NL All Stars at AL All Stars, Progressive Field, Cleveland, 4:30 PM PDT, TV: Fox
Here are the All-Star Game starting pitchers, lineups and other fun facts
The Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu (10-2, 1.73 ERA) starts for the National League. This is his first appearance in the ASG and his first start. He’ll face the Astros’ Justin Verlander (10-4, 2.98 ERA), who’s making his second ASG start (2012).
These lineups are STACKED.
Which side are you picking? pic.twitter.com/jFdaShYnuJ
— All-Star Game (@AllStarGame) July 8, 2019
NPUT
https://twitter.com/BSmile/status/1149708899873742848?s=20
Looking ahead at the upcoming games with the Sawx (and if MLB.com is to be believed), it looks like the Dodgers will face nothing but lefty starters – Rodriquez, Sale, and Price – versus Maeda, Stripling, and Ryu, respectively.
Sunday’s game will be an ESPN blackout (as is tonight’s only MLB game, between the Minute Maids and the Llaneros).
Blackout for me anyway because of New England.
Blackout for me anyway because of New England.
SI reports that “Ball Four” author and excellent NY Yankees pitcher (for a couple of seasons) Jim Bouton has died at age 80.
MLB reported a wonderful story from two years ago about his stroke and his recovery from it.
For “Ball Four” alone, Bouton deserves to be in the HOF. I saw him pitch that year in Seattle.
That’s a crusher for me. Probably my second favorite ball player after Mr. Koufax, going all the way back to his glory years in the early ’60s. Growing up outside of NYC meant I got to see a lot of Yankee games on TV. He was the only Yankee in those days that I actively rooted for (except for that Saturday in ’63 when he pitched against Drysdale). I own all of his books. Besides Ball Four, which he updated every 10 years or so with new chapters, there was I’m Glad You Didn’t Take It Personally (about the aftermath of Ball Four), and Foul Ball.
Foul Ball is a really interesting look at small town politics and corruption surrounding the attempted demolition of an old minor league ballpark, Wahkonah Park) in Pittsfield, MA. Bouton helped organize a group to preserve the park, uncovering a sinister plot involving toxic waste dumping in the process, told with Bouton’s usual sense of humor. Well worth reading if you haven’t.
He was a sports guy for the local news in NYC for a few years between Ball Four and his comeback stint with the Braves, He once filled in on weather, and it was hilarious. He coinvented Big League Chew bubble gum. He is prominently featured in the documentary Knuckleball!. The DVD has extra interviews with him which are great. I will miss him.
Bud Selig is flogging his new book. In it he claims no knowledge of PEDs in baseball until the 1998 McGwire-Sosa HR race. That’s not true, says Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports.
Bud Selig is flogging his new book. In it he claims no knowledge of PEDs in baseball until the 1998 McGwire-Sosa HR race. That’s not true, says Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports.
https://twitter.com/jonweisman/status/1149046327457669120?s=20
And Beaty back to OKC.
He’ll be back by September at the latest. He played well off the bench.
As long as Doc only plays him off the bench. He’s a reasonable lefty PH. He doesn’t hit enough to be anything other than a fill in. He had to start way too many games while the others were injured.
He’s a useful reserve, capable of starting on occasion. Perhaps an everyday player for another team.
Here’s an interesting background article about upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations from SI.
Several questions I find myself asking all most every year in regards to the ASG:
Why do the Dodgers not seem to do well?
Why does the NL never win?
And perhaps the most important question – why do I still care and get far too worked up about it?
And then I see the Stand Up to Cancer and everything is put back into right perspective.
The NL won about 18 between 1960 and 1982. That was partly a result of the NL signing a lot more great black players in the 1950s than the AL did.
Even with this bad streak, the American League only leads the series 44-43-2.
Good call Link.
No rumours of Dodger trades this ASG. Last year Kemp was taking pictures with Manny.
Muncy almost with the D again!
Muncy with the D!
There is a book and a pillow in my near future, night all.
Tonight there are less home runs for some reason.
But lots of k’s.
The game needs Guerrero and Pederson
I’m old enough to remember when the ASG was interesting.
It’s always more interesting when the NL wins and wins regularly. So yeah, it has been a while.
And then you got old?
Bellinger. Maybe try swinging.
That was an awesome change up. I looked like it had quite of arm side break.
I like the mike’d up ASG. It makes it more fun and me less upset about the NL losing right now.
Me too.
I was hoping Belli and Yelli would start a conversation with each other
Bumsrap – I don’t recall where you live? Are you in LA?
My home is for sale in New Hampshire and we are heading back to Pacific NW when and if it sells. My wife keeps showing me stuff on her computer and it takes more time to type here.
NH – right. I knew that, but had forgotten. I understand paying attention to your wife more than this thread!
She plays scrabble via facebook and scans the Internet when ballgames are on TV but she watches the game some too.
Dang.
Hard hit balls against Kersh
Fortunately still in the park.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba is in the news.
Wait – for what?
Carbon dioxide in a hotel sending customers to hospital
Oh yeah. Not good.
That play at first was not that close. Easily safe.
Yep.
Majestic foul ball!
But ends up striking out.
Let’s go Cody.
I will guess that we are not going to talk much here tonight
I’m in to chat.
I don’t know how long I will watch the game. I usuually tune in for awhile but not too much. Joc was fun last night. Arenado was laughing with him after Guerrero hit his second 29 as if Joc didn’t have a chance.
Saw that. I still think Joc hit 30 in the first part of the second round.
A million dollars went to the winner and 500,000 to second so Joc might want to ask for a recount.
ESPN: How Ryu became the most dominant pitcher in either league this season. There’s a lot there I didn’t know.
Dodger players arrive on the red carpet (the red carpet? At a baseball game? Whatevers!). A handsome bunch with pretty companions.
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1148663974331920385