We may not want JV to lose his intensity during the game, but that doesn't mean ump should care. Umps take a lot of abuse in this game (most deserved), and in a 9-0 game, I don't expect them to tolerate whining from a pitcher with a 9-run lead especially when the ump has called a good game. Looking at FanGraphs pitch locations for the game, zone looks to be one of the better called ones that I've seen. Though, I generally only look at this data on ejections. This did not look like the typical zone resulting in a player or manager getting ejected over balls and strikes. Only three balls called in the called strike zone (i.e., what Hoberg was calling last night which looked like a normal zone) and no strikes called outside the called strike zone. According to data on Fangraphs, it appears no mistakes on balls and strikes were made on any of Verlander's pitches, and Astros benefitted on all three missed calls. Not seeing anything that close to the pitch Verlander was upset about called a strike. Umps shouldn't make themselves the center of the game, but players need to play the game. When ump gives warning that a player has used up all his rope, player should expect to get ejected the next time they complain. To me, it seems like ejections are way day from when I was a kid, but fans complaining about umps making the game about themselves is way up.
Agreed... just saying I understand JV not letting it go, and not really factoring the score into his whining. In the end, I think JV knew he made a bad subsequent pitch and was just venting. I thought he deserved to get an ejection the way he reacted.. even though he probably doesn't get ejected with that same reaction in a close game.
I do wonder if umps check their strike zone between innings and whether or not they tolerate whining more from a player they've screwed over. The jerk umps probably don't as they tend to react more to players that give them lip.
JV was certainly wrong, and no idea what was said, but nobody would really have known anything happened if the ump didn't toss him. That is what makes it annoying as fan because now the umpire has delayed the game and gotten rid of a star player for something nobody cares about. You can't just let players say whatever they want, but I see fines as a better way of dealing with it.
I'm surprised you both are questioning Yordan's power at this point. It's elite. Dude has 21 HR and is a launching pad as a rookie. Sure, he could tail off like you are suggesting, but I don't see it with his analytics. and Not with these baseballs. Everyone has hit their career high in homeruns this year except for Correa. (Bregman, Alvarez, Gurriel, Altuve) (Brantley, Chirinos are about to cross).
So.... A guy hitting .337 with 19 home runs and 39 doubles (with over a month left!!) is SEVENTH among our starters in slugging % This is a ****ing all star team
My condolences to Charlie Morton. He was a favorite of mine while he was with Houston. Sorry we had to rough you up, Chuck, nothing personal.
If you think baseball umps dont have too much discretion when it come to ejections then you're obviously not watching baseball. This season has been ridiculous. No doubt Verlander deserves his but umps this season have been awful. Look at what happened to Gardener as he was ejected for literally doing nothing the other day.
Reddick is finally heating up. Hate when guys get benched as soon as they seem to turn it around. He’s not in need of a day off, he’s been getting enough of those lately.
Without checking, from what I remember, it seems over the past two seasons that Jake has started a number of games that Cole has pitched.
Man...I'm going to miss watching Cole in an Astros uniform. Would be so ecstatic if we could actually pull it off. We need to cherish him while we still have him. What an embarrassment of riches. I'm holding out hope that Cole gives HOU a discount because he's happy here, but I realize how unlikely that is when I type it out loud.
