SoxBlanco

The pitch actually had the corner of the “strike zone box”. Terrible pitch to swing at 2-0, and it might have been called a ball, but it was not 3 inches outside.

Sore thumb. Just getting more rest.

This is exactly what I’ve heard. So it doesn’t need to touch the back of the glove, right? Who said that?

Do you have a link to that rule?

That’s what I always thought and what makes the most sense, but that’s why what an announcer said (maybe Benetti?) is sticking out to me. I was surprised when I heard it.

On a close play at first base, is the runner out when the ball enters the glove or when the ball touches the back of the glove? I swear I have heard announcers say it just needs to enter the glove, but I can’t find an official rule on that through my various Google searches. Anybody have a link for that rule?

I’m not stating it fact, but I can see how it reads that way. There are some arguments where I can see both sides. But for this argument, I am completely on one side. So I ABSOLUTELY think he should have swung. I’m not on the fence about it.

Once the Twins put a guy out there throwing 47 mph lob balls, then all bets were off. Yermin absolutely should have been swinging there. Taking a walk would be like taking a walk in slow-pitch softball when your team is up by 10 runs. That should be more frowned upon than swinging 3-0. If Yermin had grounded out on the 3-0 swing, there would be zero issue and the Twins would probably be happy that he swung. It's a classic case of judging the result instead of the process. Having said that, I also absolutely think Yermin needs to listen to his signs. He was given the take sign, so he needs to take. The problem is that he should have never been given the take sign to begin with.

Done!

I've been called upon to start the game thread early. Let the discussion begin. Hoping Rodon uses that strategy where he doesn't give up any runs. Or maybe even the one where he doesn't give up any hits. Both have seemed to work this year.

Boom! Great pitching combo today. Best Liam has looked with that slider.

Time for Giolito to step up after that brutal loss. Be an ace, Lucas. Big game.

Who is this Granite guy, and should I be intrigued? A quick google search of his age tells me I should not be.

The crazy thing about the Yermin home run is that as I was watching, I felt like taking a walk on four pitches would be more frowned upon. When it got to a 3-0 count, I was thinking, "Alright Yermin, swing the bat." When the guy is just lobbing it up there and you take a walk while up by so many runs, it would feel like a football team kicking a field goal in the 4th quarter while up 42-0. At some point, it's better to just go for it on 4th down. That's how I felt about Yermin's at bat. Having said that, I don't think a team/player should ever feel bad about something because of how many runs they are up. Mercedes should be able to take a walk or hit a 3-0 home run whenever he wants to. If the other team doesn't like it, then don't get down by so many runs next time.

Or if our ace started pitching at a level that we know he’s capable of. The ceiling for this team is so high.

It was definitely really close. But even if he got the jersey, I think the catcher would have felt it. But he reacted like he missed him.

You think Abreu was out?

I just came to post the same thing. He would have known if he tagged him.

Valid point, but I guess it all depends on how much faster the glove or the foot would reach that spot. I’ll agree that my outfielder comparison doesn’t really work without knowing more details. But I still believe a dive can get you there faster if done correctly. It’s very close though, and probably not worth it when the technique has to be perfect and you are risking injury.

I think you can do it correctly where diving would be faster. Problem is, most people can’t do it. Think about an outfielder diving to make a catch, where the glove is right above the ground. You think if they just ran without diving, their feet would get to that spot quicker? If so, then wouldn’t everyone just run without diving and catch the ball in the air when their feet get to that spot?

https://youtu.be/2PP0z2R-HWM

I disagree. I think the dive made it closer.

Actually 6th best!

Are you and others really taking his comment seriously? It was an obvious joke, and I'm assuming it was made to poke fun at the whiners/complainers.