MLB 2008

[Dan Gould]

Meanwhile in Seattle (we miss you Matthew):

“Playing on this team and seeing what is happening around me, I feel that something is beginning to fall apart,” Ichiro said, through a translator. “But, if I was not in this situation, and I was objectively watching what just happened this week, I would probably be drinking a lot of beers and booing.”

Drinking a lot, what a good idea!

I caught part of the Yankee game last night (WOW - BaseballTV is like ten minutes behind live action! I saw the scoreboard on mlb.com and it was 12-2 and the "game" was only 8-2. Then it was 9-2, and I said OK, this guy must hit a home run. Only he didn't - another single. It was ridiculous. )

Anyway - I saw Ichiro called out on strikes, and he has like a five minute conversation with the ump. Is the ump from Tokyo or does Ichiro speak English pretty darn well? I've heard about Ichiro insisting on using a translator and then he'll carry on a long conversation with the first baseman, but I think its time for the Mariners to fire the translator. He don't need one.

[Dan Gould]

As for last night, I knew the end of the streak had to come some time, and it wasn't going to be easy when you're facing Harden, but Jeez, it would have been nice for Wakefield not to stink up the park that bad. I don't know but I don't have a great feeling about Wakefield going forward. I'd probably have a better feeling though if we weren't so well-stocked with starters. Now Schilling has been dangled a carrot - he's extended his throwing to 140 feet and if there are no problems, he'll throw his first bullpen around June 1. So, what I am saying is that if Schilling and/or Buchholz are ready to go, I hope Tito isn't oblivious to the fact that its Wakefield who belongs in the pen under those circumstances.

And I have to say that its pretty damn annoying when two slumping teams play the Sox and Yankees, and the A's hand us our ass while the Mariners offer theirs to the Yanks - and they've announced that Hernandez will miss Saturday's start. Just what we needed - a nice jump start for the Yankees confidence, not to mention their record.

[Dan Gould]

Maybe there's hope yet that we can get some distance from the Rays in the coming weeks. SI points out that:

Twenty-five of the Rays' next 31 games -- a full month's worth, plus -- are against teams that currently have winning records. And the other six games are all against Texas, an up-and-comer that is only one game below .500 going into this weekend.

[papsrus]

Maybe there's hope yet that we can get some distance from the Rays in the coming weeks. SI points out that:

Twenty-five of the Rays' next 31 games -- a full month's worth, plus -- are against teams that currently have winning records. And the other six games are all against Texas, an up-and-comer that is only one game below .500 going into this weekend.

Yep. June's loaded up with the Red Sox, Angels, Astros, Cubs, Marlins ... yikes! They do go to Pittsburgh for a three-game set. Still, a little worrisome. And Baltimore and Texas in this current home stand seemed like two series they could count on winning. Not now. It'll be interesting to see how Josh Hamilton does here next week.

[WorldB3]

As for last night, I knew the end of the streak had to come some time, and it wasn't going to be easy when you're facing Harden, but Jeez, it would have been nice for Wakefield not to stink up the park that bad. I don't know but I don't have a great feeling about Wakefield going forward. I'd probably have a better feeling though if we weren't so well-stocked with starters. Now Schilling has been dangled a carrot - he's extended his throwing to 140 feet and if there are no problems, he'll throw his first bullpen around June 1. So, what I am saying is that if Schilling and/or Buchholz are ready to go, I hope Tito isn't oblivious to the fact that its Wakefield who belongs in the pen under those circumstances.

And I have to say that its pretty damn annoying when two slumping teams play the Sox and Yankees, and the A's hand us our ass while the Mariners offer theirs to the Yanks - and they've announced that Hernandez will miss Saturday's start. Just what we needed - a nice jump start for the Yankees confidence, not to mention their record.

Don't worry Dan, the Red Sox will win the next two because they A's don't win series, in fact they haven't won one since the first week of May (thanks ESPN power rankings). The A's will lose the next two 2-0 and 3-2 but their stats will look good because it will say they are outscoring the opposition based on the lopsided victory last night yet its meaningless because they don't do the little things to win games like base running and catching fly balls in the outfield.

Texas is tearing the cover off the ball and they should pass the A's in the standings soon.

[Dan Gould]

As for last night, I knew the end of the streak had to come some time, and it wasn't going to be easy when you're facing Harden, but Jeez, it would have been nice for Wakefield not to stink up the park that bad. I don't know but I don't have a great feeling about Wakefield going forward. I'd probably have a better feeling though if we weren't so well-stocked with starters. Now Schilling has been dangled a carrot - he's extended his throwing to 140 feet and if there are no problems, he'll throw his first bullpen around June 1. So, what I am saying is that if Schilling and/or Buchholz are ready to go, I hope Tito isn't oblivious to the fact that its Wakefield who belongs in the pen under those circumstances.

And I have to say that its pretty damn annoying when two slumping teams play the Sox and Yankees, and the A's hand us our ass while the Mariners offer theirs to the Yanks - and they've announced that Hernandez will miss Saturday's start. Just what we needed - a nice jump start for the Yankees confidence, not to mention their record.

Don't worry Dan, the Red Sox will win the next two because they A's don't win series, in fact they haven't won one since the first week of May (thanks ESPN power rankings). The A's will lose the next two 2-0 and 3-2 but their stats will look good because it will say they are outscoring the opposition based on the lopsided victory last night yet its meaningless because they don't do the little things to win games like base running and catching fly balls in the outfield.

Texas is tearing the cover off the ball and they should pass the A's in the standings soon.

Well that's what I kept saying to myself last night, that we've got two good pitchers going Saturday and Sunday and the A's don't have anyone else like Harden.

Meantime the Yankees are pounding the shit out of the pathetic M's, but at least with Toronto winning today, even if the Yanks win tomorrow (they certainly should with Wang pitching and since the M's used Sunday's starter today) the best they can do is to reach .500 but still be in last place.

[Quincy]

Is there any talk in Seattle about offering up Ichiro for a fist full of prospects at this point? He would fit nicely in right field at the Trop. I'm sure the Rays don't want to mess with the chemistry (or their salary structure, or their prospects) by bringing in a superstar.

I don't think so. They just signed him to a long term deal and they have a strong connection with Japan - they usually have more than one player from there. I don't know if he stills draws tourists from Japan like he used to or not, but it wouldn't surprise me if he still did. You have a younger somewhat similar player in Crawford anyway who will likely turn it on soon. But hey, if you want to give up Upton for him, by all means...

[Tim McG]

Zito is 1-8 now.

Be still my heart.

[Quincy]

Anyway - I saw Ichiro called out on strikes, and he has like a five minute conversation with the ump. Is the ump from Tokyo or does Ichiro speak English pretty darn well? I've heard about Ichiro insisting on using a translator and then he'll carry on a long conversation with the first baseman, but I think its time for the Mariners to fire the translator. He don't need one.

I think he feels there's a difference between talking with the press and talking with anyone else. And rightly so, as there are still nuances that can trip him up when dealing with English speaking reporters. The translator was hired by the Mariners in 2000 for reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki and now there's the catcher Johjima along with Ichiro. The translator (Allen Turner) has also acted as bullpen catcher. Pretty versatile fellow!

[papsrus]

Rays 11, O's 4 ... Now that's more like it! Longoria homers in first and second inning, Upton goes 4-for-4, and the top of the order finally produces in a big way.

Detroit up on the Vikings ... er, Twins, 19-3 late in the fourth quarter ... I mean 9th inning.

[BERIGAN]

Well that's what I kept saying to myself last night, that we've got two good pitchers going Saturday and Sunday and the A's don't have anyone else like Harden.

Hey Dan, what's up??? One hit last night???? We got 7 hits, and 3 runs off of Justin Duchscherer when Oakland came to town!!!

[BERIGAN]

Zito is 1-8 now.

Be still my heart.

All you should care about is his ERA of late. 3.23 in his last 4 starts...if he can keep that up, he won't be the biggest bust of all time...

[BERIGAN]

Heard an interesting trivia question in the Braves game last night. What 2 teams have never had a rookie of the year????? Answer below.....

Give up????

Braves were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks.....so, that's one team, the other??? Tampa Bay Devil Rays!

I never would have guessed those teams, though it makes some sense that it would have to be fairly new teams...but, man the talent they have now, and have let go recently(Dan Uggla came up in the Diamondback's organization, as did Carlos Quentin, and of course Josh Hamilton was a Ray) you'd think one of them would have had a ROY by now, wouldn't you???

[Dan Gould]

Well that's what I kept saying to myself last night, that we've got two good pitchers going Saturday and Sunday and the A's don't have anyone else like Harden.

Hey Dan, what's up??? One hit last night???? We got 7 hits, and 3 runs off of Justin Duchscherer when Oakland came to town!!!

I keep trying to tell myself, you're not as bad as you look when you're losing, but jesus fucking christ, six road losses in a row, and I won't be remotely surprised to see them back out of first place this afternoon. Aside from the tiniest hope that Lester could actually go Johnny VanDerMeer on the A's, I'm actually glad I'll be in Jupiter for an early Memorial Day cookout where I won't have any fucking clue what is happening until I get home.

[Chalupa]

Dodgers' Jones out 4-6 weeks after going on DL for first time in career

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3411156

Some of the comments....

the only surgery andruw jones needs is gastric bypass!

Also, I don't know what everyone is talking about regarding his unwillingness to make plate adjustments, he adds more and more food to it everytime he goes to the bar!

[WorldB3]

Well that's what I kept saying to myself last night, that we've got two good pitchers going Saturday and Sunday and the A's don't have anyone else like Harden.

Hey Dan, what's up??? One hit last night???? We got 7 hits, and 3 runs off of Justin Duchscherer when Oakland came to town!!!

Hey now, Duchscherer is good, he was a starter his whole career until he was a rookie in 06 and the A's put him the bullpen where he made the All Star team that year. He had the Rich Harden injury bug last year but I think he is right now where people expected him to be. Chad Guidan who got sent to the pullpen would make a 4th starter on most teams but there is no room for him in this rotation as Smith and Eveland have been pleasant surprises to go along with Blanton and Harden.

Nice to see Ryan Sweeney start to turn into the player he was expected to be when he was the #1 prospect of the Wt. Sox. He crushed one against Beckett last night. Its nice to win a few against the new evil empire.

Edited May 25, 2008 by WorldB3

[Dan Gould]

Well that's what I kept saying to myself last night, that we've got two good pitchers going Saturday and Sunday and the A's don't have anyone else like Harden.

Hey Dan, what's up??? One hit last night???? We got 7 hits, and 3 runs off of Justin Duchscherer when Oakland came to town!!!

Hey now, Duchscherer is good, he was a starter his whole career until he was a rookie in 06 and the A's put him the bullpen where he made the All Star team that year. He had the Rich Harden injury bug last year but I think he is right now where people expected him to be. Chad Guidan who got sent to the pullpen would make a 4th starter on most teams but there is no room for him in this rotation as Smith and Eveland have been pleasant surprises to go along with Blanton and Harden.

Nice to see Ryan Sweeney start to turn into the player he was expected to be when he was the #1 prospect of the Wt. Sox. He crushed one against Beckett last night. Its nice to win a few against the new evil empire.

You mean the evil empire with only the fourth highest payroll, the one that does it by drafting and developing great young talents (Pedroia, Lester, Ellsbury, Youkilis, Buchholz, Masterson, Lowrie)? What's evil about that?

And of course Duscherer is good - he was a Red Sox prospect til they shipped him to the Rangers for Doug Mirabelli.

[Tim McG]

Zito is 1-8 now.

Be still my heart.

All you should care about is his ERA of late. 3.23 in his last 4 starts...if he can keep that up, he won't be the biggest bust of all time...

True.

Just the most expensive.

[Dan Gould]

Is it possible for the Mariners to be shittier, blowing a 5-2 eighth inning lead to the Yanks, and what are the odds they can continue to suck for three more games against the Sox?

Somehow I have a crappy feeling about that likelihood.

[Tim McG]

Is it possible for the Mariners to be shittier, blowing a 5-2 eighth inning lead to the Yanks, and what are the odds they can continue to suck for three more games against the Sox?

Somehow I have a crappy feeling about that likelihood.

Pssh.

Child's play, Dan.

Giants drop two today. Giants wrote the book on shitty.

Grrrrrr

[papsrus]

Fun with numbers: D-Backs and Rays share the best record in baseball at 30-20. Both are also 19-8 at home and 11-12 on the road. Both franchises were born in 1998.

[Quincy]

Is it possible for the Mariners to be shittier...

I wasn't a west coaster at the time, but their winning percentage was better in their inaugural season than it is this year.

You know it's not good when you're mildly enthused that Jose Vidro is back in the lineup as your DH. Our Ranger fan has one team to look down on this year.

[Dan Gould]

Well it was against the Mariners but Colon looked pretty darn good last night, 84 pitches to get through seven innings, allowing five hits, 1 walk and 1 run. So as they continue to struggle, at least it looks like Colon could indeed be the steal of the year.

And I guess congratulations are in order to the Rays for joining the 1903 NY Giants as only the second team to have the worst record in the majors one season and have the best record in the majors at Memorial Day the next season. FWIW, the Giants finished second in the league in 1903 before two successive 100 win campaigns with a National League pennant than a World Championship.

[Chalupa]

The Fightin' Phils have scored 35 runs in the past two games. The Amazin' Mets have lost 7 of 8. Good times.

[Big Al]

And of course Duscherer is good - he was a Red Sox prospect til they shipped him to the Rangers for Doug Mirabelli.

Well, that explains why I don't remember him: he was only with us briefly in 2001 before we sent him to Oakland. Hey Dan, you know more about this stuff than I do: who did the Rangers get when we sent Duscherer to the A's?

EDIT: Never mind, I found it: Luiz Vizcaino.

And is it possible for the Rangers to get above .500 this year? I think that's as good as they're gonna get this year.

Edited May 27, 2008 by Big Al