TWiB 6/26 - 7/2

[Vern Gagne 0]

What playoff run?

 

I can't believe John Kruk actually said the Phillies might need to replace Charlie Manuel.

[Mik 0]

EXACTLY!

 

There is NO playoff run. People are tricking themselves. It could end up being costly.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

After watching the Brewers beat the Cubs last night, I'm convinced Chris Capuano should make the All-Star team for the NL. Carlos Lee seems like a lock.

[Guest Felonies!]

Capuano always humiliates the Cubs, though. Going by that stat, Zach Duke is an All-Star.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Capuano always humiliates the Cubs, though. Going by that stat, Zach Duke is an All-Star.

Fun with ESPN's sortable stats! Your 2006 Cub-Killer All-Stars.

 

C: David Ross (5 for 19, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs)

1B: Lance Berkman (8 for 23, 1 HR, 4 RBIs)

2B: Dan Uggla (8 for 23)

3B: Miguel Cabrera (8 for 16, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 8 BBs)

SS: Khalil Greene (7 for 29, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 2 SBs)

LF: Adam Dunn (13 for 39, 7 HRs, 8 RBIs, 11 BBs)

CF: Ken Griffey (11 for 39, 4 HRs, 6 RBIs)

RF: Brian Giles (7 for 21, 6 RBIs, 11 BBs)

Hon. Mention: Dave Roberts (9 for 21, 6 SBs, 0 CS)

 

SP: Bronson Arroyo (3-0, 1.74)

SP: Eric Milton (2-1, 2.95)

SP: Chris Capuano (2-0, 0.00)

SP: Zach Duke (2-0, 0.56)

SP: Jason Schmidt (1-0, 1.00, one run CG)

CL: Brad Lidge (3 saves, 5 apps. 8 Ks, 3.60 ERA)

RP: Scott Cassidy (2-0, 0.00, 4 apps.)

RP: Braden Looper (5 apps, 6 IP, 3 Holds, 0.00 ERA)

[Annabelle 0]

john kruk also said the tigers should trade joel zumaya for john smoltz to beef up for a playoff run. ha!

 

ha!ha!Ha!

[Guest Felonies!]

I'm surprised he has the ball to say such a thing

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

john kruk also said the tigers should trade joel zumaya for john smoltz to beef up for a playoff run. ha!

 

ha!ha!Ha!

 

And he wanted them to put Smoltz in the bullpen! How does that even make sense for the Tigers?

[naiwf 0]

john kruk also said the tigers should trade joel zumaya for john smoltz to beef up for a playoff run. ha!

 

ha!ha!Ha!

 

And he wanted them to put Smoltz in the bullpen! How does that even make sense for the Tigers?

 

Because the closer role + Todd Jones' 6.60 ERA & .323 OBA = recipe for postseason failure

 

I'm not saying I'd make a move for Smoltz and put him in the 'pen, but surely he'd be an upgrade in that most critical of positions.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

All they have to do to upgrade their closer's spot is to shift Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney or Jamie Walker. Once the playoffs start, they can get bold and move a starter to the bullpen. And the fact that they're 52-25 with a bad closer should really tell you how much closers are worth.

[the pinjockey 0]

So at what point does the Bowa/Abreu talk become tampering? Last week it was the whole "change of scenery" discussion, now he is chiming in on Abreu's clutchness

 

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/14908657.htm

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Bowa talking him up as maybe a.) Abreu bashers (often in the same class as Bowa supporters) will realize what they've got and b.) convincing the Yankees to offer a nice deal for him. But how far can a coach for another team go before tampering issues arise?

[naiwf 0]

All they have to do to upgrade their closer's spot is to shift Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney or Jamie Walker. Once the playoffs start, they can get bold and move a starter to the bullpen. And the fact that they're 52-25 with a bad closer should really tell you how much closers are worth.

 

I don't disagree with the idea that closers don't always matter unless they're Mariano Rivera, but regular season success doesn't mean a whole lot if you've never been to the playoffs before. The Tigers are on pace for 109 or 110 wins, but how did those 116 win Mariners do in the playoffs?

 

I wouldn't mind seeing the Braves move Smoltz simply because it means they'd be waving the white flag on the season, and as someone who grew tired of seeing them win the division and then gag in the playoffs that would be a beautiful thing.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

john kruk also said the tigers should trade joel zumaya for john smoltz to beef up for a playoff run. ha!

 

ha!ha!Ha!

 

And he wanted them to put Smoltz in the bullpen! How does that even make sense for the Tigers?

 

Because the closer role + Todd Jones' 6.60 ERA & .323 OBA = recipe for postseason failure

 

I'm not saying I'd make a move for Smoltz and put him in the 'pen, but surely he'd be an upgrade in that most critical of positions.

 

Al sort of already touched on this, but they have two great in-house options for the closer's role at this point with Rodney and zumaya. It would be insane to mortgage your future for a rental closer. How much postseason success did the Braves have with Smoltz as the closer?

[bob_barron 0]

That's because none of their losses were really close games where Smoltz really helped. I do remember that postseason save he got against the Cubs in Game 4 of the 03 LDS- that was good stuff

[naiwf 0]

Al sort of already touched on this, but they have two great in-house options for the closer's role at this point with Rodney and zumaya. It would be insane to mortgage your future for a rental closer. How much postseason success did the Braves have with Smoltz as the closer?

 

I don't care if the Tigers win now, later, or never, I'm just saying that I can understand why Kruk would make that comment. The Braves didn't have much postseason success period, but that's something I also enjoyed. Granted, it would suck for me as a Mets fan for the Braves to get an upgrade in the future, but I'd like to see them give up on a season for once because they're too far behind to contend. That's my only argument really.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

don't disagree with the idea that closers don't always matter unless they're Mariano Rivera, but regular season success doesn't mean a whole lot if you've never been to the playoffs before. The Tigers are on pace for 109 or 110 wins, but how did those 116 win Mariners do in the playoffs?

 

The Mariners had Japan's all time leader in saves, so that's a poor example. I think it's ill advised for the Tigers to start dealing prospects to make a run. It'll hurt the club in the long run in exchange for slightly better odds this season. Given their young pitching, they're not in a position where they need to win now.

[bob_barron 0]

The Braves didn't have much postseason success period

 

Yea, they only won 5 pennants.

[Guest Smues]

The Braves didn't have much postseason success period

 

Yea, they only won 5 pennants.

 

Losers

[naiwf 0]

The Braves didn't have much postseason success period

 

Yea, they only won 5 pennants.

 

How many World Series rings did the Braves acquire in 14 straight tries? How many did the Marlins get in 2 trips? Only losers care about coming in 2nd place.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

*sigh*

 

Winning the AL Pennant and NL Pennant is so undervalued by "fans".

[naiwf 0]

*sigh*

 

Winning the AL Pennant and NL Pennant is so undervalued by "fans".

 

In my lifetime I've seen my teams win the equivalent of the "pennant" 4 times as the Knicks lost in the Finals twice, the Mets lost the Subway Series and the Ravens raped my Giants. Those 4 seasons weren't any more successful than all of the other times they didn't win the title. Ask Bills fans or players if they'd rather have 1 ring or 4 2nd place finishes. Pennants don't really mean much besides a flag somewhere in the stadium. No one takes pride in chanting "We're # 2! We're # 2!" for a reason.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

All they have to do to upgrade their closer's spot is to shift Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney or Jamie Walker. Once the playoffs start, they can get bold and move a starter to the bullpen. And the fact that they're 52-25 with a bad closer should really tell you how much closers are worth.

 

I don't disagree with the idea that closers don't always matter unless they're Mariano Rivera, but regular season success doesn't mean a whole lot if you've never been to the playoffs before.

I thought the '03 Marlins and '05 White Sox proved postseason experience wasn't a prerequisite for postseason success.

[bob_barron 0]

The Braves didn't have much postseason success period

 

Yea, they only won 5 pennants.

 

How many World Series rings did the Braves acquire in 14 straight tries? How many did the Marlins get in 2 trips? Only losers care about coming in 2nd place.

 

How many did the Mets get in their two trips over the past 14 years? 0

 

Being first in your division after 162 games for 14 years running, and winning 5 pennants over 14 years is quite the accomplishment whether you want to admit it or not.

 

Of course I'd rather have 14 WS titles then 1, but that doesn't make what the Braves have done any less impressive.

[Guest Smues]

I'm probably in the minority, but I would *not* trade the 14 straight division titles for a 2nd world series. Sure I'd love it, but the streak has been awesome.

[bob_barron 0]

I would, since winning the World Series is the be all, end all.

 

October 28th, 1995 is still the greatest day of my life, and I'd love for that to be repeated again

[naiwf 0]

The Braves didn't have much postseason success period

 

Yea, they only won 5 pennants.

 

How many World Series rings did the Braves acquire in 14 straight tries? How many did the Marlins get in 2 trips? Only losers care about coming in 2nd place.

 

How many did the Mets get in their two trips over the past 14 years? 0

 

Being first in your division after 162 games for 14 years running, and winning 5 pennants over 14 years is quite the accomplishment whether you want to admit it or not.

 

Of course I'd rather have 14 WS titles then 1, but that doesn't make what the Braves have done any less impressive.

 

The Mets have had NO postseason success in the last 14 years. The Braves have had very little. The Marlins have had more, and the Yankees have had the most. You're not hurting my feelings by telling me the Mets have done nothing praiseworthy in the last decade and a half, but in TWELVE more tries, you guys have won ONE more title. That's not something to brag about.

 

The Marlins, White Sox and the Angels are the exceptions to the rule. Every other team in the last 14 years that won a title had some playoff experience, especially in the critical positons aka starting pitching and the closer spot. I don't know about you but I wouldn't bet money on Detroit excelling in the playoffs with Kenny Rogers as their "ace" and Todd Jones as their "closer". But then again, the Braves couldn't win multiple World Series titles even with 3 Hall of Famers in their starting rotation, so anything is possible.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Ask Bills fans or players if they'd rather have 1 ring or 4 2nd place finishes.

 

I'd rather have the 4 Super Bowls, than Norwood kicking the ball a few feet to the left, and not going to the 3 SB's after.

 

The chase is what's fun, after all.

 

Those days back then spoiled us Bills fans, as the last 6 years of torture and no hope really isn't fun.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Who said Kenny Rogers is their ace? Anyone who's been paying attention to Tigers baseball the last two or three seasons knows it's Jeremy Bonderman.

[naiwf 0]

Ask Bills fans or players if they'd rather have 1 ring or 4 2nd place finishes.

 

I'd rather have the 4 Super Bowls, than Norwood kicking the ball a few feet to the left, and not going to the 3 SB's after.

 

The chase is what's fun, after all.

 

Those days back then spoiled us Bills fans, as the last 6 years of torture and no hope really isn't fun.

 

You're either insane or sadistic if you'd rather have your heart broken 4 times, than 1 win and less torment. Kenny Rogers will probably start the AS game for the AL, that's why he's tentatively Detroit's "ace". Whether he loses Game 1, 2 or 3 for Detroit, the simple fact is he's going to be one of the reasons they lose a series against a team with an inferior record. I'm sure they'll beat whatever crappy team comes from the West if they win the division and the ChiSox take the WC, but I can't see them beating either Boston or Detroit when the Roaster has to pitch twice in a seven game series and Todd Jones is entrusted with a lead any time after the 7th inning.

[Brett Favre 0]

*sigh*

 

Winning the AL Pennant and NL Pennant is so undervalued by "fans".

 

In my lifetime I've seen my teams win the equivalent of the "pennant" 4 times as the Knicks lost in the Finals twice, the Mets lost the Subway Series and the Ravens raped my Giants. Those 4 seasons weren't any more successful than all of the other times they didn't win the title. Ask Bills fans or players if they'd rather have 1 ring or 4 2nd place finishes. Pennants don't really mean much besides a flag somewhere in the stadium. No one takes pride in chanting "We're # 2! We're # 2!" for a reason.

 

That's because 2nd place....is first loser.