My comment was more about the bullpen. I’m not real confident that we can hold anybody, much less save a lot of games. I think we were lucky tonight against a team that my be better as the season goes on. Our BP pitchers are a gamble at best. If they can throw strikes consistently, no problem, but if not, we are in a world of hurt.
To be honest, that comment was directed at Sinking Away, but hey, you too! It’s nice to have new commenters that write like big boys and don’t pick fights.
There seems to be a lot of love for Jeff Clement., is this based on his incredible performance against AAA pitching? His better bat against ML pitching vs. Johjima last year? What? Obvously Johnson isn’t the answer long term, but he’s offensively luckly now, and his miscues at defense haven’t cost us too much. It seems that calls for Clement are more wishful thinking than anything else.
The love for Jeff Clement is based on the fact that he’s a catcher who can mash. That’s pretty much the unicorn when it comes to prospects.
Minor-league performance means something. You can’t ignore it. The kid can hit the shit out of the ball. His at-bats in the majors have been disappointing, but we’re still looking at a pretty small sample size. He hasn’t been given a fair shake, and I think most of us think he can hit in the majors. His defense is suspect, of course, but he deserves a long look. We can’t ignore what he did in the minors.
That’s what I was looking for, thank you. Personally, I looked at his admittedly small sample size results in the bigs and shrugged, but you’re right, give the guy a chance. Still, defensively he’s substandard in my opinion, and Johjima has to show us that 2008 was a bad year, but he’s still got that great contract that will put butter on the plate for a couple of years. I guess we just have to wait and see. I’m not sold on Jeff, but Johjima has some work to do to prove that he’s going to be the player we re-signed before we needed to.
The power seems to be going away, but I think people are paying too much attention to one bad year. The contract obviously further inflamed people, and that’s understandable because we have about nine catchers in waiting, but I’m not writing Joh off just yet.
“A player will hit at his projected norm…regardless of how he has performed in the very recent past”. Belre is due to perform as he has in the past, although at times he has seemed the most unluckly player I have ever followed. The next Book should probably include the “Unluckly Factor”.
But good because of the result. There weren’t any obvious holes in our defense tonight. Both Yuni and Lopez played beyond my expectations on defense. We scored 9 runs so I can’t complain too much about the offense (I still see reasons to complain, but for tonight I won’t). The starting pitching and some of the Ministry leaves somthing to be desired.
I'm going to the game tomorrow, and I'm actually not dreading it.
Who knows how long it will last, but Washburn is pitching well right now, and the new outfielders can only help. Hopefully Gutierrez is back in the lineup tomorrow.
If the eye infection that he has is conjunctivitis then full recovery can take up to 48 hours from onset depending on the infectious agent and maybe even longer.
Sometimes conjunctivitis can just be allergic in which case a full recovery is possible sooner with some anti-histamine drops. Hopefully, it’s just allergic conjunctivitis.
Don't you honestly think our start is pretty amazing too?
Yeah, we’re better than the mainstream thought we’d be, but to be honest aren’t we better that even we thought we’d be? By this I mean at least 3 or 4 games at this point?
with our record against the AL West. We can be pretty bad in the grand scheme of things but if we take care of business there it goes a long way towards getting us to the post-season.
Yes, we are definately better than even we thought we’d be and I am extremely happy. I was just saying how the Marlins started out 11-1.. but seeing as a lot of them came from the Nationals. I like the little lead we have too.
I’ve only ever heard of Pineda and Ramirez, so anything you can say about these other guys in the prospect roundup would be sweet. I’m not filled with Bullpen-induced despair anymore!
wasn’t there some LL debate about whether to draft Parker or Aumont in 2007? I sided with Aumont and liked my decision until this whole converting-to-reliever mess came about.
look at Adam Jones. And even if Ackley ends up at 1st, I’d imagine with his athleticism he’d be a plus-plus first baseman, and with his bat has at least 3-4 WAR upside
and his approach at the plate is exactly what many people feared, basically an Adrian Beltre in terms of hitting approach, which doesn’t work unless you have Beltre’s talent.
There’s still some hope for Wlad, but he’ll have to get a lot better in his approach at the plate AND get a lot better at defense.
Even if you were leading by one in the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs
I imagine your WPA would be something in the 60% range, because even a great hitter like Ichiro has only had an OBP above .400 once in his career. The Leverage Index, though, would be off the fuckin’ charts.
though I suppose it’s one thing to get the tying runner aboard, it’s another thing to score him… and that the tying run doesn’t lose the game for the M’s, it just brings the situation back to 50/50.
Our win expectancy is partially based on the number of run expected to be scored and ball park factors. What were those in this game? What are those numbers tomorrow?
From what I understand (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong)
it’s more based on who’s got the lead and how big the lead is, plus the run expectancy value of each play, rather than where the game is being played and how many runs are expected in the game.
I’m no expert on WE, but I believe it’s based more on “what teams in this position have done historically” rather than the talent of this particular team and who they’re playing.
did I actually see Aardsma get Napoli on a swinging K with an off-speed pitch?!
That makes me very happy.
I was very troubled when I saw him rely solely on his fastball in previous outings. It’s a good fastball, but being able to get someone to chase an 0-2 slider/change way off the plate is fucking awesome. It was almost a “sit the fuck down” moment.
I agree. He was out on a swinging off-speed pitch.
I didn’t even think Aardsma would throw one after his last outing. I was under the impression that he thought he could get by throwing nothing but fast balls. At some point, someone was going to catch up to him in a big way. Fortunately, he could throw his off-speed pitch for a strike tonight. No pitcher, even if he can throw 98 mph fast balls will be able to survive. Someone is going to catch up and it’s going to go a long ways when it does.
Yes, it’s nice to see then there now. They don’t have the team to be anywhere but there, now, but they will get healthy and their starting pitchers (who are now on the DL) will bring them back. Hopefully they won’t have the time or the games to bring them all the way back.
It definitely helps, but I have flashbacks of the Angels being in last place in June 2006 and them being 6.5 games back after we swept them (granted the division leader was Texas at the time). Then they went on to win at an annoying .620 clip. The only reason they didn’t get to the playoffs was the A’s, who were 4.5 games up on the Angels won at a .616 clip.
Not that I’m expecting second-half surges for those teams but I’m trying to keep a cool head in case something ridiculous happens. As long as I remember that the organization is working to put a competitive product on the field now and in the future, it makes it easier to deal with potential frustrations.
I also wonder how long it will take Seattle to shed the “Kurt Cobain” image. I mean, it’s not like we think of Frank Sinatra whenever someone is from New York.
The relevent part of the world probably thinks of Microsoft and Starbucks first when they think of Seattle. Whether that’s good or bad is a matter of opinion.
If Mark Lowe continues to be unpredictable, at least we potentially have a ready replacement whilst Lowe gets time in AAA.
Josh Fields, the man who I was very upset to see sign for the M’s, has allowed 1 hit in 6.2 innings and has struck out 14 batters, with 7 walks [of which 4 were in his first appearance of the year].
This is obviously only the AA level, but if the M’s want to replace like-for-like, they could be looking at Fields if Chad is ineffective upon his return, or Batista is released.
Rally monkey + blender = Ichiro!s energy drink?
Makes sense now.
d0nkey - April 25, 2009
Formula For Success
SebastianPruiti - April 25, 2009
WTF Balentien?
Branyan is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. At the same rate Yuni is becoming a justified murder.
Mariner John - April 25, 2009
This seemed to do well in the game thread, so
khmer luge - April 25, 2009
Did you just use paint for that?
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
If this is going to be frequent, I could use it a bit smaller.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 25, 2009
I think this might be the standard for our BP this year.
I hope that is not the case.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
He means the size of the image.
Teej - April 25, 2009
I got that.
My comment was more about the bullpen. I’m not real confident that we can hold anybody, much less save a lot of games. I think we were lucky tonight against a team that my be better as the season goes on. Our BP pitchers are a gamble at best. If they can throw strikes consistently, no problem, but if not, we are in a world of hurt.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
OK, cool. Just throwing that out there since I know you're new here.
Teej - April 25, 2009
I am new, but I've been lurking for a while.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
Hey, I am new, also.
Although I had like one or two brief stints on other accounts.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
I figured.
(That’s a compliment.)
Teej - April 25, 2009
Thank you.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Is that the first time someone has said thank you on here?
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Perhaps.
To be honest, that comment was directed at Sinking Away, but hey, you too! It’s nice to have new commenters that write like big boys and don’t pick fights.
Teej - April 25, 2009
.. Yep
That was in the back of my mind.. that it was written to someone else.
But hey it doesn’t matter.( I am so tempted to say the L word)
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Replies to your comments will be bumped over one notch to the right, just so you know.
So you can look up and see what comment is being replied to. The nesting comments are pretty cool.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Thanks.
That’s nice to know.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
No
Scruffy Lefty - April 26, 2009
I'd like to follow up on my "new" status.
There seems to be a lot of love for Jeff Clement., is this based on his incredible performance against AAA pitching? His better bat against ML pitching vs. Johjima last year? What? Obvously Johnson isn’t the answer long term, but he’s offensively luckly now, and his miscues at defense haven’t cost us too much. It seems that calls for Clement are more wishful thinking than anything else.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
Now I hate you.
Kidding.
The love for Jeff Clement is based on the fact that he’s a catcher who can mash. That’s pretty much the unicorn when it comes to prospects.
Minor-league performance means something. You can’t ignore it. The kid can hit the shit out of the ball. His at-bats in the majors have been disappointing, but we’re still looking at a pretty small sample size. He hasn’t been given a fair shake, and I think most of us think he can hit in the majors. His defense is suspect, of course, but he deserves a long look. We can’t ignore what he did in the minors.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Wow Teej really knows his baseball!
He forgot to mention that Clement is really freaking hot in a very chiseled feature and broad shoulder sort of way.
Kermit. - April 25, 2009
Shouldered.
Oops.
Kermit. - April 25, 2009
"Sex Cauldron" is the most proper term for Clement, I believe.
Decatur - April 25, 2009
Wagon. Sex wagon
Graham MacAree - April 26, 2009
OK, you guys like him and now I know why.
That’s what I was looking for, thank you. Personally, I looked at his admittedly small sample size results in the bigs and shrugged, but you’re right, give the guy a chance. Still, defensively he’s substandard in my opinion, and Johjima has to show us that 2008 was a bad year, but he’s still got that great contract that will put butter on the plate for a couple of years. I guess we just have to wait and see. I’m not sold on Jeff, but Johjima has some work to do to prove that he’s going to be the player we re-signed before we needed to.
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
I'm a Johjima fan.
The power seems to be going away, but I think people are paying too much attention to one bad year. The contract obviously further inflamed people, and that’s understandable because we have about nine catchers in waiting, but I’m not writing Joh off just yet.
Teej - April 26, 2009
I was hoping the WBC was going to be a bit of a sign of resurgence for Joh
but that doesn’t seem to be working out for Lopez, either.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 26, 2009
As I mentioned in the previous thread,
All of the sexual acts I’m willing to perform are currently earmarked for Russell Branyan.
Teej - April 26, 2009
Noted.
royalcurve - April 26, 2009
This could change tomorrow.
If Gutierrez hits a homer, I might just end up getting arrested while trying to run onto the field. Stay tuned.
Teej - April 26, 2009
Juicy!
royalcurve - April 26, 2009
He's just teasing, Gutz can't hit homeruns.
Kermit. - April 26, 2009
Shut your mouth.
Teej - April 26, 2009
Sounds like a certain somebody wants a certain somebody else to hit a homerun
Kermit. - April 26, 2009
Just terrific.
royalcurve - April 26, 2009
Last time I went to The Big A, Beltre hit two homers and we demolished the Angels.
So I have fond memories, and I expect nothing less going forward.
Teej - April 26, 2009
I'd also like to see Beltre get out of this slump.
He’s going to have a good year, or he should have a good year. He’s just got to get it started.
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
Is it really a slump when it happens every spring?
msb - April 26, 2009
That good sir, would be a terrific memory to have.
As I despise the A’s, and have never been to a game where Beltre has homered. Forget about twice! Be nice to see him get hot.
Kermit. - April 26, 2009
During last year's LL San Diego event,
We saw Beltre hit the homer from his knees into the Western Metal Supply building. Adrian has been very good to me.
Teej - April 26, 2009
I'm so upset that Chinn and I were getting beer when that happened
seattlebruin - April 26, 2009
And it only cost us Strasburg!
Robert - April 26, 2009
The Book says:
“A player will hit at his projected norm…regardless of how he has performed in the very recent past”. Belre is due to perform as he has in the past, although at times he has seemed the most unluckly player I have ever followed. The next Book should probably include the “Unluckly Factor”.
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
Sorry Teej
Kirsten Schlewitz - April 26, 2009
Dang, I was a late arrival and missed that little gem.
Yup, I’ve got nothing. Nowhere to go with this one at all.
Kermit. - April 26, 2009
Basically Jeff Clement is from Iowa, then made a horrible choice coming out of high school and is now paying for it
it would be nice if he would atone for his crimes by hitting home runs, but nooooooooo
seattlebruin - April 26, 2009
Things are going pretty much as you guys expected.
Progression from the offense and regression from the BP.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
But luckily we got a win when it happened today.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Yea, the progression from the offense took care of that.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
Tonight was hard on the heart.
But good because of the result. There weren’t any obvious holes in our defense tonight. Both Yuni and Lopez played beyond my expectations on defense. We scored 9 runs so I can’t complain too much about the offense (I still see reasons to complain, but for tonight I won’t). The starting pitching and some of the Ministry leaves somthing to be desired.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
Da-yum....
12-6 is pretty good, no matter how you look at it….
rtang - April 25, 2009
Yeah.
I’m excited to see what happens with Washburn tomorrow.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Who expected anyone to ever say this?
BrettJMiller - April 25, 2009
I don't remember hearing that since '03 maybe?
Kermit. - April 25, 2009
Excited and Washburn, in my opinion, do not belong in the same sentence.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
Ah, a teeny bit of optimism doesn't hurt.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Hahah
I know. Well I still dont.
coolconman - April 25, 2009
Yes, yes, I can't wait to watch another one of his masterful pitching performances.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
I'm going to the game tomorrow, and I'm actually not dreading it.
Who knows how long it will last, but Washburn is pitching well right now, and the new outfielders can only help. Hopefully Gutierrez is back in the lineup tomorrow.
Teej - April 25, 2009
If the eye infection that he has is conjunctivitis then full recovery can take up to 48 hours from onset depending on the infectious agent and maybe even longer.
Sometimes conjunctivitis can just be allergic in which case a full recovery is possible sooner with some anti-histamine drops. Hopefully, it’s just allergic conjunctivitis.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
Isn't that basically called Pink Eye?
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Pink eye is a crude term which includes conjunctivitis.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
I had it in college. Not fun at all.
My guess is Balentien farted on his pillow.
Teej - April 25, 2009
I was guessing that little metrosexual vixen got it while having his eyebrows waxed, but yours is much better!
Kermit. - April 25, 2009
For what it's worth, I rec'd your comment.
But it’s a necessary evil for Gutierrez. Consumers of gay porn tend to demand some clean and shiny actors, so maintenance is key.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Grrrr. I'm pretty happy about the M's and forced myself to delete many many replies right there.
That was a hard comment to lay off of, right down the middle of the plate.
Kermit. - April 25, 2009
You're a better man than I am.
royalcurve - April 26, 2009
Let's just hope it doesn't spread to the rest of the team
OlSalty - April 26, 2009
Better record than the Marlins.
That was quick.
ThundaPC - April 25, 2009
Man, they have fell off a bit.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
They're not a very good team.
Teej - April 25, 2009
It's too early for anything to count.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
Yes.
But they did get off to a mighty good start.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
So did we.
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
Correct.
But their start was much more amazing.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
More than half their wins have come against the Nationals, though.
They’re not awful, but their quick start was pretty misleading.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Oh ok that explains some things.
Gosh, those poor Nationals.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
Hopefully Strasburg can pitch four times a week and hit cleanup.
Teej - April 25, 2009
For the Mariners
sammy - April 26, 2009
Don't you honestly think our start is pretty amazing too?
Yeah, we’re better than the mainstream thought we’d be, but to be honest aren’t we better that even we thought we’d be? By this I mean at least 3 or 4 games at this point?
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
I'm just really happy...
with our record against the AL West. We can be pretty bad in the grand scheme of things but if we take care of business there it goes a long way towards getting us to the post-season.
mwalter - April 25, 2009
I cannot believe the start we are having!
Yes, we are definately better than even we thought we’d be and I am extremely happy. I was just saying how the Marlins started out 11-1.. but seeing as a lot of them came from the Nationals. I like the little lead we have too.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
No. It's not.
These games do actually count.
Matthew - April 26, 2009
Just like the All Star game
JI - April 26, 2009
.667 not bad.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
So I haven't been adequately up to date..
Who is our most touted/hopeful prospect for the future? Is it Balentien? Do we have any pitchers to get excited about? I wish we had drafted Lincecum…
coolconman - April 25, 2009
It's definitely not Balentien
If Aumont stays in relief, Triunfel might be our best prospect. Or Halman, though I have a bad feeling about him.
There are some promising pitchers in the low minors, too.
Teej - April 25, 2009
What has been awful about this season so far is that Triunfel, Halman and Aumont have all tried really hard to screw their prospect status
and they’re doing a rather good job, too =(
seattlebruin - April 26, 2009
Pineda and Juan Ramirez seem to be doing well in High Desert.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
Did Clement play tonight?
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
All of our low minors pitching is looking amazing
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Good to hear.
BTW, when is the next minor league update?
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
They happen every Sunday
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Thank you.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 25, 2009
WOW - you're not kidding
Clinton (A):
Steven Hensley (22): 0.00 ERA, 3GS, 17.2 IP, 18 H, 4 R, 0BB, 14 K (holy crap!) K/BB 7.1/0 (!)
Brett Lorin (22) (K/BB 10.1/2.1) and Aaron Pribanic (22) (K/BB 7.1/2.1) also look pretty studly so far.
Visalia (A+)
Josh Collmenter (23) (9.0/2.3), Pat McAnaney (23) (7.8/3.6 + better last year), Jarrod Parker (20), and Wes Romer (22) all look promising,
And in High Desert (A+)
And Pineda, Ramirez, and Nathan Adcock (21) all looking good.
I’ve only ever heard of Pineda and Ramirez, so anything you can say about these other guys in the prospect roundup would be sweet. I’m not filled with Bullpen-induced despair anymore!
Decatur - April 25, 2009
Visalia is D-Backs
But man do I wish Jarrod Parker was in our system.
patsfan - April 26, 2009
What the hell?
Then why does the Baseball Cube link to it from all the Mariners pages? LAME. But we’re still looking pretty golden though.
Decatur - April 26, 2009
If I remember correctly,
wasn’t there some LL debate about whether to draft Parker or Aumont in 2007? I sided with Aumont and liked my decision until this whole converting-to-reliever mess came about.
sammy - April 26, 2009
Parker was drafted 9th in 2007 so it's a completely moot discussion.
Matthew - April 26, 2009
Whoops. Poor memory.
sammy - April 26, 2009
Probably whoever gets drafted #2 overall
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
For sure.
If Ackley can play center field, I imagine he’ll be our best prospect.
Teej - April 25, 2009
(if we draft him, of course)
Teej - April 25, 2009
How much does Ackley's 2007 Tommy John surgery worry you, Graham?
Decatur - April 25, 2009
It doesn't
What worries me is that nobody knows how good of a CF he plays outside the surgery, and may not all through the draft.
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Because he hasn't had much time out there?
Sounds like he’s a hell of an athlete.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Hard to see how good at defence a guy is at a position you've never seen him play
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Agreed. Lots of athletes are shitty outfielders.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Delmon Young, for one.
Decatur - April 25, 2009
Do you think he's the top #2 pick right now anyway?
Or is it someone like Matzek? Or is #2 just a mess?
Decatur - April 25, 2009
I like Ackley at #2 right now
Though bear in mind that my knowledge of draft prospects is extremely limited, and most of my opinions come from chatting to BA people.
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Conor and Dave have a North Carolina bias!
Teej - April 25, 2009
Well I mainly ask about hom compared to Alex White which negates that
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Question about the draft.
Assuming we don’t get Strasburg, does drafting Aaron Crow make any sense? As I recall he was pretty highly regarded last year.
Rollo Tomasi - April 26, 2009
Nope. Zero sense.
You really don’t want to pick a mid-first round pitcher with the #2
Graham MacAree - April 26, 2009
A lot of good athletes grow into good CFs though
look at Adam Jones. And even if Ackley ends up at 1st, I’d imagine with his athleticism he’d be a plus-plus first baseman, and with his bat has at least 3-4 WAR upside
seattlebruin - April 26, 2009
Also Wlad Balentien is bad at baseball
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
Why is he written off already?
Mariner John - April 26, 2009
His fielding has been really poor
and his approach at the plate is exactly what many people feared, basically an Adrian Beltre in terms of hitting approach, which doesn’t work unless you have Beltre’s talent.
There’s still some hope for Wlad, but he’ll have to get a lot better in his approach at the plate AND get a lot better at defense.
Matthew - April 26, 2009
I had hoped he would develop enough discipline to have some value.
I am not so sure anymore. His at bats are painful to watch.
Sec 108 - April 27, 2009
Lincecum has terrible mechanics
6 months from now you will be glad that we passed on him.
Robert - April 26, 2009
Aumont in relief.
UGH.
M'sin.. - April 25, 2009
I'm pretty surprised that our win expectancy only dropped that little bit in the ninth.
I know it’s a lot of game thread emotion, but in my mind we were back around 55%.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Mostly because WE doesn't account for how much David Aardsma hates us and wants to see us suffer.
Teej - April 25, 2009
Even if you were leading by one in the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs
I imagine your WPA would be something in the 60% range, because even a great hitter like Ichiro has only had an OBP above .400 once in his career. The Leverage Index, though, would be off the fuckin’ charts.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 25, 2009
That makes perfect sense, but my boiling blood told me otherwise.
Teej - April 25, 2009
I am a little surprised the LI was only about 2
though I suppose it’s one thing to get the tying runner aboard, it’s another thing to score him… and that the tying run doesn’t lose the game for the M’s, it just brings the situation back to 50/50.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 26, 2009
Please, help me out here.
Our win expectancy is partially based on the number of run expected to be scored and ball park factors. What were those in this game? What are those numbers tomorrow?
Sinking Away - April 25, 2009
From what I understand (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong)
it’s more based on who’s got the lead and how big the lead is, plus the run expectancy value of each play, rather than where the game is being played and how many runs are expected in the game.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 26, 2009
This is pretty much what I was going to say.
I’m no expert on WE, but I believe it’s based more on “what teams in this position have done historically” rather than the talent of this particular team and who they’re playing.
Teej - April 26, 2009
But it's gotta be about what team has a how-many-run-lead
because otherwise the algorithm would get fucked up if the Royals and A’s got locked in some kind of 36-to-31 slugfest.
Two Rs and Two Ls - April 26, 2009
Yes. It's about deficit and outs remaining.
Teej - April 26, 2009
HOLY CRAP
did I actually see Aardsma get Napoli on a swinging K with an off-speed pitch?!
That makes me very happy.
I was very troubled when I saw him rely solely on his fastball in previous outings. It’s a good fastball, but being able to get someone to chase an 0-2 slider/change way off the plate is fucking awesome. It was almost a “sit the fuck down” moment.
johnbai - April 25, 2009
I wasn't that bothered in previous outings just because they weren't getting around on the FB
But yeah, busting out another pitch is nice.
Graham MacAree - April 25, 2009
I agree. He was out on a swinging off-speed pitch.
I didn’t even think Aardsma would throw one after his last outing. I was under the impression that he thought he could get by throwing nothing but fast balls. At some point, someone was going to catch up to him in a big way. Fortunately, he could throw his off-speed pitch for a strike tonight. No pitcher, even if he can throw 98 mph fast balls will be able to survive. Someone is going to catch up and it’s going to go a long ways when it does.
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
"Someone is going to catch up and it’s going to go a long ways when it does."
That would be the Torii Hunter at-bat
Graham MacAree - April 26, 2009
Right.
So Aardsma, Lowe, and Morrow must all have another pitch, or the truely are the Ministry. Right?
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
They all can throw secondary pitches, but their control over them comes and goes.
Susheel Ramasahayam - April 26, 2009
Morrow has an ungodly curve ball
johnbai - April 26, 2009
that equation...
it was just… it was just hilarious.
pervert tom - April 25, 2009
I didn't see much of this game so maybe I missed something, but why wasn't Morrow pitching in the 9th?
Goose - April 25, 2009
Shoulder problems.
Rollo Tomasi - April 26, 2009
Sore shoulder.
BrianL - April 26, 2009
Uh oh's.
Goose - April 26, 2009
Wak said it wasn't a big deal
I get the impression that it’s just a day off
Graham MacAree - April 26, 2009
How great is it to see the Angels at the bottom of the AL West standings?!!
mwalter - April 26, 2009
It's simply fantastic
Put’s a smile on my face every time I look at the standings
gregrabble - April 26, 2009
I don't think they will end up at the bottom.
Yes, it’s nice to see then there now. They don’t have the team to be anywhere but there, now, but they will get healthy and their starting pitchers (who are now on the DL) will bring them back. Hopefully they won’t have the time or the games to bring them all the way back.
Sinking Away - April 26, 2009
It's alright.
It definitely helps, but I have flashbacks of the Angels being in last place in June 2006 and them being 6.5 games back after we swept them (granted the division leader was Texas at the time). Then they went on to win at an annoying .620 clip. The only reason they didn’t get to the playoffs was the A’s, who were 4.5 games up on the Angels won at a .616 clip.
Not that I’m expecting second-half surges for those teams but I’m trying to keep a cool head in case something ridiculous happens. As long as I remember that the organization is working to put a competitive product on the field now and in the future, it makes it easier to deal with potential frustrations.
ThundaPC - April 26, 2009
That craptastic 11 game road trip to all the division really sealed the deal on the season.
Fin - April 26, 2009
*grumbles*
ThundaPC - April 26, 2009
Russell Branyan.
Woodinville_12thMan - April 26, 2009
Well said. I fully agree.
Decatur - April 26, 2009
I really hope he keeps it up this season.
I really want to see him make the all-star game, even though with David Ortiz and all those other “stars”, chances are not too great.
Fin - April 26, 2009
Geoff Baker has a quick interview of the dude that interfered with GMJ's homer. Good stuff.
Link
Goose - April 26, 2009
That was surprisingly entertaining.
I also wonder how long it will take Seattle to shed the “Kurt Cobain” image. I mean, it’s not like we think of Frank Sinatra whenever someone is from New York.
Fin - April 26, 2009
Remember, it was an insult from an Angels' fan.
The relevent part of the world probably thinks of Microsoft and Starbucks first when they think of Seattle. Whether that’s good or bad is a matter of opinion.
JAH - April 26, 2009
Probably some Halos Heaven jackass.
That seems to be Rev’s favorite line of insulting.
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 26, 2009
I know whenever I hear Macclesfield I think Ian Curtis....
or Del Shannon when LA comes up.
msb - April 26, 2009
I think of Macclesfield Town FC
and they’re shit.
marinerdan - April 26, 2009
Yep I just remember how sunburned I got watching Stockport County there a few years back.
EnglishMariner - April 26, 2009
And I get to watch league football there next year!
I’m going to hate league 2, even more so when Crewe finish mid-table
Indigo_Satellite - April 26, 2009
Kurt Cobain was a genius/lyrical wordsmith/voice of a generation
so I really don’t mind.
Rollo Tomasi - April 26, 2009
Yeah I think being associated with Nirvana is a good thing
JI - April 26, 2009
How sweet would it be to complete the sweep tomorrow?
I mean there’s obviously a lot of baseball left to play, but if we win tomorrow we’re 6.5 games up on the Angels, that’s fucking huge.
OlSalty - April 26, 2009
Yeah but Washburn is due to take a giant shit on us all, so don't hold your breath.
EnglishMariner - April 26, 2009
I think he's been secretly doing that all along, it's just come out smelling like roses.
Omerta - April 26, 2009
If Mark Lowe continues to be unpredictable, at least we potentially have a ready replacement whilst Lowe gets time in AAA.
Josh Fields, the man who I was very upset to see sign for the M’s, has allowed 1 hit in 6.2 innings and has struck out 14 batters, with 7 walks [of which 4 were in his first appearance of the year].
This is obviously only the AA level, but if the M’s want to replace like-for-like, they could be looking at Fields if Chad is ineffective upon his return, or Batista is released.
EnglishMariner - April 26, 2009
The latter, please.
JLProck - April 26, 2009
Josh Fields will probably be just as unpredictable as Lowe, Morrow, and Aardsma.
At least Lowe has shown every now and then that he has the command of all his pitches and is willing to use all of them.
If anyone is gone when Cordero/Fields comes up it’ll be Batista/White/Corco.
Slurvey - April 26, 2009
I'm glad that I guaranteed victory at 8-3 and didn't watch the rest of the game.
JI - April 26, 2009
Can I admit here that I don't really understand the equation?
esoteric - April 26, 2009
The Rally Monkey dying a horrible death makes us Mariner fans happy.
JI - April 26, 2009
Blending the ralley monkey into a frothy beverage is the perfect energy drink for Ichiro!
johnbai - April 26, 2009
Ah, now that's a sentiment I can totally get behind
esoteric - April 26, 2009
Rally Monkey + Kool Aid = Ichiro?
marinerdan - April 26, 2009
You make a lot of Kool-Aid in a blender?
Matthew - April 26, 2009
Irish Kool-Aid?
JI - April 26, 2009
I have no idea, I just saw the red colour and assosciated it with that jug dude.
marinerdan - April 26, 2009
Oooh yeah!
JLProck - April 26, 2009
Has anyone else seen this picture?
Scruffy Lefty - April 26, 2009
Is this for real? From Safeco?
Because this is going to become a frequently-used picture if so.
esoteric - April 26, 2009
I don't know
I was just searching for Branyan pics and this came up.
Scruffy Lefty - April 26, 2009
Nope
Ad for Cox energy up top, not in the NW
waldo rojas - April 26, 2009
A baseball bat instead of a sword and I'd put that on my desktop, that's a pretty funny 'shop.
Kermit. - April 26, 2009
It's from an 80's night during a Padres/Brewers game at Petco.
It also included:
Vatinius - April 27, 2009
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