5/31 - Rays (Eflin) vs Cubs (Steele): 1:20pm, Marquee

[Andy]

2 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

That's great and all, but if you're going to use him today while trailing by 1, why not use him while you still have the lead?  I'm not a fan of back to back days after a multi-inning appearance, but especially not when the team is losing.

Maybe Ross hoped to get to the 9th and use him, but yeah I'm not crazy about that either.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

6 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Still, there's just so little upside playing for one run in the seventh inning on a team with a leaky bullpen.

I mean the reality is that Tauchman is up, you can blame the roster construction if you prefer, but the only other real option is Morel, who has been brutal defensively(not ideal for protecting a lead) and K's that much against everybody.  They maximized their chances of getting one run by sacrificing, but in that situation you haven't really damaged the odds of a big inning simply because Tauchman(who is hitting well *because* he's not seeing LHP) is a bad matchup 

[Andy]

Not the AB we needed there Dansby.

[UMFan83]

Dammit Dansby

[Andy]

Happ draws a walk and gets rung up. At least the 2nd horse crap strikeout against the Cubs today.

[UMFan83]

horsefeathering [expletive] strike 3 call.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

Well, that call wasn't awesome.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

come on, that doesn't even have the trajectory of a strike, it's never over the plate

[Irrelevant Dude]

Anytime Dansby wants to get hot again is ok with me.  The OBP is still really good, but SLG isn't.

[UMFan83]

Cubs + High Leverage = Bad

[Irrelevant Dude]

2 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

come on, that doesn't even have the trajectory of a strike, it's never over the plate

It seems Happ has been getting the Schwarber treatment lately. As soon as I saw the location of that pitch, I just knew the umpire was going to ring him up on it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

19 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I mean the reality is that Tauchman is up, you can blame the roster construction if you prefer, but the only other real option is Morel, who has been brutal defensively(not ideal for protecting a lead) and K's that much against everybody.  They maximized their chances of getting one run by sacrificing, but in that situation you haven't really damaged the odds of a big inning simply because Tauchman(who is hitting well *because* he's not seeing LHP) is a bad matchup 

And if there was a runner on first and a double play was in order, I might feel differently.

There just wasn't much upside in the sacrifice and not a lot of downside in letting Tauchman swing away.

[UMFan83]

I'm sure that Michael "wait he's not DFA'd yet" Fulmer will get out of this bases loaded situation

 

Edit: he did

Edited May 31, 2023 by UMFan83

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That was a goood sweeper from Fulmer, he'll be fine if he keeps throwing those in that spot

[UMFan83]

At least the Cubs might be going back to 'frustrating close losses' mode instead of 'blow out losses'.  Somewhat more enjoyable to watch.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

At least the Cubs might be going back to 'frustrating close losses' mode instead of 'blow out losses'.  Somewhat more enjoyable to watch.

To be fair, this is a very winnable game but the Rays are a really good team. You're gonna lose some winnable games against teams like Tampa.

Hard to get upset about anything here after banking two wins against this team.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Weird challenge by Tampa here.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just now, Brock Beauchamp said:

Weird challenge by Tampa here.

I don't know the specifics of the rules, but my guess is they're taking a gamble since it's a use it or lose it thing?

[UMFan83]

For some reason I never realized you could challenge HBPs

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I don't know the specifics of the rules, but my guess is they're taking a gamble since it's a use it or lose it thing?

Yeah, that was my feeling as well, maybe they felt the pitcher could use a couple of seconds to regain composure.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

For some reason I never realized you could challenge HBPs

It wasn't always the case... maybe 3-4 years ago it started?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Well, that helps.

Thanks, Tampa.

[UMFan83]

Bases loaded, 1 out, down 1 in the 9th.  Lets see how they f up this one.

[soccer10k]

Solid fake rally in progress here.

[champaignchris]

Wisdom misses a couple meatballs and then the Rays boff a tailor-made DP.