2025 MLB running thread

[Huggy]

The Mariners have a great opening-day tradition wherein they have a young Make a Wish Foundation child run the bases, in full uniform. Tonight it was a 9-year old girl who was absolutely wonderful, a total ham. Got a little dusty at my house.

Ichiro threw out the first pitch, to manager Dan Wilson, It was an 84-MPH heater.

Then Julio struck out on a 3-2 pitch outside the zone. Business as usual for the M's.

I tossed that game on as something to watch just in time to see that. I had no idea they did this, what an amazing tradition and that young lady played that trip around the bases up brilliantly. If other clubs haven't co-opted that ideas on opening day that's on them.

 

[HanSenSE]

So many things wrong with this picture.

 

[FileNotFound]

I am convinced that every fanbase complains about its teams closer no matter how well he does the job.

Nobody complained about Emanuel Clase until he sucked in the playoffs.

 

[outofplace]

Nobody complained about Emanuel Clase until he sucked in the playoffs.

That was more a general thing in response to the complaints about Williams, who has been as good as any reliever in baseball since he was a rookie in 2020.

 

[micropolitan guy]

That was more a general thing in response to the complaints about Williams, who has been as good as any reliever in baseball since he was a rookie in 2020.

Fans expect perfection from the closer, which of course is impossible.

 

[Bubbler]

That was more a general thing in response to the complaints about Williams, who has been as good as any reliever in baseball since he was a rookie in 2020.

Stay in your lane, OOP. I watch way more Brewers baseball than you do. When he's on, there's no one better than Devin Williams.

When he's not on, as he was not yesterday, he is vulnerable because he has to hit the zone with that change-up otherwise you can sit on his other offerings or patiently wait on a walk as the bottom of the Brewers order did on Thursday. He cannot blow you away with heat like most closers can. Bill Schroeder, the Brewers analyst for their broadcasts, mentioned it during the ESPN broadcast too.

He's had 10 blown saves in 79 opportunities. He's damn good, but he is not bulletproof.

My complaints about the Brewers pitching had nothing to do with closers anyway. It is because much of their intended starting staff is hurt.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

My complaints about the Brewers pitching had nothing to do with closers anyway. It is because much of their intended starting staff is hurt.

Attention, Mr. Bubbler … please pick up the White Sox courtesy phone.

 

[outofplace]

Stay in your lane, OOP. I watch way more Brewers baseball than you do. When he's on, there's no one better than Devin Williams.

When he's not on, as he was not yesterday, he is vulnerable because he has to hit the zone with that change-up otherwise you can sit on his other offerings or patiently wait on a walk as the bottom of the Brewers order did on Thursday. He cannot blow you away with heat like most closers can. Bill Schroeder, the Brewers analyst for their broadcasts, mentioned it during the ESPN broadcast too.

He's had 10 blown saves in 79 opportunities. He's damn good, but he is not bulletproof.

My complaints about the Brewers pitching had nothing to do with closers anyway. It is because much of their intended starting staff is hurt.

No closer is bulletproof. Which relief pitchers have been better than Williams over the last four or five seasons?

 

[Bubbler]

No closer is bulletproof. Which relief pitchers have been better than Williams over the last four or five seasons?

Dude. You're creating a narrative that doesn't exist. Never said closers have to be bulletproof. Christ almighty.

I have seen Williams pitch a bazillion times as a Brewers fan. I've seen that movie before that played out yesterday, including every postseason appearance Williams has made.

He's great generally, but when he's not, the Brewers, his former team, are going to know what to do against him better than anyone. And as a Brewers fan who watches tons of games per season, so do I. Not that hard of a point to grasp.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

So many things wrong with this picture.

Is this one of those "Circle What's Wrong With This Picture" pages in "Highlights For Children"?

 

[BrownScribe]

Snitker mismanaging the bullpen. Some things never change. How the Braves won it in 2021, I'll never know.

 

[outofplace]

Dude. You're creating a narrative that doesn't exist. Never said closers have to be bulletproof. Christ almighty.

I have seen Williams pitch a bazillion times as a Brewers fan. I've seen that movie before that played out yesterday, including every postseason appearance Williams has made.

He's great generally, but when he's not, the Brewers, his former team, are going to know what to do against him better than anyone. And as a Brewers fan who watches tons of games per season, so do I. Not that hard of a point to grasp.

Dude. I grasp the point just fine, but you aren't seeing mine. I get what you are saying, but fans tend to be overly critical of their team's closer because when they do fail, it stands out.

You don't need to be a Brewers fan or a Brewer to know he is reliant on his change-up.

My question still stands. Which relief pitchers have been better than Williams over the last four or five years?