Games 5-7: Lowered Expectations ← FREE KRAUT!

Games 5-7: Lowered Expectations 204

Dodgers at A's
It doesn’t get any easier, as the Dodgers come into the Coliseum having added Trevor Bauer and his suspicious spin rate to last year’s championship team.

Playoffs? We’re just trying to win a game!
If even that seems like too much to ask, maybe you can root for:
– A lead at some point
– A game with fewer than 8 runs allowed
– The bullpen striking out more batters than they walk (currently 10 each)
– Frankie Montas keeping all his fingernails

M: Montas vs. Dustin May
T: Bassitt vs. Kershaw
W: Luzardo vs. Bauer

In keeping with the theme, tonight’s lineup features an outfield of Kemp/Canha/Tom.


Enjoy!

204 thoughts on “Games 5-7: Lowered Expectations

  1. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 5,2021 6:20 pm

    This college hoops finale could be great. Best two teams all year long, by far. Will exile the A’s to the laptop.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 5,2021 8:18 pm || Up

      As it turns out the college game has been a blowout since the first minute yet is still more watchable than the A’s.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • nevermoor Apr 6,2021 10:28 am || Up

      Narrator: it wasn’t.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 11:54 am || Up

        “And the plucky Baylor Bears have triumphed over the adversity of having one player murder a teammate and the coach cover it up and an epidemic of sexual assaults which the university president covered up and also Ken Starr. What a feel good story!”

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • nevermoor Apr 6,2021 5:15 pm || Up

          On the one hand, yes. On the other hand, did these players have anything to do with it?

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  2. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 6:49 pm

    vince doesn’t like all the fastballs that have been swung through. needs more contact

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 7:14 pm || Up

      now vince thinks Montas shouldn’t feel bad because the two hits were soft contact.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • andeux Apr 5,2021 7:22 pm || Up

        Ray said the difference this year has been the grounders that found a hole in the infield.

        TINSTAAFK
  3. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 5,2021 6:53 pm

    Frankie’s stuff looks great, but 25 pitches/inning.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 6:55 pm || Up

      Hopefully may leaves early. 2 redheads trading the mound sounds bad

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  4. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 5,2021 7:29 pm

    My expectations are lowering by the inning.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Apr 5,2021 9:52 pm || Up

      Yeah, not sure I went low enough.

      TINSTAAFK
    • nevermoor Apr 6,2021 10:30 am || Up

      Apparently we’ve already lost half of our playoff odds.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  5. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 7:45 pm

    sean. why are you calling anything but fastball?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  6. sslinger Apr 5,2021 7:50 pm

    Aaron Rodgers was pretty dull but one of the contestants was a Cal alum so we got a Go Bears from both of them, and then the Berkeley grad won big.

    • andeux Apr 17,2021 9:23 am || Up

      We both thought he was really good overall.

      All the guest hosts start off by saying what big fans they are of the show. With Rodgers you could really see it was true, and it made a difference.
      For one thing, he mostly did a good job with the mechanics of the show, making it through all the questions before time ran out and adding a little extra information when appropriate (like filling in the first name when a contestant gave only a last name as an answer). It’s been interesting how much better the amateur Jeopardy nerds (Jennings and Rodgers) are at that than the professional TV people (Couric and Oz).
      And also, while he did occasionally seem a bit awkward on camera, he was also clearly having fun and not afraid to show a little (just enough) of his own personality show. He was psyched to be hosting Jeopardy, and that made it fun to watch too. It was also funny how his appearance ended up being book-ended by a Cal guy winning the first three games, and then the crack he got to make after yesterday’s Final Jeopardy.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Ice Cream Apr 17,2021 10:47 am || Up
        Where is the good in "good-bye"?
        • sslinger Apr 17,2021 12:49 pm || Up

          I take all your points, but there was something about him that just didn’t work for me. Curious to see Levar Burton next – I think a lot of people nominated him from the get-go.

  7. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 8:00 pm

    i don’t recognize a game until my team is down by 9

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  8. Jennifer Apr 5,2021 8:06 pm

    It’s difficult to watch this team. Mostly because I can’t name a single player.

    • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 8:16 pm || Up

      jed lowrie

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 8:22 pm || Up

          but at least you can go to bed before it’s over

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
          • Jennifer Apr 5,2021 8:23 pm || Up

            I’m on vacation this week. I’ve got free time.

            • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 8:30 pm || Up

              vacations are pretty stupid. I was on vacation last week

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • Jennifer Apr 5,2021 8:47 pm || Up

                I used to actually go places.

                • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 9:18 pm || Up

                  I stayed in the same place you did a few years ago

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • Jennifer Apr 6,2021 8:35 pm || Up

                  Owner’s nice. Rates are great.

  9. Glorious Mundy Apr 5,2021 8:33 pm

    I don’t think this team is going full 1988 Orioles, but they might get like halfway there.

  10. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 9:23 pm

    this is going poorly

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  11. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 9:47 pm

    Ka’ai tom got a hit!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  12. mikeA Apr 5,2021 9:56 pm

    Guduan gettimg plenty of work in.

    • Future Ed Apr 5,2021 10:02 pm || Up

      he is going on the ML DL. good for him

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Future Ed Apr 6,2021 1:05 pm || Up

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  13. Future Ed Apr 5,2021 10:23 pm

    maybe 7 inning games aren’t so bad?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  14. 5Aces Apr 5,2021 10:24 pm

    I wonder if MLB would agree to expand the blackout area for me if I paid a little more?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  15. elcroata Apr 6,2021 2:30 am

    So, partial success? Bullpen threw 6 K and 5 BB.

    Because survival is insufficient
  16. Soaker Apr 6,2021 5:14 am

    Thoughts of the day.

    “Of course we’re a little down,” starter Frankie Montas said. “We lost five games in a row. So we’re a little down. But we know we’re a good team. And it’s just a little funk. Once we get out of this, we’ll be rolling.”

    “If we’re going to win the pennant, we’ve got to start thinking we’re not as good as we think we are.” — Casey Stengel

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  17. Soaker Apr 6,2021 12:12 pm

    Ooh, this is a spiffy, barely-used 737-MAX9. That’s one way to avoid enduring a 100-loss season.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 2:01 pm || Up

      Hopefully not just like new.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Soaker Apr 6,2021 5:02 pm || Up

        Survived the flight(s). Getting out of the airport without killing someone at Avis was touch and go for a while. Please fix the ballclub while I’m on the other side of the country.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  18. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 3:16 pm

    I endorse idea of Olson skipping Kershaw.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 3:19 pm || Up

      Of course that means playing Kemp, who doesn’t have a prayer against Kershaw, but what are you gonna do.

  19. Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 4:18 pm

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 4:38 pm || Up

      You want to replace Marcus Semien, do ya?

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  20. Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 5:46 pm

  21. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 5:46 pm

    There are three other winless teams, but they’ve collectively played four games.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  22. andeux Apr 6,2021 6:55 pm

    – A lead at some point ✓

    TINSTAAFK
  23. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 7:02 pm

    A lead! I remember those!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  24. Future Ed Apr 6,2021 7:07 pm

    drink!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • AV Apr 6,2021 7:15 pm || Up

      don’t drink the lead ed. what are you, from flint?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  25. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 7:08 pm

    Well that was a pleasant feeling. See you in 2022.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  26. Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 7:30 pm

    Can one pitcher not completely suck? One??

  27. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 7:33 pm

    I don’t think trading away Jeremy Giambi will help this time.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Apr 6,2021 7:35 pm || Up

      I just hope they’re getting some kind of bulk discount on throwing chairs.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Ice Cream Apr 6,2021 7:50 pm || Up

        It does look like it’s going to be an ass-whoopin’ kind of year.

        Where is the good in "good-bye"?
  28. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 6,2021 7:59 pm

    Replay won’t save us, the cameras are inadequate on fair/foul homer calls.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Apr 6,2021 8:02 pm || Up

      the three games I have noticed him, brian gorman is inadequate

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Apr 6,2021 8:22 pm || Up

      bassitt threw two terrible 2 strike pitches. Six worker like innings. Not terrible.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • 5Aces Apr 7,2021 8:47 am || Up

        So…MVP for the season!

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  29. Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 8:33 pm

    Good Lou inning. That’s today’s positive.

  30. Future Ed Apr 6,2021 8:39 pm

    this is ridiculous

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  31. Future Ed Apr 6,2021 8:40 pm

    Minor threat for the A’s says vince

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  32. Future Ed Apr 6,2021 8:40 pm

    it’s treinen time!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  33. Glorious Mundy Apr 6,2021 8:41 pm

    When an A’s really gets into one this season, it’s off the wall. I’d blame the dead ball, but I’m pretty sure the other guys are hitting the same version.

  34. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 8:53 am

    OK, this morning in an effort to change the mojo I resolved not to wear an A’s hat again until they have a win. If that doesn’t work, starting tomorrow I’ll resolve not to wear A’s gear of any kind until they win. If they leave Houston 0-10 I will be forced to extend that to not wearing clothes at all.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Ice Cream Apr 7,2021 9:02 am || Up

      Your re-nude commitment is admirable.

      Where is the good in "good-bye"?
  35. andeux Apr 7,2021 10:52 am


    Is not getting no-hit by Trevor Bauer with this lineup realistic?
    The top three are OK, I guess.

    TINSTAAFK
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 1:20 pm || Up

      …and his Bat of Renown!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • nevermoor Apr 7,2021 9:27 pm || Up

      So, we’re gonna need you to keep predicting no-hitters…

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  36. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 12:25 pm

    Dallas Braden has gone full Unabomber.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  37. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 12:33 pm

    Looking in on the jays rangers game I can’t help but think I would rather have received odor and kept semien

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  38. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 12:46 pm

    “Hitters are good fastball hitters.” -Ray Fosse

  39. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 1:07 pm

    KK and vince report melvin talked to the umpires after bauers half inning

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 1:44 pm || Up

      • andeux Apr 9,2021 10:14 am || Up

        Supposedly

        The balls had visible markings and were sticky, and were sent to the league offices for further inspection, the sources said.

        Melvin may also have been tipped off by the first sentence of the FK thread for this series.

        TINSTAAFK
  40. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 1:26 pm

    Bauer missed by more than Jesus and got the calls

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 1:39 pm || Up

      Strike 3 to Canha just now was ridiculous. Nowhere near the zone at any point.

  41. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 1:31 pm

    “Get into a hunting mode. Stalking the outs. They’re being fed to you.” Braden is such a weirdo.

  42. vignette17 Apr 7,2021 1:33 pm

    It really does seem to be everything going wrong for the A’s. Calls go against them at bad times. Their defense fails them at the worst times. Injuries to the wrong guys (Pinder/Laureano are probably the two hottest players). Balls just foul. Giving up the hits with 2 outs or 2 strikes or both. They’re really not that bad. Don’t get me wrong, they deserve to be 0-6, but I don’t think there should have been 6 blowouts.

  43. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 1:33 pm

    Anyone else who streams from the NBC app feel like they are being driven slowly mad by that Wendy’s ad?

  44. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 1:44 pm

    Glove of Renown!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  45. mikeA Apr 7,2021 1:44 pm

    Is there really such a big difference, as the public imagination would have it, between winning and losing?

  46. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 1:59 pm

    A Rickey Run!

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:00 pm || Up

      Ramon is the only player who seems unaffected by whatever curse befell this team before Thursday.

      • 5Aces Apr 7,2021 2:02 pm || Up

        Ramon doesnt believe in Monkey’s paws.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  47. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 2:01 pm

    Need a bit more Renown…

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  48. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:12 pm

    Scrape together another couple of HBP-SB-SB-WP sequences, and we just might have a chance to win this one.

    • 5Aces Apr 7,2021 2:18 pm || Up

      and of course rely on the bullpen being nails for 3-4 innings.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Ice Cream Apr 7,2021 2:25 pm || Up

        Bullpen? [bites nails]

        Where is the good in "good-bye"?
        • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:31 pm || Up

          Got through the Kolarek appearance with only one run scoring. The plan is still operational.

  49. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 2:17 pm

    Field of Dreams correctly gets grief for being sappy and Costnery, but I’m OK listening to that James Earl Jones monologue all season long. It’s like baseball Valium.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  50. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 2:29 pm

    I think chapman got him before barnes hit the bag, not that it changes the score

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  51. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:44 pm

    Romo has nothing left.

  52. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 2:47 pm

    that was a strike

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  53. mikeA Apr 7,2021 2:47 pm

    Romo’s pitch to Turner might be the single worst pitch I’ve seen in mlb.

  54. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 2:48 pm

    I believe we will require more runs.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  55. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:58 pm

    The Padres are playing Jorge Mateo in centerfield for some reason and he deflected a fly ball over the fence for a two-run homer.

  56. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 2:59 pm

    Andrus is tragic at the plate.

  57. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 3:00 pm

    First game so far we’ve been close late. Progress!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  58. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 3:32 pm

    Diekman got beat on a good pitch, tip your hat etc. Trivino is missing his spots by a foot on either side.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 3:45 pm || Up

      OMG that last Lou pitch was center cut, very lucky dude swung through it.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  59. elcroata Apr 7,2021 3:45 pm

    A bottom of the ninth where there is actually hope!

    Because survival is insufficient
  60. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 3:46 pm

    Some afternoon pie would be delicious.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  61. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 3:48 pm

    So you’re telling me there’s a chance?!?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  62. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 3:48 pm

    Chappy starting to wake up is good.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  63. elcroata Apr 7,2021 3:55 pm

    I’d feel better about moving the runners into scoring position if it weren’t Andrus’s turn to bat

    Because survival is insufficient
  64. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 3:57 pm

    This is sad-feels like a playoff win to have tied a game in April…

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  65. elcroata Apr 7,2021 3:57 pm

    That went well, but I would have still preferred Kemp to take a couple more pitches, what with Jansen being all over the place and him having a small strike zone

    Because survival is insufficient
    • Future Ed Apr 7,2021 4:03 pm || Up

      yes.

      Also, lol at roberts, yeah, concede the run, play for the tie. we got this.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  66. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 4:05 pm

    Over but low..I dont need this in my life buddy.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  67. mikeA Apr 7,2021 4:07 pm

    Looking forward to the A’s signing Jansen in 2029.

  68. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 4:10 pm

    Piscotty/Pinder wouldn’ta dropped that.

  69. andeux Apr 7,2021 4:13 pm

    JED is a pretty good guy to have up here.

    TINSTAAFK
  70. elcroata Apr 7,2021 4:20 pm

    Chapman walk-off

    Because survival is insufficient
  71. andeux Apr 7,2021 4:22 pm

    Mitch better have my RBI.

    TINSTAAFK
  72. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 4:23 pm

    KK cant understand why the Dodgers would play back. I understand all too well.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  73. 5Aces Apr 7,2021 4:24 pm

    Victory cabbage for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  74. FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 7,2021 4:24 pm

    Hooray! Hatless not hapless!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • 5Aces Apr 7,2021 4:27 pm || Up

      You realize you have to burn the hat now, right?

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 4:28 pm || Up

      I tip my cap to your bare head.

  75. Ice Cream Apr 7,2021 4:26 pm

    At long last…VICTORY!

    Where is the good in "good-bye"?
  76. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 4:27 pm

    Good game

    • Future Ed Apr 7,2021 4:31 pm || Up

      now hopefully bauer gets suspended

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 4:33 pm || Up

        That would upgrade it to great game.

  77. andeux Apr 7,2021 4:36 pm

    Compared to your expectations, would you say this series:
    Fell short
    Met
    Exceeded ✓

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Apr 7,2021 4:53 pm || Up

      honestly it was a good matchup. I had no little faith in montas, and bassitt did alright and luzardo did alright.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • sslinger Apr 7,2021 7:25 pm || Up

        And don’t forget Puk’s outing – very encouraging.

  78. vignette17 Apr 7,2021 4:51 pm

    This win will obviously lead to momentum shifting to an A’s sweep of the Astros.

  79. Future Ed Apr 7,2021 4:57 pm

    Fangraphs win probability for today still has the A’s at 36%

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  80. Glorious Mundy Apr 7,2021 5:23 pm

    Indeed it was, Vince.

    • Future Ed Apr 7,2021 5:32 pm || Up

      he also “went viral” with his tweet

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 10:25 am || Up

        There’s no vaccine for Vince’s charm.

  81. 5Aces Apr 8,2021 11:25 am

    I get that this is just how things are done now..but would any A’s fan really want to bid on game used items from this last home stand? Unless we are building a bonfire..

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  82. elcroata Apr 8,2021 11:26 am

    Never knew the potato story

    Because survival is insufficient
  83. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 12:35 pm

    Oh come on!

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 8,2021 12:48 pm || Up

      Win a game, lose a guy, the standard terms for any deal with Satan really.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • andeux Apr 8,2021 1:02 pm || Up

      Deolis Guerra struck out 12 and allowed no runs in 6 2/3 innings of spring training.
      Based solely on that I am declaring him our new bullpen ace.

      TINSTAAFK
      • andeux Apr 8,2021 7:38 pm || Up

        Hung one to Altuve, but looked quite good against the scary trio of Brantley/Bregman/Alvarez.

        TINSTAAFK
      • Future Ed Apr 8,2021 7:40 pm || Up

        Guduan is a different guy?

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • andeux Apr 8,2021 7:58 pm || Up

          Guerra is the one who will have a high WAR.

          TINSTAAFK
        • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 8:13 pm || Up

          Guerra is the good one, not the Guduan.

    • elcroata Apr 8,2021 1:08 pm || Up

      The best I can do is to offer a sacrifice of my German friend. We took this photo on 3/19/18 in Scottsdale. It’s been downhill from that day on

      FWIW my friend insists it’s all AJ’s fault, as he ordered a salad bowl for dinner.

      Because survival is insufficient
    • Soaker Apr 8,2021 5:13 pm || Up

      Optimism clearly failed, so I’m going with this being one of those 5-20 start and never heard from again debacles. A recent example that comes to mind is the 2016 Twins, who were coming off 83-79 and thought to be contenders. They started 0-9, were 10-30 by May 19 and finished 59-103. This has all the signs, especially the early injuries.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Apr 8,2021 6:03 pm || Up

        This is a much more natural look on you.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Soaker Apr 8,2021 6:14 pm || Up

          Yeah, the other was like I tried dying my hair purple or something. What was I thinking?

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  84. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 1:30 pm

    LOL, Michael Conforto just very blatantly stuck his elbow out over the plate on strike three for a walkoff HBP and a Mets win. Even the Mets announcers are appalled.

    • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 5:36 pm || Up

      That was a SHOCKING missed call. Pitch was a strike, buckled his knees, so he tried (and maaaaaaaaaaaaybe succeeded) to hit it with his elbow.

      Complete and utter horseshit, and the umpire deserves infinite demerits. METS announcers were going crazy.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  85. andeux Apr 8,2021 1:32 pm

    Tie game, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, Michael Conforto sticks that fking thing out there into strike 3. HBP, game over.

    TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Apr 8,2021 1:33 pm || Up

      Damn it GM.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 1:35 pm || Up

        How did Mattingly, the Marlins pitcher, the Marlins catcher, not get themselves tossed, suspended, imprisoned over that call? I have never seen a screw job quite that extreme.

        • andeux Apr 8,2021 1:44 pm || Up


          I was surprised to learn at the time that while the rule does say you have to try to get out of the way (which Conforto blatantly violated), the ball being over the plate makes no difference.

          TINSTAAFK
          • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 1:48 pm || Up

            Mets booth said the last Mets WOHBP was Justin Turner against the A’s. I managed to forget that one.

            Brad Ziegler, bottom of the 13th. A’s had tied it in the ninth on a Conor Jackson single off of K-Rod.

            • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 2:32 pm || Up

              Game thread suggests Turner also stuck some fking thing (maybe just his uniform) out there.

              • Soaker Apr 8,2021 4:57 pm || Up

                And the next day:

                Bottom of the 1st, Mets Batting, Tied 0-0, Athletics’ Graham Godfrey facing 1-2-3

                b1 0-0 0 — 2,(0-1) NYM Jose Reyes Graham Godfrey -2% 52% Groundout: 2B-1B
                b1 0-0 1 — 3,(1-1) NYM Justin Turner Graham Godfrey 2% 55% Hit By Pitch

                I don’t remember Godfrey’s fastball velocity, probably 90ish, but it was definitely harder than Ziggy’s frisbees, especially when aimed directly at the ribs as Godfrey’s pitch was. Nobody complained. Mattingly is old-school enough that I’d expect something similar for Conforto at the first opportunity.

                What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
          • elcroata Apr 8,2021 1:58 pm || Up

            I was surprised to learn at the time that while the rule does say you have to try to get out of the way (which Conforto blatantly violated), the ball being over the plate makes no difference.

            You should be surprised, because it’s wrong

            Because survival is insufficient
            • andeux Apr 8,2021 2:03 pm || Up

              Perhaps my Vince-like phrasing is confusing.
              An actual strike (like Conforto’s) is not supposed to count as a HBP.
              But one that is “over but low” (like Seager’s) can.

              TINSTAAFK
              • elcroata Apr 8,2021 2:07 pm || Up

                Ah, OK, then I misunderstood you and I agree

                Because survival is insufficient
          • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 2:26 pm || Up

            The most surprising thing is that it isn’t reviewable.

            • elcroata Apr 8,2021 2:35 pm || Up

              I kinda get that it’s not, because it would be reviewing a judgement call (strike/ball)

              Because survival is insufficient
              • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 5:43 pm || Up

                That’s clearly the rule, but man it sucks when replay shows someone totally, 100% inarguably, screwed the pooch and there’s no remedy.

                After watching the 6 Nations (rugby) I’ve lost what little patience I had with the stupidity of US-style video review. They still have the call-live-must-be-overturned standard, but the helper officials can have things reviewed, and once you’re reviewing the point is to figure out what the right call is. (Also, and this is great, the conversation between ref and reviewer is broadcast.)

                "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
                • Future Ed Apr 8,2021 6:04 pm || Up

                  In the back of my mind i am sloshing around an objection to the HBP on the body armor.

                  I can’t quite figure out if it’s reasonable to discount a HBP on the the elbow guard.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 8:59 pm || Up

                  Ah. The Barry Bonds debate.

                  "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
      • mikeA Apr 8,2021 2:23 pm || Up

        Everyone is replying in your thread, so you win after all.

        Best part was the umpire doing the first half of his strike three motion before changing his mind.

        • elcroata Apr 8,2021 2:36 pm || Up

          Yeah, that was pretty funny, unless you’re a Marlins fan

          Because survival is insufficient
        • andeux Apr 8,2021 4:22 pm || Up


          Ron “Mea” Kulpa
          There is some discussion over whether this should really be considered a judgment call about whether the ball was a strike (and hence not reversible) or a misapplication of the rule (which could be appealed). I assume nothing will happen, though.

          TINSTAAFK
          • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 5:44 pm || Up

            It should be protested. And there should be a way to fix it.

            And the bigger issue isn’t whether it was a strike. It is that he fking LUNGED at the ball and you missed it.

            "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
    • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 1:59 pm || Up

  86. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 2:38 pm

    Sounds bad!

    • elcroata Apr 8,2021 2:51 pm || Up

      ouch

      Because survival is insufficient
      • Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 3:00 pm || Up

        Going in for a sore shoulder and coming out down a rib seems like a real bummer.

        • AV Apr 8,2021 3:55 pm || Up

          that’s a bad tradeoff. i wouldn’t do it for anything less than a helpmeet.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 5:45 pm || Up

      Like getting an Ace Closer ™ at the trading deadline!

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  87. Future Ed Apr 8,2021 4:01 pm

    Hey nerds,

    My nephew is about to graduate from Cal with a degree in physics/astrophysics and was not accepted at any of the 10 PhD programs he applied to. Apparently having a 3.9something GPA means you are dumb.

    Any suggestions on things to occupy him for the next year before second round of applications?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • ptbnl Apr 8,2021 6:05 pm || Up

      Any geographical constraints?

      Send me his CV.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Future Ed Apr 8,2021 6:09 pm || Up

        none. My sister would be sad to see that answer in print.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Future Ed Apr 8,2021 6:10 pm || Up

        and thank you!

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • colin Apr 8,2021 7:47 pm || Up

      This has been a weird/tough year for physics PhD applications. I saw very good students get rejected by decidedly non-elite schools. It’s not much consolation, but he shouldn’t feel down on himself.

      • Future Ed Apr 8,2021 7:51 pm || Up

        that’s what he was told too.

        he is kicking around ideas right now. Like teaching english somewhere in the world, or moving to oregon or whatever

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  88. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 4:43 pm

    Townsend just unironically said that “it will be like adding a guy just after the trading deadline” if Rosenthal comes back.

    • nevermoor Apr 8,2021 5:45 pm || Up

      God DAMMIT.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  89. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 5:10 pm

    This place the Blue Jays are playing looks pretty posh for a spring training park. Maybe the Rays should move there.

  90. Jennifer Apr 8,2021 5:16 pm

    Baseball! On television before dark!

  91. Glorious Mundy Apr 8,2021 6:06 pm

    Not a lot of masks in this crowd.

  92. Future Ed Apr 8,2021 8:16 pm

    well positioned.

    again

    I have $5. No I don\'t.

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