This Week in Baseball 4/9 - 4/15

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Don't you think if it was easy as moving these games to Anaheim and moving theirs to Cleveland, that they would've done that? I'm sure they considered that but couldn't because of the logistics involved with shuffling six dates.

 

Has everyone heard this nonsense with all the sportswriters trying to make the moving of the Indians-Angels series to Milwaukee look like some kind of evil Bud Selig conspiracy? They're really trying to grasp for a story on this one.

 

I guess they don't realize that Selig no longer owns the Brewers, and that Miller Park has a roof.

There's no conspiracy, but I'm sure Selig didn't mind doing something for his hometown. But wouldn't it be awesome if the Indians broke out the '89 throwbacks, and Bob Uecker reprised the role of Harry Doyle for one of the three games? They actually used the old County Stadium for Major League. Juuuuuuust a bit outside.

 

The Indians ownership was in favor of moving the series to Milwaukee. It's not like Selig used his mythical dictatorial powers to move the series to his hometown.

 

And yes, apparently moving the series to Anaheim was logistically unfeasible.

 

They're doing $10 tickets for these games, so I bet they draw more than a couple thousand people per game.

 

The Major League tribute would be cool...only problems are that County Stadium no longer exists, and Uke will be calling the Brewers series this week in Florida.

[CanadianChris 0]

A-Rod's got another homer.

 

If he'd ever have seven games like this in the playoffs, they'd be making plans for an A-Rod statue in Monument Park.

[razazteca 0]

They need to get Charlie Sheen to throw out the first pitch!

 

WILD THING!

[UZI Suicide 0]

Just saw during the Yankees/Twins game that Wednesday's Boston/Seattle game on ESPN is gonna be Dice K vs. Felix Hernandez. That game is going to rule.

[Matt Young 0]

Since I didn't see this mentioned, Mike Hampton is out for the season.

[vivalaultra 0]

I doubt it'll be mentioned on ESPN, but former Houston Astros' prospect Mitch Talbot, now with Tampa Bays AAA club threw 5 no-hit innings against the Pawtucket Sox. The Durham bullpen has added another 2 1/3 no-hit innings.

[Guest Eagle Man]

The Major League tribute would be cool...only problems are that County Stadium no longer exists, and Uke will be calling the Brewers series this week in Florida.

Same real estate though (I still can't believe there wasn't a better place in Milwaukee for a park than on I-43 practically in West Allis), and you might as well have a little fun with it. I doubt attendance will be that great, even for an impromptu neutral series like this; Brewers fans can't even be bothered to pack the house when the inordinately hated Cubs come driving up the Tri-State, so they wouldn't come to this.

[CanadianChris 0]

Since I didn't see this mentioned, Mike Hampton is out for the season.

I had no idea he was even still in the majors.

[Red Baron 0]

Jays clearly running away against the Royals tonight, and it'll be the only time that the Skydome is packed.

[Matt Young 0]

Since I didn't see this mentioned, Mike Hampton is out for the season.

I had no idea he was even still in the majors.

 

He plays in Atlanta.

[Mik 0]

The Marlins have now won 9 straight over the Brewers spanning three different managers (McKeon, Girardi, Gonzalez).

 

That streak is likely to come to an end tomorrow though when the Marlins send Class A hurler, from the Netherlands, Rick Vanden Hurk to the mound to make his major league debut.

[Guest Queen Leelee]

Mik, give us an in-depth review of your Marlins.

 

Especially Mike Jacobs, Willingham and De Aza.

[Mik 0]

Fantasy purposes?

 

De Aza is a total surprise and I wouldn't bet on him to keep it up but I suppose you could have said the same thing about Uggla last year. He's a solid but unspectacular player. Totally impressed the club in ST and made the team even when he had almost no chance. He'd get you steals and maybe a decent BA but not much else fantasy wise.

 

Jacobs is what he always was... a guy who can provide some pop but he's not reliable. He's good for HRs and RBIs...more so if he sticks in the 4 spot. But he's entrenched at first so he'd be a decent guy to have on your bench. He usually sits against lefties but can mash righties.

 

Willingham is a beast. A lot of people thought he should have been in the majors years ago. Defense is what kept him in the minors. He didn't have a position. He should stick in the 4 hole behind Miggy and deliver plenty of RBIs. I think last year is about what you can expect and he's entering his prime. His talent is not questioned and he's probably the 3rd best hitter on the Marlins behind Miguel and Hanley (and maybe Hermida if he ever manages to produce at the MLB level.)

[strummer 0]

Matt Cain has a no-hitter through six innings

 

EDIT: well that didn't take long

[Guest Eagle Man]

=future Ford Frick winner.

 

("Jump Around" is playing as they come out of a break)

Chris Singleton: Walgreen's presents th--

Ed Farmer: JUMP AROUND!

Chris Singleton: --er, come down to U.S. Cellular Fi--

Ed Farmer: HOUSE OF PAIN! JUMP AROUND!

Chris Singleton: yeah.

Ed Farmer: JUMP UP JUMP AROUND.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Slightly off topic, but I'm seriously considering developing a drinking problem. Can anyone lend advice to a newbie?

What's the matter, Al? Don't you have goosebumps anymore?

[CanadianChris 0]

Slightly off topic, but I'm seriously considering developing a drinking problem. Can anyone lend advice to a newbie?

What's the matter, Al? Don't you have goosebumps anymore?

They've become hives.

[KingPK 0]

Do they have to introduce the Mariners' video coordinator and trainers?

 

Matsuzaka already has a special handshake with Ortiz. He's fitting in nicely.

 

Harry Connick Jr. and Robert Goulet? Way to appeal to the youngsters, guys. I can't watch Goulet without picturing Will Ferrell's imitation of him.

Edited April 10, 2007 by KingPK

[Guest Queen Leelee]

Coco with a 2-RBI double. An important hit. I thought he forgot how to do that.

[CanadianChris 0]

Seattle's certainly looking like they haven't played in a week.

[KingPK 0]

I love when old issues from other teams effect games. Jose Guillen and Brendan Donnelly are still beefin' over their days in Anaheim and it gets the both of them ejected from a 14-1 game.

 

If the quality of these starts keeps up, I'm going to have a serious mancrush on this rotation.

Edited April 10, 2007 by KingPK

[vivalaultra 0]

'Stros beat the Cubbies again 4-2. My second favorite Astros' pitcher, Chris Sampson (from beautiful Channelview, TX) pitched 5 shutout innings followed by Rick 'Double Balls' White pitching 2 perfect innings. Things got dicey in the 9th when the Cubs scored 2 on 4 hits off of Dan Wheeler (who came into the game with an ERA of 0.00 against the Cubs in 23 1/3 innings), but Murton popped up to end it. I still think Soriano's wasted in the leadoff spot. And Jason Marquis is still a horrible starting pitcher.

[Broward83 0]

'Stros beat the Cubbies again 4-2. My second favorite Astros' pitcher, Chris Sampson (from beautiful Channelview, TX) pitched 5 shutout innings followed by Rick 'Double Balls' White pitching 2 perfect innings. Things got dicey in the 9th when the Cubs scored 2 on 4 hits off of Dan Wheeler (who came into the game with an ERA of 0.00 against the Cubs in 23 1/3 innings), but Murton popped up to end it. I still think Soriano's wasted in the leadoff spot. And Jason Marquis is still a horrible starting pitcher.

 

Yeah..but we still almost fucked it up. What was going on with Berkman / Biggio on the Murton pop-up? Biggio calls for it all the way and Berkman nearly runs in to him..

[Guest Smues]

I finally just got my copy of Baseball Prospectus in the mail, and I loved the comment they had for the Braves

 

"2007: Three or four more trades with the Mariners would really help the Braves start a new dynasty."

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Never got to comment on it last night but Daniel Cabrera looked awesome yesterday..no walks in 7 IP 2 runs and 7 hits.

 

Wright is looking pretty damn good tonight too.

[Mik 0]

Never pitched above A before? Rick Vanden Hurk doesn't give a FUCK.

 

5 Ks through 2 innings.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

OOH..an All Time 50th Anniversary Gold Glove Team.

[razazteca 0]

Devil Rays/Rangers game looks to be a fantasy player goldmine with the score 5-7 in the 3rd inning. And just like the Astros game there was a near collision while chasing after a foul ball with the pitcher Wright calling off the catcher Laird but this time Wright dropped the ball while sliding for it.......oh and Frank Catallliano just hit a 3-R homer. The score now is 10-5 in the 3rd!

 

Go Rangers!

[vivalaultra 0]

So, I just read an article about how excited Dice-K is to face Ichiro tomorrow. The article includes a few whip-ass quotes from Ichiro, including my favorites:

 

On Matsuzaka striking him out in Japan, May of 1999: "He got me, no question about it...I wasn't vanquished, but he clearly toyed with me that first time."

 

On facing Matsuzaka in tomorrow's Sox/Mariners game: "I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul...I plan to face him with the zeal of a challenger."

 

 

To Hell with baseball, I wanna see Ichiro and Matsuzaka go at it samurai style, with twirling katanas and stuff. Either way, I can imagine that the press box and camera well will be extremely crowded, more so than usual, tomorrow.

[razazteca 0]

Screw that turn it into a MMA fight with Ichiro charging the mound with a spin kick and Dice-K going for the takedown for some nasty ground n pound GYRO~ elbow strikes.