MLB 2008

[papsrus]

Well that was a big win for the Rays, Percival blowing the save in the ninth but not giving up anything else, then worked out of a lead-off triple in the tenth and iced it with a grand slam in the 13th. Is there any doubt that the "old Rays" would have lost this game? I kept watching after the Red Sox game ended because I was hoping that we'd get to that 4 1/2 game lead we should have had after Wednesday night. ...

That was huge. Percival did not look good at all ... a little worrisome. And how about Howell bouncing four pitches in the dirt with two guys on and the game haning by a thread! Just walk the guy!! ... The general consensus with the fellas I was watching the game with was that Jackson should have at least been given the opportunity to finish it. Here's a case of a pitcher's W-L record not reflecting his performance. And yes, no question the old Rays would have blown that one. They probably wouldn't have been able to hang in it against the Jays pitching to begin with. Kind of amazing that they are 6-1, I believe, against the mighty Toronto pitching staff this season. I don't expect that success rate to hold through the season.

Steve Phillips (I think) was saying he doubted the wild card team would come out of the East because you've got four teams that are going to beat each other up all year long. I'm not sure I buy it, with the Central being much weaker, and Seattle basically tanking in the West. That would mean either the Angels or A's. ... Possible I guess.

EDIT: correx: Howell, that is.

Edited May 9, 2008 by papsrus

[Dan Gould]

At this point, I see the talent in the East as stronger than in the Central, which means that even as both divisions beat up on their competition, it seems likely that the East runner-up will be stronger than the Central runner-up. As bad as the Jays have been, their pitching is such that if they get a little offense (hello Barry Bonds?), they can be in the thick of things. The Yankees are the Yankees, and the Rays don't know enough to realize they aren't supposed to be where they are. All of the Central teams seem to have far more significant flaws. I could see 88-89 wins taking the division.

What is interesting in the West is that the Halos and A's are tied, but their Pythag W-L tells a very different story. Basically, the A's run differential is so strong, they are actually a win behind where they "should" be. OTOH, the Angels have a run differential that predicts a 19-17 record, far worse than what they have. Its early, and the Angels have had injured starters out all year, so its possible that they won't trend downward. But the Angels have outperformed their run differential while the A's have underperformed. If that continues, its almost a given that the A's will move ahead (though, see the 2006 Indians). The M's look like the Tigers - lost and confused. They are even more desperate for the offense that Bonds could provide than the Jays are.

[Dan Gould]

And speaking of the M's, I don't know what the hell is wrong with Richie Sexson. I just saw the tape from last night, and read Sexson's comments - it sounds like he went up there expecting to get hit, the pitch was up near his head, and he went nuts. The only problem was, the pitch was over the plate and they didn't intend to hit him, despite the previous HBPs. Sexson deserves a good 5-10 game suspension, in my opinion, for not only going up there with a mindset that led to the incident - "throw at me, fine, but do it in the right spot" - that led to the situation, but also for the shots he got in on Gabbard.

[WorldB3]

But the Angels have outperformed their run differential while the A's have underperformed. If that continues, its almost a given that the A's will move ahead (though, see the 2006 Indians). The M's look like the Tigers - lost and confused. They are even more desperate for the offense that Bonds could provide than the Jays are.

I like the A's moving ahead part. Its early and I am not going to get my hopes up but the young pitching has been so good for them and the bats are starting to wake up. The Halo's on paper are loaded.

The problem with the M's is that they are getting nothing from their free agent accusations at 3rd and 1st base. I guess it was just a matter of time before people found the hole in Sexton's swing, but man 3-4 years ago I thought he would be special.

Edited May 9, 2008 by WorldB3

[Quincy]

Watching the Tigers for four days, I have to wonder whether a lot of people were deceived about this team. It looked like they were ready to bust out but now they've slid right back to the cellar. If Verlander can't find his form, this team is surely cooked. Bonderman isn't much as a #2 (career ERA+ of 92) and the signing of Dontrelle Willis might turn out to be just as stupid as the Zito signing, if not quite as expensive. They really needed to wait and see if he can regain his form and pitch in the AL.

Might as well run through the rest of the staff, as the perceived depth was part of the attraction for some. Robertson was seen as a young improving 4th or 5th, which seemed like a pretty excellent 4th or 5th - but he's got to get better and so far he hasn't. He's been amazingly consistent in that he gives up 4 runs per start. If he was making it into the 7th that'd be alright, but that's not happening. The there's Kenny Rogers. Personally that doesn't seem like a plus to me, but some thought a bounce back was in order, and then there's that "veteran leadership."

Long ways to go and maybe the pitching will right itself. Looks like no one wants to win the division so they may have a chance yet.

Then of course there is Sheffield, who looks like he is toast (considering how annoyed I was that the Yankees picked up his option so that they could keep him from going to Boston, it looks like I should be real glad that the Sox aren't on the hook for almost two more years). I expect that the hitting will pick up as the weather warms, so they may get away with pounding teams into oblivion but I can't see how that gets them to even 90 wins this year.

I saw him a couple of times last week. I couldn't help but think back to batting coaches warning about too much bat movement before the pitch. His whipping the bat around has been one of the coolest things to watch in the batters' box with all of that bat action, but I think he's finally too old to be able to get away with all of that extra energy being expended before the pitch. It's one thing to be young and strong and going backwards before you swing forward, but I think time has finally caught up with him. He looked lost in the at bats I saw and I don't think the umps are giving him any benefit of the doubt on calls. Though he's never been a favorite personality I've always enjoyed (or feared) watching him hit, so it was kind of sad to see him look so...old.

[Dan Gould]

I'm hoping that the fans at Fenway boo him viciously every time he comes up until he crawls to Theo and says he can't take it anymore.

You want the fans to boo someone who helped you win a world series? I will never understand Red Sox fans.

That motherfucking piece of ass-licking shit muffs another one, number 11 on the year, and one batter later its a two-out two run single. Hell yeah I want him booed until he cries like a pussy.

[Patrick]

Another solid start for Sabathia against Jays, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 2 BB, a win, and the ERA tumbles down to 6.55. Clutch pinch hit by Ben Francisco who has already contributed more than Jason Michaels had all season.

[Dan Gould]

And another late-inning clutch hit for the Rays as Longoria hits a two run walk-off as Shields throws a 1 hit shutout. So, sandwiched around a stinker against the Sox, Shields has thrown 18 innings of shutout ball and allowed three hits to the Red Sox and Angels.

[papsrus]

And another late-inning clutch hit for the Rays as Longoria hits a two run walk-off as Shields throws a 1 hit shutout. So, sandwiched around a stinker against the Sox, Shields has thrown 18 innings of shutout ball and allowed three hits to the Red Sox and Angels.

Another really nice win. Shields was outstanding! Just 92 pitches facing one over the minimum. Defense made some great plays behind him. Longoria comes through in the clutch, and as an added bonus (know you won't like this Dan) everyone else in the East loses! It's a beautiful day in Tampa Bay. Two games out and putting some distance between the pack. Bad loss by the Sox, I guess. Was watching it on CBS Sportsline (Sportline bumbled the live scoring in the bottom of the ninth, so it was a little hard to follow along).

[Dan Gould]

And another late-inning clutch hit for the Rays as Longoria hits a two run walk-off as Shields throws a 1 hit shutout. So, sandwiched around a stinker against the Sox, Shields has thrown 18 innings of shutout ball and allowed three hits to the Red Sox and Angels.

Another really nice win.

And another infuriating blown save by Papelbon. Once again, from the first hit, I had a bad feeling, and that is fucked up. All on Papelbon, too - he couldn't put people away. Got to two strikes and walked what became the winning run. Two strikes on the fucker who blooped it into left.

People say, ah, its only May, no big deal. But every game counts the same, and in the end, one fucked up loss can mean the difference between winning the division and going home, or the wild card for that matter. And off hand I can think of three infuriating losses to date - Buchholz in Tampa, and now Detroit and Minnesota stealing one in the ninth within two days of each other. For all the games we've won in the last at-bat, we've fucked away too many games already.

[Tim McG]

It's only May, Dan.

[WorldB3]

Earth to Dan.

Who is the other team in the AL East that even comes close to being as good as the Red Sox. Maybe, MAYBE Toronto because they have good starting pitching but we have been waiting for them for years to get it together and keep either the Yanks or Sox out of the playoffs. I don't see it happening. The Yanks will be in free fall come the All Star break, the Rays are a nice story but thats all and the Orioles have already peaked.

Until Vlad and Tori start hitting for the Halo's the Sox are the best team in the AL period. Closers blow games, nobody has ever saved every game they came into for a whole year (except maybe Eckersly in 92) its how you bounce back the next time you go out. Paplebom has proven he can bounce back. As much as I hate the Red Sox I don't think for a minute they won't be in the post season.

[Dan Gould]

Earth to Dan.

Who is the other team in the AL East that even comes close to being as good as the Red Sox. Maybe, MAYBE Toronto because they have good starting pitching but we have been waiting for them for years to get it together and keep either the Yanks or Sox out of the playoffs. I don't see it happening. The Yanks will be in free fall come the All Star break, the Rays are a nice story but thats all and the Orioles have already peaked.

Until Vlad and Tori start hitting for the Halo's the Sox are the best team in the AL period. Closers blow games, nobody has ever saved every game they came into for a whole year (except maybe Eckersly in 92) its how you bounce back the next time you go out. Paplebom has proven he can bounce back. As much as I hate the Red Sox I don't think for a minute they won't be in the post season.

There are no guarantees in this game. Look at Detroit - everyone was punching their ticket for the World Series and they look atrocious. I also have a hard time believing that the Yankees will be in free fall - I've seen them have two crappy months and still win the division (or last year, barely miss taking the division from us) too many times. And there is no reason for the Rays not to compete down to the wire. They've got pitching, offense, and a bullpen. If anything, I am less concerned about the Jays because they just lost Vernon Wells for 8 weeks with a broken wrist, and its likely he'll be a shell of his former self until next year even when he gets back.

[BERIGAN]

A very interesting column on the RBI leader in the AL, the and the joy some take in bashing him....

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...mp;sportCat=mlb

[Dan Gould]

A very interesting column on the RBI leader in the AL, the and the joy some take in bashing him....

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...mp;sportCat=mlb

I don't defend the kind of razzing that the article describes, but I have to take exception to this statement:

Throughout the game's 100-plus year history, there has been a well-established line that, though violated thousands of time, shouldn't be crossed. Ballplayers can be booed. Ballplayers can be slammed.

Ballplayers can be bombarded with venom for laziness, for indifference, for ignoring the fans, for heartless play.

They shouldn't be, however, for addiction.

Is this writer really asserting that there was a "well-established line" (violated at will, apparently) protecting "addicts" from fan abuse? I have a hard time believing that when "addiction" didn't really become part of the popular vernacular until recently, relative to the history of the game. Now, what I am not sure about is how well-known it was that, say, Hack Wilson or Mickey Mantle were perpetual drunks. We know more about current players than old-time sportswriters used to share. But at a time when alcoholics were called "drunks" not "addicts" I kinda suspect that fans might have not been as understanding.

[Chuck Nessa]

Cubs won.

[Dan Gould]

Cubs won.

And against the consensus best team in the league!

If Lilly's start on Friday is a sign of things to come, that's a real good thing. But I still hate to see Soriano and his microscopic OBP leading off. The offense got much better while he was hurt, and a big part of it was the rest of the lineup waiting for their pitch.

[Tim McG]

Lincecum 5-1; Giants beat the Phils 8-2.

But most importantly: 8R on 15H with no errors.

I'm semi-impressed.

Yay

Edited May 11, 2008 by GoodSpeak

[papsrus]

Another very impressive win by the Rays ... combined 3-hitter. Kazmir gets his first win. ... Remind me again who has the stud pitching staff in the East? (Jays rocked 12-0 today.)

[Dan Gould]

Remind me again who has the stud pitching staff in the East? (Jays rocked 12-0 today.)

Bartolo Colon touched 97 in his first rehab start with Pawtucket, and after a lengthy rehab/shoulder strengthening regimen, Curt Schilling has started to throw.

Seriously though, if Colon is anywhere near the velocity he had when he was winning his Cy Young, he will be the steal of the year. If Schilling pitches again, I'd put Beckett - Dice - Colon - Schilling - (Wake, Clay or Lester) up against anyone in either league.

[zen archer]

Remind me again who has the stud pitching staff in the East? (Jays rocked 12-0 today.)

Bartolo Colon touched 97 in his first rehab start with Pawtucket, and after a lengthy rehab/shoulder strengthening regimen, Curt Schilling has started to throw.

Seriously though, if Colon is anywhere near the velocity he had when he was winning his Cy Young, he will be the steal of the year. If Schilling pitches again, I'd put Beckett - Dice - Colon - Schilling - (Wake, Clay or Lester) up against anyone in either league.

Schilling probably wont be ready till after all star game but they need to make decision on Colon by June 1. If

he is healthy where do you put him in the rotation ?.....its not like pitching has been a problem for the Sox.

Do they send Bucholz down ?

[Dan Gould]

Schilling probably wont be ready till after all star game but they need to make decision on Colon by June 1. If

he is healthy where do you put him in the rotation ?.....its not like pitching has been a problem for the Sox.

Do they send Bucholz down ?

Buchholz can't pitch a full season as a starter, plus October, without bumping into his inning limit. He's on pace for 180 innings, and last year he thew something like 145. Normal progression for a young pitcher is to go no more than 30 innings more than the previous year. So if Buchholz stays in the rotation, he's shut down before the playoffs. I don't think anyone wants to see that. Lester has a very similar limitation, having thrown 154 innings last year, but he also actually on a pace to throw a few more innings right now, too.

Basically, they need to have Colon, and hopefully Schilling, take some innings from the youngsters. I wouldn't mind seeing Masterson up, too, although I think the ultimate plan for 2008 is to have him slide into the bullpen by the stretch drive if not before.

Edited May 11, 2008 by Dan Gould

[Dan Gould]

Can the Rays really sweep the Angels and the Red Sox within about three weeks of each other? It sure looks like they will ... now I am really torn: Do I encourage you to keep it going and sweep the Yanks or do I hope that the Rays cool off so that maybe the Sox can hold onto first place?

[papsrus]

YES!

Looking at the May schedule, I was thinking .500 ball would be a huge win. We're 6-4 so far. Aki's coming around at the plate. Floyd came through big time today on his first day back. If their aggressive offense would just be a little more consistent game-to-game. ....

Angels looked really flat the whole series. Couldn't sustain anything (aside from one inning today). It's going to be a fun week against the Yankees. Might go up Tuesday for Wang vs. Jackson. But then they go on the road to St. Louis and Oakland. That won't be easy. The back end of the month gets a little better, with a home stretch against Baltimore, Texas and the ChiSox. ... We'll see where they are a week from now.

With games at Baltimore, then home for Milwaukee and KC, the Sox should be in good shape when they head out West at the end of the month. Even a Rays sweep of the Yankees (wouldn't that be sweet) shouldn't put too much pressure on 'em. ... Looking forward to tonight's game.

Edited May 11, 2008 by papsrus

[papsrus]

I will say, Pena's struggles at the plate are worrisome -- .208 and he's got that uppercut swing that makes it look like he's trying to jack it every time. How about just trying to put it in play every once in a while?