MLB 2008

[papsrus]

The Rays managed to pull one out in extra innings last night vs. Oakland after giving up the lead (again) late. Longoria 2-run home run did the trick. Hard to believe there was any thought that this guy wasn't quite ready for the big leagues.

Even though he didn't have his best stuff last night, Maddon left Shields in rather than go to the pen when he got into trouble in the 7th. I hope that's not a sign he's starting to lose confidence in his relievers (after they blew two games in St. Louis). ... And Percival barely avoided giving up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 13th. ... I guess it's a growing process, learning how to win games late.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Ladies and gentlemen, JON LESTER!

WOW!

Did not listen to the game last nite - power failures abounded from the wind - and just learned of this this morning.

There was such a stiff gale blowing thru here all early evening (out on the links I could literally putt a foot off the break and the wind would take over) that I wonder what part that may have played in the win?

[Dan Gould]

Ladies and gentlemen, JON LESTER!

WOW!

Did not listen to the game last nite - power failures abounded from the wind - and just learned of this this morning.

There was such a stiff gale blowing thru here all early evening (out on the links I could literally putt a foot off the break and the wind would take over) that I wonder what part that may have played in the win?

The wind played a big part in the five run inning the Sox put up, which certainly helped take pressure off of Lester. They scored two runs, had the bases loaded with two outs when a pop up was blown all over the place and the KC second baseman had it clang off of his glove. Two runs scored on that play, and another scored later on.

[Dan Gould]

The Rays managed to pull one out in extra innings last night vs. Oakland after giving up the lead (again) late. Longoria 2-run home run did the trick. Hard to believe there was any thought that this guy wasn't quite ready for the big leagues.

Even though he didn't have his best stuff last night, Maddon left Shields in rather than go to the pen when he got into trouble in the 7th. I hope that's not a sign he's starting to lose confidence in his relievers (after they blew two games in St. Louis). ... And Percival barely avoided giving up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 13th. ... I guess it's a growing process, learning how to win games late.

I'd look to the positives - they came back twice against a good pitching team and got back on the winning track. I have to say though that I don't want Longoria to come up with big numbers this year. If he does he'll almost certainly win RoY but I'd really love to see it stay in Boston and go to Jacoby.

Two RoYs + two No-Nos by 24 year old pitchers - that would have to be some sort of record.

[Big Al]

The question I have and hope to find out in the reporting of this grand occasion is if any other team has had two pitchers 24 or younger throw no-nos within three months of each other.

When was the other one?

In any event, this is truly a heartwarming and inspiration story. I'd forgotten about his bout with cancer (hey Dan, remember that asshole who polluted this Board when Lester was diagnosed? I'd love to offer that fuckhead a great big FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!!!!). The mob on the mound was a sweet sight!

I'd forgotten about him with his "chemo unit in the clubhouse" crap. Heck, I'd also forgotten that he figured the collapse of 2006 would send the Sox into the toilet for a few more years instead of winning another WS the very next year.

Who was that??

Edit Heatwave. What a troll.

Here's one of his Greatest Hits:

Bad management. Bad front office. Bad team. And nothing looks to improve for 2007. Enjoy all that. Maybe if they put a chemo unit in the clubhouse, Cancer Boy can provide the "leadership" you covet?

Bad front office - that went after Dice-K because they knew they needed him.

That drafted and signed Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jon Lester - who as a group could see two no-hitters and two RoY awards in successive seasons.

And then of course there is this:

That'll do, I think!

[zen archer]

Also from last night , Varitek became the first catcher to catch 4 No Hitters( Nomo, Lowe,Bucholz,Lester)_ , Yogi Berra has 3.

And the last time the Royals were no hit was by a pitcher named Nolan Ryan.

Edited May 20, 2008 by zen archer

[WorldB3]

The Rays managed to pull one out in extra innings last night vs. Oakland after giving up the lead (again) late. Longoria 2-run home run did the trick. Hard to believe there was any thought that this guy wasn't quite ready for the big leagues.

Even though he didn't have his best stuff last night, Maddon left Shields in rather than go to the pen when he got into trouble in the 7th. I hope that's not a sign he's starting to lose confidence in his relievers (after they blew two games in St. Louis). ... And Percival barely avoided giving up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 13th. ... I guess it's a growing process, learning how to win games late.

My first look at the Rays last night, nice team. Longoria plays like a vet, he is the real deal. Speaking of 3rd basemen why did the Blue Jays give up on Hinske the ex Oakland A's product who also hit one out.

The bay area is finally seeing the correction that was coming where the A's are not even close to being a contender and the Giants are closer to a last place team than a 3rd place team. The up side is I have more time to spend outside, gardening and practicing music and less on baseball.

See you all next year.

[Dan Gould]

Just when you thought the parade of Red Sox youngsters was over, out comes Justin Masterson for his second start in the majors:

6 1/3, 3 hits, 1 runs (allowed by the bullpen when there was no reason to pull the kid, he was at 91 pitches with one out and a runner at second)

Over those two starts, its 12 1/3, 2 runs allowed.

This kid honestly looks to me like he has more upside than Buchholz, and much more upside than Lester, last night notwithstanding. He's tall, throws very hard from a near side-arm slot so his ball is tough to pick up, and his sinker is a topnotch major league pitch. And he never looks worried out there or out of sorts, as Lester has looked at times in the past.

They may use him out of the pen later this year but I see absolutely no reason to project him as anything less than a number two starter. No way is he a setup guy or closer - though he has the stuff to do that, clearly.

Tomorrow night its Colon. Can't wait - but if he turns out not to be as good as hoped or injures himself, I got no problem seeing Justin Masterson in the rotation starting right now.

[Dan Gould]

Oh, and the Yanks are excited to get A-Rod back tonight - but a two out Jeter error leads to a seven run first inning for the Orioles. By the time A-Rod hits his obligatory two run shot, they are down 10-0. Only four hits for the Yanks, and a 10-2 deficit through six. I think Mount Steinbrenner is going to blow right around Memorial Day.

[papsrus]

... I think Mount Steinbrenner is going to blow right around Memorial Day.

Lets get the lawn chairs out and make some lemonade for the show ...

[Quincy]

Also from last night , Varitek became the first catcher to catch 4 No Hitters( Nomo, Lowe,Bucholz,Lester)_ , Yogi Berra has 3.

Actually Hall of Famer (and light hitting - boy was he light hitting) Ray Schalk caught 4. But then they changed the definition of a no hitter in 1991 and took away no hitters where the pitcher threw 9 innings but the game wasn't won until extra innings (assuming it got broken up in the 10th on.) So Schalk lost one no hitter from his total in 1991, long after he had retired (hell, 21 years after he had died.)

The biggest crime of this ruling was it took away Harvey Haddix's perfect game that was lost in extra innings.

Edited to add that if you include the Don Larsen World Series perfect game then Yogi caught 4 as well.

Edited May 21, 2008 by Quincy

[Dan Gould]

What I think is impressive is Varitek doing it over a relatively short period, with four different guys. I mean, he's widely regarded as extremely talented at calling games, setting up batters. I think its likely he deserves a little more credit than say, Andy Ashby, who (I'm presuming) caught three of Nolan Ryan's no-nos, in which he basically just put down 1 for a fastball and 2 for a curve. When you were catching Ryan, it just depended on what he had on a given night, and the usual amount of luck a no-hitter requires.

I did finally find an answer to my question about young pitchers throwing no hitters in successive seasons. Its happened only once before - Steve Busby was under 25 when he threw no-hitters in '73 and '74 for the Royals.

Lester joins Rube Foster (1915-16) and Koufax ('63-'64) to win the clinching game of a World Series and throw a no-hitter the next season.

[Soulstation1]

damn

the royals have straight up sucked since george brett retired

[Dan Gould]

Colon:

74 pitches (46 for strikes), 5 innings, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 6 hits (all singles)

Certainly qualifies as a successful return to the majors, and not just because he got the W. He seemed to struggle at times with his control but touched 95 on the same NESN gun that had Lester at 96 on his final pitch. I've no doubt that Colon can pitch successfully at 93 on the gun. I'm sure he'll show better command next time, and this time was a pretty good beginning.

I got no worries about a Beckett - Dice - Lester - Wake - Colon rotation, with Buchholz, Masterson and possibly Schilling in reserve. That rotation can match anyone, even the Tribe!

[Dan Gould]

Well, its nice to wake up with the Sox the first team to 30 wins and with Arizona's lost, the best record in the Majors.

Then there is the interesting news that the Yankees have 'started the process' of getting Joba stretched out to join the rotation. He went two innings in a blow out, but the Yankees won't exactly say what the process will entail. Do they think they can stretch him out by simply using him in relief but for longer and longer appearances? If so, what exactly is his job description? Normally you get used to throwing every five days, with "side sessions" in between. If Joba is also a set up man, what will they do? He goes three innings - and then three days later, the Yankees are in a bind, one run game in the eighth, and Joba comes in to get to the game to Mariano?

I think that would be really nutty. The problem of course is that no one has shown they can nail down the eighth inning, but I can't see how they can use Joba for that while 'stretching him out' at the same time. And of course the bigger question is can he go through entire lineups three to four times? Can he command all of his pitches to get hitters out, particularly early when hitters don't feel a need, because they are losing late, to be up there hacking? I don't think there is any guarantee whatsoever that Joba dominates as a starter.

And what exactly will be the gain if Joba does win as a starter by pitching twice in 10-11 days - but the bullpen blows two or three leads in that same stretch? There's no difference in the win total!

[papsrus]

Well, its nice to wake up with the Sox the first team to 30 wins and with Arizona's lost, the best record in the Majors.

Then there is the interesting news that the Yankees have 'started the process' of getting Joba stretched out to join the rotation. He went two innings in a blow out, but the Yankees won't exactly say what the process will entail. Do they think they can stretch him out by simply using him in relief but for longer and longer appearances? If so, what exactly is his job description? Normally you get used to throwing every five days, with "side sessions" in between. If Joba is also a set up man, what will they do? He goes three innings - and then three days later, the Yankees are in a bind, one run game in the eighth, and Joba comes in to get to the game to Mariano?

I think that would be really nutty. The problem of course is that no one has shown they can nail down the eighth inning, but I can't see how they can use Joba for that while 'stretching him out' at the same time. And of course the bigger question is can he go through entire lineups three to four times? Can he command all of his pitches to get hitters out, particularly early when hitters don't feel a need, because they are losing late, to be up there hacking? I don't think there is any guarantee whatsoever that Joba dominates as a starter.

And what exactly will be the gain if Joba does win as a starter by pitching twice in 10-11 days - but the bullpen blows two or three leads in that same stretch? There's no difference in the win total!

The Sox should win this division with relative comfort. I'm just hoping the Rays can push them a bit and if everything falls right, battle for a wild card spot. That would be huge. ... The Yankees are a mess right now. There's nobody in that starting rotation that I would count on. Pettitte and Mussina look solid one start, get rocked the next. And I agree on Chamberlain. Whether or not he can make it through a lineup three or four times is very much an open question. If they continue to struggle, I'll be curious to see how long they wait to blow that team up.

Rays finished their road trip to St. Louis and Oakland 3-3. Not bad. Nice home stretch now -- Baltimore, Texas and the ChiSox. Their bats are becoming a real concern though. Aside from Navarro, of all players, nobody is hitting close to .300. And Percival is starting to show some inconsistency closing games out. It's a little nerve-wracking watching him grove one over the corner of the plate on one pitch and then fart around with high fastballs that almost sail over the catcher's head. He's got pinpoint control. He's got no control. Whoops, Thomas cranks one over the fence and it's a one-run game! Yikes.

Edited May 23, 2008 by papsrus

[Soulstation1]

Anyone see the padres pitcher get his nose broken on a line drive?

[papsrus]

Anyone see the padres pitcher get his nose broken on a line drive?

Brutal. It's amazing it doesn't happen more often.

[Dan Gould]

Anyone see the padres pitcher get his nose broken on a line drive?

Brutal. It's amazing it doesn't happen more often.

Totally brutal. But Bryce Florie was a level of magnitude worse:

[Chalupa]

I know it's only May BUT.....

it's nice to see someone sweep a 4 game series from the Mets.

[BERIGAN]

I know it's only May BUT.....

it's nice to see someone sweep a 4 game series from the Mets.

Yes, yes it is! They beat up the Yankees, so I thought they would be on a roll, but the only roll they are on is downhill....I would be surprised to see Willie Randolph in the dugout much longer. A team couldn't look much worse than they did against us. Tons of mental errors, combined with pure laziness, is not a good combo....

All of the sudden, the Braves are finally hitting like we thought they would from the get go. Teixeira as recently as a week ago looked like he was going to have the season Andruw Jones had last year(Hitting .240 on the 16th, now up to .279) Mark Kotsay I figured had to be done after hitting in the low .200's last year, plus Oakland is paying most of his salary. Turns out a healthy back makes a big difference! He's hitting .296, and while he might not have the range of Andruw Jones, his arm is more accurate.

On May 12th, 2nd baseman Kelly Johnson was hitting .254, and playing brutal defense...a lot of talk that he wasn't really a middle infielder, more a 4th outfielder at best...since being moved from the leadoff spot to 7th, he has really started to hit, batting .299 now.

Brian McCann may be the best offensive catcher in the game right now, hitting .329 with 31 RBI's....old brain dead Booby better rest him now and then though, he's on pace to play 159 games!!!

Jeff Francoeur, who has looked weak at the plate of late, and has a few nagging injuries, finally sat out a game, breaking the longest consecutive game streak in the game. But of course, Cox did it during a double header, so I am sure he thinks his sore ankle got a lot of rest!

Oh yeah, Chipper Jones is still hitting .412, and got a huge hit against Santana last night. Batting right handed, he hit a pitch 3-4 inches off the outside of the plate for a single to right, must have made Santana ill.

We can't compete starting pitcher wise with the big boys right now,(Hopefully we can trade for someone down the road, but who?) but the bullpen has been terrific. All the more amazing since the two best relievers from last year, Peter Moylan,(Tommy John surgery) and Soriano have missed almost all the season.

Manny Acosta has done very well in the closing role, but again, the insane manager is doing everything in his power to blow a kids arm out. Had him come in during the first game of a double header, where we were up 6-1 for the 9th inning, then had him pitch an inning and a third in the nightcap, which we won 6-2!!! Idiot!!!

Even a dopey manager can get lucky though, and IF Smoltz can stay healthy and close, with Soriano back soon, and lefty Mike Gonzalez likely back within a month or less, I'd say we had arguably, the best bullpen in baseball.

Edited May 23, 2008 by BERIGAN

[Dan Gould]

I just discovered something that's pretty astonishing.

The lowest BA on the Red Sox is by David Ortiz, who despite hitting .246 overall has 10 HRs and 38 RBI. After that, the lowest average is Lowell at .283 and it only goes up from there. The bench boasts Kevin Cash, .333, Sean Casey, .355 and Alex Cora, .409. Everyone else falls in between Lowell at .283 and Youk at .324. That's ridiculous.

No wonder the team BA is a whopping 17 points ahead of the next best team, and they easily lead in OBP and SLG, too.

We just need to get the pitching going on a consistent basis and there will be no stopping the Repeat Train.

[Chalupa]

Zito beat the Marlins for his first win????

[Quincy]

Meanwhile in Seattle (we miss you Matthew):

“Playing on this team and seeing what is happening around me, I feel that something is beginning to fall apart,” Ichiro said, through a translator. “But, if I was not in this situation, and I was objectively watching what just happened this week, I would probably be drinking a lot of beers and booing.”

Drinking a lot, what a good idea!

[papsrus]

Meanwhile in Seattle (we miss you Matthew):

“Playing on this team and seeing what is happening around me, I feel that something is beginning to fall apart,” Ichiro said, through a translator. “But, if I was not in this situation, and I was objectively watching what just happened this week, I would probably be drinking a lot of beers and booing.”

Drinking a lot, what a good idea!

Is there any talk in Seattle about offering up Ichiro for a fist full of prospects at this point? He would fit nicely in right field at the Trop. I'm sure the Rays don't want to mess with the chemistry (or their salary structure, or their prospects) by bringing in a superstar. But they have to find their bats soon. I love the 2-0 and 2-1 wins, but man, it would be nice to throw up some insurance runs every once in a while. I haven't checked, but I would be shocked if this isn't the weakest-hitting club with a .500 or better record in all of baseball. If they want to get serious about staying in the AL East race, they need to find some thunder.