Angels pitcher John Lackey's season debut lasted only two pitches. The first one sailed behind Rangers second baseman. When the second one plunked Kinsler, umpire Bob Davidson ejected Lackey.
Lackey said he didn't intend to hit Kinsler or send a message, he was just too keyed up for his debut.
Kinsler did hit two homers off the Angels the night before, but other than that there doesn't seem to be a reason why they would be going after Kinsler.
Lackey didn't have to wait a full five days for his spot in the rotation, he started 2 days later.
How To Get the Other Team's Best Hitter Out of the Lineup
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman and best player, Evan Longoria didn't get to play in a game against the Indians, even though he was listed in the starting lineup.
Rays manager Joe Maddon intended to have Longoria DH so he could rest, but he mistakenly put a 5 next to his name in the lineup card.
After Ben Zobrist took the field at third during the first inning, Indians manager Eric Wedge brought the mistake to the attention of the umpires who ruled the Rays should lose their right to have a designated hitter, forcing pitcher Andy Sonnanstine to bat -- in the third spot in the lineup.
Longoria was not lost for the game though, he could have replaced Zobrist at that point.
Kaz Matsui Doesn't Need Help Making Outs
Houston Astros outfielder Michael Bourn singled to lead off the game against the Brewers, and that's when Ned Yost emerged from the dugout to protest. The official lineup card had Matsui first, so he was called out. The single was taken off the board but Bourn got to hit again. He walked, and eventually scored.
Yankee Haters Mourn
Things were going so well for us Yankee haters, A-Rod was juiced, disgraced and injured. The team's high-priced free agents were underperforming, and Joe Girardi was about to get fired. But now they Yankees have won 10 out of 11 -- four walkoff wins -- including 3 in a row. An entire series won in their final at bat. And more amazingly, they would have needed to double that to break the major league record for most consecutive walkoff wins. The 1986 Houston Astros won 5 games in a row on walkoffs, including 2 against the New York Mets.
Games Might End Before Midnight
Major League Baseball has announced that starting this year World Series games will begin before 8pm Eastern Time. What a long overdue change this is. Pretty much anyone who has a job (with normal hours) and lives on the East Coast cannot stay up for weekday World Series games anymore. Also this might give kids a chance to see at least a few innings. Brilliant move by Major League Baseball, once I hope bears itself out in the ratings.
The Next Big Thing
With the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft the Washington Nationals will select Stephen Strasburg, pitcher, San Diego State University.
For being so shitty last year the Nats get the chance to draft the guy some are calling the best pitching prospect ever. Strasburg can hit 102 mph on the gun and he is 13-0 with a 1.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts this season. The only things possibly interfering with his destiny is a back injury (believed to be minor) and his contract demands (believed to be major). Strasburg is represented by hardass agent Scott Boras who reportedly wants to get his client a major league worthy deal -- somewhere around $50 million for the 6 years before he goes to arbitration. And the Nationals have almost no choice but to draft him, and pay him that money. And if they do he could be up with the big club by September, which is why I think anyone in a fantasy keeper league should pick Strasburg up right now.
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