Congratulations to AP on 500 homeruns, 445 with the Birds on the Bat.

It's good to see Pujol off to a Pujol-like start. I figured he would have at least a few more 2011-level seasons, he was always continuing to play with nagging injuries, but I guess the Angel training room may have different... philosophies on methods of treatment. I doubt he'll ever run or field like he did, but he can still hit.

He looked pretty cooked last year.

A .258 BABIP — Albert has a career .306 BABIP, even if you assume there is some decline due to age and AL pitcher unfamiliarity, if he could manage even a League-average .290 BABIP his numbers would look a lot more normal. I don't like to default to the "BABIP as luck/ bad luck" argument, but BABIP is also an indicator of hard contact, it appears he has returned to hitting the ball hard.

I believe that the plantar fasciitis robbed him of any sort of ability to run to first base, let alone leg out balls in the gap for XBH. He looked like he could barely walk or get out of bed.

It’s a lot easier to be selective when no one is pitching to you. He still maintained a good walk rate, if a somewhat full-speed Albert continues his early pace, I bet he starts getting pitched around.

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Adam Wainwright for Cy Young.

Kolten Wong sent back to Memphis...hopefully the next time he comes back up the majors he remembers to bring his bat with him.

Good morning Lipid!!

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Yikes...haven't seen that part of Busch Stadium fielded so poorly since Nelson Cruz...

No, he did in 2004

He is the only player in MLB history to have the last at bat in the World Series for two different teams

He wouldn't believe me...maybe he'll take your word for it?

Nice factoid about Renteria...never would have thought about that.

Yeah, I was behind in the thread.

It may have been the only player to bat last for a Winner and a Loser in the Series.

I cant imagine many have done either though

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Could we get a re-cap or gif of the play if available? I haven't been able to view a live game for days and am going through withdrawal...

BTW Taveras has been punishing AAA and they are playing him in CF after the Grichuk promotion.

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Shelby Miller hit a ball to shallow right field where, naturally, the RF was positioned perfectly. Except he decided to move to his right when the ball was hit...then come in a little bit...and then move back and to his left as the ball went sailing over his shoulder...it was scored an RBI double for Miller, but anyone in the majors shouldn't have any problems with the catch.

After salvaging a close one in Pittsburgh, the BOB sit at 19-19.

It's time to feed.

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Travis Wood and Tyler Lyons, right now on the 4-Letter Network.
Jake Arrieta and Adam Wainwright face off tomorrow at 7:15pm.
Jason Hammel and Michael Wacha duel Wednesday at 7:15pm.
Jeff Samardzija and Lance Lynn wrap up the series Thursday afternoon at 12:45.

You'll have to check your local listings; I'm not fucking SHARK.

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I'm not a bigfan of retro uniforms.

These are pretty cool, however.

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I agree. I liked those.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Lipid...what is the scouting report on this Lyons guy.

He has a Sean Marshall / Rich Hill curveball. I love those.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Lyons is mostly a AAAA type who has 4 pitches and commands them well, except when he doesn't. He's the classic crafty LH who has little margin for error. When he's not locating well, what just happened with Olt & Company is what will happen.

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Terrible hanging curve to Lake right there.

So I guess the nice curves I saw early were an exception.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

He's throwing batting practice out there.

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Do you have the scouting report on Descalso's arm?

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

No idea, but he does have a perfect pitching record on his B ref page now. 3.10 FIP!

Maybe he can pull a reverse Ankiel, he surely can't hit or field.

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@LangoschMLB

Kolten Wong has been recalled by the #STLCards. Greg Garcia optioned to Memphis.
1:23 PM - 14 May 2014

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I'm not sure demoting him in the first place was the right move-- but he does have options, and he did get some confidence in AAA by hitting the crap out of the ball to the tune of 344/.382/.484 with five stolen bases, 14 runs scored, and 10 RBI in 15 games at Memphis.

Meanwhile, at the MLB level the 2B haven't exactly been setting the world afire.

Mark Ellis is at .190/.268/.222 and erstwhile mop-up man Daniel Descalso sits at .175/.214/.250. Let the kid play. DFA Descalso.

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I don't think they should have sent him down either but the more pressing issue is what the hell is wrong with Rosenthal??

They need to put him at 2B for the rest of the season. They do not have any better options and let the kid play without the worry of being demoted or losing his job. Just tell him to get out there and do his thing.

I am not sold that he is a major league hitter. But there is only one way to know

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I caught the ninth and he looked like he was hyperventilating.

Lyon just made Great Lakes look like a Silver Slugger.

That's about all I need to know about a Tyler Lyon. He's so bad, he doesn't deserve the plural form.

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On this club, that's the difference between a 93 and 98 win team. First world problems.

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I get we are only 40 games into the season, but they have not looked like a 90+ win team so far.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Are you convinced the Brewers are as good as their record? I'm not.

The Reds are probably getting older and worse. They have an exciting young leadoff hitter, who can't get on base. The Pirates are pretty damn good, but they are hamstrung because the team simply can't spend money. They recently brought in Ike Davis, because apparently Ike Davis was better than the 1B they already had or were paying there.

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