Joc Pederson's "Hold My Dick" HR Should Automatically Make Him A 1st Ballot Hall Of Famer (MLB Roundup Blog)
We're back after some light action last night with a couple of notable headlines. But first a word on programming about baseball. Would be nice to mix in some daily roundup with just enough information to keep the general population informed on MLB. Nothing too crazy or else then it becomes impossible to maintain over a 26 week schedule. But we can sprinkle in some notable items while figuring it out as we go. Big picture we want to keep the dialogue going throughout the year. Roundups around lunch, picks in the afternoon.
With that in mind, we went 2-1 yesterday on a pretty simple card. We'll have more on gambling stuff later but for now I want to focus on game volume. Yesterday MLB had 7 games and it was glorious. That's just enough to keep you busy without being completely overwhelming. Now compare to tonight: 15 games and they all tee off in a 3-hour window. Not to get too preachy but that's just so fuckin stupid to me.
At least 20% of all baseball games on a day-to-day basis should begin at 1:20pm local time. Give the kids, old timers and us enthusiasts a chance to really sink into the sport. The NBA would never force it's fanbase to pick between 12-15 games at a time. Nobody in their right mind would make that suggestion. If we want to talk about marketing and growing the game and visibility, then the easiest solution is scheduling. That's the fastest and most sure fire way to build and grow the MLB conversation in real time and it behooves me as to why MLB doesn't recognize this.
But I digress.
We're not here to bitch. Save that for your old lady. Let's talk some baseball.
"Hold my dick" - Joc Pederson
Turn your volume up
Maybe my favorite thing of all time. Probably not but maybe. That's how satisfying this was for me and my only skin in the game is seeing Milwaukee suffer. What a moment for the game of baseball. Based on this alone, we should encourage more extreme heckling from spectators in close proximity. If this is the kinda content we can expect then keep it coming.
From a game standpoint - Corbin Burnes is legitimately unhittable at home. I've never seen cut fastballs move so sharply. He slices both sides of the plate reminiscent of the late great Roy Halladay where it's basically impossible to know if a pitch is moving at you or away. And even so the Giants found a way to win with a collection of forgettable bullpen names. That's what separates the Giants day-in and day-out.
Meanwhile the Brewers offense is downright awful. Great spot to start a fade as I don't see the tide turning very quickly.
Max Scherzer Foaming At The Mouth
There's something about Scherzer freaking out for the Mets that just hits different. I think it's because the Mets are basically the Mt. Everest of free agent destinations. There's a very good chance you die under harsh circumstances trying to play for this team. So seeing Scherzer come in and pitch some of his best baseball has been a very welcomed change of pace. It only took a couple starts but he's already lost his mind in competition. Without a doubt the world is a better place when he's pumping his shit.
His last two starts? 14 innings, 1 run and 20 strikeouts against 7 total baserunners against the Giants and Cardinals. So basically an apex predator against two of the NL's best lineups. Maybe it really is the Mets year?
WILD 9th Inning In St. Louis
Nolan Arenado made a throwing error to set up runners on 2nd and 3rd. Then you get a pitcher late to cover the bag and outstanding baserunning from McNeil. Unbelievable to watch the Cardinals blow a rare win against Scherzer and even more proof that 2022 belongs to the Mets. At least so far.
Mike Trout Check Swing Triple
The Angels are maybe equally as impressive at 10-7 and limited starting pitching. Insert Michael Lorenzen and an absolutely absurd arsenal of sinkers and cutters. Kyle Hendricks level of movement in the low to mid 90's and then remember he can easily reach back for 99-100. Guy is an absolute freak of nature.
Really though the Angels lineup is just so fucking solid right now. Who knows how long these bats stay hot but it stands they look stacked. Keep that in mind when they start the 4-game series on the road against the White Sox this weekend. Should be some interesting/valuable pricing as the public expects the White Sox to climb out of the basement.
Walker Buehler Throws First CG Of 2022
I watched this one start to finish because I had a big play on under 8.5, and I made that play solely because there should never be 8.5 on the board in a Walker Buehler start. Needless to say he made me feel smart as he mowed through an extremely underwhelming Diamondbacks team. They're so brutal defensively and have practically no offensive identity whatsoever. Dodgers tonight vs. Zach Davies could easily be a -2.5 play with confidence.
Fade the Red Sox & the Guardians
The Red Sox are good but playing so bad and confused. The Guardians might as well just pack it up for the next few weeks. These clubs are on life support for the time being and I will be wagering against them appropriately until they show me otherwise.
Finally
I think the balls are dead. I said it in a blog yesterday. I've said it on Hot Ice since we started recording. I've said it on Red Line Radio and now I'm coming back again on this. Home runs are down substantially. Unders are hitting at a preposterous rate (57% vs. 37% over and 6% push). But the real tell is listening to the hitters. So many players have come out and explicitly said the ball is different and they can tell at the point of contact. Pretty crazy because the knee jerk reaction is to expect MLB to want more offense. But realistically the #1 goal is pace of play. If this moves us towards 2.5 hour games then play with a medicine ball for all I care, which is admittedly dramatic, but you get the point.