on this month, otherwise, I might've taken a quick trip up there to represent the orange and blue in enemy territory.

[sloopjohnc]

The Houston Astros are putting on stunning numbers and I'm not quite sure how to deal with it---it's kind of insane to see them truly firing on all cylinders. This is pretty obviously the best team they've ever had (not to damn them with faint praise). They got a good win in Arlington last night and with any luck they can take that series. It would feel really good to take a series in Arlington, where they've been historically vexed. We've got a lot going on this month, otherwise, I might've taken a quick trip up there to represent the orange and blue in enemy territory.

Pretty amazing their 8 run 8th (or was it 9th?) inning win this past week.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

Yeah, I think it was the 8th. I was doing something that night but I saw the comeback and when they took the lead. I think the Twins made a misstep or two that allowed a man or two on and that it all happened with two outs. I saw them take the lead and went off to do something else. Next thing you know, they'd scored a bunch more and batted around.

[sloopjohnc]

Yeah, I think it was the 8th. I was doing something that night but I saw the comeback and when they took the lead. I think the Twins made a misstep or two that allowed a man or two on and that it all happened with two outs. I saw them take the lead and went off to do something else. Next thing you know, they'd scored a bunch more and batted around.

I read this morning that the Astros 7 through 9 hitters are more productive than a bunch of other teams 3 through 5 hitters. That kinda depth is tough on pitchers, especially in the American League.

[toomanyhatz]

I don't see anyone beating them in the AL, though the Yankees are, unfortunately, looking to be for real.

Dodgers/Astros series? It could happen.

[sloopjohnc]

I don't see anyone beating them in the AL, though the Yankees are, unfortunately, looking to be for real.

Dodgers/Astros series? It could happen.

I'd find Astros vs. Cubs immensely more enjoyable.

[toomanyhatz]

I don't see anyone beating them in the AL, though the Yankees are, unfortunately, looking to be for real.

Dodgers/Astros series? It could happen.

I'd find Astros vs. Cubs immensely more enjoyable.

I don't believe that for a second. You'd have a field day trash-talking.

[sloopjohnc]

I don't see anyone beating them in the AL, though the Yankees are, unfortunately, looking to be for real.

Dodgers/Astros series? It could happen.

I'd find Astros vs. Cubs immensely more enjoyable.

I don't believe that for a second. You'd have a field day trash-talking.

Maybe, but you could shut me up pretty quick by asking where the Giants finished this season.

They stink.

[Dr Markus]

What's a "pitching rubber"? (Keep it clean fellas) and why do they bury it under the mound?

[toomanyhatz]

What's a "pitching rubber"? (Keep it clean fellas) and why do they bury it under the mound?

They don't bury it under the mound, it is the strip of rubber that sits on top of the mound. The pitcher must have part of his foot on it when he delivers the pitch, though he can follow through past it once he releases his pitch.

[sloopjohnc]

What's a "pitching rubber"? (Keep it clean fellas) and why do they bury it under the mound?

Pitchers use rubbers, catcher's don't have to.

[toomanyhatz]

Hey! He said keep it clean!

[sloopjohnc]

Hey! He said keep it clean!

What?

[sloopjohnc]

Astros suck. They let the shitty Royals beat them after 10 straight wins.

Losers.

[sloopjohnc]

Astros pitchers going down by the bushel.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

Err ... let's get all the injuries and problems out of the way now ... yeah ...

[Diamond Dog]

A general question here - is there an agreed protocol around announcing pitchers for any particular game? As in - if the rotation is known and everyone is expecting pitcher X to be pitching next game.... if the team wished to move pitcher Y up to take his place (or introduce a completely new pitcher into the rotation) do they need to inform their opponents of that change and, if so, is there a time limit? I guess what I'm asking is could a team who are due to have right handed pitcher X pitch next actually put in leftie pitcher Y without giving their opposition the chance to change their batting lineup to reflect that change?

[sloopjohnc]

A general question here - is there an agreed protocol around announcing pitchers for any particular game? As in - if the rotation is known and everyone is expecting pitcher X to be pitching next game.... if the team wished to move pitcher Y up to take his place (or introduce a completely new pitcher into the rotation) do they need to inform their opponents of that change and, if so, is there a time limit? I guess what I'm asking is could a team who are due to have right handed pitcher X pitch next actually put in leftie pitcher Y without giving their opposition the chance to change their batting lineup to reflect that change?

Starting line ups are normally announced the morning of a game. Sometimes a pitcher is moved up or back depending on the opposing team's pitching and the opposing team's batting order. If there are fair amount of righty hitters on a squad, a manager may move up a lefty pitcher in the first game of a series or game they feel they have to win.

Conventional baseball wisdom suggests that, when a pitcher and a hitter pitch or bat with the same hand, the pitcher typically has the advantage. This especially holds true for left-handed pitchers, as lefties are less common in a major-league lineup than righties. As a result, the most common use of the lefty-righty switch is when a right-handed pitcher is facing a left-handed batter. The manager of the defensive team will sometimes go to the bullpen, especially in close games where a reliever has already entered the game, and pull out a left-handed specialist to face the left-handed batter.

The lefty-righty switch can also be used against switch hitters who are noticeably poorer from one side of the plate than the other, or in the somewhat rarer instance of a batter who does poorly against opposite-handed pitchers. The basic principle in these cases remains the same.

[Diamond Dog]

Thanks...Yeah I get that John... what i'm trying to get at is there a time when the team sheet has to be handed in - the same for both teams?