Tony-OH

I'm fairly certain it's built into the Orioles fabric that Hays, Stewart and Santander can not all be healthy at the same time.

I could see this as well. The bullpens would then gain and extra "longman" who probably is better for 3 or 4 innings anyways. The problem is, if you a couple of guys who can get you 6-7 in most starts, they would need the full five days of rest.

Actually, I appreciate that Hyde is not afraid to pull a pitcher at 4 2/3 innings if he's in trouble and he thinks he has a better matchup in the pen. Showalter liked to give the starters that opportunity to win the game even if it meant keeping a better match up in the bullpen. I much rather worry about winning the games then getting guys fairly meaningless stats like wins.

I sense sarcasm here.

So I took a look at the numbers from 2019. NL 8th batters: 1. Walk rate was higher than 5th, 6th, 7th hitters. 2. Were Intentionally walked 162 times, more than the 1st,2nd,5th,6th, and 7th batters combined despite having 290 less PAs than 7th batter, 586 less PAs than the 6th, and it just keep going up) 3. Their HBP rate is higher than every other hitter before them (maybe not significantly for some, but still higher) AL 8th batters: 1. Walk rate is lower than other positions ahead of them or basically the same. 2. Were intentionally walked just 20 times. 3. Their HBP rate is higher than the others hitting positions but not statistically significantly. I think it's pretty clear NL pitchers pitch around the 8th batter often, and I'm betting in leverage situations it's significant. Not saying the strategy is wrong, just saying that it's one of the things I don't like about non DH baseball.

I don't think they get hit more often per se, but I bet the 8th hitter walk rate is higher than the 7th or 6th hitters.

Strategically it makes sense, which is why I don't like the pitcher batting. I get pitching around guys or even walking them to get to a better matchup, but 99% of pitchers are almost automatic outs in leverage situations.

I really do think my ability to turn a player around by criticizing them is a skill.. lol

Yes, but then everyone would know you are literally not giving the 8th batter a chance and that would look bad. By hitting the guy, he saves face and then just gets out of the inning by getting to face the pitcher.

Zimmerman start today and I imagine just about everyone is available especially with an off day tomorrow.

I'll be the first to admit I'm an extreme proponent of the DH and believe universal DH is the way baseball should go. Last night was the perfect example as to why NL baseball sucks. In the top of the 1st inning, Miami starter Nick Neidert was on the ropes. He had allowed three runs already after walking Galvis on 4 straight pitches, he had runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs and the 8th hitter Sisco at the plate. With Matt Harvey on deck, what does Neidart do to get out of the jam? He hits Sisco with a slider on his foot that he pulled about two feet. The pitch looked like an obvious way to use one pitch to load the bases in order to get to the pitcher. Harvey then grounds out weakly to the pitcher and the threat is over. The walking, pitching around, and hitting of 8th batters to get to the pitchers with two outs is one of worse parts of baseball. Every single professional, college and high school leagues allow for the DH. It's time for Universal DH. I much rather see a Renato Nunez type bat instead of a woeful pitcher. If baseball is going insist on interleague, it's time to use the same rules and don't go with this crap they are trying in one of the minors leagues where a team can use a DH until the starting pitcher comes out. If they do that then then need to expand the rosters to 28 and allow for more PHers because again, watching a pitcher hit is not fun except for the rare occasion they actually come through.

The fact that Nunez is waiver wire fodder just goes to show how far the value of the home run hitter has decreased because the fact that almost everyone hits them now. Basically you have to bring another skill t0 the table like a high average and/or the ability to draw a walk to your offensive game if you bring no value at defense. He's also the kind of player that gets hurt by the idiotic decision to go away from the DH in the National League. He's only 27-years old so I still would not be surprised if someone signs him and he ends up hitting 25-30 homers while OPSing over 750 if given everyday PAs.

Lol.. You are too funny. Nostra "frickin" damus you are. He missed two report dates that the GM publicly put out. Nothing was "obvious" regardless of what you think you knew. At this point I don't care anymore. Just glad he's finally reporting and let's hope he gets in most of his minor league season this year.

The issue is if you give up on Sisco, then you have to DFA him but the 40-man roster is full. The only other choice would be to DFA Valaika who might make it through waivers and still be able to to be kept in the organization. With Martin doing so well in the alternate camp, the time may have passed for needing Valiaka, especially if the organization wants to give Urias this year to see what he can do. Personally, I'm a defense first guy at catcher unless the stick is special, and if Sisco is not going to hit, he's definitely not going to help the team. I'd rather the pitchers have a good guy to throw to even if I don't think Wynns or Ciuffo are anything more than back ups.

I think those five as well as Mullins will rotate between the three outfield spots, 1B and DH. That's six guys for five spots so good playing time for everyone still. Hays will rotate between all three outfield spots spelling Stewart, Mullins and Santander. Mountcastle will split 1B and DH duties with Mancini with Stewart also seeing occasional time there. Mountcastle will get a long leash, but if he's still not hitting by the time the AAA season starts, he could be optioned.

Good observations. The pen is fairly rested as well after a couple of games pitched.

I never said both pitches were his fault. That comment was about the first one which was 100% on him. The scone one did take a weird bounce.

Not sure I've ever actually seen that before. Terrible base running by Franco.

Not overly surprised. They can still hold Kremer to 50-60 pitches and then go to the pen.

No, the Taxi squad just allows teams to keep players close by in case of a COVID situation, but can be used to preplan a minor league move as well. A taxi squad player must be on the 40-man roster and to be actived to the 26-man roster, another player must be removed off the 26-mean roster by either optioning, DFAing, trading or being put on an injured list (COVID or otherwise).

Martin is down at the alternate site and from what I heard, has been one of the most impressive players down there.