Game 80, Cubs at Mariners
Hisashi Iwakuma vs. Travis Wood, 7:10pm
I looked at the pitching probables and saw “Chi: Wood” and instantly thought of Kerry Wood. He hasn’t pitched for the Cubs in years, and retired and all of that, but still…if you weren’t watching baseball in the late 90s, you missed one of the most incredible debuts in baseball history. Wood’s 20 strikeout game came in his 5th big league start, and it is by some measures the best pitched 9-inning game ever. So, uh, yeah, good thing the M’s are facing Travis Wood.
Wood’s had something of an odd career path so far. He came up with Cincinnati and was an above-average starter for half a year in 2010. That faded to something more like average for another half year in 2011, and then deteriorated to “bad” last year with Chicago. He’s a lefty with a straight, rising 90mph fastball who is about as grounder-averse as they come. Predictably, his results tend to be more volatile – if a bunch of fly balls go over the fence, his ERA and, especially, his FIP suffer. If they stay in the yard, he looks decent (think of Blake Beavan’s quality-start streak in his first half-season). This year, they’ve stayed in the yard, and Wood comes into the game with an ERA under 3 and a solidly above-average FIP.
He throws a very straight 90mph four-seam fastball, a straight, almost rising sinker with enough vertical movement that you figure Wood doesn’t quite get either the concept or the execution of a sinker, a slider, and a flurry of cutters. He throws the occasional change as well, but he throws about 30% cutters to both righties and lefties, along with 50-60% fastballs. So far this year, he’s benefited from a ludicrously low BABIP, but he’s helped himself by cutting back on free passes as well. Unlike with the Pirates hurlers in the last season, there’s really not much of a mechanical or strategic cause to point to for the changes in his results. His pitch mix hasn’t really changed. His delivery’s become more over-the-top, less 3/4, but that’s been a gradual shift since he came up, not a big move in 2013. Thus, the BABIP and HR/FB (both numbers are career bests for Wood) look a lot better as suspects.
Enough about Wood. Today’s going to be remembered by M’s fans for the line-up – both who’s in it and where they’re playing. Brad Miller makes his debut for the M’s in the starting line-up, batting 9th. Dustin Ackley gets his first start since his return from Tacoma too, and he’ll play center-field. I’m not clear on what Ackley’s done in the past day – he may have needed to prove to Wedge that he could handle playing CF in a spacious park, but I thought it was notable that he’ll debut against a lefty, and not the righty Jeanmar Gomez. Oh well. This may be the first start of a long-term double-play combo for the M’s, and hopefully this could be the first game of many for Ackley in the OF.
Line-up:
1: Chavez, RF
2: Franklin, 2B
3: Seager, 3B
4: Morales, 1B
5: Ibanez, DH
6: Bay, LF
7: Ackley, CF
8: Zunino, C
9: Miller, SS
SP: Iwakuma
That’s actually one of the most watchable line-ups the M’s have trotted out in quite a while. Ibanez DH’ing, Franklin, Zunino, Miller all in the line-up, Ackley in CF…this game’s not short on storylines.
The 40-man move to get Miller was announced – Josh Kinney’s been outrighted to Tacoma. As a guy still rehabbing his way back, that’s probably smart; if they’re able to slip someone through waivers, he’d be the one to slip. [Edit: The 40-man move is actually the DFA’ing of 3B Alex Liddi. The power hitting Italian really regressed this year, particularly in contact skills. We’ll see if he gets through waivers.]
James Paxton starts tonight in Tacoma. Hultzen started last night, Tai Walker a few days before that (yes, I’ll have a recap of that – just have to wait until MillerMania dies down a bit) and Paxton winning the PCL pitcher of the week recently, the M’s pitching depth is finally rounding into form.
Chance Ruffin and Anthony Fernandez start for Jackson in a double-header, while Thyago Vieira and Tyler Pike start for Everett and Clinton, respectively. Good day in the organization.
Go M’s
Holy Fuckin’ Shit
Crap, it looks like Condor did hurt something. He’s not letting anyone touch his right hand.
Half our hits– Zunino and Franklin
Half our hits– GRIT! Ibanez, Bay, Morales
What evidence do you have that shows that Wedge made the decision to keep Bay over Wells? I’d like to see it. And I didn’t support the move at the time either but maybe the M’s front office knew something that we didn’t. It’s payed off.
Evidence? You mean, like the fact that we have Bay and not Wells. Do you have a shred of sense? If Wedge didn’t make evaluations and make recommendations, why even have him there in spring?
Mr.Z Zits and grits
Steve the whole Wells, Jaso, Ibanez, Bay, and Morse rehash has really gotten old. We get it. Move on.
pgreyy, there’s something terribly wrong with Wedge’s facial hair choice. He’s developed a hell of a facial tic that makes those marshmallows (hee) dance when the game gets even the slightest bit tense. I think he may be trying to cover the tic, but frankly, that hair makes it more noticeable. To use another image, it’s as though a pet gerbil is attacking his face when the game gets tight.
The end of Saunders’ finger looks like it got ripped off.
And yay, a win!
After 80 games…
2012 Mariners: 34-46 RS 315, RA 346 (diff -29)
2013 Mariners: 35-45 RS 288, RA 351 (diff -63)
They’ve been maintaining that single game lead for a while now…
I think Saunders tore his nail off. He might miss a game or two but he’ll be fine.
“The end of Saunders’ finger looks like it got ripped off.”
Yeah, but will it help his batting? Maybe that’s the change to his swing he needs?
Miller played three games at third in the minors for Jackson. He also played it in spring training, but not sure how many games.
Westy-
If you figure in when we scored (27?) 20-something runs against Texas last season, we’re almost the exact same team, at every line of your posting…
Bizarre.
Based on that gopilots, then I would probably go with the better arm. Thanks.
Longgeorge-
I love it.
“Zits & Grit! The 2013 2nd-half Mariners”
“It’s paid off.”
Right, because Bay has been so productive. We don’t know how Wells would have done with some consistency here this year, but the bar is low if you’re impressed with what Bay’s doing.
And Miller played 7 games and 48 innings in Spring Training at third
Thanks Terry. I think it’s old too, but I didn’t start it and I’m not one to back down from a jab. Sorry if it annoys you.
Arguing about Wells vs Bay is like arguing whether Head Cheese or Liver is finer cuisine.
I’m not impressed with what Bay’s doing. I guess because he isn’t Chone Figgins and his defense hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be by reading things online, people are impressed for some reason.
That being said, he’s hit some dingers and he seems to have a tremendous eye at the plate and his defense isn’t bad at all from what I’ve seen.
There’s also very little evidence to show that Wells would have done better than Bay has, had he been kept. I will also acknowledge that there was very little evidence that Bay would even be as valuable as he has been.
At the end of the day though, there were plenty of more roster decisions that make the Bay/Wells decision almost obsolete. We have more serious problems than who was the 25th man coming out of spring training.
Hey, I have an idea! Let’s talk about Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn!
/ducks…
They’re blasting Social D right now… and Raul Ibañez just ran onto the field and shouted “Hey you kids! Turn off that damn rock and roll!”
terryoftacoma, I disagree. Anything that several people want to talk about involving the Mariners that comes up in a game thread is fair game. Certainly I followed it with interest; anyway, do you think your lack of interest trumps Steve?
Actually, Westside…Raul is probably the only Mariner who might actually remember Social D…
Hehehe! I keep forgetting he’s still younger than me. I guess the CCR was closer to my generation than his.
Not that I’ve listened to them in the last 30 years…
I know we are not supposed to roster whatever on this site, but I am fired up after today.
Next year…..and possibly the end of this year if Romero is ready. Nothing really feasible on the free agent market to add offense and not much more offensively in the short term down on the farm
Miller
Franklin
Seager
Morales
Ibanez—-DH only!! put it in his contract
Zunino
Ackley
Romero
Saunders, stopgap veteran, Morban eventually
Bench:
Smoak–rotate with Kendrys and Raul to sit Raul down against lefties and limit Kendries 1B time
Triunfel….Chris Taylor eventually?
Sucre, Hicks eventually?
Endy/Saunders
SP
Felix
Kuma
Choose 3:
Hultzen
Erasmo
Maurer
Paxton
Walker… probably not till midseason
Westy-
Yeah, unfortunately Ibanez would be the one saying “turn up the rock ‘n roll” and telling the kids “turn down that damn euro-dance-trash-bomp-bomp-bomp-noise”!
We’re old.
Although (true story) post game interview on the radio was Raul and they asked him if he was sticking around for the fireworks… His response “Honestly? I’m gonna try to beat traffic and head home now.”
I think it’s safe to say there is some renewed interest in the team, and it’s “youth movement” 2.0… Like, a game thread with 177 posts.
It was a fun game to attend and an energetic crowd. Cubs fans deserve some credit for not being obnoxious while winning and for sticking around after they blew it. I suppose they’re used to it.
The starting lineup featured Kyle Seager as the senior Mariner in terms of consecutive days on the roster of the big club. My, that was fast.
For the guys questioning where our outfield prospects are, realize lots of all star outfielders came up as infielders: Ryan Braun, Alex Gordon, etc are recent converts while guys like Robin Yount and my favorite, Gorman Thomas happened a few years ago. We’re starting to see the M’s future and it looks good!
That was worth watching!
Robin Yount converted to outfield halfway through his major league career, and was an all-star and gold glove and MVP at shortstop; I don’t think he counts as an “outfield prospect”.
Not to be trouble, but where are our outfield prospects here? Doubtless they are a few, waiting to shift to outfield; but they are a few years away. We are still “questioning where our outfield prospects are”, and Jack Z still made a bad mistake.
Excellent job of lightening the mood, MrZD and Westy! But try to remember we’re suppose to pissed, complain a lot, and show no sense of humor.
Regarding outfield prospects, and why we don’t have (m)any, I think it probably has more to do with where we’ve drafted and what else was available.
With exception to this year, have we drafted an outfielder in the top 3 rounds since Jack arrived? I’ll look it up after I post this, but thought I’d ask anyway.
That’s not even a shot a Jack. I’m actually OK with the drafting in general. Might be the only thing I’ve been OK with.
I could see Hunter Pence being a good free agent signing this offseason. I think he’d mesh well here and probably wouldn’t be too expensive. Probably a 4/44$ type deal
“Evidence? You mean, like the fact that we have Bay and not Wells. Do you have a shred of sense? If Wedge didn’t make evaluations and make recommendations, why even have him there in spring?”
Jack Zduriencik is a talent evaluator. Eric Wedge is a manager. If Zduriencik is taking a back seat to Wedge on constructing the roster, than we have a major issue. I highly doubt that is what is happening. Wedge probably had some input on the issue, but Zduriencik gets the final call and knows what is right for the roster. Making assumptions on Wedge without having an inside ear on the organization is kind of dumb.
None of the U.S.S. Mariner community supported the decision at the time, but the truth of the matter is that the front office has much more information available to them then we do and it appears as if they made the right decision. Four other organizations have decided that Wells wasn’t good enough to have on their roster either.
But Wells threw a scoreless 9th for the White Sox last night. He could probably close for the M’s.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/position-players-casper-wells-skip-schumaker-record-strikeouts-092220351.html
None of the U.S.S. Mariner community supported the decision at the time, but the truth of the matter is that the front office has much more information available to them then we do and it appears as if they made the right decision. Four other organizations have decided that Wells wasn’t good enough to have on their roster either.
Well, duh. The whole point was that Wedge has input and that factors into the decision making. He is a talent evaluator, just not a good one. All managers are talent evaluators. It’s still sad that Bay was the alternative.
Making assumptions on Wedge without having an inside ear on the organization is kind of dumb.
So, making the assumption that Wedge influences roster decisions is dumb? Both Jack and Eric have discussed this publicly.
Really dude, just drop it.
Wells is still on a major league team; you speak of him as though he’s gone. I’ll bet he’s here (on a major league team) when Jason Bay is gone. Bay is a relic of the front office’s bizarre and sad fixation that Seattle will make the playoffs this year or next. I guess they still hold that fixation.
You say Wells has four teams given up on him. Shoot, everybody had given up on Bay. You think it’s paid off? Well, the Mariners are five games up on the Astros, anyway.
We still should have Wells. He’s a good outfielder at all three positions; that’s more useful as a fifth outfielder than Jason Bay’s mediocre offense. And he’s six years younger.
Yes, we’re arguing about a fifth outfielder. But they don’t know how to build a roster, and this argument exemplifies that.
not to fan the flames but… something seems to have changed in terms of how Z evaluates talent from 2 years ago or so. Also the talent he drafts is different from talent / roster construct they have been signing or trading for. Have wondered most of the last 9 months or so whether Wedge has had more of a say in Mariners 25 man roster construct than we might think . He wouldn’t be first manager who is dictating the 25 men he has to work with.
Yes, we’re arguing about a fifth outfielder. But they don’t know how to build a roster, and this argument exemplifies that.
Exactly.
The decision to not keep a good OF defender on the bench when we were starting the season with Gutierrez has most decidedly not been vindicated by Bay’s mediocrity. We have one of the worst defenses in the game, and it’s cost us considerably.
We have one of the worst defenses in the game, and it’s cost us considerably.
And it could have been worse if Chavez hadn’t been available. Imagine Peguero or Thames in his place?!
I’m anxious to see how the outfield is addressed for next season. Re-signing any of our current options shouldn’t even be a thought.
weird – using standard measures such as errors and fielding percentage Mariners are top / or near top of AL in fielding. Using advanced measures such as UZR (I know little about what this is a measure of) Mariners are dead last. So imagining the old school guys are clearing thinking the Mariners fielding is top drawer.
errors/fielding percentage are pretty much completely useless for evaluating defense. In many cases, good defenders have more errors because they get to more balls.
“So, making the assumption that Wedge influences roster decisions is dumb? Both Jack and Eric have discussed this publicly.
Really dude, just drop it.”
All I asked for was a quote that shows that Wedge made the Bay/Wells call. Where did Jack and Eric discuss this publicly? I really want to know.
And would you have been this pissed over the Bay/Wells decision if Dave hadn’t come out with a post about it? Because I think both Dave and Jeff would say they’ve been pleasantly surprised with Bay’s performance.
Eric and Jack have publicly addressed the nature of their relationship regarding roster decisions several time with Shannon Drayer and Greg Johns. Maybe with Baker and Stone as well. I don’t recall anything specific regarding Bay/Wells, but if they both openly admit they discuss roster moves -and it should be obvious they do- why is anything more needed?
As far as my specific thoughts and reactions go, feel free to dig them up for yourself. They’re all documented here in posts and threads at the time the moves happened. If you wanna take my word for it, my initial thought was that Bay didn’t stand a chance, unless there was injury. I saw the signing as insurance. As spring carried on, I expressed my concern regularly that we’d see Wells cut.
But it’s silly for you to suggest my thoughts were manipulated. You don’t know me. And that’s something you could look into for yourself, and as I already mentioned, you can.
Bay is doing what I expected in a best-case scenario. But I’m not content with his performance and it would surprise me if Dave, Jeff, or anyone else here stated that they were pleasantly surprised with his performance. And if they are, it wouldn’t affect my opinion. I still think it was a dumb move. But what was more dumb, was that our choice was limited to Wells or Bay.
More times than not, most of the people here are on the same page with the authors of this site. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Direct posts aren’t needed to validate peoples thoughts over things like that. You’ll see myself and many others expressing themselves in game threads, or older threads before a post here is made regarding a specific event.
Again, this argument wasn’t initially about Bay vs. Wells, though. It’s what you stated about Wedge’s innocence with the roster. He is partially to blame. But I never said, nor did anyone else, that he was solely to blame. And factoring in all the moves we’ve seen, it explains why so many of us want to see both Eric and Jack dismissed.
All I asked for was a quote that shows that Wedge made the Bay/Wells call. Where did Jack and Eric discuss this publicly? I really want to know.
Rather than make demands, try doing a little research yourself. A simple google search turned this up. And it was the first direct link I clicked on:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/29/2534915/teams-last-roster-move-comes-down.html
If this isn’t enough proof that Eric and Jack discuss roster moves, that Wedge had a voice in the decision, I really don’t know what to tell you. The entire suggestion was ridiculous to begin with.