Game 49, Angels at Mariners
King Felix vs. Jerome Williams, 4:15pm
After last night’s crushing collapse, the M’s send King Felix to the hill to try and get a win. Jerome Williams is a fascinating story, and he’s shown signs of improvement this year. He doesn’t strike many people out, but he’s cut back on walks while increasing his ground ball rate. It’s not sexy, but it’s been enough to run a FIP just under 4 in 53 innings. Garrett Richards, one of the Angels’ better prospects, looked set to take the #5 spot in the spring, especially after Williams suffered an injury in March, but instead Williams has been solid and Richards continues to be both extremely talented and somewhat frustrating in the PCL.
The M’s send their lefty line-up out today which is fine, but Williams has essentially no platoon splits. In over 500 innings, lefties have hit for a .328 wOBA off of him while righties are hitting….328. Righties have hit for more power while his K:BB ratio is nearly even against lefties.
1: Ackley (2B)
2: Saunders (CF)
3: Ichiro (RF)
4: Seager (3B)
5: Smoak (1B)
6: Jaso (DH)
7: Olivo (C)
8: Carp (LF)
9: Ryan (SS)
SP: Felix Hernandez
The big story today is that Brandon League’s lost his job as closer after last night’s meltdown. Doesn’t sound like they’ve named a replacement, but expect to see plenty of Tom Wilhelmsen and/or Steve Delabar for a while. No roster move of course as League’s just bumped to a set-up role, but you’ve got to like Stephen Pryor’s chances to head north in the coming months.
Carlos Peguero hit his 9th HR last night, and Casper Wells went 3-4 with two doubles and a HR against Tucson. The Rainiers are hitting the crap out of the ball, but pitching remains a problem.
The Mariners are playing today in the uniforms of the old Seattle Rainiers – part of “Turn Back the Clock Day” at Safeco. The retro-styled King’s Court adds another section today as well.
James Paxton couldn’t get anything going yesterday against Montgomery and then came out of the game with what’s being called a knee injury. Sounds like it may have been bothering him in several of his recent starts.
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There is no way we don’t see a pinch hitter here, right? Right!!??
OMG, Next!
Glad I Tivo’ed the game – got through the pain a lot quicker. 😀
Man, Pujols absolutely mauled our pitchers this series. I do think we’ll be laughing at the Angels for that contract – in 5 or 6 years. Right now, though… not so much.
On a side note: I am finding I actually like Saunders hitting in the #2 spot.
I think Ackley Tivo’d the game, too. Man, 4 K’s for our lead off hitter touted for his pitch recognition and contact skills – after a day off to re-energize.
That is all sorts of awful.
Olivo’s presence has sure been a nice spark, though.
Yeah, I’m really curious to see who’s catching (and who’s DH’ing) tomorrow.
Oh, crap – it’s a four game series! I was thinking “thank goodness Pujols is gone”; but he still has another game where he can have his way our pitchers.
But the good news is he probably won’t hit more than two more HR’s this series.
The guy’s in his 30s… Scioscia really should consider giving him a day off tomorrow. He’s been looking kind of tired lately.
They might need him to be at his best later in the season, after all.
Byrnes is as good in the booth as he was on the field. And Dave Henderson is one of the worst broadcasters/commentators I’ve ever heard.
^Go listen to a White Sox broadcast before saying something like that.
Boy what a lousy lineup Wedge has put out today. Figgins in CF and Olivo (human pass ball machine) at catcher.