406 replies to this topic

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

You know Rook, if you're not going to hit, you sure as hell better be able to field.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Or pitch. Ouch.

[Lord O' Bones]

8-13? That's not so bad.

Wait.

[childe roland]

Ted Lilly keeps chuggin along.

[Myshkin]

Triskele, on 07 May 2012 - 11:08 PM, said:

OK, baseball fans.  I have a scenario for you:

You have an upstart young starting pitcher who is surprising even you with a 5-0 record and a 1.60 ERA.  You are on the road against a solid team and good pitcher.  Your offense catches fire, and you get a 7-0 lead while your starter continues to pitch great with a shutout through 5 with 7 K's.  Do you leave him in, or do you take him out?  His pitch count is 91, and you have no reason to believe that he can't log innings.  The final piece of information is that your middle-relief is average at best.

I don't see why anyone would take him out.  He's got a big lead and his pitch count isn't that high.  Why force your mediocre bullpen to take on more work for no reason?  Trot him out for the 6th, and if he gets through that with relatively few pitches, trot him back out for the 7th.

[awesome possum]

Can the Cubs actually be pulling it together?  The last five series have been against the Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, Dodgers, and currently the Braves.  They won the series against the Cardinals and Dodgers, split with the Phillies and Reds, and just beat the Braves last night.

Probably not going to last, but it's fun to get some Ws against some of the best teams in the league.  And Milwaukee has been kind enough to take over the bottom spot in the division, which is even nicer.

childe roland, on 08 May 2012 - 12:18 AM, said:

Ted Lilly keeps chuggin along.

Still ticked the Cubs let him walk a few seasons ago.

Edited by awesome possum, 08 May 2012 - 08:56 AM.

[Triskele]

Myshkin, on 08 May 2012 - 02:31 AM, said:

I don't see why anyone would take him out.  He's got a big lead and his pitch count isn't that high.  Why force your mediocre bullpen to take on more work for no reason?  Trot him out for the 6th, and if he gets through that with relatively few pitches, trot him back out for the 7th.

Yours is the correct answer.  This was the exact situation Lynn was in yesterday, and he was pulled.  The middle-relief promptly gave up six runs in the 6th to cut it to 7-6.  The Cardinals still won, and Lynn still got the win (to go to 6-0) but I can't fathom that move.

Random stat of the day:  St. Louis versus Arizona yesterday was literally the first opponent for the Cardinals out of the division yet this season.

[Mack Kilimaro]

Triskele, on 08 May 2012 - 10:45 AM, said:

Yours is the correct answer.  This was the exact situation Lynn was in yesterday, and he was pulled.  The middle-relief promptly gave up six runs in the 6th to cut it to 7-6.  The Cardinals still won, and Lynn still got the win (to go to 6-0) but I can't fathom that move.

Is Lynn on some kind of season innings limit or something? Along the lines of Strasburg supposedly being hard capped at 160 IP. Saving two innings in what should be mop-up duty could be another start down the road in that situation. Failing that, I don't see why a manager would not let the successful pitcher go to more like 110 pitches as long as he is remaining effective.

[Triskele]

Mack Kilimaro, on 08 May 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

Is Lynn on some kind of season innings limit or something? Along the lines of Strasburg supposedly being hard capped at 160 IP. Saving two innings in what should be mop-up duty could be another start down the road in that situation. Failing that, I don't see why a manager would not let the successful pitcher go to more like 110 pitches as long as he is remaining effective.

I'm fairly certain that he is not.  That was part of why it was puzzling.

I was watching MLB network, and their guys seemed puzzled by it too.  He did have 4 walks, but again, 7 K's and a 7-0 lead.  Ah well.  Lynn is looking like a great young pitcher.  I hope he's the real deal as opposed to some guy that hitters just don't have enough tape on yet.

Rafael Furcal is playing outstanding for us.  That looks at the moment like a brilliant signing.

[Jaxom 1974]

Triskele, on 07 May 2012 - 10:18 PM, said:

Does anyone use the gamecast feature on ESPN.com?  I've been using it off and on for years, and it feels like they've made it tons better this year.  They'll link a highlight of a big play a bit after which they didn't used to do.  And they get random stats and comments from bloggers or media people for the respective teams.  Not as good as actually having the game on the tube, but it's a much improved alternative to what it's been for the last few years.

Never use anything ESPN these days.  MLB.com is good enough for my needs and I struggle to remember that ESPN even has a baseball show on when I can turn on the MLB Network...

Mack Kilimaro, on 08 May 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

Is Lynn on some kind of season innings limit or something? Along the lines of Strasburg supposedly being hard capped at 160 IP. Saving two innings in what should be mop-up duty could be another start down the road in that situation. Failing that, I don't see why a manager would not let the successful pitcher go to more like 110 pitches as long as he is remaining effective.

Does anyone think that if this was August 8th and the Nats were still in first and doing everything to keep themselves there that anyone mentions the idea that Strasberg has an impending pitch count?

[So1ar]

Triskele, on 08 May 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

Rafael Furcal is playing outstanding for us.  That looks at the moment like a brilliant signing.

Beltran isn't doing too shabby either.

Edited by So1ar, 08 May 2012 - 04:04 PM.

[Mack Kilimaro]

Jaxom 1974, on 08 May 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

Never use anything ESPN these days.  MLB.com is good enough for my needs and I struggle to remember that ESPN even has a baseball show on when I can turn on the MLB Network...

Clubhouse Confidential is the single best sports commentary show on television. It's not even close for second place.

I think ESPN manages to have some interesting web content, however. They just don't get the best guys on TV very often - or they aren't as good on TV.

[Triskele]

I really like Kruk.  I'll watch just for him.

I think he's one of those people who comes off as an everyman but is very intelligent.

I love watching MLB network though.  They do a much better job of going to the best live action than Baseball tonight does.

[Jaime L]

awesome possum, on 08 May 2012 - 08:56 AM, said:

Can the Cubs actually be pulling it together?  The last five series have been against the Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, Dodgers, and currently the Braves.  They won the series against the Cardinals and Dodgers, split with the Phillies and Reds, and just beat the Braves last night.

Let's talk about the 800 lbs gorilla in the room for why all these things are happening: professional hitter and international sex symbol Bryan LaHair leading the way. He gave up his comfortable life of 10 years in the minors to kick ass and take names in the Big Show, as I understand it,  all on a dare.

I'm not wholly unconvinced he isn't a sorceror who stole Pujols' talent right as he was leaving the division.

[Triskele]

LaHair totally sounds like an international man of mystery kind of name.

[Myshkin]

Wow, Hamilton has 4 HR tonight.

[childe roland]

It's Time!

[Lord O' Bones]

When the Giants are struggling, and the Dodgers are on fire, there is one thing I can always count on to make me smile.

Tens of thousands of empty seats at Chavez Ravine.

ETA: Fun quote during the offseason from Buster Posey: "Kershaw. I want some of him. We owe him." Looks like Brett Pill took that seriously. I know Posey did.

Edited by Lord O' Bones, 08 May 2012 - 09:27 PM.

[childe roland]

at least they didnt have to see the HRs

[Lightning Lord]

Twins starting pitcher tonight: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K.  Which of you hacked ESPN's baseball scoreboard?  I admit, this is a quality prank, but it's a bit on the cruel side.

Btw, good on ya' Hamilton.  Not taking that talk of Kemp being the best hitter in MLB lying down, are you?