Game 18, Mariners at Angels
6:05. FSN. Given Silva’s pitch-to-contact nature, this would be a fine time to go to the best possible defensive lineup.
Some pre-game thoughts for your consideration and discussion.
Players with 50 or more plate appearances and no walks:
Bengie Molina, C, SF
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, Sea
Fielding percentage is nothing. The broadcast crew’s mentioned a couple times now that the M’s are having defensive problems. As a team, this is absolutely not true. And I rarely use italics.
Yes, they’re near the bottom in fielding percentage. But look closer. In terms of raw balls put into play turned into outs, the M’s are 10th in the majors. Last year they were 26th. Using an advanced defensive measure like UZR that looks at play by play, the M’s are the best defensive team in baseball right now… by five runs.
Now if you look at individual UZR, Betancourt is big problem, Ichiro’s below-average initially (but we’ve got every reason to have faith). But the two new outfielders are putting up world-beating numbers. We’ve liked using the example of the Winn-Cameron-Ichiro! outfield before to talk about how good these guys could be. And yeah, they’re that good. This is a stellar defensive outfield.
This is another example of how a story originating in the flaws of bad metrics gets repeated by people who have a public forum and ta da! everyone’s worried about the team’s defensive issues.
This is a team designed to play great defense, and they’re playing great defense. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
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That was close.
At least we won. But for the sake of my blood pressure, please hold on to the 6-run lead next time, guys.
To quote Yum-Yum: Thank Goodness THAT’S over!!!
It’s in the books for good, finally. Ichiro! had three hits and two runs, and Branyan looks to be something far better than hoped.
Less drama suits me better, though, M’s.
I agree a W is a W (and don’t get me wrong I’m thrilled with the win) but the save rule sucks. A guy comes in with a three run lead in the ninth, gives up two runs and is credited with “saving” the game? Ugghh.
Yeah, but then Jose Mesa would never have had a major league career if that were the case.
Bettencourt didn’t walk, but Molina didn’t either, so atleast he still has company in that category. Alfonso Soriano has nine, I-Rod has three, Garret Anderson in limited playing time has managed to get one. So are Benji and Yuni competing for the King of free swing?
I have extra innings on comcast so I got the Angels announcers last night and tonight. Hudler really doesn’t know what he is talking about. To me is seems like he doesn’t really prepare for the game but just talks about baseball stories or whatever pops into his head. When Aarsdma came into the game he refered to him as Seattle’s closer. He didn’t even mention Morrow at all.
I would prefer the M’s announcers but it is kind of funny to listen to the Angels guys when they try to figure our how Seattle is off to such a good start.
Was there any explanation for why Morrow wasn’t given the save opportunity? He didn’t pitch yesterday. Are we officially in a “co-closer” situation? (For the sake of my fantasy team, I sure as hell hope not.)
I actually think we should be happy Wakamatsu knows you don’t have to use your ace reliever to hold a three-run lead for one inning, anybody should be able to do it. Assuming this wasn’t just because Morrow’s arm is sore or something.
JMHawkins, you mean like, um, when? Branyan has had 400 PA once in his career, and 300 twice – a decade ago. You could just as easily say “if Griffey gets ahold of them, he could hit 400 HR this year”.
Wakamatsu said Morrow was not available tonight, I think it was back stiffness.
Ah, that explains it. I hope it is nothing major.
It is within the realm of possibility for Branyan to have 500 PAs this year. Your counter-example about Griffey is absurd. Perhaps you’d like to try using a less, shall we say, asnine line of argument? Or should I just ignore you?
The absurd part of this argument is that it suggests Branyan won’t get 500+ PAs this year just because he hasn’t in the past. GMZ’s whole point in acquiring Branyan was to give him his first shot as an everyday player to see what he could do. He has never had that opportunity before. Now, he does. And the results so far are promising.
I can’t even figure out what you guys are arguing about.
that’s another series win!
we’re 4-1-1 in our 6 series this year. it’s been a while since we did that. sure feels good. love that defense.
I must be starting to buy into the chance of a good season a little too much because I was totally miserable during the 8th and 9th…
Last year I would have…oh, let’s just not bring up last year.
Hee hee hee…..Gotta be be having fun….
I can’t either. We won and have a chance at a sweep. I should be happy.
I saw the M’s beat Detroit at Comerica in 2002, the last day that year they were in first place alone. I don’t think I’ve been this happy as an M’s fan since that day.
Lets go!!!
Arredondo. That guy worries me. I hope the M’s don’t see any more of him. (And how the hell did he get 10 wins in 61 IP last year?)
BTW, the usually-entertaining HH game summary comic is sadly lacking in humor, at least to my eyes (though the final frame makes it worth viewing). If they’re already having trouble finding humor in their losses in April, this is going to be one sad sack fan base by the end of the season (and yeah, I know they have plenty of reasons to be sad already, but the comics have been fun so far all the same). It’s like watching the 2008 M’s fans with the colors flipped from blue to red. Man, you just don’t expect the karmic baseball wheel to turn so fast, or grind so fine.