Saturday, May 28, 2011
Hey, did you happen to catch the end of the Twins game last night?
Up 5-0 in the 8th inning, and then...
Right down the leg.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again.
"Hey, it's ok Joe. You're like the 9th worst pitcher on this team."
What's it going to take, Lord? Is there a solution? Do we sit in this gathering cloud and grasp at positives, or do we rage against the dying of the light with venom? Are we Smart Fans, or are we Viking Fans?
Should we never have traded Wilson Ramos for Ass-Kiss McGee a year ago? Well, that's obvious. Here's what I can see from Fat Matt Capps (oh, how I yearned to run the "He's peelin' Capps!" joke into the ground over the past year. For shame) - a man who throws the ball real fast and real straight. If a hitter wants to, they can get a hit. Plain and simple. It's just a question of if they want to and if they are good enough. But you just wait for the fastball, you get it, you hit it. If he tries to trick hitters, he misses the zone. He's really doing a disservice to that #55.
Should we maybe have stretched Joe Nathan out a little more? Maybe not expected a 36 year old man to return less than a year after surgery? And, if this is truly how it ends for Spazulous (just made that up, you're welcome), how did it happen so quick? I've never seen it fall off that fast: give up a donk to A-rod in the playoffs, show up at spring training with a broken elbow, miss a year, come back and pitch so horribly that you make the Twins fans miss Aaron Fultz. I haven't seen a follow-up like this since Bret Boone, but you know what he liked to inject into his arm...
(pause)
STEROIDS!
Should we reconsider giving Joe Mauer more money than Manny got in his prime? You won't hear any ill-speak from me regarding Ol' Joe, because I like him more than most of my friends and I've never met him, but this is really shaping up to be a wild ride with them legs. I mean, maybe they'll work and he'll be MVP. Or maybe they'll replace the cartilage with bovine pericardium. Or maybe they'll just get the bone-saw and he'll wheel his way to first base.
Should we fire a rocket into the bullpen and hope it somehow manages to wipe the slate clean? Because I don't know how much more I can take. Here's a stat for you: the Twins are 11-7 when leading after the 7th inning. OH HOLY HELL, THAT CAN'T BE. Do I miss Matt Grr and Jesse Crain? Yes, because at least those guys were on a team that won baseball games.
Should we bring up guys from the minors and start fresh? Umm, yeah, but the problem is that there's no one there. See, the Twins entered a new organizational timeline when they opened Target Field. That timeline went from "Make moves with an eye for 3 years in the future" to "Make moves for right now because BIG DOGG'S GOTTA EAT!" Nobody regrets Thome, or O-dogg, or Nishi, or whatever. But the clock changed on us. Instead of a Liriano or a Span coming up in a few years, we've got Dinkleberry Revere and Kyle "My Name Is Kyle" Gibson. Hey great, I'm excited.
Lord, where do we go from here?
I'll tell you where *I* am going.... back to bed.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Matt Guerrier scores?!
Two items of note happened in last night's Dodgers win:
One
Last night, Matt Guerrier came in for an at-bat, and stuck a guy out. Then, HE had an at-bat. The pitcher, one from the Pittsburgh Pirates, WALKED HIM.
Matt came around to score.
So, yeah...I guess the coin landed "heads" and Matt had a "good game."
Two
The usually reliable "Dodger Talk" post-game show is slowly getting sour, and I found out first hand when I called. Instead of the usual "I wanna talk about how this or that is good or bad" I had to give detailed info on my topics. By the time I was on the air, they were ready to answer questions I had yet to ask. One of the topics was the bullpen, and its shitness. Well, Lance Cormier pitched the "junk innings" of a blowout win last night. Dodger Talk folks said he's useful on the staff for those kind of situations.
His line last night:
IP 2
H 2
R 1
ER 1
K 1
HR 1
A relief performance where a guy gives up a run was reviewed as "two solid innings." It was so "solid" it actually lowered his ERA to 8.71. This...and they disagreed on getting the minor league boys up here. I think even Twins fans know how rare it is to score 10 runs in a game...using "junk" relief is just code for where you're kicked when they enter the game.
One
Last night, Matt Guerrier came in for an at-bat, and stuck a guy out. Then, HE had an at-bat. The pitcher, one from the Pittsburgh Pirates, WALKED HIM.
Matt came around to score.
So, yeah...I guess the coin landed "heads" and Matt had a "good game."
Two
The usually reliable "Dodger Talk" post-game show is slowly getting sour, and I found out first hand when I called. Instead of the usual "I wanna talk about how this or that is good or bad" I had to give detailed info on my topics. By the time I was on the air, they were ready to answer questions I had yet to ask. One of the topics was the bullpen, and its shitness. Well, Lance Cormier pitched the "junk innings" of a blowout win last night. Dodger Talk folks said he's useful on the staff for those kind of situations.
His line last night:
IP 2
H 2
R 1
ER 1
K 1
HR 1
A relief performance where a guy gives up a run was reviewed as "two solid innings." It was so "solid" it actually lowered his ERA to 8.71. This...and they disagreed on getting the minor league boys up here. I think even Twins fans know how rare it is to score 10 runs in a game...using "junk" relief is just code for where you're kicked when they enter the game.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Maybe I haven't watched the Twins in a while, but...
I mean, give me a break, Chipwhiches were on sale for 5 for 2 bucks,
Excuse me? Who the fuck?
Go away, young man. Just go away.
Excuse me? Who the fuck?
Go away, young man. Just go away.
About 20 cents shy of a quarter
Sure, it's been bare bones on ye olde blog here for the month of April. But that's only because the mercury has only sniffed 60 in a handful of days and that makes me think it's still March. Oh, sure Alexi Casilla couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat (BEVACQUA GO!) but don't worry, he'll get it in gear by the time the season star- what? Oh hell, this isn't good.
Here's a few of the Twins' problems so far this season:
1. HITTING THE BASEBALL
Throughout history (History = Since 2001), the Twins have an almost-perfect record of picking up a "Grey Beard" for one season of glory and then watching them ride away after their apex. The prime example of this is, of course, Old Grey Beard, Mr. Terry Mulholland himself. And last year, Mr. Jim Thome was exactly that, a resurrected old salt dog who could knock the ball to the Crystal Court and not blink an eye. His turnaround of the Matt Thornton fastball was THE defining White Sox fail moment of the season. This year? Well, that .375 slugging percentage ain't exactly what it used to be. In fact, it's the lowest that it has been in a non-injury year since 1992. THAT'S THE YEAR THE CHRONIC CAME OUT ON COMPACT DISC.
But Bigg Jim ain't the only one to blame here. Casilla's hitting a buck ninety. Joe Mauer is out because his legs are weak. His replacement, Drew Butera, might set the all-time MLB record for Biggest Dropoff Between Starter And Backup. Drew is hitting .106 with an OPS of .309. AN OPS OF .309! When was the last time Joe Mauer even had an ON BASE percentage lower than that? N.E.V.E.R. Oh father christmas, someone heal them legs.
2. PITCHING THE BASEBALL
I don't trust these kids. I just don't. Jokers like Slowey, Blackburn and Baker, they just don't have it. And you can run every number, and give me every projection in the universe, and I'll still tell you what I see when they pitch: little pants-pissers that try too hard and end up giving up big leads against bad teams. Baker's been here a long time, and he's been OK, but I never trusted him.
And then there's Liriano. HE IS THE BEST PITCHER THAT HAS EVER PITCHED AND I HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED HIM NO MATTER WHAT. IF ANYONE EVER SAYS ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM, THEY ARE JUST WRONG.
3. NOT GETTING INJURED
So apparently they don't break up double plays in Japan? Oh, that's great, thanks for telling him about that in spring training, guys. Delmon and Joe are out for awhile. Morneau is hitting .225 in his return from The Concussion. Again, spring training ended a month ago.
And finally, here's a nifty little graph that is posted on Baseball Reference:
Notice how they only run the data to 10 runs. The Twins have "buried the speedometer" in 3 games so far. Look at all that red. I see one convincing victory in there, and a bunch of squeak-bys. It seems like every other loss is a monster one.
Like Tommy would say, time to get it in gear. The Indians' dance is going to end soon, and Kansas City likes to wet themselves, but let's get this thing at least going in the right direction.
--------------------------------------
Oh, and Matt Grrrr? Take a look to the right sidebar at the tag cloud. Look in the Ms. That tells you all you need to know.
Here's a few of the Twins' problems so far this season:
1. HITTING THE BASEBALL
Throughout history (History = Since 2001), the Twins have an almost-perfect record of picking up a "Grey Beard" for one season of glory and then watching them ride away after their apex. The prime example of this is, of course, Old Grey Beard, Mr. Terry Mulholland himself. And last year, Mr. Jim Thome was exactly that, a resurrected old salt dog who could knock the ball to the Crystal Court and not blink an eye. His turnaround of the Matt Thornton fastball was THE defining White Sox fail moment of the season. This year? Well, that .375 slugging percentage ain't exactly what it used to be. In fact, it's the lowest that it has been in a non-injury year since 1992. THAT'S THE YEAR THE CHRONIC CAME OUT ON COMPACT DISC.
But Bigg Jim ain't the only one to blame here. Casilla's hitting a buck ninety. Joe Mauer is out because his legs are weak. His replacement, Drew Butera, might set the all-time MLB record for Biggest Dropoff Between Starter And Backup. Drew is hitting .106 with an OPS of .309. AN OPS OF .309! When was the last time Joe Mauer even had an ON BASE percentage lower than that? N.E.V.E.R. Oh father christmas, someone heal them legs.
2. PITCHING THE BASEBALL
I don't trust these kids. I just don't. Jokers like Slowey, Blackburn and Baker, they just don't have it. And you can run every number, and give me every projection in the universe, and I'll still tell you what I see when they pitch: little pants-pissers that try too hard and end up giving up big leads against bad teams. Baker's been here a long time, and he's been OK, but I never trusted him.
And then there's Liriano. HE IS THE BEST PITCHER THAT HAS EVER PITCHED AND I HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED HIM NO MATTER WHAT. IF ANYONE EVER SAYS ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM, THEY ARE JUST WRONG.
3. NOT GETTING INJURED
So apparently they don't break up double plays in Japan? Oh, that's great, thanks for telling him about that in spring training, guys. Delmon and Joe are out for awhile. Morneau is hitting .225 in his return from The Concussion. Again, spring training ended a month ago.
And finally, here's a nifty little graph that is posted on Baseball Reference:
Like Tommy would say, time to get it in gear. The Indians' dance is going to end soon, and Kansas City likes to wet themselves, but let's get this thing at least going in the right direction.
--------------------------------------
Oh, and Matt Grrrr? Take a look to the right sidebar at the tag cloud. Look in the Ms. That tells you all you need to know.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Off to Albuquerque you go...
The output on this site…well, it’s matching the Twins output. And when you’re the worst team in baseball® it’s enough to make anyone depressed. So, let’s take a look at the average team out in LA…
The ownership bullshit continues to churn on, and anyone who tells you it doesn’t affect the team is wrong. Baseball games still have to be played, you know, and a month in there’s a list ready to go. It’s the dreaded "You Belong in New Mexico" list. Who is being called into Tommy's office to be told the news? (What the players don't know is that Tommy has been told there's "bad traffic" delivering the gelato to the stadium)
1. Ivan DeJesus Jr. SS .167 average
Originally brought up when Raffy Furcal was injured (again), DeJesus has done little than kill time in the line-up. What usually happens is Vin and viewers talk about his dad while he takes a couple of pitches and then grounds out. Donny has been able to spread out Jamey Carroll (a man), Aaron Miles, and Juan Uribe to cover it while one or the other is at 2B. Now with Casey Blake (3B) doubly injured, yet another hole is there. One of the above trio will take that spot, and there's no need to "utility" almost the entire fucking infield. Ivan needs to switch time zones. In his place would be Devaris "Dee" Gordon. Batting .302 with 26 hits? Sounds like a guy who deserves a chance.
2. The Bullpen...oh dear god, the Bullpen.
Where does one begin? Kenley Jansen (0-0, 7.43) was the first to put on the Isotope cap, as Hong-Chih Kuo came off the DL. How did that work out, Kuo?
0.1 IP
2 H
4 ER
ERA? 15!
Kuo is given a small amount of slack as, well, this performance shows he might be injured. STILL injured.
2a. Jonathan Broxton 1-1 4.76
You might be thinking "Trip, how does a closer get an ERA that high?!" He does it by entering games with a large lead, giving up a few runs, and then "saving" the game. A perfect example was his performance Friday. He enters the game up 2, and promptly gives up a run and 3 hits. Later, with runners on the corners, has to be bailed out with a diving catch by Tony Gwynn Jr. That's a "save" in the book, and another typical Broxton game. Donny wants to keep using him as a closer, but all that tells me is the following:
Donny Baseball's Knowledge
Hitting: Excellent
Baserunning: Very Good
Fielding: Very Good
Pitching: N/A
(Anyone who's watched the late innings of games this season could tell you that...)
2b. Lance Cormier 0-0 9.72
Since getting his shit rocked in the Cards series, he's seen little action. His primary use these days is pitching to lefties...because his righties ERA? 19.64! No one likes a one note player...even in a jug band. Yet another space taken.
2c. Matt Grrrrrrrrr 2-2 4.11
I don't need to tell the regular readers about Mr. Guerrier. Was it always this way? Is it always a spin of the wheel when he enters a game? He has value coming in after a starter...but if the game is starting to get dicey, he doesn't seem like the guy you can count on. Starting off an inning? Not as much of a problem.
In their place?
Merkin Valdez - RP 1-0 2.53
Pitching isn't really a "strong point" for the Isotopes...but this is the best of the bunch. Come on...do you want stats, or do you want a guy named Merkin on your team? Thought so.
Beyond that, you're having to go to Chattanooga...and that's just as questionable as the crowd in LA. All the same, here are the stats of the Lookouts who have saves so far this season:
Cole St. Clair: 1-0, 0.68
Josh Lindblom: 1-2, 2.84
Javy Guerra: 0-0, 0.90
Shit...two guys under 1? I know we're talking American Legion competition...but those boys belong in Sandland. Hell, I'd love to see Broxton enter the field, surrounded by 900 fans as "Ironman" plays...and then gives up the winning run.
Back to tanning; hoping the Twins get in gear.
The ownership bullshit continues to churn on, and anyone who tells you it doesn’t affect the team is wrong. Baseball games still have to be played, you know, and a month in there’s a list ready to go. It’s the dreaded "You Belong in New Mexico" list. Who is being called into Tommy's office to be told the news? (What the players don't know is that Tommy has been told there's "bad traffic" delivering the gelato to the stadium)
1. Ivan DeJesus Jr. SS .167 average
Originally brought up when Raffy Furcal was injured (again), DeJesus has done little than kill time in the line-up. What usually happens is Vin and viewers talk about his dad while he takes a couple of pitches and then grounds out. Donny has been able to spread out Jamey Carroll (a man), Aaron Miles, and Juan Uribe to cover it while one or the other is at 2B. Now with Casey Blake (3B) doubly injured, yet another hole is there. One of the above trio will take that spot, and there's no need to "utility" almost the entire fucking infield. Ivan needs to switch time zones. In his place would be Devaris "Dee" Gordon. Batting .302 with 26 hits? Sounds like a guy who deserves a chance.
2. The Bullpen...oh dear god, the Bullpen.
Where does one begin? Kenley Jansen (0-0, 7.43) was the first to put on the Isotope cap, as Hong-Chih Kuo came off the DL. How did that work out, Kuo?
0.1 IP
2 H
4 ER
ERA? 15!
Kuo is given a small amount of slack as, well, this performance shows he might be injured. STILL injured.
2a. Jonathan Broxton 1-1 4.76
You might be thinking "Trip, how does a closer get an ERA that high?!" He does it by entering games with a large lead, giving up a few runs, and then "saving" the game. A perfect example was his performance Friday. He enters the game up 2, and promptly gives up a run and 3 hits. Later, with runners on the corners, has to be bailed out with a diving catch by Tony Gwynn Jr. That's a "save" in the book, and another typical Broxton game. Donny wants to keep using him as a closer, but all that tells me is the following:
Donny Baseball's Knowledge
Hitting: Excellent
Baserunning: Very Good
Fielding: Very Good
Pitching: N/A
(Anyone who's watched the late innings of games this season could tell you that...)
2b. Lance Cormier 0-0 9.72
Since getting his shit rocked in the Cards series, he's seen little action. His primary use these days is pitching to lefties...because his righties ERA? 19.64! No one likes a one note player...even in a jug band. Yet another space taken.
2c. Matt Grrrrrrrrr 2-2 4.11
I don't need to tell the regular readers about Mr. Guerrier. Was it always this way? Is it always a spin of the wheel when he enters a game? He has value coming in after a starter...but if the game is starting to get dicey, he doesn't seem like the guy you can count on. Starting off an inning? Not as much of a problem.
In their place?
Merkin Valdez - RP 1-0 2.53
Pitching isn't really a "strong point" for the Isotopes...but this is the best of the bunch. Come on...do you want stats, or do you want a guy named Merkin on your team? Thought so.
Beyond that, you're having to go to Chattanooga...and that's just as questionable as the crowd in LA. All the same, here are the stats of the Lookouts who have saves so far this season:
Cole St. Clair: 1-0, 0.68
Josh Lindblom: 1-2, 2.84
Javy Guerra: 0-0, 0.90
Shit...two guys under 1? I know we're talking American Legion competition...but those boys belong in Sandland. Hell, I'd love to see Broxton enter the field, surrounded by 900 fans as "Ironman" plays...and then gives up the winning run.
Back to tanning; hoping the Twins get in gear.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)