After homer and HBP, warnings issued in NLCS Game 1

By Matthew PouliotOct 9, 2011, 4:28 PM EST
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The NLCS umpiring crew had obviously gotten the memo: the Cardinals and Brewers just don’t like each other very much.

Prince Fielder was plunked by Jaime Garcia’s very first pitch after Ryan Braun’s two-run homer in the first inning Sunday, leading to warnings being issued in Game 1.

Garcia’s pitch wasn’t necessarily intentional — he got Fielder on the arm — but since the teams have a history and have done some jawing these last two days, home-plate umpire and crew chief Gary Darling decided on the preemptive course of action.

The Cards took a 1-0 lead on Zack Greinke in the top of the first before Braun responded in the bottom of the inning, making it 2-1 Milwaukee.

Giants making Brandon Belt available

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By Craig CalcaterraDec 10, 2018, 12:11 PM EST
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Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Giants have made first baseman Brandon Belt available in a trade and says that several teams have expressed interest in him.

Which is kind of weird, really.

Belt turns 31 early next season. He hit .253/.342/.414 with 14 homers over 112 games last year due to a knee injury and time lost to an appendectomy. He has a history of concussions and has averaged only 115 games over the last five seasons. Oh, and makes $48 million over the next three years.

Yes, he could be a very useful player if healthy, but taking on that kind of money, even a part of that money, when many very affordable first base/DH options are out there on the market makes little sense to me. Matt Adams. Justin Bour. Lucas Duda. As good as Belt? No, I don’t think so. But way cheaper and requiring less of a commitment.

But hey, rumors are rumors. Let a thousand flowers bloom.