Community Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers 0% vs New York Mets 0%

We live in a world that's driven by information and curiosity, which in some instances is refreshing and in others can be a little scary. That's because sometimes the thrist for both can lead us down a path filled with assumptions and misguided conclusions. [Related: Curtis Granderson saves Mets after Chase Utley's clutch hit ] That was the case on Friday night when a video surfaced that clearly showed Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Howie Kendrick reaching into his back pocket during Friday's 6-5 loss to the Mets for a handheld item. Kendrick is then seen studying the unknown object before quickly putting it away and readjusting his position. Howie Kendrick casually checking his phone in the outfield pic.twitter.com/fK45d06LHj — Austin Eich (@Eich_AJ) May 27, 2016 That video piqued the curiosity of many fans, perhaps in large part due to the accompanying message speculating that Kendrick was sneaking a quick peak at his cell phone. To the untrained eye, Kendrick's mannerisms were certainly indicative of such a practice. But believing that to be fact would be making a poor assumption or, again, jumping to a misguided conclusion. In this instance, we go from assuming Kendrick's attention was far away from where it needed to be, to the reality that Kendrick was simply studying the next batter due up for the New York Mets. As others have added, Howie Kendrick is checking the card for where to shift the hitter(s). https://t.co/68DUXNqzgz — Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 28, 2016 The "shift card" is essentially a study guide that alerts fielders to where they should play each hitter. It eliminates any confusion that might go along with a coach sending in signals and should ensure the fielders are on the same page.  Well, assuming they all read it correctly. Continue to Article

May 28, 2016 11:34:am EST

We live in a world that's driven by information and curiosity, which in some instances is refreshing and in others can be a little scary. That's because sometimes the thrist for both can lead us down a path filled with assumptions and misguided conclusions. [Related: Curtis Granderson saves Mets after Chase Utley's clutch hit ] That was the case on Friday night when a video surfaced that clearly showed Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Howie Kendrick reaching into his back pocket during Friday's 6-5 loss to the Mets for a handheld item. Kendrick is then seen studying the unknown object before quickly putting it away and readjusting his position. Howie Kendrick casually checking his phone in the outfield pic.twitter.com/fK45d06LHj — Austin Eich (@Eich_AJ) May 27, 2016 That video piqued the curiosity of many fans, perhaps in large part due to the accompanying message speculating that Kendrick was sneaking a quick peak at his cell phone. To the untrained eye, Kendrick's mannerisms were certainly indicative of such a practice. But believing that to be fact would be making a poor assumption or, again, jumping to a misguided conclusion. In this instance, we go from assuming Kendrick's attention was far away from where it needed to be, to the reality that Kendrick was simply studying the next batter due up for the New York Mets. As others have added, Howie Kendrick is checking the card for where to shift the hitter(s). https://t.co/68DUXNqzgz — Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 28, 2016 The "shift card" is essentially a study guide that alerts fielders to where they should play each hitter. It eliminates any confusion that might go along with a coach sending in signals and should ensure the fielders are on the same page.  Well, assuming they all read it correctly. Continue to Article

May 28, 2016 11:34:am EST

The last time Noah Syndergaard gave up an earned run, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a brief 2-1 lead in the fourth inning over the New York Mets before his offense tacked three on in the fifth and went on to win. The right-hander has strung together 18 innings without allowing an earned run since, and he gets another shot at the Dodgers Saturday night in New York. Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94 ERA) logged eight innings and gave up two solo home runs in that 4-3 win on May 11 in Los Angeles for his first of a three-start winning streak. Continue to Article

May 28, 2016 12:09:am EST

The last time Noah Syndergaard gave up an earned run, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a brief 2-1 lead in the fourth inning over the New York Mets before his offense tacked three on in the fifth and went on to win. The right-hander has strung together 18 innings without allowing an earned run since, and he gets another shot at the Dodgers Saturday night in New York. Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94 ERA) logged eight innings and gave up two solo home runs in that 4-3 win on May 11 in Los Angeles for his first of a three-start winning streak. Continue to Article

May 28, 2016 12:09:am EST