There was one clear strike called a ball:

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/numlocation.php?pitchSel=435045&game=gid_2012_04_09_bosmlb_tormlb_1/&batterX=&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=

"There was one particular pitch from Santos that looked like it was comfortably in the strike zone, but JPA had to move his glove a bit and slapped at it. Ump called it a ball. Anyone else remember this one? "

really... now we get to blame catchers for bad calls from umps? both teams had looks back at the ump for pitches they didn't think were strikes and pitches that both team's pitchers thought were that didn't get called. the sox pitcher even got so upset that he went for a walk. but sure, we'll blame salty for that call too.

the ump missed half a dozen calls tonight and it was for both teams. blame the ump...

"really... now we get to blame catchers for bad calls from umps?"

See, now you're really showing your ignorance. Pitch framing is a huge part of the modern evaluation of catcher defence. For you to be this unaware is hardly shocking considering your constant pimping of a defensive blackhole.

Yes JP has a problem with passed balls at the worst possible times.

No, I don't think the wild pitch was JP's fault. He was more prepared that what I'd thought he'd be for Santos' slider ... but he DID look overwhelmed

Put some blame on Bautista for a poor throw as he short armed it. Although JP's positioning at the plate was a little confusing.

I'd much prefer to see Mathis as a late inning defensive replacement ... that's the reason we got him. He's a blocking machine. I remember TOR playing him last year and he saved atleast 5 runs in one game.

<lol well put, the combination of ignorance and indignation at thinking his batshit crazy viewpoints are ridiculous is hilarious.

look at how many are not even close. if you cant even get close, you wont get calls. it doesn't matter how the catcher frames it.

when people take up these stats against JPA they forget how many times teams like NY and Boston get the call. it's not because their catcher is so much better at framing. it's because they always get the calls. for teams with a lot of younger pitchers, they dont get the calls and it gets talked about all the time. in the same way they talk about bautista not getting the benefit of the the doubt on close pitches.(I still think he needs to complain less openly so umps dont hate him)

sure, JPA can be better at it, but there are more factors to take into account. Molina was supposed to be one of the best pitch framers in the league, it didn't always help him. just sayin....

You realize you're probably not going to tear down this year's most influential baseball analytics article in your current emotional state right (hormonal 14 year old girl)?

"JPA can't control if Santos is throwing all over the place or not. If Santos is going to be the closer he needs to come in throwing strikes."

That isn't what Santos does though. He throws pitches in the dirt and gets guys to swing at pitches outside of the zone. If we don't have a catcher that can block those pitches in the dirt it really hurts his effectiveness with men on base. I was at the game and didn't have an angle to see the PB or the WP but I've been down on JPA for well over a year now so I'm not going to stop now

sure... and some pitchers get all the marginal calls while young guys like Alvarez will not get that luxury no matter who is catching.

a stat controlled by an uncontrollable factor such as human opinion has too much outside variance to be taken as seriously as you like to put into this.

so take your smartness and tell your ego how good you are.

dont bust out that arrogance too fast.

"dont bust out that arrogance too fast."

Your lack of self-awareness is really interesting.

A pitch that barely catches the corner and barely scrapes the bottom of the zone will be called a ball if the catcher slaps it down and makes it look like garbage to everyone in the park. Umpires work with catchers. There is give back. If a pitcher keeps hitting a spot and the catcher keeps receiving it perfectly and that pitch is half an inch to an inch outside, it generally becomes a strike call. Catchers lose pitches they butcher and get a little extra if they earn it. Hitters know it, pitchers know it and catchers know it. The stupid computer generated strike zone that doesn't apply and announcers that talk about it are the only ones who don't clue in. This has been a part of baseball for over 100 years!

When was the last time anyone saw a catcher set up at the knees on the outside corner and the pitcher let it get away and floated a sailing pitch over the inside corner at the top of the zone and saw that pitch called anything but a ball? Was it technically a strike? 100 out of 100 times it was technically a strike. 100 out of 100 times it will be called a ball. That's not the umpires mistake-- it's baseball.

"a stat controlled by an uncontrollable factor such as human opinion has too much outside variance to be taken as seriously as you like to put into this. "

You should probably actually read the study. Maybe even understand it.

It has:

A) Gotten the author hired by a MLB front office
B) Gotten Jose Molina a nearly full time gig in Tampa

But I guess that sort of influence is negligible. Just a bunch of dem numbers and stuff. Witchcraft really.

JP simply needs to make one of the two plays (the first passed ball or Jose's throw to plate) and we most certainly are at least going to the bottom 9th tied 2-2.

You just cant have this type of defender in big games, high leverage spots.
Can you imagine when this team starts playing big meaningfull games and having his defensive issues?

"Can you imagine when this team starts playing big meaningfull games and having his defensive issues?"

This has been the source of a week's worth of night terrors now.

I'm not sure if anybody caught this, but Arencibia completely missed the 1-0 pitch to Cody Ross. I'm pretty sure it was him, he swung right through it, and JPA completely missed it - but it hit him square in the mask and stayed in front of him.

It's pretty funny to watch people defend him.

"It's pretty funny to watch people defend him. "

I actually have no idea how it's possible.

Bro, he brings good leadership to the team, he's also quite the character. It's obvious.

#DYATNCBFT