This is more of a poll than a post. But considering the number of really bad calls I have seen lately in games, and not just the Dodgers, I would like to see how many of our readers are for the Automatic Balls and Strikes system.
Yes, part of the charm of the game has been the human factor that umpires bring. But, without a standard strike zone to work with, the number of blown ball and strike calls has reached epic proportions.
And MLB is still utilizing some of the worst offenders. I can see a rookie ump making some questionable calls, but veteran umps with multiple years of experience???
Angel Hernandez has no business umpiring a professional baseball game. Not only is his strike zone all over the place, he is combative with players and thinks the game is about him.
Anyway, give us your reasons for or against the system. I think the challenge system does not go far enough.
09-17-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
Midwest League Championship Best 2 of 3 Series – Game 1
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins) 10 – Great Lakes Loons 6
23 year old, Hyun-il Choi, started for Great Lakes and retired the side in order in the 1st. But in the 2nd, a HBP, double, and walk loaded the bases with no outs. 21 year old RHP Jerming Rosario was summoned to get out of the inning. He walked the first batter to plate one run to tie the score at 1-1. He got the next batter to hit into a DP and the second run scored. He then allowed a single for the third run.
But Rosario restored enough order to get through the 3rd and 4th with allowing only 1 BB.
In the meantime, it has been the Dalton Rushing show. In the 2nd, Nick Biddison was HBP and Jake Vogel drew a BB. With one out, Dalton slugged a 3-run HR to give the Loons the lead again.
In the 4th, with 2 outs, Taylor Young was HBP and Dalton Rushing hit his 2nd HR of the game, increasing the GL lead to 6-3.
Rosario was up to 47 pitches (only 22 for strikes), and 24 year old RHP Juan Morillo came in for relief in the 5th. Morillo got the first two outs, but then served up a solo HR. He walked the next batter on 4 pitches, but got the next batter on a 4-3 ground out.
21 year old (20 baseball age) and 16th LAD top prospect, Ronan Kopp came in to relieve in the 6th. After retiring the side in order in the 6th, with 2 K’s, he allowed a lead off HR in the 7th to bring the Kernels to within 1.
The Loons loaded the bases with one out in the 7th but failed to score. Michael Hobbs entered in the 8th and retired the side in order. In the 9th, with one out he walked a batter on a 3-2 pitch, even though Hobbs threw 2 strikes that were called balls. He hit the next batter on an 0-2 pitch to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Hobbs put one center/center on a 1-1 and Carson McKusker hit a 3-run HR. He gave up a single to the next batter and was relieved by Lucas Wepf.
Emmanuel Rodriguez hit his 2nd HR of the game, and put the game out of reach.
The Loons were retired without much of a fight in the 9th, and the Kernels came away with a victory in Game 1.
Key Performers:
- Dalton Rushing – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 5 RBIs, 2 HR
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-4, 1 run
The series moves to Cedar Rapids for Tuesday and Wednesday (if necessary).
Box Score
California League Championship Best 2 of 3 Series – Game 1
Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 9 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
Quakes pitching had a very rough game…okay inning. For the first four innings, 20 year old Christian Romero was pitching a 2-hit shutout. But in the 5th, the Quakes used three pitchers, and the Nuts put together two singles, two doubles, 3 walks, and a 3-run HR and grand slam to score 9 runs.
As it turned out, that was the only inning Modesto scored. Modesto would scratch out 1 hit and one walk over the final 3 innings.
The scoring offense for Rancho was solely due to Jake Gelof who slugged a pair of solo HRs. Thayron Liranzo and Josue De Paula each stroked a double. Only Gelof had more than one hit.
The series moves to Rancho on Tuesday and Wednesday (if necessary).
Box Score
Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 11 – OKC Dodgers 6
Down 4-3, Tacoma scored 8 runs off two OKC pitchers in the 5th. Victor Gonzalez started the 5th, and was able only to secure two outs before being removed from the game relieved by Jake Reed, leaving runners on the corners. Both inherited runners scored. When the dust settled, VGon allowed 7 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Jake Reed allowed the 8th run of the inning (11th in the game).
Ricky Vanasco pitched 1.1 IP allowing 3 hits but no runs. Michael Grove pitched the 8th without allowing a baserunner and 1 K. Jimmy Nelson pitched a scoreless 9th but did allow a hit and BB and a K.
The Rainiers compiled 20 hits and 5 BB to produce the 11 runs.
OKC’s first 5 runs were the result of HRs. Hunter Feduccia hit a 3-run HR (10), while Jake Marisnick (1) and Jonny Deluca (7) hit solo HRs. In the 8th, Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch both singled. Vargas scored on Jake Marisnick’s double (3).
Key Performers:
- Jake Marisnick – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double, (3), HR (1)
- Hunter Feduccia – 2-4, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (10)
- Jonny Deluca – HR (7)
There are 6 games remaining in the regular season before the playoffs, September 26-28. OKC will be playing either Round Rock (Texas) (most probable) or Albuquerque (Colorado) for the PCL Championship. The winner of the PCL Championship will face off against the International League’s Champion in a 1-game playoff on Saturday, September 30 in Las Vegas.
Box Score
Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston) 7 – Tulsa Drillers 2
In the final game of the 2023 season, Tulsa went meekly. The Hooks scored 5 in the 2nd, on 5 hits, including a 3-run HR all off Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. Ortiz-Mayr allowed only 1 single and 1 BB the other 4 innings. 5 relievers followed Orlando, and combined they allowed 6 hits, 3 BB, and registered 3 Ks.
Down 7-0, Tulsa got solo HRs from Ismael Alcantara (3) and José Ramos (19). They had 2 other singles for a total of 4 hits on the game. Alcantara had 2 hits.
With the defeat, the Drillers finished the year with an overall record of 65-73, and was the only LAD MiLB team not to make the playoffs.
Box Score
ABS? Yes. Even if the technology isn’t perfect, which is what I often hear, it has to better than what we see every day with these guys. To watch a ball be called strike 3 in a playoff game, which will happen, will have have fans once again be demanding change.
I sure like this collection of Dodger players.
Outman. Recognize spin and lay off anything low thigh high spinning down. It’s a tough ask, but you can do it.
Mookie. Take a few days, or at least innings off. The team needs you rested in October. Same request of Freddie and Will.
It was mentioned last night that the Dodgers will attempt to do something that has never really been done – win a championship without starters leading the way. It could be Openers, Long Relievers and matchups to finish for entire series. Will be very exciting if they pull it off.
Yes
Rushing & Gelof two of the best power prospects in the org. Pages, upon his return, figures to slot in as well.
I’d rather see policing of the umpires. But since that’s not likely to happen, yes, on ABS
Hell yes on the ABS. It would at least be consistent. It is especially frustrating when pitches called balls early in the game are called strikes late in the game because the umpire wants to get the game over and hit the buffet.
I say yes to ABS! This will help eliminate the horrible ball/strike calls which seems to be increasingly bad. It’s usually the veteran umps that are the worst. Which is surprising. But, many of the newer umps are not good at having a consistent strike zone. At least, an umpire like Hernandez can have his calls overturned while not behind the plate. Without ABS he will continue to make a mockery of his profession. To think this guy sued MLB claiming discrimination because he wasn’t getting postseason assignments. Can you be anymore out of touch with reality? I believe he lost his case or settled. But, he did get a postseason assignment afterwards.
Carry on
A big YES on ABS!! I cringe waiting for the umps to make their calls, especially on close pitches.
I am for the ABS. I am also for the league instituting a universal strike zone. One umps pie is another umps spinach. No two are the same. Even in yesterday’s get away game, the home plate ump blew several strike and ball calls. If an ump sees a catcher move his glove, it should be an automatic ball.
Easy yes
Absolutely Yes. I’ve been waiting for it for years. Too painful watching these umps blow so many pitches.
Definite YES. Will eliminate catcher ‘framing’.
I’m ambivalent.
I like tech and the consistency it brings, I also like jobs.
I’m all for jobs but not at the price of an inferior product. They can be hired as peanut vendors.
How would jobs be lost? Home plate ump would still be there.
What I want is consistency. I also do not want to see a game lost in postseason because the home plate umpire has a strike zone wider than the Mississippi River. I remember the moans and groans from Dodger fans, I think it was in 21 when Angel Hernandez was the home plate ump against the Giants in the NLDS. Do not want him or CB Buckner behind the plate in an important game. I also would love to see umpire report cards made public. Player’s stats are out there for all to see, umps stats should be also.
I like your idea of making the ump report cards public. Actually I think they already are. Just not sure exactly where.
And, although the umpire union would probably never agree to it, how about any ump who has a score below a certain level for two consecutive years automatically loses his job.
If you don’t like the rule, don’t apply for the job.
Can you imagine a major league team being forced to keep a player on the roster because of seniority even though his stats are horrendous?
Will be interesting to see what Lynn does tonight. Other than that, meaningless. We have the #2 seed all but locked up. I would rather face the Brewers or #6 seed than the Phillies.
Just for giggles. Does Bauer pitch in America next year. What about Bumgarner?
And who over pays for Ohtani?
Bumgarner is done. He hasn’t had a decent year for about 3 years now. I doubt Bauer ever pitches in the majors again. And you can probably add Julio to that list if he gets charged and convicted. Ohtani, either the Giants or the Mets. I think the Dodgers would offer some sort of backloaded deal. Which he most likely will turn down. I also think Mike Trout will ask the Angels for a trade.
Anaheim is a mess, top down.
Ohtani is gone, and this may be the year Trout nicely says “uhh, please ship me out as well”
I’m sure a smart business group would see the value of having a successful franchise in OC, so for their fans’ sake, hopefully Arte sells and they totally gut the team and re build the right way.
Lynn 3 earned in 5 innings, 5.4 ERA. Bullpen shuts the door. Team scores 8. I believe this is how we will get it done the rest of the way.
I think the Dodgers will extend Ohtani a generous invitation. If it’s about money I believe the Mets will outbid everybody. I think Trout may be stuck where he is unless ownership is willing to swallow up to half of what he is owed.
I still believe Snell is a fit here. Not sure who else might be, but I believe Friedman will find whoever is needed. Hopefully Buehler will be ready to go.
I watched Montgomery pitch for Texas. He was nails. And he is a lefty. Not going to be as pricey as Snell, and I can’t stand Snell anyway. He walks too many guys and doesn’t go deep into games.
Who goes deep into games anymore? He’s a 5.4 WAR pitcher with a league leading 2.43 ERA. He’s over 30 now but is still going to be expensive. We can afford him.
Word is that Snell would like to stay in SD. Will Preller be able to resist? He’s going to be desperate for pitching this winter.
Speaking of the Pads, Ken Rosenthal has a great article in The Athletic today on the team. Basically concludes that Preller is a great talent evaluator and a terrible administrator. And there is now a major disconnect between Preller and Bob Melvin. KR interviewed a large number of players and staff, both current and former, and got some interesting feedback as to why things have gone south. If you subscribe, it’s a very interesting read.
I actually like Snell and would be happy to add him.
Hard no for me. Strike zones are supposed to be different per umpire. Its not a one size fits all. As long as that umpire is consistent with it throughout the game.
I’m for it just to see the BS ‘pitch framing’ go away