MLB - NEWS & NOTES

The Cubs now lead the NL Central by 15 games, their largest first-place lead since the end of the 1907 season...

 

u dog - great post and inside info. nice work. i didn't know the automated pitch tracking system.

to be honest- im not assuming anything but humans still make errors. however since 97 their mistakes are not as egregious as Gregg's were!

 

Red Sox call up Yoan Moncada today! Lets see what all the hype is about...

 

Today, 9/1/16 teams can load up from the minors. Different teams call up different numbers of players........

Last nights Pirates - Cubs game was another umpiring catastrophe. I had to laugh when the Pirates announcer said theres been 6 strikeouts all looking in the 3rd inning. I thought to myself, no shit! The players didn't swing because they were all balls that were called strikes. Doesn't matter who's behind the plate. When the playoffs start, MLB will have to pick the best of the worst!

 

That crew was atrocious.

 

I'm dubious as to how ready he really is. My expectation is he'll make a few eye-popping plays getting by on his pure athletic ability, and botch a bunch of routine stuff. A positionless switch-hitter who can't hit from one side of the plate and has only played 45 games above A ball does not scream stretch run game changer to me. But he does have rare natural ability and 3B has been pretty much a black hole for them since about mid-May, so I'm all for giving him a shot. I'm expecting considerably less than what Bogaerts gave them in '13, though (and that wasn't a lot).

 

u dog-he's playing 3b tonight and their trio of 3b stink. he had a ton of steals and i feel he's exactly a game changer come playoff time. he can do a lot for the sox.

 

He hasn't been stealing bases since he hurt his ankle beginning of last month, though. We'll have to see how much lingering effect that still has.

 

I don't know anything about him. However, when the Cubs brought up Russell last year, his bat was not ready at all. But collectively the Cubs 2nd basemen weren't hitting and weren't great defensively. So they brought up a good defender, put him in a position to protect him at the plate (batted 9th most of the year) and then moved him to his natural position. His bat has developed in the big leagues. So, it can work, but you have to be able let them learn on the job, let them struggle, and I'm not sure September during a playoff race is the best spot.

 

The Tigers brought up JaCoby Jones... he hit very well in his first game... it was very impressive, but i suppose seeing what happens over a month or so might be a better indicator of how far he's come or how ready he actually is.

Good luck to the fella in Boston... its always fun to see the newbies come up and make the game exciting again. Some of the youth have that 'natural' talent and I love to see that.

Can Moncada hit for power too? Is this going to be another Chris Bryant? I know nothing of him except ive heard of him and know he's highly touted.

 

Moncada should hit for some power, but not Bryant level.

 

Theres not too many Bryant's out there. He has a good chance at winning the MVP this year, imo......The Pirates called up Josh Bell a bit ago and he got his 1st hit, 1st grand slam, and 2 walks in his 1st 4 at bats.......Of course he can't continue that pace.......

 

Only when he plays the Cubs. *SHADES* He has KILLED the Cubs.

 

Lester takes no hitter into the 6th. He's getting overlooked by everyone, but he is having a fantastic year.

 

Still 2-0, Bottom 6th. Good game.

 

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Pence hit a homer with 2 outs in the 7th to break up the no-hitter.

 

CG for Lester 1R, 3H, 2BB. 102 pitches. Great day for him to go the whole way - Chapman and Edwards were unavailable and Strop and Rondon are still on the DL. Really no one in bullpen available you would really trust in a high leverage 9th.

 

DeGrom's was examined Friday, and while no structural damage was found, he does have inflammation and will not make his next scheduled start...

 

Moncada's not in the starting lineup tonight, btw

 

moncada is a speedster who can make a difference on the bases. small ball wins games. in tight playoff games, his legs and speed could win games. his has very little HR power, so he's not Kris Bryant. Im sure he wishes he could be. hahaha