Jed Lowrie, a former professional baseball player, shares his insights on the challenges of player injuries within the league. The discussion dives into José Ramírez's strategic hitting against José Soriano, highlighting the mental game between hitters and pitchers. They also explore the intriguing considerations behind a team's patience with struggling switch hitters like Elly De La Cruz, emphasizing the tactical elements of swing decisions and their long-term impact on player performance.
Injuries to key Padres players highlight the fragility of their roster and the potential need for trades to stay competitive.
The strategic relationship between hitters and pitchers is illustrated through José Ramírez's ability to set up José Soriano during their matchup.
Teams demonstrate patience with struggling switch hitters like Elly De La Cruz, acknowledging their potential value and the need for time to adjust.
Deep dives
Injuries Impacting the Padres
The episode highlights several injuries impacting the San Diego Padres, notably Jackson Merrill, who was placed on the injured list due to a right hamstring strain. This injury emphasizes the fragility of the Padres' roster, especially given their reliance on key players like Machado and Tatis Jr. Fernando Tatis recently experienced discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder, raising concerns about his long-term health and performance. With the depth of the roster being tested, the team may need to explore trades or free-agent signings to maintain competitiveness in the NL West.
Jose Ramirez's Hitting Strategy
Jose Ramirez's recent performance is examined, specifically his ability to seemingly set up pitchers during at-bats. After hitting two home runs off Jose Soriano, analysts wonder if Ramirez deliberately swung at the first slider to gauge the pitcher and prepare for the second. This discussion touches on the chess-like nature of pitching and hitting, where top players might strategize based on their knowledge of a pitcher's tendencies. However, pitching execution is also crucial, as mistakes can lead to favorable outcomes for hitters like Ramirez.
The Complexity of Switch-Hitting
The episode delves into the strategic decisions around using switch hitters in baseball, specifically looking at Eli De La Cruz's struggles hitting right-handed against lefties. Teams are often patient with switch hitters due to the potential double value they bring by being able to hit from both sides of the plate. Historical context is provided, noting that players often need time to adjust and develop routines in order to maximize their effectiveness. The importance of both technical swing differences and the psychological aspects of batting versus different pitchers is emphasized.
Injury Updates Across the League
Injuries are affecting multiple teams in the league, with notable updates including Victor Robles, who suffered a small shoulder fracture and is expected to miss significant time. The discussion also covers Ronaldo Lopez's shoulder surgery, highlighting that while 12 weeks of recovery is needed, it may not be as severe as a labrum repair. Additionally, the Astros are managing their own injury issues, including their starting rotation's depth, which may impact their performance moving forward. The conversation illustrates how injuries can derail a season and challenge teams' depth and strategies.
Analyzing the Business of Player Rest
The podcast explores the potential benefits of implementing a built-in off day every week in the MLB to help manage player workloads and reduce injuries. Discussion centers around the idea that maintaining player health could improve overall performance, allowing teams to focus on consistency rather than injuries impacting roster decisions. The concept also touches on mental health, suggesting that regular breaks could reduce stress on players. However, the practicality of such changes is questioned, as financial implications and game schedules must be considered.
Eno, DVR, and Jed take a spin around the league as April injuries pile up, and take a deep dive into a matchup between José Ramírez and José Soriano from Friday's Guardians-Angels matchup. Plus, they answer a mailbag question inquiring about team's patience with switch hitters despite poor splits, inspired by Elly De La Cruz.
Rundown
1:06 Jackson Merrill to the IL; Early Exits for Fernando Tatis Jr. & Jake Cronenworth
6:50 The Long-Term Maintenance From Previous Injuries
10:20 An Update on Victor Robles' Shoulder Injury
17:19 Other News & Notes: Matt McLain, Ketel Marte & Pablo López
23:30 Should Every Monday Be an 'Off-Day'?
26:40 Octavio Dotel Passes Away Following Nightclub Collapse
27:56 Did José Ramírez Set Up José Soriano?
37:59 Hitters Facing Pitchers Over Time
44:42 Why Are Teams So Patient with Struggling Switch Hitters?
