Article on The Athletic says Dodgers/Padres is the best rivalry in baseball right now... “We’re gonna get 19 World Series games this year,” Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner told reporters last week about playing the Padres.
The baseball!!! The source of annual issues, too hot, not hot enough, seems too big, etc. Now Baseball is going after foreign substances on the ball... In an attempt to crack down on the use of foreign substances on baseballs for the upcoming season, Major League Baseball will inspect balls taken out of play, analyze spin rate data and increase monitoring of dugouts and clubhouses. The new policies, outlined in a memo obtained by ESPN on Wednesday and sent to all 30 teams, are ultimately meant to help level the playing field for hitters, which should increase balls in play, a source told ESPN. Substances on baseballs, like pine tar, can increase spin rate, which leads to more strikeouts and less action on the field. MLB taking steps to stop doctoring of baseballs
I didn't know you could do this, even in exhibition baseball. But Astros starter Jake Odorizzi gave up back to back Hr's in the 1st inning to the Nat's...and was pulled and Frances Martes came in to relieve him and finish the inning. So then Odorizzi comes back out for the 2nd inning, again didn't know this was possible, but he proceeded to give up back to back HR's again to the Nats and was finally done for the day! Astro won 11-8.
Terry, I'm guessing - could be wrong - that he needed the work and that in spring training they don't adhere to the rules as closely as in the regular season.