This Week in Baseball 3/30 - 4/6

[Annabelle 0]

honestly, how awful are the tigers playing? it's almost comical. like clockwork, they lose at the same time of each game. 6th-7th inning. always. laughable.

[devo 0]

Really strange play in the Mets game. With the bases loaded and one out, Reyes hits a ball that is quite clearly trapped and not caught by the center fielder. It's called an out, but the umpires eventually reverse the call, make it an RBI single, and decide that every runner simply moves up one spot. Never seen anything like that happen before.

[2GOLD 0]

 

I'm an O's and Cubs fan and all I got to say about the Orioles is I'm watching the development of the outfield. Shortstop is a black hole of suck and I haven't heard one damn thing about anything good in the minors there. First base is being handled by Kevin f'n Millar and Melvin Mora will be gone by mid season if he's hitting and anyone wants him.

 

They aren't finding .500

They'll be lucky to find .300

 

It's a year to just watch the minors and hope something good shows up down there at 1B, SP, SS and the like. Least the outfield appears set for the future until one of them wants money and is dealt. I don't see what Marvin did wrong though talking about the future catcher, doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Updating about the Orioles every two minutes like he does with the Ravens? Yeah, that might be a bit crazy.

[Slayer 0]

The Looked Good on Paper Tigers

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I'm not sure I talked with anyone who didn't think the Tigers' pitching was suspect, but I talked to plenty who seemed to think the offense would mask it. I think it'll even out a bit, since the Tigers are definitely not a bad or even mediocre team. I just don't think they should be pegged to win 100 games or anything. The Yankees of the early and mid-2000s proved you can hit all you'd like and it won't make a big difference if your pitching is the drizzles.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I'll be willing to bet the Os finish better than the Cubs because from what Ive seen they're worse than the Orioles right now.

THEY HAVE PLAYED

THREE

GAMES

 

Okay, here's your bet, Marvin: Cubs finish better than the Orioles and you're banned for good.

 

You creatively ignored the part where I said if things play out like they have so far for another month Id be willing to bet that...

[Smartly Pretty 0]

That isn't really the kind of bet you can turn down. Dude's gonna ban you if he wants to.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I'm an O's and Cubs fan and all I got to say about the Orioles is I'm watching the development of the outfield. Shortstop is a black hole of suck and I haven't heard one damn thing about anything good in the minors there. First base is being handled by Kevin f'n Millar and Melvin Mora will be gone by mid season if he's hitting and anyone wants him.

 

They aren't finding .500

They'll be lucky to find .300

 

It's a year to just watch the minors and hope something good shows up down there at 1B, SP, SS and the like. Least the outfield appears set for the future until one of them wants money and is dealt. I don't see what Marvin did wrong though talking about the future catcher, doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Updating about the Orioles every two minutes like he does with the Ravens? Yeah, that might be a bit crazy.

First of all Im not the first to brag about a player in their favorite teams minor league system. Wieters hit 2 HRs in his first pro game..thats a big deal, hes the future of the Orioles at Catcher, possibly even seeing him after the All Star break if they trade Ramon Hernandez.

 

As far as SS goes, Im convinced by the end of the month Alex Cintron will be brought up and Fahey will be sent down. Cintron was the guy they wanted towards the tail end of the offseason til the Cubs picked him up, probably thinking they could package him in a trade for Roberts, which was evidenced by them releasing him after the trade talks were officially declared dead. Cintron is a significant upgrade over Fahey/Hernandez and will help out, its just a matter of time before they bring him up from AAA.

 

My biggest thing is that there is no way this bullpen can be as bad as the one last year that put up an almost 6 ERA spot which cost them I dont know how many games last year..but certainly enough to cover the loss of Bedard. Sherrill has shown he has what it takes to be a good closer despite looking like a dork with the flat bill of his cap.

 

As far as Millar goes, Im not the biggest Millar fan but he's taking the leadership role of the team and just said something to the extent of "Rebuilding is an excuse to lose and Im not here to lose and neither is anyone else" which is the kind of attitude the team needs.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

"Recently, I haven't had too many chances to use [the bunt], but I had the thought in my head to try one."

Kosuke banishes home runs to the land of wind and ghosts.

[the max 0]

"Recently, I haven't had too many chances to use [the bunt], but I had the thought in my head to try one."

Kosuke banishes home runs to the land of wind and ghosts.

 

AUSUMA PAUWA!

 

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Erik Bedard has an "inflamed hip" and wont pitch tomorrow in Baltimore, so the Os get Felix Hernandez tomorrow instead.

 

 

[CanadianChris 0]

Erik Bedard has an "inflamed hip" and wont pitch tomorrow in Baltimore, so the Os get Felix Hernandez tomorrow instead.

I see what you did there.

[Dandy 0]

Volquez hasn't been as electric as Cueto was in his debut, but he is still looking pretty good in his first start for the Reds. He hit 98 on the gun a couple of times and has 6 K's through 4 shutout innings. They finally have some young guns developing. If Homer Bailey could get over his troubles of getting behind in the count, they would have three very young pitchers that light up the radar gun.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

People STILL aren't respecting Soriano's cannon. Michael Bourne just got thrown out at the plate trying to tag from third; it wasn't even close. He should've respected Soriano's gangster.

[Dandy 0]

Ryan Howard had a pretty heads up play just now. Jeff Keppinger fouled a ball of his foot, but it squibbed hard toward third base and hit the bag. The third baseman threw it over to first for the out since Keppinger didn't run (knowing it hit his foot and thus was a foul ball). The umps didn't signal foul and Dusty came out to argue they should check the ball for polish (attendants polish up the players' shoes vigorously for scenarios such as this). Howard tossed the ball to a fan in the crowd as Dusty was coming out, however, getting rid of any evidence there may have been. Smart move, I must admit.

[CanadianChris 0]

Final line on Josh Beckett today: 4.2 IP, 3H, 5R, 5ER, 4BB, 6K. He left with the bases loaded in the fifth, and Frank Thomas CRUSHED the first pitch from Manny Delcarmen for a grand slam.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Ben Sheets just finished a complete game shut out against the Giants.

[Broward83 0]

So I was reading the Houston Press today and came across this gem:

Houston Astros Drinking Game:

 

## If an Astro pitcher NOT named Roy Oswalt gets through the first inning without giving up a run, have one beer or shot.

 

## If Roy Oswalt is shutting out the other team through seven innings and the Astros have yet to score, have three beers or three shots.

 

## If any TV or radio announcer actually mentions Kaz Matsui's anal fissures once he gets off the DL, have one beer or shot.. just to get the image out of your head.

 

## PSA: Do NOT, under any circumstances, have a drink or shot any time there is a conference on the mound. If you insist on doing it, have a stomach pump ready by the fourth inning.

 

## When Brad Backe gets injured, have a shot.

 

## When Carlos Lee fails to run out a grounder, have a beer; no shots allowed.

 

## Whenever an analyst wonders whether a young Astros pitcher "might be scarred" or is "getting a baptism by fire", have a shot or beer.

 

## If by the end of July the Astros are bringing up anyone who can put together two scoreless innings at Round Rock, just give up and drink continuously.

 

..one for measure, after the Cubs series.

 

## If the announcers remind the viewers that Kerry Wood is the man that struck out 20 Astros when he was a starter, have two shots.

[Bored 0]

Ben Sheets just finished a complete game shut out against the Giants.

They had Ray Durham and Jose Castillo batting 4th and 5th respectively. He better have shut them out.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

Aaron Rowand's bruised ribs kept him out of the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers and could shelve the center fielder for Sunday's series finale, manager Bruce Bochy said.

. . .

Rowand, who hurt himself Wednesday night at Los Angeles while diving for Blake DeWitt's bloop double

THE FIRE AND THE PASSION

 

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

People STILL aren't respecting Soriano's cannon. Michael Bourne just got thrown out at the plate trying to tag from third; it wasn't even close. He should've respected Soriano's gangster.

Well, in fairness Bourn is crazy fast.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

That leads me to a question...

 

What is the most number of walks a pitcher has given up during a no hitter?

 

From 1956 on, the most was Jim Maloney of the Reds walking ten while no-hitting the Cubs. Maloney needed to pitch ten innings to get that one.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Joe Girardi makes the first of what I assume will be many non-Torre moves today.

 

-Wang starts the 7th inning today, in the 90 pitch range. Yanks are up 2-0

-First two guys get hits, and it's 1st and 3rd with nobody out. Both Joba and Farnsy are warming.

-Joe G. goes to the pen and calls on Chamberlain (A non Torre move, since Joba's one and only role in Joe's eyes would be the 8th inning, where as Joe G sees this situation for what it is - the game is on the line right now - and makes the right call by bringing in the best guy he has)

-Joba strikes out his first hitter. The next guy hits a screaming liner right at Cano, who doubles off the guy on first.

-Joba stays in the game and pitches the 8th. He retires all 6 batters he faces with just 16 pitches.

-Rivera gets the Rays 1-2-3 in the 9th and the Yankees win. Theeeee Yankees win 2-0.

 

In the Torre universe, a Farnsy, Scott Proctor, or Luis Vizcaino type would be called on in that situation with Joba rotting away in the pen as they blow the lead.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

People STILL aren't respecting Soriano's cannon. Michael Bourne just got thrown out at the plate trying to tag from third; it wasn't even close. He should've respected Soriano's gangster.

Well, in fairness Bourn is crazy fast.

It wasn't that deep of a flyball.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

I don't take too kindly to being called a liar. I'm pretty consistent in how I answer questions and do business. So I need to take a look and see from a legal perspective if I want to see how damaging those comments were. I'm not the guy that you want to go down that road with, because I'm more likely to come out swinging and I'll swing a hell of a lot harder than any punch you'll throw at me.

Chicago Tough.

[snuffbox 0]

Ben Sheets just finished a complete game shut out against the Giants.

 

Off to another great start. If he can just stay healthy, he can be a Cy Young contender.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I think the Os have more wins when trailing after 7 so far (3 of the 4 wins) this year than they had all last year.

 

Todays game was awesome, although some of the credit has to go to Seattle for pulling Felix Hernandez in the 9th.

 

 

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

Is this a contract year for Sheets? I, too, believe he's going to have an outstanding year if he stays healthy.

 

It won't happen anytime soon, but the Milwaukee Brewers are giving some thought about Miller Park's turf. Most fans understand that the turf is not going to be in tip-top shape this early in the season. Because of the design of the stadium, there are sections of grass that don't see sunlight, and that causes problems. As a result, the Brewers are looking at the possibility of putting Field Turf in some day. Field Turf is a combination of real grass and synthetic fibers and has proven to be hugely popular at other sports venues. The Brewers recognize and appreciate the fact that the players like to play on real grass. But advances in Field Turf and other products may force their hand. There is also an economic component. The franchise would like to attract more non-baseball events at Miller Park, but worry any activity will ruin the field. "We can't have things like tractor pulls that can bring in revenue," said principal owner Mark Attanasio. "The players like playing on real grass. We still care a lot about that." Rick Schlesinger, the team's executive vice president for business operations, has been to other parks to see various versions of Field Turf. Don't expect things to change too soon. But it seems that Miller Park will one day have a kind of artificial surface.

Fuck the heck? We finally have the entire NL on grass and the Brewers are going to switch to carpet so they can have TRACTOR PULLS? Fucking Wisconsin.

 

What else can they really hold at Miller Park that draws enough to justify not using the Mecca or Bradley Center, anyway?

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Is this a contract year for Sheets? I, too, believe he's going to have an outstanding year if he stays healthy.

 

It won't happen anytime soon, but the Milwaukee Brewers are giving some thought about Miller Park's turf. Most fans understand that the turf is not going to be in tip-top shape this early in the season. Because of the design of the stadium, there are sections of grass that don't see sunlight, and that causes problems. As a result, the Brewers are looking at the possibility of putting Field Turf in some day. Field Turf is a combination of real grass and synthetic fibers and has proven to be hugely popular at other sports venues. The Brewers recognize and appreciate the fact that the players like to play on real grass. But advances in Field Turf and other products may force their hand. There is also an economic component. The franchise would like to attract more non-baseball events at Miller Park, but worry any activity will ruin the field. "We can't have things like tractor pulls that can bring in revenue," said principal owner Mark Attanasio. "The players like playing on real grass. We still care a lot about that." Rick Schlesinger, the team's executive vice president for business operations, has been to other parks to see various versions of Field Turf. Don't expect things to change too soon. But it seems that Miller Park will one day have a kind of artificial surface.

Fuck the heck? We finally have the entire NL on grass and the Brewers are going to switch to carpet so they can have TRACTOR PULLS? Fucking Wisconsin.

 

What else can they really hold at Miller Park that draws enough to justify not using the Mecca or Bradley Center, anyway?

 

I was gonna say Wrestlemania but..probably not.

[The Man in Blak 0]

Since we don't seem to have any way to respond to posts in the Gulag...

 

Anthony Reyes was probably the worst starting pitcher in the majors last season. I know he had a good spring training, and had a perfect inning last night, and gets a good amount of K's despite not having a "putaway" pitch, and he's still kinda young, and he's really good in AAA, and he won a game in the World Series, and he's got a low-90s fastball with a shitty curve. But, YOU'RE SAYING THIS BECAUSE THE CARDINALS ARE NOT STARTING A GUY FOR LIKE 3 GAMES UNTIL PINEIRO IS HEALTHY AND WILL BE SHIPPED BACK TO MEMPHIS, WHO HAD LIKE A 7.00 ERA WHEN HE STARTED LAST YEAR AND IS NOT VERY GOOD AT BASEBALL! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO GET IN A TRADE FOR HIM WHEN HIS STINT IS DONE BY LATE APRIL.

 

The Cardinals are a competitive team in the NL Shitty division. Wellemeyer and Thompson are proven average, ground ball inducing starters. And Wellemeyer was quite good after coming to STL. Reyes losing every game again would not help matters.

 

For one, I can't really see Wellemeyer (12 career MLB starts in 5+ years) and Thompson (19 career starts, 3.51 ERA in 109 games as a reliever) as proven, average starters. As encouraging as their performances are this season, they have come from a Rockies team that seems to be in a little bit of a hangover from their World Series loss last year.

 

Secondly, I completely understand how easy it is to come to such a conclusion about Reyes by simply taking a look at his stats, but you're missing the context behind those numbers, which drives most of the angst surrounding this guy. On his way to the majors, Reyes was considered a difference-maker with a great minor league track record; his cup of coffee in 2005 didn't seem to derail that potential either, as he averaged almost a strikeout an inning. But, for whatever reason, LaRussa and Duncan were wholly convinced that Anthony Reyes needed to adopt a two-seam fastball to be successful in the major leagues, without ever really giving him a chance to fail. And, through Spring Training in 2006, that was the directive; learn the two-seam fastball or else, results be damned. And, predictably, Reyes struggled with adopting a brand new pitch into his repertoire and lost the "competition" for the #5 starting role to Sidney Ponson, reinforcing a growing sentiment in and around the organization that management held a bias against young pitchers, either out of fear that they may turn into Rick Ankiel or Alan Benes, or out of sheer stubbornness for their ground-ball orthodoxy.

 

Reyes has been up and down from the minors to the majors since then and the results seem to indicate that, when he's allowed to pitch as he did when he was once considered one of the top prospects in the league, he has fairly good success. But the adoption of the two-seamer, which he's never really been successful with over the last two years, has taken a toll upon his mechanics (never Duncan's strong suit) and his velocity, which has dropped 3-4 mph (until this year, suspiciously, where he seems to have returned to his four-seam fastball ways).

 

I wouldn't say that Reyes is as good as his first relief appearance this year (1.0 IP, 3 Ks), nor would I say he's as bad as his last (0.2 IP, 2 ER), but there is still upside there, despite the chronic mishandling of his career to this point. That upside is important to the long-term success of the Cardinals, either from direct contributions to the rotation, or from whatever value the team can extract from his return in trade. And though I wouldn't disagree that the Cardinals may have the capacity to surprise some people this year, the division should be soft enough for them to see what Reyes can offer them in the rotation and, as you've already explained, the short window of time for Pineiro's injury gives them the perfect "trial period" to do so.