2023 mlb spring training – Syndication Server

Mets fans hilariously embraced basketball tactics to confuse players on the pitch clock

We probably should have seen this coming.

Not everyone is a proponent of the new pitch clock implemented in Major League Baseball, which fans are currently getting their first taste of in spring training.

Still, that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little fun with it.

During a matchup between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals on Friday, Mets fans trolled the Nats players by treating the pitch clock like basketball fans treat the shot clock in hopes of inducing a balk.

They chanted the wrong numbers hoping to throw off the pitchers’ timing, and I have to admit, it’s not the worst strategy I’ve ever seen.

Mets fans at Clover Park today treated the pitch clock like it was a shot clock in an attempt to throw off the opposing pitcher pic.twitter.com/M2N6CTcTJX

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 3, 2023

Whether you support the new pitch clock — which undoubtedly speeds up the pace of play to a considerable degree — it shouldn’t be surprising to see fans try to use it to their advantage.

Is it effective? Perhaps, only time will tell. Is it absolutely hilarious? Without a doubt.

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Pirates and Orioles played a sandlot-style inning of baseball after the umpires left the field

A baseball inning … without umpires?

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles found themselves in an odd position during a spring training contest on Tuesday.

With Pittsburgh winning 7-4 after the top of the ninth inning, the game’s umpires left the field for the day. However, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde asked to keep the game going just to get some more work in for his guys.

The two teams agreed to just go out there and play ball, giving MLB fans in attendance a sandlot-style afternoon at the ballpark.

Professional sports just don’t ever happen without officiating, which made Tuesday’s exhibition game all that much more special for those in attendance and those watching at home.

What’s missing?
Orioles & Pirates agree to play bottom of the 9th without umpires. Game was over with PIT a 7-4 winner but O’s mgr Brandon Hyde asked to play the bottom of the inn anyway. Self-umpired. #SpringTraining ⚾️ @wjz @WJZ13sports pic.twitter.com/THyaZFrN5z

— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) February 28, 2023

The Orioles and Pirates both wanted to play the bottom of the 9th inning despite the Pirates technically winning the game 7-4

The umpires left the field thinking the game was over and both teams proceeded to play with no umps pic.twitter.com/dQVKxYovC3

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 28, 2023

Well if you hate the pitch clock and umpires… the @Pirates and @Orioles are currently playing a half inning after the game ended without either of those things in effect. It’s like sandlot baseball, no score, no stats or music. Just ball. pic.twitter.com/aNKbak9V8J

— BenPokorny (@BenPokorny) February 28, 2023

Wow, if that doesn’t make you want to round up all your friends in the neighborhood and go play a few innings in the empty field by your house, we’re not sure what will.

While this game doesn’t really count for much than conditioning for the upcoming season, the Pirates and Orioles likely won’t forget the time they just got to play baseball without much else to focus on than the game.

World Series title odds for all 30 MLB teams entering 2023 Spring Training

Spring Training games are finally here!

Baseball is officially back Friday with the start of Spring Training games, as the Texas Rangers play the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners play the San Diego Padres in Cactus League play.

That makes now a good time to take a look at World Series title odds before any potential injuries and roster cuts.

At BetMGM, the Houston Astros are slight favorites to win it all at +650, even after losing Justin Verlander to the New York Mets. Another title would make Houston the first team since the 1999-2000 New York Yankees to repeat. But the gap between Houston and the next set of teams isn’t large.

The Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers each have +750 odds to win the World Series, making them the co-National League favorites. The Yankees also have +750 odds as Houston’s closest competition in the American League.

After those four, the odds are dominated by NL teams, with Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres each coming in at +1000, followed closely by the Philadelphia Phillies at +1400. The Toronto Blue Jays (+1400), Seattle Mariners (+1600) and St. Louis Cardinals (+2000) round out the top 10.

With five NL teams in the top eight, the -115 odds of a team from that league winning the World Series are is slightly better than the AL’s -105 odds.

Here’s how the rest of the majors stacks up:

Chicago White Sox / Cleveland Guardians / Tampa Bay Rays (+2500)
Los Angeles Angels / Milwaukee Brewers / Minnesota Twins (+4000)
San Francisco Giants / Texas Rangers (+5000)
Boston Red Sox (+6000)
Baltimore Orioles (+6600)
Chicago Cubs (+8000)
Miami Marlins (+10000)
Arizona Diamondbacks / Detroit Tigers (+12500)
Kansas City Royals (+15000)
Colorado Rockies / Pittsburgh Pirates (+20000)
Cincinnati Reds (+25000)
Oakland Athletics / Washington Nationals (+50000)

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