OT: 2023 MLB Thread

[sbjnyc]

Gallo hit an opposite field homer for the dodgers. In fact, of his 4 hits on the dodgers, 3 were opposite field. Maybe the dodgers are good because their coaches stress fundamentals over launch angles.

 

[nyr2k2]

yeah no.

rolling over on outside pitches is a fundamental issue plaguing modern day MLB

That's been true for the four decades I've been watching. The whole purpose of the off-speed pitch away is to get guys out in front and to roll over, and that's always been the case. It's not some new phenomenon.

I would have loved me some Mike Piazza exit velocities. He scorched the ball the other way and well into opposite field stands and bullpens. His opposite field stroke is the prettiest I ever saw. That sound coming off the bat, I'll never forget it.

David Wright was another Met who excelled there. Obviously he didn't have Piazza's raw power, but when he was on, that right-center power alley was a spot he abused.

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

Except there are tons of examples of players who adjust and hit the ball the other way. It's part of the basic fundamentals of the sport. If they play you to pull every AB, maybe you should be focusing on how to hit the ball the other way to keep them honest. It's not a crazy ask/concept

Or, ya know just bunt. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good bunt

Do it a few times and it will keep them honest.

 

[nyr2k2]

Or, ya know just bunt. It doesn’t even have to be a particularly good bunt

Do it a few times and it will keep them honest.

Teams shift--and have unique shifts for each player--because they have so much data, they know with such a high degree of certainty where a player will hit a ball, particularly when pitched a certain way (relative terms, here). Dropping down a bunt here and there, I don't think would really change much. Like a team is not going to stop shifting an extreme pull hitter because he might drop a bunt once a week--they'll gladly accept a guy getting on with a bunt once in a while in exchange for taking away multiple other hits by utilizing the shift.

To be clear, all my comments throughout this thread--I am not saying guys shouldn't try to go the other way, or drop one down, or whatever. I'm just saying it's not as easily done as some seem to imply. And, even if you do it, the actual impact might not be particularly significant.

 

[sbjnyc]

Teams shift--and have unique shifts for each player--because they have so much data, they know with such a high degree of certainty where a player will hit a ball, particularly when pitched a certain way (relative terms, here).

Yet for some reason teams continually shift against guys like McNeil and Guillorme.

 

[JimmyG89]

Yet for some reason teams continually shift against guys like McNeil and Guillorme.

Those two downright baffle me. Guillorme will continue to hit the SS hole and McNeil will too.

The only players on the Mets I would put a "shift" on would be Vogelbach, McCann, and Naquin.

 

[SA16]

Yet for some reason teams continually shift against guys like McNeil and Guillorme.

Why wouldn't they? McNeil has hit 73% of his batted balls on the infield to the center or right side. He's hit 10% of balls toward the 3rd base line area. Harper is at 8%. Bellinger is 10%. Schwarber 8%.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

Is it unreasonable to see a parallel between Hal Steinbrenner and John Mara?

 

[nyr2k2]

Yet for some reason teams continually shift against guys like McNeil and Guillorme.

And McNeil hits a huge majority of his batted balls right at that shift, so.... What's the argument? McNeil would probably hit .350 if they didn't shift him.

Anyway, I feel like I'm now pretty far removed from my original point that it's not easy for established, pull-oriented ML hitters to "just start hitting it the other way." So, back to the Mets for me.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Tatis suspended 80 games for juicing per Passan. They announced the 80 games elsewhere.

 

[Kane One]

Holy shit

 

[NYR94]

Tatis what a clown

 

[sbjnyc]

Why wouldn't they? McNeil has hit 73% of his batted balls on the infield to the center or right side. He's hit 10% of balls toward the 3rd base line area. Harper is at 8%. Bellinger is 10%. Schwarber 8%.

Is that the percentages against the shift or total?

 

[will1066]

Apple TV exclusive.

Good night.

 

[mrmovies779]

Time to give Chapman his closer job back.

Holmes has simply lost it since the all star break

 

[Guyute]

Brian Cashman is the most overrated GM in the history of sports

 

[nyr2k2]

Tough L for the Mets. I personally was saying "hold him" on the play in the ninth, because it was shallow and the guy was coming in, but the Mets have been very aggressive on those plays all year so I'm good with it. It didn't require a perfect throw, even to get Marte, but the dude made one anyway.

 

[17futurecap]

Yankees are boring as all hell, basically just watch the 4 Judge at bats and you miss nothing else.

 

[Guyute]

Cashman is the only dude that could replace Sanchez with … Sanchez. Donaldson is a disaster of an at-bat.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Yankees lineup is so blah without Stanton. Cashman thinking Benintendi would be enough of a boost to the lineup is nuts.

 

[Kocur26]

Let it be noted that this team fell apart the moment Giancarlo Stanton got hurt

 

[Kane One]

Tough L for the Mets. I personally was saying "hold him" on the play in the ninth, because it was shallow and the guy was coming in, but the Mets have been very aggressive on those plays all year so I'm good with it. It didn't require a perfect throw, even to get Marte, but the dude made one anyway.

I’m a bit upset that he thought that was a good move, but whatever, I won’t lose sleep over it.

 

[Kocur26]

A nightmare scenario brewing for the Mets on their World Series carpet ride ….

Harper back - this team is loaded and for real.

 

[Crease]

deGrom doing deGrom things. Hasn’t missed a beat.

 

[will1066]

deGrom doing deGrom things. Hasn’t missed a beat.

No run support, what else is new. Made that lone run work.

Dodgers aren't losing ever again.