re: DAT 4/27: Mariners (Gonzales) @ Astros (Javier) 7:10 CT

Another interesting part of Tucker's stats so far this year on balls in play:

29.6% pulled
42.3% center
28.2% oppo

I guess only someone who isn't watching the games would think he's struggling because he's still pulling everything.

Yeah, I think it's pretty clear he's trying to make adjustments to be a more complete hitter. If he's too pull happy with his swing, he's vulnerable away with plate coverage so he's trying to evolve.

If it doesn't work out for him without major swing changes he doesn't want to make, Ted will have to settle for going for a slight uppercut swing and do exactly what his nickname-sake did - pull everything as hard as you can.

Have we talked about the May schedule yet?

@Rays
@Yankees
Blue Jays
Angels
Rangers
@A's
@Rangers
Dodgers
Padres
Red Sox

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Padres

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Haven't heard whether they've considered upping capacity in Minute Maid next month, but this Memorial Day Weekend series has a chance to be fuuuuuun

New 2021 Pioneer League Rules

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SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Pioneer Baseball League today announced exciting new rules changes in effect for the 2021 season, as follows:

· To avoid the excessive strain on our pitching staffs, the Pioneer Baseball League will not have extra innings, but rather will employ a first-of-its-kind “Knock Out” rule that resolves tied games with a head-to-head, “sudden death” home run duel. Under the rule, each team designates a hitter who receives 5 pitches, with the game determined by the most home runs hit. If still tied after the first “Knock Out” round, another hitter is selected for a sudden-death home run face-off until a winner is declared

· The Designated Pinch Hitter rule permits a player not having previously entered into the game to pinch hit for an eligible roster player who may then return to his defensive position for the remainder of the game, until otherwise substituted for. The Designated Pinch Hitter is thereafter ineligible to return to the game. The Designated Pinch Hitter can only be employed once a game by each team

· The Designated Pinch Runner rule permits a player not having previously entered into the game to pinch run for an eligible roster player who may then return to his defensive position for the remainder of the game, until otherwise substituted for. The Designated Pinch Runner is thereafter ineligible to return to the game. The Designated Pinch Runner can only be employed once a game by each team

· Revised “Check Swing” rule allows a hitter to appeal to the base umpire on a check swing strike decision from the home plate umpire. Previously, only the pitcher or catcher could ask for an appeal

· For better coverage of fly balls, check swings, double plays and other game situations, PBL games will now feature three-man umpiring crews rather than the past use of two-man crews

“I’m thrilled to see these exciting rules changes implemented for this season,” said Pioneer League president Michael Shapiro. “The Pioneer Baseball League is committed to developing ideas that enhance the strategy of the game, protect the safety of our players and add to the fun and engagement of our fans. We believe this focus will help assure the future of the game among a broader and more diverse audience.”

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First of all, resolving ties with a mini HR derby is fricking awesome. Everyone there will be cheering for a tie every game. I'd never want to see it in MLB, but for A ball that's fantastic.

I also love the batter being able to appeal a check swing strike call, although I really doubt that many base umpires will overrule the home plate ump.

The designated pinch hitter and pinch runner rules are worthless, I think. High school used similar rules when I coached and it was nice to get a kid in the game for an AB, but that's not really relevant at the pro level.

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The designated pinch hitter and pinch runner rules are worthless, I think. High school used similar rules when I coached and it was nice to get a kid in the game for an AB, but that's not really relevant at the pro level.

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Unless I’m misunderstanding it I don’t think it’s irrelevant, teams would use this all the time. How many light hitting catchers would be pinch hit for in a late game situation? Same goes for a slower guy reaching base late in a game, you can run for him without removing his bat from the lineup permanently. I don’t know if I like the rule though

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Revised “Check Swing” rule allows a hitter to appeal to the base umpire on a check swing strike decision from the home plate umpire. Previously, only the pitcher or catcher could ask for an appeal

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Because umpires love showing each other up.

Yeah would be a great place to kill a couple hours, especially if it isn’t too busy and you get good access to all the games.

Where is the person who said he may have a ticket for today? About to go ahead and get one to start the bday celebration.

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Because umpires love showing each other up.

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I'd actually love this if somehow Joe West and Angel Hernandez were the two umps involved.

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@byalexcoffey

Mike Fiers on working out of the bullpen to start his 2021 season: "It's definitely different, to start for so many years and feeling like you've been a reliable starter and you've done a lot of things to be a starter still in this league. It hurts, but at the same time in the position we're in as a team, I want to do anything that's going to help this team and pitching out of the bullpen...you've just got to have a mindset of going out there and you just have to get outs and take it for what it is.

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Uh oh. The A's have slighted Mike Fiers. We finna get some anonymously sourced dirt from the A's clubhouse.


I guess stashing him in the bullpen makes it guaranteed he'll dodge us for another series when we return to Oakland in May.