NYY 4, MIN 1: Twins Fizzle, Bronx Drizzles

I think there's plenty of left in Pineda's tank. A lot o pitches that were "picking the corners' proved to be strikes on the telecast. It's actually surprising that they weren't called strikes on a getaway day with rain imminent.

Granted, his legs aren't there and it's disappointing that he's not in better condition, but he drew a lot of swinging strikes, had a good mix, and really only lost to a couple of batters.

In order of preference, I follow a game on 1) TiVo. 2) live tv. 3) Radio. Sunday was my first extended radio listening of the year. So glad to see Dan Gladden has not lost it. From his exuberant "got him" on a 3-1 pitch, to his declaring Tauchman "overmatched" in the beginning of his home run AB, he quickly reminded me of why when I listen to the Twins on radio I take CCO's advice and "turn down the sound"

The thing I hate most about playing the Yankees in the Bronx, and I've seen it for decades, is that the home plate umpires squeeze the visiting team on the strike zone.

Sure, some umps are worse than others, but, if you go back pitch-by-pitch, you start to realize that the bias is real and impacts the game in multiple ways.

No umpire wants the Yankee fans on their ass, and they subtly cave to their curses and rants, making for a built-in Yankee advantage that is nauseating to watch.

Getting the W on Sat. was fine for that series. Now 2 of 3 in Toronto and back to Target. Don't see the Yankees again until late July and it won't be in Yankee Stadium. Dog day time for the 2019 season.

The thing I hate most about playing the Yankees in the Bronx, and I've seen it for decades, is that the home plate umpires squeeze the visiting team on the strike zone.

 

Sure, some umps are worse than others, but, if you go back pitch-by-pitch, you start to realize that the bias is real and impacts the game in multiple ways.

 

No umpire wants the Yankee fans on their ass, and they subtly cave to their curses and rants, making for a built-in Yankee advantage that is nauseating to watch.

This is an interesting notion, and I think you're probably right, but I wonder if this has data-backed validity now that this is possible to track.

Anyone know? It would be interesting, stadium to stadium, to know if there are higher missed strike numbers at some, maybe higher missed balls at another.

The thing I hate most about playing the Yankees in the Bronx, and I've seen it for decades, is that the home plate umpires squeeze the visiting team on the strike zone.

 

Sure, some umps are worse than others, but, if you go back pitch-by-pitch, you start to realize that the bias is real and impacts the game in multiple ways.

 

No umpire wants the Yankee fans on their ass, and they subtly cave to their curses and rants, making for a built-in Yankee advantage that is nauseating to watch.

#1 argument for automated strike zones.   I was at a women's college playoff basketball game many years back cheering on the home team and about halfway through I noticed something really weird.   The opposing coach never uttered a word to the refs and when one of her players showed displeasure with a call they went to the bench.   She literally just coached her players and let the refs call the game while the home team fans and coach were constantly complaining and yelling at the refs.     Of course the home team got the vast majority  of the calls and won a pretty close game but it was still the most remarkable coaching performance I ever saw.    I am a big believer in the scientific method but until shown otherwise by studies I am going to go ahead and assume that yelling and screaming at officials works.    You may not want to take out the human element in umping a game but then you just have to accept that the human element is flawed.

On Saturday, Jake could not have cared less about umpire bias. He attacked the strike zone with 93-94 mph fast balls and then went off speed in mid-high 80s. He dealt with the batter, not the umpire. Then, in comes Hilldenberger who nibbled around the plate with slow breaking balls and was torture to watch compared to Odorizzi. I like the way the YES network leaves a K-zone box on the screen all the time as the pitch is being delivered and shows the speed of every pitch. I thought the ump did a great job in that game. Pitchers who are afraid to attack the strike zone are too dependent on the whims of the umpire.

This is an interesting notion, and I think you're probably right, but I wonder if this has data-backed validity now that this is possible to track.

 

Anyone know? It would be interesting, stadium to stadium, to know if there are higher missed strike numbers at some, maybe higher missed balls at another.

I think it was Schoop that didn't come close to swinging and got rung up without an appeal.  Shortly after that our catcher appealed to first on a check swing and didn't get the call.  That got me thinking - I would like to see is the percentage of successful appeals for visitors at Yankee Stadium vs. other stadiums.

I hate Yankee games...they are practically unbearable to watch...every count seems to go to 3-2.  I can watch about 4 innings before I get bored and fall asleep.  The games just drag on.

Yes, to only get one of three vs. the wounded Yankees is disappointing. Friday was a lousy game and Sunday was disjointed.

Pineda got swings and misses, but couldn’t put away the #9 hitter when he was ahead 0-2. It was the fifth and he was around 80 pitches. His pitches and command weren’t as sharp. Conditioning? He’s become a five-inning pitcher?

I think he has to have a short leash.

Isn't he on an innings limit for the year anyway, or was that just to start the season. He hasn't pitched 150 in...I'm not going to look, but over 2 years.

Or maybe they don't care if they push him since he's a free agent anyway.

I think there's plenty of left in Pineda's tank.

He started the year OK and he already appears to be out of gas. He's done as a starter, he might have a few more years as a bullpen arm, but the Twins would never make that type of decision until very late in the year.

"Fly ball down the right field line...this one will reach the seats."

Fair or foul, Danny? Seems kinda important, no?

Gladden doesn't hide it when he's frustrated. I can see him saying that in a game v. the Yanks, or any game that is getting out of hand.

I have listened to Gladden enough times to know that's not true. 

Oh, I'm all for poking fun at Gladden. Did you see it when he pushed/took a swing at Puckett? Kirby just moved out of the way and looked around like, wtf was that about?

Of course they kissed and made up soon after.

Veterans coming off surgery/absences don't seem to have season "innings limits" per se. Teams can exercise some caution around their usage, but they won't shut them down or change their role or anything unless they get hurt or really struggle, like most every pitcher.

I agree in normal circumstances. But I expect caution with Pineda given his history. He's not just some pitcher coming off TJ surgery. He's a pitcher who has barely ever pitched a full season without a trip to the IL.