dude was an absolutely incredible pitcher

That was an awesome show man

Loved the game, but I kept hoping Gattis would come out to bat for the party animals.

JD Davis has been placed on waivers after Giants couldn’t find a taker on trade market (teams also knew SF had no spot for him after signing Chapman and Soler). His $6.9M salary after arbitration win isn’t unreasonable. Jays are a team that could make sense. @ByRobertMurray 1st

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 9, 2024

So I know what the bananas are and the rules from their social medias… But is it a scripted game? Like do they plan for a certain outcome and script it out the best they can with a predetermined finish?

I kind of equate them to the Globetrotters when I describe them to people

Astros today vs. Marlins: pic.twitter.com/SAXDukNF4J

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 10, 2024

tjack16 said:

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So I know what the bananas are and the rules from their social medias… But is it a scripted game? Like do they plan for a certain outcome and script it out the best they can with a predetermined finish?

I kind of equate them to the Globetrotters when I describe them to people

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Nope, the games are not scripted

Only the entertainment part is but the actual baseball is not

It wasn't Gattis, but one guy with an Irish theme downed a mini-boot of beer approaching the plate for his AB.

As for scripting, I wondered for a while, but there is too much natural variation for the game itself to be scripted.

I think they MIGHT script one thing, and that is to make sure the game is on the line late. Two mechanisms can be gamed to create this: the rule by which each inning is one point regardless of actual run output, and the walk rule that can lead to massive scoring swings to decide an inning. All of the balls put in play are clearly real and random.

The Astros reassigned Spencer Arrighetti and Ray Gaither and optioned Forrest Whitley to minor-league camp, Joe Espada said.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 10, 2024

Ronel Blanco was listed to start today vs. the Marlins but will throw a three-inning live BP instead. Espada said the Astros want to throw short relievers in the game after recent weather cancellations. Hader, Pressly, Abreu, Montero, Bielak all on the card today.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 10, 2024

EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Astros reassigned Spencer Arrighetti and Ray Gaither and optioned Forrest Whitley to minor-league camp, Joe Espada said.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 10, 2024

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Spring just got a lot less fun.

Is Loperfido, Melton, & Cabbage the last of the young bucks? All lefties.

Loperfido was, unsurprisingly, bad against a lefty the other day (Ranger Suarez). Platoon may work with Meyer's but gonna be hard to carve out a starting job if he is that bad against lefties.

He actually hits lefties well historically (I believe)

tjack16 said:

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So I know what the bananas are and the rules from their social medias… But is it a scripted game? Like do they plan for a certain outcome and script it out the best they can with a predetermined finish?

I kind of equate them to the Globetrotters when I describe them to people

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I was there. Obviously they have scripted times when celebrities come in to pitch, the stilts guy batting, the different skits. They also try trick plays that sometimes don't work. But they were playing for real.

When a Party Animals pitcher was in a full count and the inning winning run was on 2nd, he threw a heater that looked like it snagged the corner. Dancing ump call it inside, and the ensuing walk sprint meant the runner on second was able to score the run and win the inning. The pitcher had some choice words with the ump and you could tell he was trying to be discreet. Wasn't WWF fake, he was pissed. Ump was trying to calm him down and shepherd him away, but pitcher wasn't having it. Another player jawed at the Ump as well.

In the bottom of the 9th, full count and winning run Banana on 2nd, Party Animals pitcher threw outside for the walk and the guy on 2nd walked it off literally on a walk. Pitcher punted his glove and walked into the dugout steaming. He wasn't play acting.

After watching several games and back field practices, the Astros biggest concern this year has to be health. Every team could say that, but there is none, zero, nada talent in the high minors. Outside of Julks, I'm not sure they even have any AAAA players.

So you're saying dezinzo, loperfido, melton, etc have no talent?

Marvin said:

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After watching several games and back field practices, the Astros biggest concern this year has to be health. Every team could say that, but there is none, zero, nada talent in the high minors. Outside of Julks, I'm not sure they even have any AAAA players.

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That's why I'm hoping we just go all in to win this year with a healthy core. And why I'm so annoyed with last year's ALCS collapse. Need a fully healthy Yordan, Tucker, Bregman and Altuve all year.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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So you're saying dezinzo, loperfido, melton, etc have no talent?

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None? Wouldn't go that far but there has to be a reason they aren't on any top 100 lists.

Wrong thread*

MaxPower said:

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Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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So you're saying dezinzo, loperfido, melton, etc have no talent?

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None? Wouldn't go that far but there has to be a reason they aren't on any top 100 lists.

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We had 2 last year. They're in the Mets system now.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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So you're saying dezinzo, loperfido, melton, etc have no talent?

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Not sure they are ready to contribute if anyone gets hurt, which was my point. But beyond that, even the players you mentioned did not look overly impressive against big league pitching. It's early, though, and they are still baking in the oven.

The Mariners traded Jarred Kelenic to the Braves in December for pitching prospects Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar

Phillips had Tommy John surgery last month and Kowar will get TJ surgery next week pic.twitter.com/pjxxUWm36o

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 10, 2024

At least in the short term, this trade is not looking good for the Mariners

Astros vs. Tigers today: pic.twitter.com/JhfNg9Cmwj

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 11, 2024

Jose abreu still out