Today’s Featured Game

Texas Rangers vs. San Fransisky Garlic Fries—8:00pm CT ESPN2

Mike Minor on the mound. Yaz on a heater. Yeah, this one’s the featured game with a bullet.

Though the Garlic Fries lost to the Padres last night, Yaz continued his hot streak, going 2-4, 3R, 1 RBI, and 2 BB, raising his average to a scorching .423 on the year. Oh, and one of his hits was this beautiful bastard.

Other Games Featuring Former Dores

NY Mets vs. Atlanta Braves—6:10pm CT MLB.TV

Dansby got another hit and RBI last night as the Braves beat the Devil Rays 2-1 to go over .500 as a team. Of course, they are technically in 2nd place, as the Marlins’ 2-1 record has a significantly higher win percentage. All I can think of now is MLB’s slogan when I was a kid: Catch the Fever!

Cin City vs. De2roit—6:10pm CT MLB.TV

The final game of the Reds vs. Cubs was postponed last night (for normal baseball reasons... not for 2020 baseball reasons), as it was rained out. As for De2roit, Carson Fulmer made his second appearance out of the bullpen this season... and it’s one he hopes he could have back. Final line: 1IP, 3H, 2R (both earned), 0BB, 1K to raise his ERA to 9.00 for the season.

Pittsburgh vs. Chicago Cubs—7:15pm CT MLB.TV

The Buccos were off last night. Bryan Reynolds is still hitting ¹⁄₂ a Mendoza.

Oakland vs. Seattle—8:40pm CT ESPN+

Kemp didn’t play last night. He still only has 5 ABs on the season. Not enough reason to tune in for me, but your mileage may vary.

MLB Covid-19 Outbreak Update

Still no move to a bubble, and MLB is now up to three teams which have had positive tests since the league restarted. Today’s St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers game has been postponed, as well, as two Cardinals have tested positive. Of course, as we learned with the Marlins and Phillies, when outbreaks happen amongst one team, it is unlikely that team is the only one affected.

As for the Marlins and Phillies... the Marlins are putting the 18 players and 2 coaches who currently have it on a bus back to Florida. The Phillies have postponed games through this weekend, and have not received or given a concrete timeline on when they will be able to return. 1/5 of today’s scheduled games are not happening. Honestly, how much longer can this go on before MLB has to shut down and rethink the way they have decided to restart the season?

The lesson is simple: if you want your sports league to return during the pandemic, you have to put all teams in one centralized location, bubble it safely, and have no travel whatsoever. If you are unwilling or unable to do this, no matter what other precautions you take, you have not returned safely. This was obvious beforehand, but cannot be ignored now.

Again, it wasn’t the fault of the Marlins, Phillies, or Cardinals players and staff who have contracted it (and I’m really tired of the victim blaming... none of them were open anti-maskers or anything). This is on the Federal Government for doing a criminal job and MLB for returning without a bubble system. Full stop.

**4pm CT Apparently, This Is Just What America Is Now Update: Oh My God, Manfred Just Went Full “Blame the Governors” in Letter to MLBPA

Dear Rob “Right Said” Manfred,

You are Major League Baseball. Your plan was terrible. This was all inevitable. Stop blaming the players for your own incompetence. This ridiculous blame-deflection attempt will fool no one with half a brain.

Signed,

Every rational baseball fan.