Baseball Thread 3 - The Jody Reed Edition

It's like the fucking United Nations up in here.

 

Nah. In 2007 Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza were Minnesota Twins. ;D (Zeke has no idea why he just killed a hobo.)

The bullpen needs to shape up soonish, and I really don't think Isringhausen is going to work out. Maddon seems to like old-fart closers, unfortunately (Reys, Percival, Isringhausen). Thayer was leading Durham in saves and had an 0.93 ERA when he was called up¹ but gave up 2 runs today. Winston Abreu (also 6 saves at Durham ERA 0.93) might have to be considered, although at the MLB level he's never been much more than a middle relief guy. Besides, I don't know that Maddon is ready to go with a closer under the age of 35.

Also: When the Citrus Series renews, Coghlan should get a fastball in the face on the first pitch of his first at-bat.¹And has a 'stache that puts Brook Jacoby to shame.

 

I've got to be honest, Bubbs.

This is the third night in a row I've expected to click on here and see the Cubs as your dead team of the day.

I'm almost disappointed.

I laugh because it keeps me from crying.

 

Seconded. Iwamura's done for the season.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may/25/260010/rays-lose-iwamura-season/news-breaking/

 

Yikes.

Who will get the majority of the time at second?

Zobrist is hitting, but Brignac has been a highly regarded prospect for a long time and probably deserves a chance to get some real MLB playing time.

 

Fucking wrestling move, man. Gant was safe. (Yes, I'm still bitter. )

 

I think they keep Brignac up, but may use Willy Aybar there as well depending on circumstance. Zobrist probably continues to be used as an outfielder/bat off the bench.

 

The Indians' win probability chart from tonight's game. Holy crap, that's some crazy stuff.

http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?gameid=290525105

 

Funny. I told a friend of mine tonight that Maddon won't trust a closer who didn't vote in the 1980 presidential election.

And OOP, I know you're probably having some fun with this, but consider that Percival was 6-for-6 as a closer. Was he good? No. But every time he got the ball in a save situation in the ninth inning, he got the job done.

In fact, tonight was the first time this season a Rays reliever has blown a save opportunity in the ninth inning. Wheeler (two BS) and Howell (three BS) have all been charged with blown saves prior to the ninth inning (i.e. they almost certainly weren't the last line of defense). And as awful as Izzy was, this loss is the fault of a whole lot of people beyond him. You can't blame the closer for the loss when you piss away a 10-0 lead.

 

All true, but having a front-line closer who can take the ball every time improves the rest of the bullpen by helping them stay in set roles. Part of the Rays' problem so far this season has been that the set-up guys aren't pitching nearly as well as they did last year. Perhaps the fact that Percival wasn't even getting all of the save chances before he got hurt played a role in that.

I'm not sure if I ever suggested that Percival would stop being effective when he pitched. He got the job done often enough last year when he was able to take the ball. The main issue is health, as in his won't last. He was a lock to get hurt. The only question was how often and how long he would be out. That is why trusting him was nuts.

Regarding Isringhausen, you are correct that he didn't blow the game all by himself. But he came into the game with two out and a man on first with the Rays holding a two-run lead. A closer should be able to get that last out. Izzy walked the first three batters he faced, the last of those forcing in a run, before giving up Martinez's game-winning two-run single. He has to take a fairly large portion of the blame for this one.

 

Still no word on how long, but the x-ray on the elbow came back negative. He was hit on the same bone where he suffered a bruise that took him out for nearly a week earlier this month.

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09146/972732-100.stm

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-26-sox-angels-chicagomay26,0,5877801.story

And here I go with a Simon-like three in a row.

How is feeling something pop in an injured foot a "good thing?" Better question, how many games does Carlos Quentin have to miss or leave early before the White Sox finally sit him down for a while and try to get him healthy?