This Week in Baseball

[The Czech Republic 0]

I have a hard time hating Dontrelle. It's tough to hate someone who looks like he's just having a total blast in every aspect of the game, right down to Boys and Girls Club commercials.

Oh my god, it's a miracle.

Let's not get too excited: he may have a hard time hating Dontrelle, but I'm sure he musters up the energy that it takes to hate him anyway.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

He played it a little in spring training. But other options if Thome goes on the DL would be Wooten (GOD NO!!!), Perez, and Pratt. I wouldn't really want Perez or Pratt getting extended time.

I'm OK with Wooten for now. He hasn't really been hurting us, so I'd keep him in there until Thome comes back (maybe put Utley in for a game to give him a break).

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Byung-Hyung Kim was either scratched from his start today because of back problems or because he was traded. The Red Sox haven't said anything on the situation.

 

I'm guessing back problems because he's been shit thus far and I can't see anybody wanting him when he hasn't been proven healthy or effective.

[razazteca 0]

Tom Gordon might of lost the game for the Yankees as he blew the easy double play TWICE!

[Guest Anglesault]

I need a drink.

 

4-3 Rangers.

[razazteca 0]

A Homerun from the backup catcher!

[The Czech Republic 0]

When did they rename The Ballpark In Arlington? Now it's "Ameriquest Field."

[Guest Anglesault]

That was a frustrating loss. Soriano (the tying run) was out by a good two steps at first, but the Ump remembered that the umpiring this year is supposed to be disgusting, so he called him safe.

 

And then, just as they finish saying that Tom Gordon learned some little things from Rivera, he shows us just what he learned.

 

UGH.

 

Oh well, time to move on.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Maybe if the Rangers were horrible it'd be okay to be disgusted / depressed, but as it is, they've been doing this kind of thing all year.

[Guest Anglesault]

It's always okay to be disgusted when you go into the eighth with the lead and blow it in spectacular fashion. It's just various levels of disgust, and Flash gets a little bit of a free pass from me tonight.

[sfaJack 0]

So far, I'd have trouble disagreeing with a Wood-Prior-Clement-Zambrano-Rusch rotation.

Ugh. Off of Rusch making ONE good start? He didn't even go five innings his first go-round and now because of one day you're wanting to put him in the rotation? No way.

 

What the hell is wrong with Maddux being in there? He hasn't been THAT bad. He's had two bad starts and a couple of "ok" ones, but he's been much better lately and I think he's going to be a pretty effective pitcher for the next four months. Sure, the days of 20-win Maddux are over, but I guarantee that the Cubs will be better off with him instead of Glendon fucking Rusch in the rotation full-time.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

sfa's got a good point there. Glendon was great today, but he's not starter material. At least, not in comparison to what the Cubs could have when everyone's healthy. Wood / Prior / Maddux / Zambrano / Clement is a great rotation and Mitre and Rusch would best be served in the pen, as both can be effective, but not for more than a couple of innings. I really can't wait until Wood and Prior are back, because for the first time in a while, most aspects of Cubs pitching are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

[sfaJack 0]

Right on, Bruiser. And the best part is that they're not even going to have to dig themselves out of a huge hole in the standings.

[Bored 0]

Eric Chavez homers with two out in the 9th off of new (maybe ex) Royals closer Jeremy Affedlt to send the game to extra innings and the A's win it in the 11th on a Bobby Crosby RBI single, 5-4.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Give Utley 1 more HR and 3 more RBI. Bowa would be insane to sit Utley in favor of a returning Polanco.

 

4-1 Phils over the Padres.

[the pinjockey 0]

I wonder if the Yankees are still interested in Placido. And one thing that makes me feel real good is the fact he isn't hitting the cheap CBP wind carried ones, he hits the type that would go out anywhere so the power numbers should carryover everywhere. He gets his money's worth out of them.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Adam Dunn OWNS Clemens.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

It's the SI Curse. Although, all things considered, it could be much worse right now, as they've almost got him up to 70 pitches, have had base runners in each inning, but have only scored four runs. Griffey striking out twice in RBI situations haven't helped things. But still, go Reds!

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Well I now know to play Dunn against Clemens. Everytime I bench him he gives me reason not to.

[Guest Anglesault]

I wonder if the Yankees are still interested in Placido.

Haven't heard anything on him in a couple weeks, and I'm keeping a fairly close eye to Yankee news.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

MR. CLUTCH does it again! Casey RBI double.

 

HEY! Theres Junior! Another RBI double!

 

Reds up 8-6 in the 8th!

 

9th: Graves strikes again. Whats new? You suck Danny.

 

 

OMG!! CASTRO JUST SAVED THE DAY!!!!!!!!!

[fairtoflair7 0]

Mets win AGAIN in clutch fashion as Wigginton hits a 2 run shot in the bottom of the 8th put the mets up 5-4. Looper slams the door again in the 9th. 1 game below 500 for this crazy team

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Man, the Reds have been totally on fire since the Padres series closed. I feel bad that I'm starting to develop hope in them actually staying in the race for the NL Central for most of the season.

[Guest Choken One]

Casey should be in SERIOUS contention for MVP and should be starting the all-star game but he won't because MLB wants to shove Pujols down our throats because they think thats how you MAKE a star.

[geniusMoment 0]

I would take Albert over Casey any day of the week, twice on Sunday.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

OK, someone needs to sit down Bowa and explain something to him. Placido Polanco is coming back from the DL tomorrow (I think). Chase Utley has been filling in quite admirably for him, however Bowa is sticking to the "don't lose your spot due to injury" argument. Taking a look at the stats:

 

Polanco - 112 AB, 25 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .223 BA, .304 OBP, .313 SLG, .000 RISP avg.

Utley - 37 AB, 11 H, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .297 BA, .316 OBP, .649 SLG, .286 RISP avg.

 

It clearly looks like Utley has outplayed Polanco (unless Al has some other stats that say otherwise), so it shouldn't be a question of injury costing him his place. I'd stick with Utley, but apparently it looks like Polanco will reclaim his spot.

I don't see why everyone thinks its Utley vs. Polanco. Career stats for prospective Phillies infielders......

 

Utley 251/323/433

Bell 252/314/395

Rollins 261/316/389

Polanco 291/336/398

 

Bench either Bell or Rollins. Polanco can play their positions well, so move Polanco into one of those slots, and keep Utley at 2B.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Casey should be in SERIOUS contention for MVP and should be starting the all-star game but he won't because MLB wants to shove Pujols down our throats because they think thats how you MAKE a star.

Seasn Casey leads Albert Pujols by 23 points in OPS. Casey is playing way over his head, while Pujols is hitting in line with his career stats. Come July, the Casey over Pujols argument is going to look very silly.

[the pinjockey 0]

I have no problems with moving Polanco and benching one of the others, I just see no chance of that actually happening.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Trade Proposal: David Bell (he can play second) to the Yankees for Dioner Navarro.

 

There you have it Yankees. Don't let your pennant hopes go down to preserve an A-ball catcher.

[Mik 0]

Casey should be in SERIOUS contention for MVP and should be starting the all-star game but he won't because MLB wants to shove Pujols down our throats because they think thats how you MAKE a star.

Huh? Have you ever looked at Pujols' numbers? Even once? At this stage in his career he's towards the top of every statistical category and has a chance to be one of the greatest players ever.