Game 152, Rangers at Mariners
Felix Hernandez vs. Matt Harrison, 1:10pm
Happy Felix Day!
The rubber match of this game series features the Rangers’ Matt Harrison, a lefty with a plus fastball, a curve, change and cutter. Harrison’s the latest in a string of Ranger players to suffer from thoracic outlet syndrome, in which the nerves leading from the arm (or the subclavian artery/vein) are compressed by the rib and collar bone leading to numbness and pain. Like Kenny Rogers, Hank Blalock and others, Harrison had his first rib removed in 2009. And, like Rogers, when he came back, he’s had noticeably better velocity. He averaged around 91 before the surgery, and he’s up to 93 now.
He came back in 2010, and while his velocity was better, his command was terrible – his K% was 12.9% and his BB% was 11%. This year, he’s greatly improved his walk rate, and that’s helped him post a 3.64 FIP and 3.4 WAR so far. He’s still not a guy who misses a lot of bats; he’s got a below-average contact rate and swinging-strike rate. But he’s got enough stuff that he’s not just grooving fastballs. His two-seamer and change-up help him post solid GB rates (and keep his HRs under control). Add it up, and he’s an exceptional 3rd starter by pretty much any metric you want to look at.
Felix is better, though.
Today’s line-up:
1: Ichiro
2: Rodriguez (SS)
3: Ackley
4: Olivo
5: Carp
6: Pena (DH)
7: Robinson
8: Liddi
9: Saunders
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23 Responses to “Game 152, Rangers at Mariners”
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Pitcher keeps throwing in the dirt – Olivo decides he’s tired of waiting, and starts swinging at those throws in the dirt.
Ken Wilson has a great baseball voice.
Please tell me this new announcer isn’t just a temporary thing. I’m liking his older-school style.
Sims does football on the weekends. Ken Wilson isn’t coming back full time.
Does Ken normally do radio? He was cracking me up yesterday because he was talking constantly. It’s okay, buddy, we can watch the pictures too.
I do appreciate his intelligent commentary. You can tell Blowers is a bit stunned. He’s used to just making general comments, parroting the notes from the head office.
Hmmm…So Beltre couldn’t hit HR’s while a Mariner because of Safeco’s dimensions, but somehow he’s doing just fine while in another uniform.
Pena hits a ball in the air into the outfield!!! I can’t believe how long it’s taken.
Ken Wilson is also president of some baseball league – earlier he was talking about touring BC for new team locations.
Saunders looks like a whipped dog.
I think I’m going slowly mad these last few weeks, hearing the announcers enthuse over the young players ‘getting their hacks in’ yet whining about the strike outs.
It pains me to say it, but I agree re: my man Condor.
And yeah – how can they not see the correlation? Earlier Wilson made a comment about Olivo “not being the most patient hitter in the world”, and Blowers started rambling about “he’s gonna get his hacks in” and how that’s great when a pitcher makes a mistake. What about all the other times, Blow? Olivo struck out on five pitches in the dirt!
I don’t know about getting down on the announcers. They are paid to promote Mariners baseball. They will try to say anything good about them they can. Otherwise, they might be out of a job.
Also, they are not paid to be sabermaticians, or anything in-depth like that. Give them a break. You are not the target audience.
So… is it official that the #2 spot goes to whoever is playing shortstop?
Oh, you’re right. After all, I’ve only watched every single game all painful season long. ROOT shouldn’t do anything to address my issues.
Juneau, if that is the way you want to look at it, that is correct. They should not address your issues.
It is a business. You are not the majority, neither am I. Move on…
C’mon Michael, PLEASE.
Crap.
No pressure, Ichiro.
Juneau, by the way, I am not trying to “put you down”, your analysis is fine. I wish there was an option to watch/listen to announcers with the knowledge of Dave Cameron or maybe Rob Neyer, but the reality is it is about the “entertainment value” for the masses.
Oh well, at least L-Rod got his hacks in.
Crap on a crap cracker.
Ichiro flashes some speed!!
Haha, that may be the first Bill Krueger idea I’ve actually liked – give the Rangers another run so they don’t bring Feliz in against the bottom of our order. 😀
Good grief! Seattle teams are oh for Sunday. As in points scored.
So… you’re saying it was a typical Seattle sports Sunday, Dave?