Quote from fenn68 on May 6, 2025, 9:48 am

Quote from Alex Tamayo on May 6, 2025, 8:35 am

Quote from fenn68 on May 5, 2025, 8:09 am

Quote from Randy Manese on May 5, 2025, 7:12 am

Umps had a very tight strike zone in Pittsburgh which accounted for some of the walks called and benefitted both offenses; unfortunately for the Pirates, they don't have much of an offense anyway, so they couldn't take advantage of the extra PA like the Padres did.  I think Vasquez still shows good stuff but agree control is going to be the issue, however, when he is on, he is capable of keeping runs off the board.  Right now, I'm more concerned with Cease meeting our expectations than Vasquez.  We'll see what happens with him in New York - a true test with that short RF porch.

Also concerned about Cease ... but he does have a better history of success in the ML and, frankly, not going to be bumped out of the starting rotation.

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As for the strike zone, there has been a lot of reporting on the "smaller strike zone" across the ML this season. Apparently MLB had sent a directive to the umpires to tighten up (shrink) the strike zone this season (why? don't know) but consensus is that the umps are complying.

Both pitchers and hitters have to adapt, especially pitchers that in the past have had success on the edge (or just outside) the old strike zone. If the hitters lower their chase rate, pitchers have to come more over the plate ... then either hitters get better pitches to hit or pitchers' walk rate rises and, in turn, become less effective.

Side: on the TV broadcasts with the "box" that represents the strike zone may have to be modified to reflect the current "realistic" strike zone and reduce the implication that the umps made a bad call.

What I heard from Don and Mud watching one of the PIT games is that the strike zone is the same, they just reduced the "buffer zone", from 2 inches to 3/4 of an inch, so more strikes will be called balls If I understand that correctly.

I depends a bit on how the pitchers and umpires adapt. Pitchers who were using that buffer zone to get strikes before and now get he same pitch as a ball with try to move the pitches closer to the plate. Umps then should be calling more strikes (legitimately). At the same time if the hitters believe the outside pitches will be call strikes less often they may not swing resulting potentially in the umps having to call more strikes on the edge. I guess from an umps standpoint if they are penalized for what they used to call strikes ... maybe over compensate somehow.

Have to evaluate over the course of the season since pitchers, hitters, and umps will all adapt to the reduced buffer zone.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 6, 2025, 10:48 am

Actually, I’d like to see Wade get some starts at second base against Righty's after Merrill is back in the lineup.

I like him in the 9 hole

Put the Catcher at 8

 

 

 

Quote from 3fingersplit on May 6, 2025, 1:23 pm

Wade is just the kind of guy every team needs…just plays numerous positions well, pinch run, bunt and affordable…all the things that often get overlooked except by the guys on the team and front office …think of Chris Taylor with less power

If he gets DFA that would be a huge mistake because he will get nabbed by someone else and nobody else in the Padres system could replace him right now…I just love the guys grit…reminds me of Tim Flannery…not great but a gritty guy that can get the job done

Quote from LynchMob on May 6, 2025, 2:26 pm

Rotowire

Nabs first big-league victory

May 6, 2025

Bergert (1-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

ANALYSIS
Bergert entered in the seventh inning with the Padres down three runs and set the side down in order on 14 pitches (nine of which were strikes). While that at first seemed like a strong but ho-hum low-leverage outing, it turned into Bergert's first MLB win as a result of the Padres plating four runs in the top of the eighth. Bergert has been impressive since being called up from Triple-A El Paso on March 25, tossing three scoreless frames during which he's given up just one hit and posted a 2:0 K:BB.

Quote from fenn68 on May 6, 2025, 2:50 pm

Padres are 23 - 11 ... if they go .500 for the remaining games they will end up with 87 wins and in a strong position for the playoffs.

The way this team looks ... should play well over .500 for the remainder of the season and end up with over 90 wins and secure a playoff slot.

Want to win every game ... know they will not ... but a bit of angst is alleviated when a loss occurs given where they stand.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 6, 2025, 6:49 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 6, 2025, 10:48 am

Actually, I’d like to see Wade get some starts at second base against Righty's after Merrill is back in the lineup.

I like him in the 9 hole

Put the Catcher at 8

 

 

 

Schildt is that you?

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 8, 2025, 6:06 am

Four games is not enough time to draw any conclusions but it is clearly a positive indicator for Bergert.

Four games / four innings and only one hit / zero walks ... no runs. Maybe not high leverage but he did pound the plate effectively. The fact that he is a legit (Top 30) prospect for a few years adds some legitimacy to the upside of his performance.

Hopefully this just adds to the future depth in pitching.

Quote from fenn68 on May 8, 2025, 12:01 pm

Cronenworth is expected to come off the IL on Friday. Most expect Gonzalez to be optioned (and he deserves it). His ML audition has been abysmal.

YTD (59 AB): 220/246/237 and getting worse in the last 15 days (24 AB) 125/160/125. For a big guy absolutely no power. At some point he may be a DFA candidate if a non-roster candidate emerges.

BUT another candidate is emerging as being on the bubble ... Iglesias.

YTD (89 AB): 225/281/270 and getting worse in the last 15 days (32 AB) 094/147/094. He had some excellent stats with the METS last season but the stats geeks were pointing out that was more good fortune that good hitting since he had a very weak hard contact rate. That is clearly apparent with the Padres (even some of his hits were weak dribblers).

Gonzalez probably goes first since the OF bench can be covered by Lockridge and Wade ... Sheets in a real emergency.

Preller has to be considering some sort of move to replace Iglesias ... need another RHH to platoon with Sheets (can't hit LHP) and Lockridge platoons with Heyward. The one caution is Wade becomes the back-up INF and little reserve in AAA.

Something to consider.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 9, 2025, 6:30 pm

Connor Joe traded to the Reds for pitcher Andrew Moore. Moore has an amazing strike out to innings pitched ratio, but man, the walks.Niebla work your magic.
223 K’s in 148 ip in his minor league career….along with 108 BB’s

😳