Bleacher Bums Forum

The runner on second rule factors in as well.  You could make a case that under the old rules Rizzo should have gone home since there is a fairly low chance of scoring a run in the bottom of the inning.  However, the calculation changes when you know that you start the bottom of the inning with a man on second.  As it was, Rizzo made the smart move trying for the 3-6-3 DP.

The way the rule was interpreted at that time, the batter had to break his wrists in order to make it a swing.  It didn't matter how far the bat went when he swung.

I know most of you guys seem to hate the runner-on-2nd rule.  But man, I humbly confess that I actually love it. 

1.  If it's pushing bedtime, I'm never conflicted about whether to stay up indefinitely long for an indefinitely distant ending. .
 
2.  I actually love all the strategy.  Should we use a K-guy like Maples?  Should we walk a guy to set up the DP; even in the top half, if I know we'll get a decent shot to score a single tying run in the bottom?  Should we walk the bases full to get force at home, or will that be bad because then the pitcher is really conflicted if he gets behind in the count?  Should we bunt?  Should we pull the infield in, particularly in the top half?  Or should we play it more safe and conservative, and be a little bit willing to accept one run thinking we've got a fair chance to get that back?  Should the leadoff batter be super committed to going right side, or just try to hit the ball hard and get a hit, even if that involves hitting it hard left side?  Should pitcher throw a chase breaking ball in hopes of no-advancement K, or does that create too much wild-pitch risk?  The cool decision-making in the Rizzo-Baez play last night, etc..  Just so many fun and variably complex choices to balance.

3.  I just think every play is really interesting and intense, from the very first pitch on; and every half-inning is really intense, there aren't any boring pitches at all.  I love the intensity.  Most baseball innings, I'm able to have a game on in background while getting work done.  But man, for these extra-inning pitches I can't get anything productive done whatsoever, I just get sucked into the game and it's must-watch. 

I really think it's a fun improvement. 

And I don't think home ump could get help from the base umps back then.

Yeah, everything changed when the base umpires got involved. My understanding is that the base umps go by whether the bat passed the foul line, period. If yes, it’s a strike. That’s where the ump stands, so naturally that has become the criterion. That’s what they can see.

For me, I hate that. Way too many called strikes. Rulebook doesn’t define a “swing” or checked swing but comment to Rule 8.02 (c) refers to a “half swing” appeal to base ump.

Beats me how merely passing foul line on a swing is 1/2 of a swing. Would go back to the 0 degrees (top of home plate) Hal Smith era application, which seems more like 1/2 a swing. Maybe the 2B ump should rule on check swings, HAH.

If MLB is looking to add offense, going back to the old check swing practices (leaving out the base umpires calling balls and strikes) might result in better hitting counts and fewer Ks.

Perhaps when robo umps are calling balls and strikes, the home plate ump will have the time to focus on the batter more and can do this alone. Can go back to the “breaking the wrists” practice that Dave P. noted, supplemented by 0 degrees bat.

Give the hitter a break. Now, even batters hit by a pitch occasionally get a check swing strike call when they move the bat awkwardly to get the heck out of the way of the pitch that is about to hit them. Beats me how that makes any sense.

One rule change I'd like to see is the suggestion to eliminate a third strike foul bunt results in an out.  If guys could bunt on any pitch it would force a lot of shifts to play "honest.". If the goal is to begin nullifying the shift and increase action...

MLB Network will be broadcasting three games on Friday, May 7 for out-of-market viewers. The schedule includes the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET, the Washington Nationals vs. the New York Yankees at 7:05 p.m., and the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Atlanta Braves at 7:20 p.m.

If you aren’t around a TV to check out this primetime MLB matchup, you can stream the game via MLBNetwork.com, via the MLB app, and through MLB.TV. But keep in mind that you need a cable-login subscription for MLB Network or an MLB.TV subscription. If you don’t have a cable login to access MLB Network for a live stream, you can get a free trial from YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, or Sling TV to stream the games.

Pirates-Cubs will actually be MLB.TV’s free game of the day. So, if you’ve been meaning to give it a try, you can get in a little afternoon baseball. For local viewing, the game will air on AT&T SportsNet-PIT in the Pirates market and Marquee Sports Network in the Cubs market. Trevor Cahill and Zach Davies will start for Pittsburgh and Chicago, respectively. The Cubs are a -148 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook while the Pirates are a +125 underdog. The two teams have split their first six matchups this season.

Since Justin Turner shaved off the majority of his hideous chin rug, Colin Moran has to have the worst beard in MLB. From the shape of it, he must use a weed whacker to trim it. Unforgivable.