Running 2015 MLB Regular-Season Thread

The difference in ERA is tiny, too. The gap in strikeouts is larger. Also, much as I hate to put weight on wins, in a competition this close it could be a factor.

 

Ultimately the difference is going to be who puts Kershaw second and Greinke or Arrieta being third on that ballot. Because you know they won't be 1-2 on everyone's ballot. Hell, it may come down to a Pittsburgh writer putting Cole second or third and including Kershaw, leaving one of them off entirely.

 

Pirates got shut out and stranded 16 runners. That's letting a huge opportunity get away to put some pressure on St. Louis for the division.

 

Adam Kilgore: Bryce Harper criticism in Papelbon scuffle is off base and out of date

 

I have a hard time believing any voter is going to be dumb enough to leave either Greinke or Arrieta off the ballot entirely, particularly in order to squeeze Cole on there.

 

Do you think wins will be a factor, should be a factor, or both?

I understand the instinct. People see Arrieta out there, game after game, shutting teams out down the stretch for his surging playoff team.

It's an interesting battle. Greinke has the ERA and the scoreless streak. Arrieta has the no-hitter and the strikeouts.

 

A little Harper-Papelbon redux: There was an unrelated story in the Chicago Tribune this morning about how Adam Eaton is going to play 150 games this year largely because he has learned, with full endorsement of his manager, when it's time to go all-out and when it's time to dial it down a notch.

Joe DiMaggio and Pete Rose weep, I guess, but's it's been nice to see him out there and productive day-in and day-out all year as one of the game's best leadoff hitters.

 

150 games of Not Playing The Right Way.

 

If the Rangers somehow lose their Cole Hamels start tonight, they're in trouble. They need to win four of their last six, and they can't depend on scuffling Gallardo or Holland to deliver in their final starts. The Rangers aren't just holding off one team, they're holding off three now.

Last night's loss insures that the last four-game series between the Rangers and Angels will at least be meaningful when it starts Thursday.

 

What the hell is Prince Fielder hitting since the All-Star break? Has to be around .230?

EDIT: .266

 

After I posted about Donaldson not hustling down to 1st on a groundout I was going to post every time somebody in that game did not run one out. It would have ended up like OOP talking to himself in the running football thread. It was every inning, both sides.

 

Jays are now 42-14 in their last 56 and are five up with six to play. Trying to find out how many teams have got 42-14 over a 56-game stretch. I know it's been done (Tigers did it in 1984, then also won games 57 and 58), but I'm just wondering how often. Don't have time to do a team-by-team search on b-r.com.