6/18/17 Reds vs. Dodgers

[mth123]

I never start game threads, but desperate for a change in luck, here goes. The Reds line-up not posted yet. The Dodgers apparently are fighting over who gets to pad their stats against Bronson Arroyo today. Chase Utley, Chris Taylor and Yasmani Grandal evidently drew the short straws because they are sitting in favor of Logan Forsythe, Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes who get the chance to get well against the Reds starter who is old enough to be a grandfather on Father's day.

So, I'll ask the question to get it out of the way. Is this Arroyo's last start?

[Reds Fanatic]

Lineups

Dodgers

1. Joc Pederson (L) CF
2. Corey Seager (L) SS
3. Justin Turner (R) 3B
4. Cody Bellinger (L) 1B
5. Yasiel Puig (R) RF
6. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
7. Austin Barnes (R) C
8. Enrique Hernandez (R) LF
9. Kenta Maeda (R) P

Reds

1. Billy Hamilton (S) CF
2. Zack Cozart (R) SS
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Adam Duvall (R) LF
5. Scott Schebler (L) RF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
8. Tucker Barnhart (S) C
9. Bronson Arroyo (R) P

[PutPeteIn]

I never start game threads, but desperate for a change in luck, here goes. The Reds line-up not posted yet. The Dodgers apparently are fighting over who gets to pad their stats against Bronson Arroyo today. Chase Utley, Chris Taylor and Yasmani Grandal evidently drew the short straws because they are sitting in favor of Logan Forsythe, Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes who get the chance to get well against the Reds starter who is old enough to be a grandfather on Father's day.

So, I'll ask the question to get it out of the way. Is this Arroyo's last start?

No, he will get at least one more.

[PutPeteIn]

Lineups

Dodgers

1. Joc Pederson (L) CF
2. Corey Seager (L) SS
3. Justin Turner (R) 3B
4. Cody Bellinger (L) 1B
5. Yasiel Puig (R) RF
6. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
7. Austin Barnes (R) C
8. Enrique Hernandez (R) LF
9. Kenta Maeda (R) P

Reds

1. Billy Hamilton (S) CF
2. Zack Cozart (R) SS
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Adam Duvall (R) LF
5. Scott Schebler (L) RF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
8. Tucker Barnhart (S) C
9. Bronson Arroyo (R) P

Possibly the best lineup Reds have put up all season. I like Scooter and Barnhart's lefty bats v the LA righty.

[Powel Crosley]

Nice start for Arroyo.

[PutPeteIn]

Looks like Bunny wants to keep hopping.

[757690]

Arroyo on pace to strike out 27 today.

[Billy_Bearcat]

What's with the baby blues?

[Big Klu]

Lineups

Dodgers

1. Joc Pederson (L) CF
2. Corey Seager (L) SS
3. Justin Turner (R) 3B
4. Cody Bellinger (L) 1B
5. Yasiel Puig (R) RF
6. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
7. Austin Barnes (R) C
8. Enrique Hernandez (R) LF
9. Kenta Maeda (R) P

Reds

1. Billy Hamilton (S) CF
2. Zack Cozart (R) SS
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Adam Duvall (R) LF
5. Scott Schebler (L) RF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
8. Tucker Barnhart (S) C
9. Bronson Arroyo (R) P

Change in the lineup? Scooter is hitting 2nd.

[BCubb2003]

What's with the baby blues?

A Father's Day promotion, right?

[Wolves198921]

:laugh:
Wow the pitcher with the two out clutch hit! Here comes a 10-0 defeat!

[Tom Servo]

That was a truly awful pitch, 2 run double by the pitcher Maeda.

[WildcatFan]

I don't think Bronson Arroyo is a very good pitcher anymore.

[757690]

A Father's Day promotion, right?

Correct. The rest of the league wore them yesterday too, but the Reds got an exception due to the Pete Rose ceremony.

- - - Updated - - -

It seems Arroyo's 3 K's in the first wore him out, lol.

[BluegrassRedleg]

The Dodgers have to laugh their asses off every time see the Reds come up on the schedule.


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[PutPeteIn]

7.20

Bye Bye Bunny

You have to have a fastball that can touch 89-90 to keep batters honest in MLB, Arroyo throws about85 mph tops.

The feel good story ends after today.

[757690]

Arroyo so far: 2IP 0HR 0BB 3 K.

Great FIP today.

He's dominating in the things he can control ;)

[RedTeamGo!]

Arroyo so far: 2IP 0HR 0BB 3 K.

Great FIP today.

He's dominating in the things he can control ;)

I see the smiley face, but this is sarcasm, right?

[Tom Servo]

7.20

Bye Bye Bunny

You have to have a fastball that can touch 89-90 to keep batters honest in MLB, Arroyo throws about85 mph tops.

The feel good story ends after today.
https://ugc.kn3.net/i/760x/https://media.giphy.com/media/IxbEw0F4N3FHW/giphy.gif

[PutPeteIn]

Duvall is clueless right now and has been.

He needs to come out of the cleanup spot for sure.

[PutPeteIn]

I think the horrible SP has worn off on the regulars as these guys are a shell of their former selves.
Being down 3 or more runs every game heading to the middle inns takes it's toll on everyone.

[Tom Servo]

Thom and Chris trying to start a pile on in regards to Ben Lively, dude has 5 strikeouts in 21 innings. I wish we could have gotten those 21 innings of good fortune, but somehow I don't see the guy with a 2.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 going 7 innings consistently over the long haul.

[Banshee]

This seems..familiar.

[BluegrassRedleg]

I feel sorry for people who pay money for tickets on the days Arroyo pitches.


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[Norse1978]

Arroyo should throw a complete game today just to eat innings cause I think of a positive he brings

[Powel Crosley]

Poor Bronson, I think his arm is just worn out at this point. Probably two starts more at the most and he's done.

[Henry Clay]

If the Reds can announce Tony Perez's retirement, they can decide it's time for Arroyo. I think the fans will be glad to crowdfund the gold watch, if that's the hold up.

[Tom Servo]

Bronson done (probably for good), Wood in for the 4th.

[757690]

I feel sorry for people who pay money for tickets on the days Arroyo pitches.


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They get to see a bunch of offense. #glasshalffull

[BCubb2003]

How many ballplayers' final games have you attended?

[RedTeamGo!]

Thom and Chris trying to start a pile on in regards to Ben Lively, dude has 5 strikeouts in 21 innings. I wish we could have gotten those 21 innings of good fortune, but somehow I don't see the guy with a 2.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 going 7 innings consistently over the long haul.

The K's will probably go up. So will the earned runs, but either way...would be nice to have Mr. Lively in the organization right now.

Marlon Freaking Byrd.

[Kc61]

Not sure how much of the Arroyo hiring was because they liked him as a stop gap; and how much was because he's a community/fan/media favorite.

But whatever it was, it should have ended by now.

I generally like the way the Reds have handled their rebuild, but not the way the Arroyo situation has been handled.

[Tom Servo]

Still kinda like my idea of trading for Maeda.

(hopefully this means the Reds get to him now).

[WVRedsFan]

Not sure how much of the Arroyo hiring was because they liked him as a stop gap; and how much was because he's a community/fan/media favorite.

But whatever it was, it should have ended by now.

I generally like the way the Reds have handled their rebuild, but not the way the Arroyo situation has been handled.Lots good moves and lots of misses, especially in the pitching staff. It's almost like they want to lose. No other explanation. Bronson = L, as much as I hate to see it, but so does Wojo and others. Simply, they need help. I have a feeling these pitchers they are counting on will never develop into major leaguers. Never.

[Norse1978]

I agree with KC61. I'm ok with the rebuild but this Arroyo situation is baffling on every level

[Tony Cloninger]

If it's on the owner and a lot of people here say it is then shame on him for bringing him here and insulting the fans intelligence.

[757690]

As I have pointed oit before, there are no better option than Arroyo. As soon as one of the injured starters comes back, Arroyo will retire, but not until then.

[Tom Servo]

As I have pointed oit before, there are no better option than Arroyo. As soon as one of the injured starters comes back, Arroyo will retire, but not until then.
Wojciechowski was a better option.

[Tony Cloninger]

As I have pointed oit before, there are no better option than Arroyo. As soon as one of the injured starters comes back, Arroyo will retire, but not until then.

I disagree there were better options before even considering Arroyo as an option. After it was too late sure but prior to that. I mean they really thought people would come to the park because he was going to pitch? I mean even Jose Rijo during his comeback performed better than this.

[BCubb2003]

Bring up Irribarren. He was the winning pitcher in Louisville's 16-inning game last night.

[Tom Servo]

damn, some luck

[Kc61]

Lots good moves and lots of misses, especially in the pitching staff. It's almost like they want to lose. No other explanation. Bronson = L, as much as I hate to see it, but so does Wojo and others. Simply, they need help. I have a feeling these pitchers they are counting on will never develop into major leaguers. Never.

The Reds don't want to lose, but the goal is not "win now." They are doing a good job of compiling talent for the future. It will show up soon. But fans have to be patient. it's very difficult to build a rotation without major free agents.

The Arroyo situation is different. He didn't pitch major league ball for a couple of years, age 40, it was always remote he would succeed. The fans/media loved having him back, but I'm not sure the reasons for hiring him were good enough. And certainly he should be out of the rotation by now.

Admire him, great Red, contributed mightily in the past, but not someone who should still be starting at this point.

[50YrRedsFan]

Reds typical rally....bases loaded walk or HBP.

[BluegrassRedleg]

As I have pointed oit before, there are no better option than Arroyo. As soon as one of the injured starters comes back, Arroyo will retire, but not until then.

There are multiple people in this organization who can go out there and not have an ERA of 7+. If there aren't, this whole thing is pointless, and we're epic bleeping fools for sitting around discussing it on a daily basis.


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[Norse1978]

That was some mighty poor hitting after the bases were loaded. Somebody has to come thru sometime.

[757690]

I disagree there were better options before even considering Arroyo as an option. After it was too late sure but prior to that. I mean they really thought people would come to the park because he was going to pitch? I mean even Jose Rijo during his comeback performed better than this.

At the beginning of the season, I agree there were plenty of better options. Bringing in Arroyo as anything beyond a cute novelty was pure negligence on the part of the front office. But right now, the only other options are all below replacement level as well, which again, is on the front office.

[Tom Servo]

I agree with Thom, fire him and hire a woman instead.

[BCubb2003]

I think Arroyo was the Dontrelle Willis, Alfredo Simon warm-body attempt, nothing more.

[757690]

There are multiple people in this organization who can go out there and not have an ERA of 7+. If there aren't, this whole thing is pointless, and we're epic bleeping fools for sitting around discussing it on a daily basis.


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Going by ERA, Reed is the best option, and he has a 6.43 ERA. Next is Wojo, with a 6.75 ERA. So technically, they do, but not in any meaningful sense.

[Tony Cloninger]

The offense has definitely carried this team but this is 2 days in a row of incompetence with runners on base. Both of these pitchers have been struggling and yet they find a way to get them out because they are who? Fernando Valenzuela? David Weathers? 2 pitchers who pitched better with runners on is why I bring them up. The Teds am still struggling with RISP even in a good offensive year.

[Tony Cloninger]

I think Arroyo was the Dontrelle Willis, Alfredo Simon warm-body attempt, nothing more.

Right now I would love a Jimmy Haynes it's that bad.

[Banshee]

Go go contact play!

[OnBaseMachine]

Peralta's command has stunk lately and it bit him hard there.

[Red Raindog]

Go go contact play!

and now the go go 3 run homer play

[Banshee]

That could've gone better. 8-1 blue.

[BluegrassRedleg]

I've seen teams dominate the Reds before, but typically it's just a W/L deal. Many close games that you just kept losing. I've never seen anyone kick the living hell out of the Reds like the Dodgers have of late.

[Tom Servo]

I wish we could play the Cardinals again.

[Red Raindog]

that singer has been the best part of the game

[The Operator]

Starting to think those non refundable World Series tickets I bought may have been a bad investment.

[OnBaseMachine]

Scooter 3-run bomb makes it 8-5.

[757690]

I'll keep saying it. Just a little investment in starting pitching makes this team a contender.

[BCubb2003]

The Sultan of Scoot.

[The Operator]

I'll keep saying it. Just a little investment in starting pitching makes this team a contender.

They really are a lot closer than their record looks. After a while though, you can't sustain any kind of winning when you're getting 4-5 innings of mediocre at best work from your rotation on a majority of nights.


They have to figure the rotation out. I thought that's what this year was for, not much progress yet but we'll see.

[CincyDave]

If the Reds can announce Tony Perez's retirement, they can decide it's time for Arroyo. I think the fans will be glad to crowdfund the gold watch, if that's the hold up.

Spoken like a true statesman.

[Tom Servo]

Thom thinks he's dropping truth bombs by pointing out the starting pitching sucks.

[BCubb2003]

"For some of you who are quick to pull the trigger on comments made up here in the booth ..."

[Tom Servo]

Geno! :jump:

[CincyDave]

Alright, two more solo homeruns and this game is tied.

[Big Klu]

Suarez has now passed Cesar Geronimo for sixth place among Latino players on the Reds home run list.

1. Tony Perez (Cuba) - 287
2. Dave Concepcion (Venezuela) - 101
3. Leo Cardenas (Cuba) - 72
4. Edwin Encarnacion (Dominican Rep.) - 71
5. Wily Mo Peña (Dominican Rep.) - 54
6. Eugenio Suarez (Venezuela) - 45
7. Cesar Geronimo (Dominican Rep.) - 44
8. Felipe Lopez (Puerto Rico) - 41
9. Bo Diaz (Venezuela) - 39
10. Javier Valentin (Puerto Rico) - 34
11. Cesar Cedeño (Dominican Rep.) - 30
12. Mariano Duncan (Dominican Rep.) - 28
13. Jose Guillen (Dominican Rep.) - 27
14. Juan Castro (Mexico) - 25
15. Ramon Hernandez (Venezuela) - 24
16. Eduardo Perez (USA/Puerto Rico) - 23
17. Alex Ochoa (USA) - 20
18. Luis Quiñones (Puerto Rico) - 19
18. Benito Santiago (Puerto Rico) - 19
18. D'Angelo Jimenez (Dominican Rep.) - 19
18. Alex Gonzalez (Venezuela) - 19
22. Juan Encarnacion (Dominican Rep.) - 16
23. Miguel Cairo (Venezuela) - 13
24. Roberto Kelly (Panama) - 12
25. Ruben Rivera (Panama) - 10

[OnBaseMachine]

I love me some Eugenio Suarez.

[757690]

Ayyyyy- whoooooooo - haaaaaaaaaay - neo!

[Tom Servo]

Billy doubles in Alcantara, 8-7 ballgame!

[OnBaseMachine]

Suarez is one of the three best defensive 3B in baseball and is hitting .279/.372/.494. On pace for: 31 doubles, 26 HR, and 74 walks. Have I mentioned he's in his age 25 season?

[OnBaseMachine]

Votto about to belt a 3-run HR.

[BCubb2003]

Baez wanted no part of Scooter.

[OnBaseMachine]

Dang. I thought that had a chance off the bat. Heck of a play by Hernandez.

[Tom Servo]

I want 2 die

[BCubb2003]

Reds pitchers 8, Reds hitters 7. We go to the ninth.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Reds are going to have 7 HRs the last two Sundays vs LA and not one W to show for it.


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[Banshee]

Iggy going 99, 100, 100, 101, 100...

[BluegrassRedleg]

Has the Demon's Head ever hit 100 before?


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[Wolves198921]

Wow we would have won if we had a MLB pitcher start the game.

[Tom Servo]

The Reds have never scored a run off Kenley Jansen.

[traderumor]

You know, two years in a row of minor league pitching has worn thin. Gonna have to spend some money in the offseason at some point. This is the same failed method used from 2000 to 2008.


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[Big Klu]

Today's Joe Nuxhall Star of the Game is Billy Hamilton, who was 3-for-5 with two singles & a double, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a stolen base.

[Tom Servo]

You know, two years in a row of minor league pitching has worn thin. Gonna have to spend some money in the offseason at some point. This is the same failed method used from 2000 to 2008.


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Spend money on who though? A guy like Jason Hammel who has given the Royals a 5.05 ERA so far?

I got no problem adding a sensible free agent (Feldman has worked out pretty well), but you can't simply patch over an inability to produce pitchers with money. The Reds can't afford that route in the long run, they need to figure out how to get their younger guys better.

[Big Klu]

Eight is not enough.

http://tvseriesfinale.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/rs_1024x759-150623081840-1024.eight-is-enough.cm_.62315.jpg

[CincyDave]

Spend money on who though? A guy like Jason Hammel who has given the Royals a 5.05 ERA so far?

I got no problem adding a sensible free agent (Feldman has worked out pretty well), but you can't simply patch over an inability to produce pitchers with money. The Reds can't afford that route in the long run, they need to figure out how to get their younger guys better.

I'd like to see an honest assessment of where the Reds rank in terms of developing pitchers. We like to think that the Reds, notwithstanding a Cueto or even a Leake (if he counts), stink and that the Cards are great at it. Just how bad (or good) are the 30? Developing pitchers isn't easy, and yet...

[Tom Servo]

I'd like to see an honest assessment of where the Reds rank in terms of developing pitchers. We like to think that the Reds, notwithstanding a Cueto or even a Leake (if he counts), stink and that the Cards are great at it. Just how bad (or good) are the 30? Developing pitchers isn't easy, and yet...
One factor I've been touching on lately that I think gets overlooked is that it's harder than ever to pitch at Great American Ball Park with the big increase in HRs across baseball the last few seasons. It really has become the new Coors Field. It's not an excuse for everything, but it's tougher than ever to succeed. Even in 2015, Leake and DeScalfani were pitching much better on the road than at home.

[WrongVerb]

Would it be out of the question to employ the use of a humidor at GABP?

[BluegrassRedleg]

I don't think the Reds home/road splits indicate a big enough difference. These guys just aren't good... anywhere.


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[Tom Servo]

I don't think the Reds home/road splits indicate a big enough difference. These guys just aren't good... anywhere.


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I didn't say any particular guy was "actually good", I'm just saying GABP makes you look at much worse.

[traderumor]

Spend money on who though? A guy like Jason Hammel who has given the Royals a 5.05 ERA so far?

I got no problem adding a sensible free agent (Feldman has worked out pretty well), but you can't simply patch over an inability to produce pitchers with money. The Reds can't afford that route in the long run, they need to figure out how to get their younger guys better.
It just seems like they are trying the dumpster diving method to fill too many spots on their staff. Everyone has injuries, yet teams all over the majors are able to find major league replacements. And then the endless "wait until this prospect develops..." and they seemingly never do.

[Tom Servo]

It just seems like they are trying the dumpster diving method to fill too many spots on their staff. Everyone has injuries, yet teams all over the majors are able to find major league replacements. And then the endless "wait until this prospect develops..." and they seemingly never do.
The part about prospects is certainly true, but I see plenty of teams cycle through the Asher Wojciechowski's of the world.

[mth123]

The part about prospects is certainly true, but I see plenty of teams cycle through the Asher Wojciechowski's of the world.

Not for multiple spots in the rotation. That's the difference people aren't getting. Nearly every team has questions in the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation (for the Reds those should be where the kids cycle through). The reds fill the other spots through the scrap heap. The other spots should be where stability comes from. The Reds are rebuilding so being a little risky with a spot for an unproven like Finnegan makes sense, but the top two need to be stable. Bailey isn't a guy to provide that anymore, so they need to forget him for planning purposes and should have long ago. I can see counting on Disco coming into this year, but his injury makes him uncertain no matter what happens the rest of the year and now leaves two spots in the front of the rotation to fill. Had they filled one coming into 2017, the off-season to do list would be a lot more doable.

If you are going to devote a couple of spots to kids who are going to take a bunch of lumps, then the other spots aren't a place for guys like Wojo.

[CrackerJack]

Likely the last game for Arroyo as a MLB player, and the last game thread on Redszone for one of his starts. Good memories of his solid years and AS appearance as a Red. Rest easy dude.

[cumberlandreds]

What these six games against the Dodgers just makes it even more clear how far the Reds are from being competitive with the top tier teams. They have been whomped by the Cubs earlier this year now the Dodgers swept them aside like a flyswatter. I expect the same this weekend against the Nats. With upcoming series against the Cubs and Rockies this ain't getting any better anytime soon. With the young pitchers just not coming around like they had hoped its going to be quite a bit longer before we see any real progress in the standings. 2018 is looking very bleak and 2019 may not be much better. It's going to take some huge leaps by some of that minor league pitching for the Reds not be a last place team for a couple of more seasons.

[Tony Cloninger]

One factor I've been touching on lately that I think gets overlooked is that it's harder than ever to pitch at Great American Ball Park with the big increase in HRs across baseball the last few seasons. It really has become the new Coors Field. It's not an excuse for everything, but it's tougher than ever to succeed. Even in 2015, Leake and DeScalfani were pitching much better on the road than at home.

I hope they consider building a higher wall in RF. It does not have to be Puttsburgh high but double it up. Make it like the LF wall. Move back CF more even. Cut out that grassy knoll area. More room to cover is great for the CF the Reds have. Trying to develop pitchers who can succeed here has not been this team forte.

[traderumor]

Its not the ballpark, its the talent. The ballpark gives up cheap homers, but it only becomes an issue when the pitching staff is bad.

[Tom Servo]

Its not the ballpark, its the talent. The ballpark gives up cheap homers, but it only becomes an issue when the pitching staff is bad.
Jeez, it really this hard to get people to admit GABP is tough to navigate? It's not excusing the bad pitching. And it's not just bad pitchers or bad pitches, it's almost anything you can hit with authority in the air.


Great American Ballpark has entrenched itself as one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the game. Almost 49% of all fly balls hit between 100-105 mph have gone for homers this season. In Cincinnati, 32 of 44 (73%) has gone over the wall. If you hit it good here, it’s as good as gone.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/park-factors-and-other-early-season-statcast-fun/

[Tony Cloninger]

Its not the ballpark, its the talent. The ballpark gives up cheap homers, but it only becomes an issue when the pitching staff is bad.

Yes there are some pitchers but like Tom said its like the Hunger Games out there for some of these pitchers and the games are definitely not in their favor. This is about as bad as it has been. It's like playing In the mid 20s and 30s Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff bad. Look up the Baker Bowl ballpark.

[reds44]

I don't think pushing the fences back is the solution. See also: Field, Coors.

Making the walls taller, sure, maybe, but they'd be the first team in a long time to remove seats. Can't see it happening.

[Tony Cloninger]

I don't think pushing the fences back is the solution. See also: Field, Coors.

Making the walls taller, sure, maybe, but they'd be the first team in a long time to remove seats. Can't see it happening.
You don't have to remove them in RF. Just make it taller like in LF. No one is in center to remove as well. Just some grass.

[Big Klu]

You don't have to remove them in RF. Just make it taller like in LF. No one is in center to remove as well. Just some grass.

If you make the RF wall taller, won't the people in the first few rows be unable to see?

[Tom Servo]

If you make the RF wall taller, won't the people in the first few rows be unable to see?
The wall just got 10 feet higher, smart guy.

[Tony Cloninger]

If you make the RF wall taller, won't the people in the first few rows be unable to see?

They bought their tickets. They knew what they were getting into. Serves them right. Like the guy who bought that ticket in front of the steel column in the Looney Toones cartoon during Bugs Bunnys famous pitching display.

[Big Klu]

Maybe they should put up a 30' plexiglass wall like what they used to have at the Metrodome in Minneapolis in the 80's and early 90's. Would give the ballpark a hockey feel.

[Tony Cloninger]

Maybe they should put up a 30' plexiglass wall like what they used to have at the Metrodome in Minneapolis in the 80's and early 90's. Would give the ballpark a hockey feel.

Now you're just trolling me. But considering the state of the rebuild it sure does feel like the 1982-83 Twins around here.

[traderumor]

Jeez, it really this hard to get people to admit GABP is tough to navigate? It's not excusing the bad pitching. And it's not just bad pitchers or bad pitches, it's almost anything you can hit with authority in the air.



http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/park-factors-and-other-early-season-statcast-fun/

But the pitching is getting shelled outside of GABP. The playoff caliber staffs pitched well inside GABP. It's about runs allowed, not how many of them are homers.

[Tom Servo]

The playoff caliber staffs pitched well inside GABP.
Yes, but that was before this home run explosion hit the league.


As recently as 2014, home runs were few and far between at 0.86 per game. Thanks to a second-half push of 1.09 per game, that number rose to 1.01 in 2015. And then to 1.16 per game in 2016, a mark topped only by the 1.17 per game in 2000, the height of the so-called "Steroid Era."


So far, 2017 is making even 2000 look like child's play. The average is at 1.24 home runs per game and going up. After slamming 1.17 homers per game in April, hitters slammed 1.26 homers per game in May and are up to 1.33 per game so far in June.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2715260-mlbs-new-post-steroid-era-home-run-explosion-is-officially-here-to-stay


I'm not sure why you are arguing this so ferociously. Yes, the pitching sucks. But also GABP is harder than ever to succeed in. That's all I'm saying.

[traderumor]

Yes, but that was before this home run explosion hit the league.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2715260-mlbs-new-post-steroid-era-home-run-explosion-is-officially-here-to-stay


I'm not sure why you are arguing this so ferociously. Yes, the pitching sucks. But also GABP is harder than ever to succeed in. That's all I'm saying.

Ferociously? Regardless, my point is that the pitching is awful, and saying it has anything to do with the home ballpark is lame excuse making, which I don't get at all. There are injuries to guys that were being counted on, but all it has done is expose an inability to put together a major league pitching staff.