Cactus League Game 5, Reds at Mariners
I’m throwing this up good and early because I won’t be around later when the game actually starts. Yesterday’s thread was a bit disappointing though, as is usually the experience whenever I try to throw in a gameday post on a non-radio, non-TV day. Should I continue? Should I persist in throwing my efforts into the void? Here are some things that happened yesterday:
* Dustin Ackley had every part of the cycle except the home run. This was only because he didn’t get a fourth at-bat.
* Iwakuma threw mostly in the mid-to-high 80s and touched 90. Most of his pitches were identified as splitters or sinkers. He was pulled early after a bunch of errors behind him sent him to 30+ pitches in the first. (The M’s made five errors in all and had one assist from Trayvon).
* Sherrill was mid-to-high 80s as well, but maybe a little less than Iwakuma. Sherrill is usually a slow starter in spring training so this may not be a deal.
* The scrubs did damage late in the game. Through the fifth, the Mariners scored five runs, and in the final four innings, they scored eight. Included here: Adam Moore hitting a home run to right-center.
* Our top three pitching prospect all pitched in a B game against the Reds. That article has quotes, but Shannon’s article has gun readings that really liked what Hultzen was doing.
So now we’re here and the Mariners are going to send up Felix today. We all like Felix, right? Go and watch this. We really love Felix.
SS Figgins
2B Kawasaki
RF Ichiro!
1B Smoak
LF Carp
CF Wells
3B Liddi
DH Chavez
C Moore
P Felix!
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Carlos Guillen just retired. That’s news.
“So Felix, what’s your best pitch?” “All 5.”
So, so, so glad he loves it here so much.
That was my favourite quote from the whole thing! Especially because Harold didn’t get it at first.
“All five”. That clip gave me a flash of irrational exuberance for the season.
Good to see Liddi back at 3B. I understand moving him to 1B occasionally, but he just doesn’t really profile there. He’s no gold glover, but he’s likely a better defensive 3B than Catricala.
Figgins at SS is interesting as well. Seems like they’re moving him all around the diamond, which is still what I hope they do. Don’t pencil him in at 3B, let him showcase some versatility and then move him.
I’m not a big game thread guy, but I have liked your links each day. The one where the young pitchers all talked about each other was good!
Speaking of which, Keith Law on ESPN has an article about all the prospects in yesterday’s game, he sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. I’d link it but it’s an insider piece. He views Catricala as potentially an above average big leaguer but only if he plays third.
is this game going to be broadcast live, or is it delayed? Both?
Happy Felix Day!!!
Why hasn’t Montero caught since the first game? I hope he wasn’t more hurt by those two foul balls than has been let on.
I guess the game will be broadcast on 710 tonight at 7:10 PM.
This almost looks like a lineup!
… as long as you don’t stare at the middle of the infield too hard.
zzyzx – no, he wasn’t hurt. He had some sort of stomach bug yesterday. Nothing serious, but they just held him out. No need to really push him in early March when he’s under the weather.
Uh, Hong-Chih Kuo is scuffling.
Long double for Adam Moore, who’s having one hell of a good couple of games. 400+ feet in the air, off the CF wall.
I’d love to see Adam Moore force his way into the discussion… but I’m not sure what that would require, given the presence of Olivo and Jaso (and Montero of course).
I wonder if Moore can at lease generate some trade discussions. Anyone know what the market is like for someone with the tools and upside of a player like Moore?
Chance Ruffin w/a so-so inning in the 6th, velo was lower than last year, but he may be working on a two-seamer, as at least a few of his pitches had a lot more run and a bit of sink compared to what we saw last season. Probably nothing, but hey, something to monitor.
Still think his trade value is minimal. He’s 28, hasn’t hit in the majors and is a defensive liability. In the minors, he’s hit decently, but without a lot of power (his ’07 season in High Desert not withstanding). Oh, and he’s been injured.
I think he’d be a decent buy-low guy for some team, but I just can’t see the M’s getting a lot for him. Now, if he has a huge comeback year, then maybe so, but age and defense are really going to drag his value down.
Maybe we should be talking about how much we could get for Olivo…that would help make room for Moore.
Thanks a lot for the gamethreads.
I’m not able to follow the games live on Gameday or the radio, etc., right now, so reading these gamethreads afterwards is a real pleasure and a nice source of impressions and information.