Game 38, Mariners at Red Sox
Beavan vs Beckett, 1:05 pm.
Josh Beckett is struggling mightily, and his velocity is down significantly, so this match-up isn’t quite as bad for the Mariners as the names suggest. Beavan probably can’t keep the Red Sox offense down by himself, though, so the offense is going to have to get to Beckett or the Red Sox fairly shaky bullpen.
Munenori Kawasaki getting his second straight start against a right-hander with Brendan Ryan back on the bench. He played the last few days against lefties, but clearly, his playing time is in jeopardy. If the M’s had a better option, okay, but Kawasaki isn’t it. It will be interesting to see how how this situation plays out, as there are several teams in the market for a decent veteran shortstop, and even with his lack of offense this year, his price tag and his defense would make him a tradeable piece. If Wedge is ready to give up on Ryan as his regular shortstop (and the front office isn’t prepared to overrule him on that decision), a trade might end up being the best option. Ryan’s glove is good enough that he should be playing most days, but given his age and injury issues, he’s probably not a long term solution. If a team like the Brewers (who just lost Alex Gonzalez for the season) came calling, Jack should probably see what they’re offering. There’s no real internal options to take over on a regular basis, but the Mariners are in a better position to punt production from shortstop than a legitimate contender, so if they have to go with some waiver claim/AAA guy for the rest of the year, it’s not the end of the world.
Also, Jaso back in the #2 spot in the order. Huzzah. Glad to see this has stuck, at least in the short term. Kudos to Wedge for making this move.
Ackley, 2B
Jaso, C
Ichiro, RF
Montero, DH
Seager, 3B
Smoak, 1B
Carp, LF
Saunders, CF
Kawasaki, SS
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73 Responses to “Game 38, Mariners at Red Sox”
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Beckett’s grateful for all the quick at-bats–he’s got an early evening tee time.
Ryan would certainly have value to a NL team and his offense has just got to “regress” toward respectability. Doesn’t it? Well, yes … it has to. He does have value. More value going that way than Marlon Byrd probably had coming to the AL … and Byrd “regressed” immediately upon arrival.
Ryan seems to have a way about him which lands him in the doghouse pretty easily (Larussa and now Wedge). Maybe he is a bit of a head case. It’s actually kind of hard to imagine that he isn’t. Flakey as hell is probably an apt description, but he can sure pick it at SS. HE can’t hit his ass with both hands, but he is great with the glove. We just wish he could hit it.
Triunfel: Similar opinion as many others. We have been deceived by other pronouncements of defensive ability of players in the Minors. Maybe he is one of those. Or, maybe he is just as eponymous has described above ^ (electric boogaloo – nice!)
We have a lot more questions than answers at several positions. And none of the current, partial answers to any of the ongoing questions seem to be able to score any runs.
Big Papi getting a bunt down – now that’s just insulting.
I wish Beckett was playing golf instead today.
Re: Triunfel
I’ve heard it said that he hasn’t proven to be a possible answer at ANY position, but the dude owns a major-league hose.
One of the strongest infield arms you’ll ever see, very legit rightfielder’s arm if they want him to play there.
Ichi beats out another!
Funny how no one nationally is mentioning how much better he’s been hitting this year….
Damn. Seager had me hoping there.
Given how Furbush flings himself into the turf with each pitch, I’m surprised more batters don’t bunt toward the mound. He leaves himself little ability to field his position.
By the “sounds” of it, Seager has been running into some bad luck the past couple games. He hit a liner for an out yesterday, too.
I remember the days when Jay, Junior, Edgar and Randy were getting the shit kicked out of them consistently – until they eventually started to find ways (and other players along the way) to help them win.
Maybe that will happen with the current core group (whatever the current core group actually is).
Hmm…Beckett looks okay to me. Then again, against this M’s line-up a pitching maching would look good.
A hit! A hit! Woo….
Once again, an aggressive swing on bad pitch leads to an easy out…
Maybe some Cleveland pitching will be what the doctor orders for all these sick bats of ours…
Next year, that last pitch that Ackley got will go over the fence when he gets it.
Sudden thought- with all experiments in getting Figgins productive effectively done…why not move Ichiro back to leadoff?
Delabar and Wilhelmsen are proving to be a potent bullpen duo. Wilhelmsen certainly has the stuff to close.
I am beefing up the numbers on this game thread! All by my lonesome!! Wheeeeeee!
Just in time to see Carp stink it up in left.
Wilhelmsen now has given up runs in each of his last four appearances and is on a pace to appear in 80 or so games. The use of the bullpen has been interesting (and aggravating, in my opinion).
Yes. They’re going to need to ease up w/Wilhelmsen at some point. Luckily they’ve got Pryor in AAA who’s ready whenever they need him.
Would love to see the Mariners pry Jay Bruce away from the Reds.
The use of the bullpen has been interesting (and aggravating, in my opinion).
No kidding. I’m expecting Iwakuma’s face on milk cartons any day now.
I’m thinking that a change of teams for certain Mariners is what the doctor should order instead…