Home Plate Umpire, Roberto Ortiz, had a HORRIFIC night behind the plate in the Brewer/Padres game.

I’ll say one, ONE (1), positive thing about last night’s home plate umpire, Roberto Ortiz: He was equally poopy for both teams. So I guess it sort of cancels out? I mean that was an ATROCIOUS effort. Angel Hernandez and CB Bucknor walked so Roberto Ortiz could run, I guess.

Related: Give me our robot strike zone overlords. I have been BEGGING for it on the podcast for almost a year now. I used to subscribe to, ‘human element has been a part of the game for a hundred years, it should stay a part of the game blah blah blah,’ but no more. It’s ridiculous how bad some of these calls are. You have the technology to get the call correct and get it correct quickly: USE IT.

At the very minimum we need ball/strike challenges for next season. I want a full time robot strike zone, but I understand that challenges are probably going to come first. So let’s take that step. Because if a strike zone like last night costs the Brewers a playoff game I’m going to have have a stroke.

Related:

• Last night’s game had big time playoff energy. Petco Park was rocking, momentum swings back and forth, two front line pitchers, extra innings, it had it all.
• Freddy Peralta now has 3 consecutive 200 strikeout seasons. Really making his way up the ‘greatest pitchers in franchise history’ list at this point.
• I do not understand not walking the next batter in the bottom of the 11th inning after the first batter of the inning sacrificed the runner from 2nd to 3rd base. At least give yourself a chance to get an inning ending double play. And if that guy steals second? Walk the next guy and load the bases. Force outs at every station!
• West Coast road trips at the end of September should be outlawed.

Magic number for the #1 seed still sits at 3. Phillies have a 6-game homestand starting tonight: Three against the Marlins and three against the Twins. Real chance they could go 6-0, Brewers still have work to do.

PS: If you’re not going to give me reviews or robot umps, then take the damn strike zone off my screen. At least let me live in blissful ignorance.