Houston Astros: Trevor Bauer accusations will pose a major problem
Seconds From Disaster
It all started with this tweet.
@drivelinebases Are Astros doctoring baseball or throwing spit balls. look at spin rates of verlander, cole and morton, inreased dramatically pitching in Astros uniform. they probably using a substance or like chewing gum like morton did like post season
— Blaze455 (@Blaze4551) May 1, 2018
This is in reference to Charlie Morton, who was seen chewing gum during the ALCS against the Yankees. Every time Morton pitched, he would touch his mouth and it appeared that he might have been doctoring the ball. The umpire did tell him later to knock it off, which he did.
So this is a pretty big accusation. Especially considering the Houston Astros have the best rotation in all of baseball right now. But this should have been a tweet that no one should care about because there really is no evidence behind this aside from the improved spin rates.
At least it would’ve been that way until Bauer struck with this tweet.
If only there was just a really quick way to increase spin rate. Like what if you could trade for a player knowing that you could bump his spin rate a couple hundred rpm overnight...imagine the steals you could get on the trade market! If only that existed...
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) May 1, 2018
Now, Bauer didn’t directly refer to the Houston Astros in this tweet. But, make no mistake, when you reply to the comment that talks about the team, it’s going to be picked up. Who better to pick up on this than the Astro who in recent weeks has become the team’s spokesperson for the social media world, Lance McCullers Jr.
Jealousy isn’t a good look on you my man. You have great stuff and have worked hard for it, like the rest of us, no need for this. I will ask though because my spin rate and spin axis on my 4 seem is a$$. https://t.co/jvbLuWWqgN
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@lmccullers43) May 1, 2018
At least McCullers is honest here. He’s spent much of the season so far relying on his curveball so much that it’s hard to determine how many fastballs he throws.
McCullers wasn’t the only member of the Houston Astros to reply. Not long after, Collin McHugh joined in.
If only there was this thing where people who had been around baseball a long time taught people who hadn’t been around as long. Imagine the possiblity for improvement yr over yr! We could call it coaching! https://t.co/WI4X1TCbaW
— Collin McHugh (@Collin_McHugh) May 1, 2018
And then, of course, there’s Alex Bregman. He poured a little extra salt with a name “slip up.”
https://twitter.com/ABREG_1/status/991393812164546562
Let’s not forget Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch, who was asked about it by the media.
Astros players wouldn't comment on Trevor Bauer's accusations but manager AJ Hinch minced no words.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 1, 2018
"People need to sweep their own from porch," he said. pic.twitter.com/Py17kpWedL
So Trevor (or can we say Tyler?) has really put himself on the spot. He’s made statements in the past, specifically that he has a problem with the MLB and the rules about pine tar.
Mr. Drone
A few seasons ago, the Indians were facing the Blue Jays in the 2016 ALCS. Bauer, who was scheduled as the Game three starter had an injury caused by a drone mishap, which sliced his hand. Bauer initially wanted to use a kind of surgical glue to fix the cut. But the request was denied by MLB because they felt that it would lead to him doctoring the baseball. Because of this, Bauer had to pitch with just the stitches, which led to this iconic moment.