MLBits: Morrow’s Potential Contract/Heavy Usage, Phillies New Manager, the Slick Ball Theory, More

Oct 30, 2017

Anyone else going to see Arcade Fire at the United Center tonight? I’ll be there, somewhere in the general admission pit, wearing my favorite Cubs quarter-zip (What? It breathes well!). If you see me, give me a holler.

But before that, let’s check in on some news from around the league …

They may not have announced it formally yet, but the Philadelphia Phillies have a new manager, Gabe Kapler. Kapler, 42, doesn’t have a ton of actual managerial experience (just one year as a Class A manager in the Red Sox system), but he comes with a glowing review from Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, whose opinion, I suspect, carries a lot of weight around baseball. In fact, Kapler spent a year as Friedman’s player development director and nearly beat out Dave Roberts for the Dodgers managerial gig, himself. Now, he’ll get a chance to manage a team that appears to be on the rise in a division that could open up a bit after 2018.

And if you’re keeping score at home, yes, three of the five NL East teams have new managers, and the other two were hired within the last two years.

Phillies: Kapler (new)

Mets: Mickey Callaway (new)

Nationals: Dave Martinez (new)

Marlins: Don Mattingly (2016)

Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker (2016)

At MLB Trade Rumors, Mark Polishuk points out that potential Cubs offseason target, reliever Brandon Morrow, has been used in 11 of the Dodger’s 12 postseason games this winter. Given what we know of his injury history and the issues of overuse, that could be a potential red flag. With that said, Joel Sherman of the New York post estimates that Morrow might *only* be looking at a three-year/$22M deal in free agency this winter (the Ryan Madson deal), so maybe the commitment won’t be a huge risk.

The Cubs, you may recall, are reportedly looking at Morrow to fill one of the many needs in their bullpen.

According to Sports Illustrated, pitchers and coaches from both the Astros and Dodgers are complaining that the baseballs used in the World Series are “slicker” than usual, impacting, most notably, the ability to effectively wield a slider. I’d pick out a quote from the SI article to help express how seriously the players support this theory, but there’s too many from which to choose. Basically, both sides agree that something’s off, though this obviously affects pitchers who throw a lot of sliders more than others. So, I guess, yeah, the balls are now slick and juiced. They’re Sluiced.

But wait a second … not everyone agrees:

Some players roll their eyes over slick-ball theory: When pitchers are great, it's the pitchers; when tiring pitchers are hit, it's the ball
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 30, 2017

Unlike the juiced ball problem, something that’s been studied by many outlets all season long, this slick ball problem will have a little bit less visibility in the short term. We could maybe measure the average spin rates and see if that’s been affected, but there definitely won’t be a resolution before the World Series is over. Shrug. We’ll have to check into it over the offseason.

But don’t think you’re done with the baseball just yet – it’s kinda important! At FanGraphs, Eno Sarris asks if juiced balls lead to straighter pitches? Basically, as the theory goes, the tighter a ball is wound, the less air resistance it produces, and, thus, the faster it goes. And given that 1) movement decreases as velocity increases and 2) the baseballs are wound tighter than ever, Sarris could be on to something. Read more at FanGraphs.

Remember when Wade Davis was listed as a finalist for ” NL Reliever of the Year,” back at the beginning of October? Well, understandably, the award in the NL went to the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen. On the American League side, Craig Kimbrel of the Boston Red Sox took it home. Both winners feel perfectly appropriate and deserving of the honor.

I wish I could just copy and paste this for you, but that would really be unfair. So, I’ll just say you should REALLY go check out “World Series Game 5 by the Numbers,” from Bill Baer at NBC sports. It’s basically just a quick rundown of the RIDICULOUS numbers posted in that game and it’s fun to see from a high level.

Speaking of that ridiculous Game 5, Jeff Sullivan covers all the times that game seemed over, because, wow, there were a lot. At one point or another, the Dodgers were up 4-0, 7-4, and 8-7 as well as the Astros being up 11-8. The game, of course, ended in extra innings with a final score of 13-12, so if you didn’t watch, you can imagine how often each side thought they had things locked down.

Speaking of which, that feeling of “Oh, it’s over now …. wait, no it’s not” wasn’t isolated to last night. In fact, the Dodgers and Astros have set a new World Series record for most game-tying home runs. The previous mark was set in 1974, so this was quite a long-standing record (#Sluicedballtheory).

The Dodgers are now one game away from elimination, but are heading back to Los Angeles for the final two contests (if necessary). Yasiel Puig, for one, isn’t ready to back down: “My team, this is not going to be finished Tuesday,” Puig said with his ever-present confidence. Interestingly, from MLB.com: “Since 1985, teams trailing 3-2 in any best-of-seven series (LCS and World Series) and heading home for Games 6-7 have come back to win 14 of 28 times. When those teams win Game 6 at home, they have gone 14-2 in Game 7.”

Game Five had all sorts of crazy storylines:

Astros Fan Steals World Series HR Ball from Sister-in-Law and Throws It Back! https://t.co/lyRPzJw7yY pic.twitter.com/4JoEU7EnIQ

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) October 30, 2017

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, MLB will NOT punish Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart as part of the broader investigation into the Braves’ violations on the IFA market and in the June amateur draft. Apparently, the league has decided that Hart didn’t play a role in the violations otherwise committed by former GM John Coppolella and International Scouting Director Gordon Blakeley. MLB Trade Rumors has the full story right here. (And also remember: upwards of 15 teams are being investigated for IFA malfeasance, not just the Braves.)

written by

Michael Cerami

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3 – April 17, 2024

UNCLENCH. They did it. There was 9th inning drama, because of course there was, but Drew Smyly was able to get the job done, pitching for the third consecutive day. Cubs win the game, Cubs win the series. Cubs win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger’s Third Homer of the Year Breaks the Tie in Arizona!

Thank god. I was starting to think Brandon Pfaadt was Cy Young in disguise or something. I can't stand (or understand, for that matter) how this guy carves up the Cubs while getting destroyed by almost everybody else. But at...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Watch Owen Caissie Launch His First Triple-A Home Run (Off a Lefty, Too!)

Owen Caissie is just one of several Cubs top prospects at Triple-A Iowa this season, but after a monster Spring Training performance (following an equally impressive Double-A debut last season), he's got a lot of eyes on him this summer....

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Call Up a Couple of Fresh Arms from Iowa

In discussing the potential for a Cubs move today for a fresh arm, I wondered if they'd go down and grab someone already on the 40-man roster or if they'd shift Julian Merryweather over to the 60-day IL to make...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — How many rubber matches can one team have? After two wild games to start the series, the Cubs are looking to win their second-consecutive series this afternoon in Arizona. Jordan Wicks is on the mound for Chicago....

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Gunnar Henderson Adley Rutschman Orioles

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Orioles Can’t Stop Hitting Home Runs, Learn Jac Caglianone’s Name, More

If you have an MLB.TV subscription: I suggest you try to catch a Baltimore Orioles game soon. The Orioles lineup is chock-full of young talent, and they're absolutely mashing the baseball right now. They're fun to watch if you can...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 17, 2024: PCA Goes Yard, Cade Horton Dominates, More

Pete Crow-Armstrong showed some life on Tuesday with a solo home run for the Iowa Cubs, but it was Luis Vázquez who played hero for Iowa in the end. Plus, Cade Horton dominated for the Smokies once again. That and...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Baseball America Has Added Another Chicago Cubs Prospect to Their Top-100 List

If you have been paying attention at all, I think it's going to be very easy for you to fill in these blanks: https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1780601113198383137 Yes, that'd be Jefferson Rojas, the still-18-year-old shortstop for the High-A South Bend Cubs, currently hitting...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton Dominated Once Again at Double-A, So What’s the Plan There?

As he's done nine times before, Cade Horton dominated in his latest outing for the Tennessee Smokies. It took him just 47 pitches to cruise through 4.0 innings of work and carve up the Rays' Double-A squad. https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1780387010039210247 Horton has...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

How to Watch

Red Sox vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Tyler O'Neill, host Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) on Thursday at 1:35 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Boston-Cleveland matchup below.When is Red Sox vs. Guardians and when does it...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

UGH: Alex Caruso’s Availability Already in Doubt for Next Play-In Game

The Chicago Bulls can't seem to swat the injury bug. Despite Andre Drummond and Ayo Dosunmu returning from their multi-game absences on Wednesday, the Bulls have likely lost their defense ace. Alex Caruso suffered a foot injury in the first...

Elias Schuster

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

You Have to See Coby White’s Epic Sequence Against the Hawks

Whether or not he gets the hardware, Coby White is the NBA's Most Improved Player. The Chicago Bulls guard has fully embraced his bigger workload this season, showing improvements in almost every aspect of his game. This was on full...

Elias Schuster

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Oh, Uh: Jimmy Butler “Feared” to Have MCL Injury, Will Undergo MRI

The Miami Heat have some serious concerns after their Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler is "feared" to have suffered an MCL injury in his knee. An MRI...

Elias Schuster

Apr 17, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Live Stream or on TV

On Thursday, Logan Webb will start for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) versus Ryne Nelson and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET at Oracle Park.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

Picks

San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Series April 18-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The San Francisco Giants are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks for a four-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:45 PM ET on Thursday, April 18.Giants vs. Diamondbacks Series Info Diamondbacks @ Giants Time: Thursday, April 18 at 9:45...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

Picks

Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins Series April 18-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A four-game series between the Chicago Cubs and the visiting Miami Marlins will start on Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Marlins Series Info Marlins @ Cubs Time: Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs Starting Pitcher:...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

WATCH: DeMar DeRozan WOWS with Huge Slam Against the Hawks

DeMar DeRozan is almost 35 years old and led the NBA in minutes this season. I want you to remember that as you watch what you're about to see. The Chicago Bulls' veteran forward was tearing apart the Atlanta Hawks...

Elias Schuster

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 131, Hawks 116– April 17, 2024

The Chicago Bulls understood the assignment. Unlike what we saw against Toronto in the first Play-In Tournament game last season, the Bulls were the ones to get out to an early lead. DeMar DeRozan was completely in his bag from...

Elias Schuster

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cubs vs. Marlins: Live Stream or on TV

The Chicago Cubs (11-7), who will give the ball to Jameson Taillon, host the Miami Marlins (4-15) with Andrew Jacob Puk on the mound, Thursday at 7:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

MLBits: Morrow’s Potential Contract/Heavy Usage, Phillies New Manager, the Slick Ball Theory, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular