Game 19, Mariners at Tigers
Hernandez vs Wilk, 4:05 pm.
Happy Felix Day!
With a lefty on the mound, the M’s run out a slightly altered version of their RHB-heavy line-up. Chone Figgins isn’t getting the start in center, as he has against some LHPs, and Michael Saunders is instead rewarded for his success yesterday with a start against a southpaw. As we assumed, Ackley would move up to leadoff when Figgins isn’t in the line-up – once he goes away for good, this is probably Ackley’s spot permanently.
Also, Montero’s behind the plate for the first time when Noesi or Millwood isn’t pitching, so this is new. Olivo’s still DH’ing, but the team doesn’t have many better options against an LHP – the guys on the bench are Seager, Jaso, Figgins, and Kawasaki, and against an LHP, there aren’t any legit DH options there. I don’t like Olivo playing regularly either, but when a southpaw is on the mound, there’s no point in complaining about him being in the line-up. There aren’t any better options.
Probably the weirdest part of the line-up, though, is Casper Wells hitting ninth. Wedge did this with Jaso too – it’s like he believes that every starter is a better hitter than every bench guy, so when they play, they hit last. It’s pretty weird, but whatever, batting order isn’t that big of a deal.
Oh, and the Yankees announced today that Michael Pineda has a torn labrum. It’s obviously terrible news for him, but this is why you build around bats and not arms.
Ackley, 2B
Ryan, SS
Ichiro, LF
Smoak, 1B
Montero, C
Liddi, 3B
Olivo, DH
Saunders, CF
Wells, LF
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175 Responses to “Game 19, Mariners at Tigers”
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I would think Liddi would get some LF time in Tacoma in advance of getting any at the MLB level, but by all accounts, Liddi is a very good athlete. He is more of a 3b though. But seager is more of a 2B. But ackley is the choice of preference for 2b. But Liddi can play 1b. But so can carp. But so can smoak we think. And saunders can play lf or cf. Options … And everyone will emerge and become the best choice for something.
If and I think it’s a big if, Carp comes up. I see Wells going down and Figgins becoming a supersub with Liddi and Smoak sharing 1B and sometime DHing. Montero will slowing increase his catching time. He’s not ready yet to do it full time. I look for Figgins, Olivo and 1 outfielder maybe Wells or Saunders to be traded by the trade deadline. Assuming Guti comes back. That’s my prodictions anyway.
Edgar, when they cut Figgins loose, I will be the first one dancing in the streets. It’s about the future now, not the past. Let him find some other team to finish playing out the rest of his declining career.
Plus, Chone is a stupid spelling for “Sean.” Just saying.
Liddi never played OF in the minors.
Angels are losing to to TB, 2-1 in the seventh. Always a good thing. Is Pujols still struggling? Can’t say I feel sorry for him…
We’ll see if I’m right.
Thats because OLIVO is annoying. Jaso’s a better bat, but is almost certainly not better defensively.
Take a deep breath Mike!
Olivo has a good arm, but he is almost historically bad at stopping pitches.. After watching him and, before that, Johnson, I have a real low threshold for catcher fielding.
Well, true….but that doesn’t necessarily contradict my statement. Unfortunately.
@gwangung
How is it that Jaso is almost certainly not better defensively? Because he hasn’t been allowed to catch yet?
I can’t see how Jaso could be worse than Olivo, defensively.
Just has problems with that inside pitch, but a good night all the same.
If Jaso has worse problems framing pitches, is bad at passed balls (though not quite as bad as Olivo) and is worse at throwing out runners, yeah, I can see it.
Was wondering if it would have been bad form to pinch hit for Ryan in that situation.
He had 4 passed balls last year in 82 games. Olivo, with 14 games behind the plate so far this year, has 3. I don’t know what you’re talking about with Jaso having trouble framing pitches. The Tampa games I saw, he looked just fine.
Not bad form at all, still we knew Wedge wouldn’t do it.
Geez, just get one more out guys!
Never a dull moment with the M’s.
I have to say, it is nice to have less things to bitch about today. If there is ever a day that both figgy and olivo get some “rest” At the same time, i might be in heaven … Or Iowa.
Would it be at all possible to move Seager to SS, and see what Liddi can do on an every day basis at 3B? I don’t think a defensive specialist should be playing SS everyday. Use him as a defensive replacement, and spot starter. Or perhaps trade him to an NL team for another bullpen arm. Defensive specialists are more valuable in the NL than the AL anyways.
I’d rather see Liddi replace Smoak for awhile…
Hey, 4 extra base hits out of 15 tonight. Much better than the “offensive outburst” last night when they went 2 out of 15. I know, it’s nice to see them just get hits and win a couple ball games, though. I guess the extra base hits are phase 2.
If I am the M’s, I’m sending Smoak to Tacoma when Carp is back. Smoak looks lost right now and we need to see what Liddi can do given solid playing time.
I doubt the team brings Carp up until he starts hitting – regardless of what Wedge says. The last thing a guy hitting .118 in AAA needs is to start facing much tougher pitchers before he’s worked out his problems!
Another nice win for our guys… Felix must be in heaven with all those runs…
Seems the problem with the Mariners is ME– when I don’t watch the game, we’re amazing. Alex Liddi especially likes it when I don’t watch (yesterday & today).
Sad news about “Mike” Pineda… But on the bright side, Jesus Montero has been pretty consistent both last year and this year. Which is good news when you consider he’s playing his home games at Safeco now, instead of Yankee Stadium.
Yes, not the most efficient stats listed below, but eerily similar after similar at bats. Only discrepancy is he’s NOT striking out as much as last year.
2011 (NYY)
20-fer-61, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB, 17 K
2012 (SEA)
18-fer-64, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 2 BB, 12 K
The future is so bright I gotta think about, maybe someday, perhaps owning some shades– cheap ones, mind you.