Game 88, Tigers at Mariners
Dave · July 14, 2007 at 6:00 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Batista vs Rogers, 7:05 pm.
Raul Ibanez since June 12th: .188/.225/.329
Raul Ibanez against lefties: .242/.255/.295
Rey Ordonez, career: .246/.289/.310
Maybe try not hitting Raul third tonight, guys? Anyone out there? Hello?
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I think it’s gonna take An Open Letter to the Manager to get any change to the Raul Ibanez situation. Or the Jose Vidro situation. Or the Richie Sexson situation.
Bunching the best hitters in a lineup tends to result in more runs scored over the course of a season.
M’s OPS against LH pitchers this year:
Guillen 1.184
Kenji: 1.04
Ichiro .851
Beltre .804
Yuni .772
Sexson .710
Vidro .726
Lopez .631
Raul .550
Let’s see, who should bat together at the top of the order? How about the 4 guys at the top of the list?
Who should be replaced in left by the light hitting Ellison? Duh.
There’s still 45 minutes to get Adam Jones to the ballpark.
i dont know whether this is something to consider in the raul situation, but may be some one can answer this.
how much does Raul’s veteran status influence the decision of whether to bench him or keeping sending him out to play. or is he even considered a veteran? if so this seems like the only logical answer as to why hes still out there and or may be him being an apparent team leader.
And yet, in the grand scheme of things, we want Jones up and Raul to DH. Its strange that the club will put pitchers on the DL with fake injuries but won’t do that with Raul. It doesn’t seem that he would totally fall off a cliff. The hamstrings must be affecting his swing. Why do they refuse to give him some time off so he can at least be effective against RH pitching?
They say hind sight is 20/20. I have the feeling they are going to bring up Jones, and rework the line up after it’s already too late, and we are out of the race.
The Angels have a very good team, and catching them (or Detroit/Cleveland for the WC) is going to be hard enough as it is, without shooting ourselves in the foot.
Hmm, after seeing his commercial my comment to my girlfriend was “How many U’s are in crap?” Right before pulling up the USSM.
I miss the old days, when the commercials were funny all season…rather than sad.
Royals better not let Cleveland catch up for the 2nd night in a row…
Clevelend just lost to KC and the Angels are down 4-2 in the 4th (Lackey’s pitching, but the Angels have the bases juiced right now). Can’t complain about that.
Tall order tonight against Kenny Rogers, but I think the bats will come alive tonight against the slower pitching.
4-4 still loaded with only 1 out…. worthless Texas
A cynic might look at the Ms lineup tonight and wonder if they’re really trying to win.
Does anyone else want to hunt down and steralize Joe Morgan’s children every time our announcers use RBI for a metric of effectiveness?
Sterilize even. Bah.
And I guess he didn’t start the trend, he just continues the tradition.
5-4, bases still loaded, 2 out
I’ve given up paying any attention to Krueger on the pre game show. I’ve yet to hear him say anything meaningful, or offer any observations that were valid.
I guess everything is bigger in Texas, including ERA’s
Another hard hit ball by Sexson
Freddy Krueger just says the same things every week.
Rogers dropped a weak grounder, and then compounded the error by throwing the ball away.
No way that should have been scored a hit.
we’ll take what we can get right now…
That’s great after hearing the long story about how great Rogers is at fielding bunts, and telling his infielders to just play back because he’d handle them.
I already miss Ken.
That’s interesting. Down by a run, runners on first and second with no out, the M’s win probability is 55%.
Paul B hmm, well I guess the expected rate of return with two runners on, no outs, is a bit greater than one (it’s been forever since I looked at those charts, isn’t it something like 1.2 or 1.3? So it makes sense, sort of.
Be calm guys.
Ibanez’ just being showcased for the upcoming Adam Dunn trade.
c’mon Yuni!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Yuni!
Nevermind, I decided to look again and it’s closer to 1.5 (up or down depending upon the chart).
That was a very generous hit given to Sexson. Someone doesn’t want him going under .200 again
mutherfucker…
nice hustle by richie…
Those are some wheels!
29: Either that or the baseball gods are pulling for Kenny to win another Gold Glove.
Kenji was clearly safe at second.
Magglio Ordonez’s throwing arm versus Richie Sexson’s speed. Isn’t that like the unstoppable force/immovable object thought experiment?
What’s Polanco crying about? He looked very, very safe.
you better make that money, ichi!
Mags showing why he’s not an MVP candidate
#24, I believe it. It just surprised me is all. I guess all those years of watching runners get stranded on base clouded my judgement.
Well at least we got one run in with the bases loaded and nobody out. Ugh.
35: Yeah but kinda in reverse. What happens when the weakest arm in baseball faces the slowest runner in the universe? Apparently, they cut it off and try to throw to second.
As the only Marlins regular here (that I know of), I join in the (expletive) Dave sentiment. I was wishing we could unload Willis, and would have gladly put up with the loss of his Community Service Mentality, excusing the fact that it might be court mandated due to his DUI. Since I’m moving from Florida, and will be starting Law School, I will be having some very late nights and a west coast team might help a bit. If we don’t sign Cabrera, I will consider dumping the Fish and might adpot the M’s. Go M’s. Also, has anyone seen this Willits kid for the Angels in person or on TV yet?
Boy, you don’t want to get up for a snack with Ichiro on deck….
Do you guys think the Rockies would be willing to trade helton for Sexon straight up? From the Rockies point of view they get a 1B masher that has a shorter, and smaller contract than Helton’s. We take on more salary but get a LH guy that hits for average and would be a good fit in the 3# spot in the lineup.
#42: yep…the Ms were at least the second best run franchise last week….
I saw Willits in a 3-game set in St Louis last month – the kid’s for real. The pundits say it’s inevitible that he will fall off in the 2nd half, but I don’t think so.
39: Guess we had to pay our dues for “Two outs, so what?”
Helton….NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
44: Might not be so bad…at least Richie might be able to pump up his average to around .250 or so at Coors Field.
I would even consider batting Helton 2nd in a Mariner Lineup, given the holes on the 4-3 side created by Ichiro.
guillen…wow…
Did Ichiro get a bad jump or something on that hit?
Batista gave him the evil eye.
And in other news, Buchholz promoted to AAA…
the tiger commentators are saying that ichiro is playing “very deep”
GUILLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helton has a .300 AVG on the road, he isn’t the power bat he once was but he is an OBP machine any way you look at it, which is exactly what this team needs. Sexon isn’t doing us much good he gets a worthless HR here or there.
WHAT A THROW
Ichiro is already slacking off after signing his contract.
nice dive Ichiro….
In post 52, I was talking about the single by Inge. But I could just as easily be talking about that last wild play where Ichiro had a chance to catch the ball.
Talk about saving the moment, Ichiro!
59- i was just telling my buddy that i can’t remember the last time ichiro dove…
58- he needs to kick some coin down to GUILLEN
Past a diving Ichiro?
Well, there wouldn’t have been a play for Guillen if Ichiro hadn’t gotten to it.
Can someone please explain what happened in a play where Polanco singles to center and Inge is out at home??
#53: Any news on other Redsox moves?
Bad attempt at the Shoestring Ichiro. But what a sweet throw by Guillen. Did you notice how casually Kenji tagged out the runner. Like it was just a given that he was out.
Polanco hit a shallow fly to center, Ichiro was running hard and was able to trap the ball on the ground and stop it, but his momentum carried him past it and the ball was just lying there in the outfield grass.
Guillen picked it up barehanded and threw a strike to Kenji, who easily tagged Inge at home trying to score.
65: Runner on first runs on the pitch, batter hits it to center. Lead runner waits around after second to see if it gets caught, and takes off when it doesn’t. Ichiro had come in and attempted a low catch but missed, though his glove stopped the ball completely. Guillen runs in from backup, picks up the ball, and throws a strike to the plate just ahead of the runner.
66… yes, this is THE YEAR.
Our ballgirl fields better than your leftfielder…
that was Sheff’s first strikout since June 24th…wow…
I wonder if McLaren is popping Vicodin because of his hurt arm.
If only Sheff could keep his mouth closed for that long
Mclaren is imposing out there…. I half thought he was going to start throwing bases…
It looked like the ump initially called it a foul tip. I think he heard it hit Maggs’s arm and thought it was the bat.
One reason Ichiro plays 160 games a year is that he does not dive for balls. I think that is a fair trade.
uncle bruce is really on it tonight, the bat was only 12 inches from the ball on the ordonez play. why did he pinch him anyways ?
77 – I agree. He fields balls in the outfield that no other center fielder could even get to…ya’ll need to lay off and look at the big picture
77: Also, Ichiro gets to a lot of balls others wouldn’t get in range to dive for.
Like the insanity of diving/sliding to first base, you get from point A to point B faster by maintaining propulsion (in this case, running). Ichiro gets to balls because of his reads, routes, and running, the 3 R’s.
big cell of thundershowers heading toward Seattle from the south – they might have to close the roof
big cell of thundershowers heading toward Seattle from the south – they might have to close the roof
If they go for the suicide squeeze with Richie on 3rd and Kenji batting, we might set a record for highest combined 40 yard dash times between bunter and runner.
81… Ichiro also has the fourth R, range.
81- aren’t they reading, writing, and rithmatic?
nevermind – looks like they already closed it
Nicely done, Yuni.
Like the insanity of diving/sliding to first base, you get from point A to point B faster by maintaining propulsion (in this case, running). Ichiro gets to balls because of his reads, routes, and running, the 3 R’s.
But diving can get you in a position to reach a ball that you couldn’t possibly catch just running flat out. I think it’s more valid when it’s a snap reaction and you’re just trying to get your glove an inch off the ground as far away as possible (infielders). It’s much more valid when you have to get your hands in a low spot (not conducive to sprinting) and especially when you aren’t moving at full speed yet.
Richie hits AND scores in the same inning…WOW!
85. I consider range the total result of the 3 others.
89: Diving is also directly responsible for injuries.
92: Agreed — just ask Jim Edmonds.
89. That is true relative to Ichiro’s speed. The point I was making is that when Ichiro runs faster than many, perhaps most, outfielders he is already closer to the ball than they would be and can catch it standing up.
It’s frustrating to sometimes see a ball drop a mere 2-3 feet in front of him, but most guys see that hit fall in much further in front of them.
Hats off to Batista. That is a heck of a lineup he is shutting down. Let’s get him some more runs!
94: Yeah, I have no problems with his outfield defense, even if he almost never dives. He has amazing range. Diving in the outfield for a catch is always a dangerous thing anyway, if you miss a hit you could get on a hop becomes a double or triple as it goes past you.
I do think diving is valid in the infield, especially a reaction position like third or SS. I think it’s occasionally ok in the outfield, and never acceptable at first base.
Was Granderson just yelling at Kenji? Or was he just frustrated at missing that huge cut?
Actually, I can see a situation where diving might be valid coming into first base. It’s an offline throw, pulls the first baseman off the bag, and he has to go for a tag, rather than the base because he’s off balance.
But that would take great reactions and would be an exceptionally rare case.
is that dive acceptable? fuck me…
Speaking of diving…
do you guys think Ichiro will ever get his chance to pitch a major league game?
98
Yeah, when the throw pulls the first baseman off the bag sometimes the correct play is a slide, and sometimes head first.
97 – Granderson was asking the ump if he swung at a ball
101… if they let Ted Williams pitch, why not Ichiro?
If this was the Bronx he would have been unconscious there, rather than coming out with the ball. Too bad our fans are too polite.
But man, that took some amazing courage to dive over the fence like that for a foul tip.
I think Leyland might be calling up the concessionaires to order some fries for Inge after that play!
there’s no way in hell Sheffield strikes out twice in a game.
105: Um, do you mean the fans would be violent? I seriously doubt it.
108: A player going into the stands for a ball does so at his own risk. I can imagine that a player’s risk at doing so changes depending on the ballpark he’s in.
Batista = awesome.
Sometimes.
Like, tonight for example.
108: I think he means fans in the Bronx would not get back so easily.
Yeah. All of you folks who talk about Richie Sexson’s defensive skills? That’s the play we talk about, right there. He’s slow to react to a ball and the Tigers get a single.
Lead feet, man.
108: I don’t think they would have jumped out of the way and given him the room. I think a pretty decent portion of the fans in NY, Boston, Chicago, etc. would have “bumped” him hard enough to knock the ball loose (and yes, there are probably quite a few people in Safeco who would have done a similar thing).
Of course, this strike zone is gigantic.
113: I’m totally with you, there. I’ve read my Cheater’s Guide to Baseball. Yes?
108: At Yankee Stadium, a foul tip hit into the stands has been known on occasion to turn into a battle royal.
113: It (and he) landed in the aisle.
Those were two huge strikeouts; I can’t really believe my eyes.
do we go to the pen?
108.
In the Bronx, several fans would have fallen on him drunk and then promptly been wisked away by their equally drunk buddies.
119: No. Second half of the lineup coming up; see how Batista does. He’s been on.
119: I don’t think so at this point. Get someone warm, because I don’t think Batista will stay in the game forever, but I bet he can handle another batter or two.
Send him out and have a quick hook.
97 pitches…
how bout a blast?
Walks are good. Well, when your team is hitting.
awwww
125: Walks are always good. They’re not outs.
Walks are not so good when your pitcher is throwing ‘em up there.
this is looking beautiful…
Hey did Brendan Morrow just put on sixty pounds and punch a cameraman?
Nice, Adrian. Good patience, there.
Now, Mr. Johjima, would you please either (a) draw a walk, or (b) crush this ball?
Pretty please with sugar on top?
I hope they score more than one run this time.
We better win this game!
We have had so many opportunities.
making this muther work…
Um, the rye bread and mustard are in fridge, Kenji…
Get out the Mustard and Rye Bread Grandma!
Oh man, Kenji!!!!!
NICE!
Thank you very much for listening to my request, Mr. Johjima. I’ll have to ask you to hit the snot out of a ball more often.
KENNNNJIIIII! Grand Slam
Where would I look up the average runs scored after bases loaded, no outs?
…and SUGOI IPPATSU!
Grand Funk.
And served with relish…
CHAAA-CHINGGG!!!
Man, I was screaming for that one to carry…nice job Kenji.
I didn’t expect this game to be nearly so entertaining.
DEEEEEEEPPPPPP
Kenji bangs a dong!
How many pitches has Rogers thrown to Kenji? Kenji’s seems to have taken 20 pitches this game.
Wow, and it seems to have worked. Pay back for yesterday.
Go Kenji!
Is SUGOI IPPATSU really Japanese for Funk Blast?
Funk yeah!
Whoa. Was that the until now unknown right-handed “loop zone”? Sure looked it.
JJ even cheers in the bullpen despite losing a save opp (at least as of right now)
Today would have been much more fun if Texas wouldn’t suck so much.
planB you can find old ‘run expectancy’ tables faily easily by searching for that, but all the ones I’ve seen are outdated (2002 or 2003, at best). I’m sure one of the SABR/stathead sites have more modern ones, but I don’t know of them.
Well, as that great philosopher once said, “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em…know when to fold ‘em…”
Sugoi – Amazing
Ippatsu – One Shot
so it means “Amazing blast”
Heh. Rally Fries strikes again.
That was an awesome at-bat by Kenji. He worked Rogers, fouled off a bunch of pitches, and then just creamed that ball.
From the Seattle Times:
LOST IN TRANSLATION? The Mariners have been blaring “Funk Blast” to celebrate home runs at Safeco this season. But Monday’s back-to-back homers by Kenji Johjima and Adrian Beltre against the Boston Red Sox had some fans puzzled. Turns out the Mariners had debuted the Japanese and Spanish translations of “Funk Blast” on the scoreboard: “Sugoi Ippatsu” and “Explósion de Funk,” respectively. I’m all for diversity, but to be honest, I barely know what “Funk Blast” means in English. Mariners marketing guru Cole Parsons explained it this way: “Pam, home runs are fun. All we’re doing is adding the ‘k’.” …
149: Sugoi is more like “cool”, I think. I’m not sure there’s an exact Japanese equivalent of the English word “funk”.
Walks are good is the lesson hopefully learned.
At this point, you may pull Batista and let Green work because Batista’s been on the bench too long.
re: 159
Frankly, I don’t care the lingustic etymology or why people are puzzled, as long as we see lots of them, and lots of them at key times…
Actually, here we go…Baseball prospectus has a sort of chart thing with yearly numbers for run expectancy. A bit confusing at first, but it works.
If I mess up the HTML its at http://baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=204022
I can’t see them pulling Batista at this point. He is pitching awfully well.
#130 is post of the year.
Ichiro has been cold in this series.
Like I said, a split would be awesome IMO. And the M’s are on their way to at least that. Tomorrow, the Mariners could really make a statement to the AL.
Sims: “Never underestimate the power of the rally fries”
Haha.
Batista will get anither opp.
167 – you read my mind
‘anither’….lol – typing disability
good move here…
Thanks Sidi! Looks like expected runs with bases loaded, 0 outs is 2.34713 (taking actual data through 07-13-07, not projecting).
#162
Well, Mac agrees with you.
Batista was at 96 pitches, Green was warm, and the game’s well in hand. I can imagine that you just pull Batista, pat him on the shoulder and say, “Good game, kid. Hit the showers.”
Not that Batista’s a kid anymore.
Beltre’s so damn smooth over there at third.
LOL Lopez never touched the bag
Should have been safe at 2nd
web gem?
and the tiger commentators just asked, “where was ibanez at?” even they see it…
Yuni ran a mile there
176 & 177 (nathanp- Did you just start watching baseball? That’s called an out every time. He was very close to the bag, and they always call that an out.
180 – no shit.
Blah. Vidro hit. Do we have any kind of indication on what “soon” means in regards to the freedom of Adam Jones?
182: Well, to Aslan all times are soon…
…should have traded him.
#160
Sorry but you are wrong. Sugoi is not “cool”. Not like it matters.
Texas trying to come back from a 5 run deficit, though I doubt they will…
Bring in the gimp, er, Reitsma.
Gameday says the Angels just won their game.
However, the Indians lost earlier today. The M’s are inching closer in the wild card race.
“Sweet Caroline”?
I’ll never get over the fact that expected runs with runners on first and second with no outs (1.48281) is actually slightly higher than runners on second and third with one out (1.46197). Same thing for runner on first with no outs (0.9073) versus runner on second with one out (0.70653). Sacrifice bunts actually slightly decrease your chances of scoring a run.
I mean, it’s still better than a strikeout, or otherwise making an out without advancing the runners. But if the batter’s got decent odds to get a hit, it’s better to take that chance and let them swing. They may inadvertently “sacrifice” anyway.
That song got more reaction from the crowd than the grand lam.
Now they’re playing “Sweet Caroline” at The Safe? Do they do anything original there?
Why is Reitsma’s music “Sweet Caroline”?
189: Actually, IIRC, 2nd and 3rd with one out reduces your chances of scoring a bunch, but does increase your chances of scoring one. Bunting runners to 2nd/3rd makes sense when you desperately need one run.
#189
Earl Weaver was actually telling everybody this back in the 1960s. Hardly anyone, including his players, believed him.
Oof. Reitsma’s been not-so-good here. Uhm, new pitcher, please?
It’s over! They’re done! Change the channel!
191… yesterday, they had this weird clip from “Network” which I hadn’t seen before. Oddest thing I’ve ever seen.
And what is up with that damn pinball thing?
I think people underrate how important outs are. You only get 27. One out is a third of an inning. Outs are precious. Advancing the runners is not a fair trade for an out.
Bring out the gimp!
I wish Green was still in…
RUAL IBANEZ HOLY CRAP!
fountain of youth by god!
Y’know, Adam Jones would have made that play look easy.
definitely did not expect Raul to contribute to this game in THIS kind of way…
189: Thats with an average of batters though. So if it’s the pitcher or Boom Boom it’s probably still a better decision to bunt. But otherwise, bunting early is pretty much a bad decision.
I couldn’t see how to make the chart show odds of scoring one run. If I remember right they go up slightly going from a runner on first with no outs to one on second with one out. So if you absolutley need one run, in the 9th, bunting with an average hitter may not be a mistake.
Well, Ibanez may suck at defense, but that was a hell of a catch.
I didn’t even begin to expect him to reach that. At least the team is picking up the slack from Ichi’s slow start to the second half.
Heck, I wish Batista was still in.
Sure it looked cool, but Adam would’ve been standing there waiting for it.
I nevger like seeing JJ pitch more than 1 inning – bad move, should bring in George
I think McLaren’s afraid if he brought in George, they’d pinch hit with Munroe. This is probably a better match up, but I’m not a huge fan of four out saves either.
He threw one pitch, he’s doomed in the 9th.
210 – Even if it’s a 1 pitch out?
205: That’s why I said “if the batter’s got decent odds of getting a hit”.
On BP: You don’t have to make it say anything, the link you posted has a chart of all possible situations. It shows the odds for data collected from 2007, but you can change to a different season under Filters.
Left column: the three numbers are baserunners. 020 is runner on second, 103 is runners on first and third, 123 is bases loaded, etc. Bottom column: runs expected with 0, 1, and 2 outs (EXP_R_OUT_#).
What’s Senior Night like at the Safe?
“Kids, get off my field!”
213 – Like you can predict the future? Even if you could, I still don’t like it – Putz is the type of guy that gets worked up to come in. Now he has to sit and wait for another 3 outs to go back and finish the game – and try to get up again.
210: Using your best reliever in an extremely high-leverage moment is usually a wise idea.
Besides, I images that if you brought in Sherrill, Leyland would have pinch-hit Craig Monroe, who crushes lefties.
I should say averages, not odds.
216 – we’ve been doing that all season. How many of them has JJ blown?
The expected runs are there, but I didn’t see any way to display odds of scoring one or more runs, which is often displayed with run expectancy charts. That would be the number you’d want to consider for something like a 9th inning bunt, suicide squeeze, or such sacrifice.
(and yes, I knocked on wood after posting 219)
I think 4 out saves by Putz are fine, but I don’t really understand what’s wrong with Sherrill there. I mean, the odds of Sean Casey getting a hit off of him there? Pretty frickin’ low I would have to think.
Blow was just pointing out that if you bring in George, Leyland pinch-hits for Casey, prob. with someone with power.
217, good point. I now approve entirely.
216, no. That doesn’t matter.
That Underdog movie is just wrong.
Oh okay, as in “chance to score any runs” instead of “chance to score this many runs”?
Yep, exactly. Sometimes you don’t need as many runs as possible, just the one.
Of course, as a manager, I’d still almost never put up a bunt sign.
Too bad Richie isn’t just a little taller…
Watching that chubby ump contort his body and pump his fists is like watching an overpriced ballet, but you didn’t pay for the ticket.
227 – the other thing though is that you want to mix up your plans so you don’t become predictable. Occasionally bunting causes infielders to play further in, which increases the batting average of the hitters.
Yeah, I guess that’s true as well. The same as always bunting in the “classic” situations makes it obvious.
Wow, Putz certainly lost that one…
Is Putz now officially the best Mariner closer ever?
Man, maybe they should pitch him in the eighth more often.
Great result. Now Detroit has the problem of trying to salvage a split against one of the five best teams in baseball.
Woo! JJ is outstanding.
…and, sorry about the Captain Obvious answer
Too bad JJ pitched that pitch in the 8th. He might have had a better 9th than striking out the side.
I think we can conclude that
1. Putz isn’t bothered by sitting in the dugout to get to the 9th
2. He wasn’t bothered by the AllStar Game either.
FWIW, accoding to Fangraphs that .1 inning JJ pitched in the 8th had as much leverage as all of Batista’s 6 innings.
232: He hasn’t passed Mesa yet, I mean…awww, I can’t keep a straight face saying that, even over the internet.
I’d say he has to finish out the season to pass Sasaki, but I think he’ll do so (especially with Sasaki falling apart as he lost the forkball).
236. You mean the ever-elusive HBP, HBP, unassisted triple play line out?
232: I dunno, he’s having an amazing season, but it’s just two seasons of rocking so far. He does have the Ms’ record for most consecutive saves.
that Putz kid is pretty good.
Now Weaver vs. Verlander…
Putz wooooo
On the radio they said Bavasi would be on the (radio) after-game show. It’s not like he’s going to be getting any hard questions, but who knows he might drop a hint about Jones and it should be entertaining — maybe they’ll ask him what he really thinks about Dave Samson.
Isn’t that Spicoli vs. Verlander?
Good point, 242. Detroit must try to salvage a split against Nemesis! Remember the last game of the World Serious, Weaver! It’s what got you this huge contract!
I just don’t see the whole Spicoli thing, mostly because Weaver is so danged tall and lanky …
It’s the stoner similarity. Or maybe you need to be smoking to see the resemblance.
jeez. another reason to be wary of Yankee fans
#249
JJ strikes out the side in the 9th and you are worried about what the fan of a .500 fan did?
The Putz Human victory cigar thing is really fun to watch.
thank you, Bill.
re: trading for pitching:
“there are three guys available, and they are not difference-makers”
Why no Sherril?
Actually, I really like the call to go to Putz in the 8th inning.
If you use Sherril, like was mentioned last night as well as by the broadcast team, the Tigers bring in Monroe and you lose the platoon advantage. Not that McLaren truly believes that applies to “players” (that is, good players).
Actually, the real problem with using Sherril is that even if he gets you out of the inning with no damage, you CANNOT run Sherril back out again in the 9th. Not with Putz sitting there in the pen. If you pitch Putz first, you aren’t forced to burn GS for just one out and still have a relief ace available in case something happens with JJ.
There’s gotta be a better option then Reitsma. I really can’t stand this guy and I’d almost see Morrow in the game before Reitsma. Putz should’ve had the night off.
Isn’t that Spicoli vs. Verlander?
Khalil Greene’s starting for us tomorrow?
Just got back from the game…great atmosphere with all those clutch plays, though like a lot of people already pointed out I wish to GOD they’d stop playing Sweet Caroline. Someone want to write an open letter for that one?
As Reitsma was warming up, the three outfielders, Raul + Ichiro and his bodyguard (Ellison had replaced Guillen), crouched together in center field and were chatting…too tired now to think of a clever version of what the conversation was, but it must’ve been along the lines of “wanna make a bet which one of us gets to watch the ballgame go over his fence?”
254: Exactly. Khalil Greene is far more Spicoli than Jeff Weaver.
In regards to the whole Ichiro diving conversation. I believe he has said before that he doesn’t dive for balls, the reward is not worth the risk. Remember the great Griffey catches, and then just hoping that he didn’t snap his wrist or break an ankle. So while I think Ichiro could have dove and made a play or two, I’ll take the trade off of him playing tomorrow. On the whole positioning thing, I think the M’s field management, don’t know if that is Mac or someone else, but I do agree that infield/outfield placement has been poor. Case in point, If I have to see Lopez covering 2nd on a stolen base attempt with a lefty at bat I’ll throw something at the t.v. How obvious is it that the lefty bat will pull a Vidro and roll a grounder where Lopez should be and instead get a single and have runners at 1st and 3rd?
Was at the game tonight, unbelievable atmosphere – the place really rocked when Putz got 2 strikes on anybody. I have to think that Reitsma’s number was called because Morrow worked 2 innings last night. Green was unbelievable again, he should have got out of there unscathed if it wasn’t for the misplayed ball by Ichiro off of Granderson’s bat. No matter what happens tomorrow, this series hasn’t been a letdown.
I believe Ichiro might also be referring to the risk of not making a play when you dive, and therefore giving up more bases, which I think is a legitimate concern.
The guy has 6 gold gloves so I’d say it’s fair to trust his judgement regarding diving for flyballs.