Outside The Confines: Rookies for the win

Happy Friday BCB friends, I hope you had a good week, or at the very least you didn’t have a terrible week (sometimes it’s all we can ask for). In today’s links we’re going to look at an Oriole’s rookie who had one heck of a first game; a new stain on Rob Manfred’s legacy; a season-ending injury for the Mariners; and some ongoing thoughts about the new rules and also Max Scherzer’s suspension.

So if you’re a morning links reader, get your coffee ready, and if you’re an evening links reader I would probably recommend tea instead, and let’s just get right to the good stuff.

Now on to today’s links!

• Ben Clemens explains how Jose Berrios can be both terrible and awesome depending what stat you’re looking for.
• Will Rays fans stop hearing attendance jokes for this season, at least?

• Joey Ortiz made quite the splash in his MLB debut. Story by Steve Kornacki.
• Speaking of rookies, Pirates rookie Drew Maggi got his first major league start this week, right after making his major league debut. Story by Justice delos Santos.
• Dick Groat has passed away at the age of 92, reports Nick Selbe.
• Yennier Cano has made Ben Clemens’ radar as one to watch.
• Shohei Ohtani continues to dazzle as he came close to pitching a perfect game AND hitting for the cycle (though not completing either.) Story by Rhett Bollinger.
• Tom Verducii wants us to “stick” to the truth with the Max Scherzer suspension.
• Ken Rosenthal looks at how Rob Manfred’s support of A’s ownership is just one more bad decision in his reign. (The Athletic subscription required.)

• Davy Andrews wants to know exactly what Randy Arozarena is doing right.
• Tom Verducci gives some attention to Gerrit Cole’s fastball.
• Bradford Doolittle spotlights the Brewers and how they’re turning things around this season.
• This is just a recipe for apple crumble, I just want to see if you’re all paying attention.
• In bad news news, the Mariners have lost Robbie Ray for the season. Story by Jay Jaffe.
• Stolen bases are up this season, but you’d never know it if you were watching the Rangers. Story by Emma Baccellieri.
• Jayson Stark takes a deep look at the new rules and what might be coming next. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Speaking of injuries, Aaron Judge may miss the upcoming weekend series, reports Dave Sessions.
• Oops.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.