Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[tin00can]

It's amazing that Jeff Mathis, possibly the worst player in the league, got a raise in arbitration last year after his performance somehow declined. It's even more amazing that Scioscia keeps starting him over Hank Conger, who is off to a hot start.

What are your team's manager's blind spots that piss you off?

[killeverything]

It's amazing that Jeff Mathis, possibly the worst player in the league, got a raise in arbitration last year after his performance somehow declined. It's even more amazing that Scioscia keeps starting him over Hank Conger, who is off to a hot start.

What are your team's manager's blind spots that piss you off?

Francona's insistence that Overatedsby Ellsbury should bat leadoff....or is at least a decent CF.

As for Monkey_Julius, dude, his team is managed by Dusty Baker. In the Cubs Suck thread there's already a lot of venom for the guy.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Johnson/Nolasco > YOU

[killeverything]

Johnson/Nolasco > YOU

Florida's on a fucking tear right now.

Hopefully the new pond is profitable or both of them will be playing for big market teams soon.

[killeverything]

Monkey_Julius! Things are lookin' up.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chapman fine and dandy

Just a few days ago, Aroldis Chapman's declining velocity was raising concern and drawing attention. The hope was Chapman was merely fatigued, the result of working four nights out of five. The fear was the Cuban southpaw was hurt.

Sounds like hope trumped fear in this case. Chapman took the mound on Monday night and his triple-digit velocity was there. After dropping all the way to the low 90s on April 13, Chapman hit 100 mph 10 times (12 if you round up on some 99.5+ pitches), with his top pitch coming in at 103.2 mph. Folks watching the Reds broadcast reported speeds up to 106, but these PITCHf/x bases numbers (adjusted to 55 feet from the back of home plate but not for weather/park) seem more reasonable.

Whichever set of numbers you go by, Chapman is fine. Just keep him rested, Dusty.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_ ... and-dandy/

[tin00can]

OK, Kill, it's on! The Sawx are heating up and heading into Anaheim to face the Angels. You'll get to face the rookie Chatwood tonight and Matt Palmer on Sunday. As an Angels fan I can say this about Palmer: you never know what you'll get out of him but it will usually be not what you expected. The Sawx are always tough for the Angels but I'm gonna call a split in this series.

[tin00can]

This catch shows one of the reasons why I love Bourjesus:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?conte ... 1&c_id=mlb

Dude is a beast in CF, truly a joy to watch. Not only that, but you get stuff like this (click on the big day video to see the three-base error):

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=488721

[killeverything]

OK, Kill, it's on! The Sawx are heating up and heading into Anaheim to face the Angels. You'll get to face the rookie Chatwood tonight and Matt Palmer on Sunday. As an Angels fan I can say this about Palmer: you never know what you'll get out of him but it will usually be not what you expected. The Sawx are always tough for the Angels but I'm gonna call a split in this series.

This is going to be a good series. It's Beckett @ Chatwood, except it's the "old" Beckett @ Chatwood. Chatwood has the 21 year old rookie thing going for him, so they're probably unfamiliar with his stuff. Lowrie has been on fire lately so Tito's had him in the line-up. Kendrick has a .297/.388/.608 to start the season.

The rumor is that the FO needs to get another look at Saltamacchia to decide his future. Beckett's on a streak lately, so Tek needs to catch. Dear God I hope they let Tek catch Josh, we already have Overatedsby to deal with in the line-up......

Tommorrow is the Lester/Haren game I've been looking forward to. That could be an awesome pitching matchup. I love those games.

Gotta be nervous about going to play a team called the Angels during a Holy week. Good Friday, Zombie Jesus Day, etc. But I'm athiest.......so I'm not.


Let's Go Mighty Red Sox!!!!!! How about road win number fucking two........

[Machado]

Bartolo Colon pitched very well last night for the Yankees.
His stuff was nasty.
6.2 IP, 7 K's, 5 hits & only 2 earned runs.
With Hughes on the DL to work on building his arm strength and Ivan Nova struggling so far, Colon could be the temporary answer.

[tin00can]

Erick fucking Aybar is one of the worst baserunners ever. Wow. He didn't cost the Angels the game but he sure killed their best chance to win.

[killeverything]

Erick fucking Aybar is one of the worst baserunners ever. Wow. He didn't cost the Angels the game but he sure killed their best chance to win.

They'll have other chances believe me.

When Anaheim scores 2 runs off 3 RiSP, compared to Boston's 2 runs off 12 RiSP? Or Fernando Rodney trying to give the game away in the 8th after Abreu's HR. Bases loaded 1 out, and they couldn't manage a fucking sacrifice? It's Rodney, that's what he does is blow holds and saves.

Beckett pitched a great game. 8IP 2ER 2BB 5K 1.95ERA 0.214WPA

He's back and I hope he kicked some ass in the locker room about the no run support. Something is going on with this team. Beckett comes out in the 8th at 107 pitches and they can't get him the fucking win?

The pitching is coming together, but where the fuck are the bats? Maybe Dave Magadan will be on the hot seat now. Something needs to be done.

[SkyDog112046]

Erick fucking Aybar is one of the worst baserunners ever. Wow. He didn't cost the Angels the game but he sure killed their best chance to win.

They'll have other chances believe me.

When Anaheim scores 2 runs off 3 RiSP, compared to Boston's 2 runs off 12 RiSP? Or Fernando Rodney trying to give the game away in the 8th after Abreu's HR. Bases loaded 1 out, and they couldn't manage a fucking sacrifice? It's Rodney, that's what he does is blow holds and saves.

Beckett pitched a great game. 8IP 2ER 2BB 5K 1.95ERA 0.214WPA

He's back and I hope he kicked some ass in the locker room about the no run support. Something is going on with this team. Beckett comes out in the 8th at 107 pitches and they can't get him the fucking win?

The pitching is coming together, but where the fuck are the bats? Maybe Dave Magadan will be on the hot seat now. Something needs to be done.

Part of the issue was Francona's insistence on batting Crawford leadoff. He wasn't comfortable doing it, it's not a good way to work a new player into the lineup, and it resulted in some grumbling in the lockerroom. The catchers aren't really hitting, but that's not an issue when the trade off is Tek getting quality starts out of everyone.

The other issue is Tito's infatuation with Scutaro when Lowrie is a far superior player(when healthy). If they put Ellsbury leading off(I am not big on him, but if he gets on he gives pitchers something to worry about and can take them out of rhythm) and then go Pedroia, Gonzales, Youk, Lowrie, Papi, Crawford, Drew, and then whoever is catching that lineup will start producing again.

[Machado]

Yankees rained out tonight in baltimore.

April baseball weather is horrible back east!!!

[tin00can]

Erick fucking Aybar is one of the worst baserunners ever. Wow. He didn't cost the Angels the game but he sure killed their best chance to win.

They'll have other chances believe me.

When Anaheim scores 2 runs off 3 RiSP, compared to Boston's 2 runs off 12 RiSP? Or Fernando Rodney trying to give the game away in the 8th after Abreu's HR. Bases loaded 1 out, and they couldn't manage a fucking sacrifice? It's Rodney, that's what he does is blow holds and saves.

Beckett pitched a great game. 8IP 2ER 2BB 5K 1.95ERA 0.214WPA

He's back and I hope he kicked some ass in the locker room about the no run support. Something is going on with this team. Beckett comes out in the 8th at 107 pitches and they can't get him the fucking win?

The pitching is coming together, but where the fuck are the bats? Maybe Dave Magadan will be on the hot seat now. Something needs to be done.

I feel your pain. For the first few weeks of the season the Angels couldn't buy a hit with RISP, their average was well below .200. Torii Hunter was Mr. GIDP and still is, he already has seven (I think, or six) on the year. Callaspo has been a pleasant surprise, as has Kendrick's power.

Fuck, Chatwood pitched a solid game too and the offense couldn't do shit. It seems like that happens to this team often in the first game of a series. Tonight should be a good pitching match-up, so I'm gonna call a final score of 7-5 Angels.

[TawnyVonJagger]

And yet ANOTHER close no-no. Anibal Sanchez took it into the 9th...and Dexter Fowler hits a single on the first pitch. DAMN. Rockies scored their first run in the 1st due to a walk and an error. Sanchez did finish the game, on 123 pitches.

Love ya, Sanchy!!!

[killeverything]

And yet ANOTHER close no-no. Anibal Sanchez took it into the 9th...and Dexter Fowler hits a single on the first pitch. DAMN. Rockies scored their first run in the 1st due to a walk and an error. Sanchez did finish the game, on 123 pitches.

Love ya, Sanchy!!!

Infante should've dove for that one. I don't think he woulda had it anyway, but it's a fucking no hitter.

That would've been Sanchez's 2nd no no. Both teams did really well in the trade.

Josh Beckett ( every other year apparently ) is a fucking monster on the mound.
Mike Lowell was a integral cog in a Championship season.
Hanley Ramirez has turned into argueably the most talented all around player in MLB.
Annibal Sanchez has been decent, and really turning into anything tips the scale in Florida's favor.

[tin00can]

I tend to not buy into the "umps play favorites for the Yankees and Sox" theory but after watching the first two games of this series...wow. Sox have a more generous strike zone when pitching, most close calls go the Sox way, and there have been some incredibly bad muffed calls that favor the Sox.

[killeverything]

Yeah, even I'm saying "WTF"? The Beckett game comes to mind.

[TawnyVonJagger]

And yet ANOTHER close no-no. Anibal Sanchez took it into the 9th...and Dexter Fowler hits a single on the first pitch. DAMN. Rockies scored their first run in the 1st due to a walk and an error. Sanchez did finish the game, on 123 pitches.

Love ya, Sanchy!!!

Infante should've dove for that one. I don't think he woulda had it anyway, but it's a fucking no hitter.

That would've been Sanchez's 2nd no no. Both teams did really well in the trade.

Josh Beckett ( every other year apparently ) is a fucking monster on the mound.
Mike Lowell was a integral cog in a Championship season.
Hanley Ramirez has turned into argueably the most talented all around player in MLB.
Annibal Sanchez has been decent, and really turning into anything tips the scale in Florida's favor.

Hanley is sucking HARD now. Hitting below .200. Too many fucking errors already. Has not hit a HR at ALL this year, not even in ST. I've about had it with him.

[killeverything]

And yet ANOTHER close no-no. Anibal Sanchez took it into the 9th...and Dexter Fowler hits a single on the first pitch. DAMN. Rockies scored their first run in the 1st due to a walk and an error. Sanchez did finish the game, on 123 pitches.

Love ya, Sanchy!!!

Infante should've dove for that one. I don't think he woulda had it anyway, but it's a fucking no hitter.

That would've been Sanchez's 2nd no no. Both teams did really well in the trade.

Josh Beckett ( every other year apparently ) is a fucking monster on the mound.
Mike Lowell was a integral cog in a Championship season.
Hanley Ramirez has turned into argueably the most talented all around player in MLB.
Annibal Sanchez has been decent, and really turning into anything tips the scale in Florida's favor.

Hanley is sucking HARD now. Hitting below .200. Too many fucking errors already. Has not hit a HR at ALL this year, not even in ST. I've about had it with him.

Yeah, you can't have Beckett back.
Who according to fangraphs ( using game score ) just strung together the best 3 starts of his regular season career ( over 2007 ALCS wow ).

87, 74, 71 = 232.

Only his last three starts of the 2003 post-season were better ( 93, 71, 84 = 248 ).

Dice K had his best career start according to game score 86, today. Those were the best two starts of Dice's MLB career 77 on 04/18/11 vs. TB being the other one.

[tin00can]

Yeah, even I'm saying "WTF"? The Beckett game comes to mind.

Well, after last night's game, never mind. Wow. I hope they can at least wake up against Lackey and salvage a game. The only good thing was that I didn't watch the game.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Stanton go BOOM!

Christ, what a game.

[bang]

Sox shut out Angels again! (7-0)

Crawford hits a 3 run homer.
Lackey pitches 8 scoreless innings.

Dice K hasn't given up a run in 2 straight starts.
This is what the 2011 Red Sox are supposed to be!

What happens when Gonzalez & Crawford get Hot?

[killeverything]

What happens when Gonzalez & Crawford get Hot?

Then the FO will probably FINALLY realize that they don't ( and never have ) needed Overatedby Ellsbury.........and have him fucking killed.

Not DFA, not traded, not released......killed. His poor defense and sub-par OBP ( for a fucking "lead off" hitter ) gone too.

[bang]

What happens when Gonzalez & Crawford get Hot?

Then the FO will probably FINALLY realize that they don't ( and never have ) needed Overatedby Ellsbury.........and have him fucking killed.

Not DFA, not traded, not released......killed. His poor defense and sub-par OBP ( for a fucking "lead off" hitter ) gone too.

I don't hate Elsbury that much,
If he can get hiv AVG. up, his 2011 power numbers are good so far.

I definitely would have sent Dice K to the slaughter house a week ago.
Its almost like someone stole Dice,
and replaced him with a doppleganger that happens to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

[killeverything]

What happens when Gonzalez & Crawford get Hot?

Then the FO will probably FINALLY realize that they don't ( and never have ) needed Overatedby Ellsbury.........and have him fucking killed.

Not DFA, not traded, not released......killed. His poor defense and sub-par OBP ( for a fucking "lead off" hitter ) gone too.

I don't hate Elsbury that much,
If he can get hiv AVG. up, his 2011 power numbers are good so far.

I definitely would have sent Dice K to the slaughter house a week ago.
Its almost like someone stole Dice,
and replaced him with a doppleganger that happens to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Actually Dice has always been one of the best in Baseball. Injuries have derailed his last two seasons.

The problem with him IMO, is the FO's handling of him. He has a different program he trains on, pitches on, everything. Granted in Japan they would pitch every six days and the ball was a little smaller than it's MLB counterpart. He still dominated, I mean straight fucking dominated in the WBC....twice.

I think that Theo is kind of letting "Japan's Jordan" do it more his own way, and that's why were seeing different results. It's an extrememly small sample size, but if the adjustment is real then the only staff that's going to rival Boston is Philly's.

[tin00can]

I'm glad that series is over. Other than that one playoff series in 09, the Sox absolutely own the Angels. Five runs in four games, two shutouts in a row to end it. Ugh.

And, to nobody's surprise, Maicer Izturis missed the game today with...wait for it...tightness in his hamstring. Expect a DL visit soon.

[killeverything]

I'm glad that series is over. Other than that one playoff series in 09, the Sox absolutely own the Angels. Five runs in four games, two shutouts in a row to end it. Ugh.

And, to nobody's surprise, Maicer Izturis missed the game today with...wait for it...tightness in his hamstring. Expect a DL visit soon.

I thought for sure that they would pound Lackey. Most of the time ( this is observational, I don't have any numbers to back it up ), pitcher's former teams hit them well since the hitters have seen their stuff so much.

I'm pleasantly surprised, yet I'm still not a Lackey fan......even if he helped knock out the MFY in 2002.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

Just wanted to say that I finalized my plans to hit Seattle in June for the Phils/Mariners. Hoping that I don't get Blanton for any of the three game set. Halladay was fucking unreal today.

[killeverything]

Just wanted to say that I finalized my plans to hit Seattle in June for the Phils/Mariners. Hoping that I don't get Blanton for any of the three game set. Halladay was fucking unreal today.

Dude, hopefully you get a King Felix/Halladay matchup.