Thursday, September 13, 2007
The skipper speaks
Jim Leyland: "I mean this sincerely, and it sounds crazy: In some ways, I am prouder of this team than the one last year, because nobody packed it in and they busted their butts every day. They've made no excuses, no whining about who we lost. I'm proud of that."
Doing the math
It would seem the playoff hopes for the Tigers have all but faded. Detroit has 15 games remaining and would need to win 12 to reach 92 wins, which is what I thought (probably erroneously) would be necessary to win the Central.
Detroit is 5 behind NYY in the loss column for the wild card. Even if the Tigs went 10-5 down the stretch, the Yanks could go 8-9 and hold on. NY has 6 games remaining with the O’s, so that means going 2-9 or 3-8 vs. all others. At this point, you’re more likely to see Britney in undies than an O’s win.
The Tigers need to win 2 of 3 at Minnesota and sweep in Cleveland in their next 6 games to have any chance at anything. Cleveland ends the season with KC; maybe the Royals can do to the Tribe what they did to Detroit last season. Cleveland’s magic number is 11. The Indians could go 8-8 in their final 16 and hit 93 wins.
Detroit is 5 behind NYY in the loss column for the wild card. Even if the Tigs went 10-5 down the stretch, the Yanks could go 8-9 and hold on. NY has 6 games remaining with the O’s, so that means going 2-9 or 3-8 vs. all others. At this point, you’re more likely to see Britney in undies than an O’s win.
The Tigers need to win 2 of 3 at Minnesota and sweep in Cleveland in their next 6 games to have any chance at anything. Cleveland ends the season with KC; maybe the Royals can do to the Tribe what they did to Detroit last season. Cleveland’s magic number is 11. The Indians could go 8-8 in their final 16 and hit 93 wins.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Willie's Choice
The Mets are going to win the NL East. This much is obvious. They have a lead of seven games and a magic number of 11 with seventeen to play. The Braves and Phillies took their shots and came up woefully short. Now it's time to figure out the postseason roster without getting anyone hurt.
The biggest question right now surrounds the starting rotation. Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez are basically guaranteed spots if they can remain healthy enough to claim them. Their doing so could be described as almost certain, increasingly likely and a little dicey, respectively. Glavine has been quite consistent in both performance and health, holding the Astros to one run on three hits in seven innings in his thirtieth and most recent start. Pedro followed up his promising season debut by blanking Houston for five innings on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts. And El Duque returned from injury on Tuesday to get lit up by the Braves for eight runs on six hits and four walks in three innings. El Duque could make the Mets' decision for them by continuing to pitch like this, but if he gets it together, they may have to make a tough choice to pare their rotation down to four in October.
Oliver Perez and John Maine have both stumbled in the second half after strong starts, but they both pitched well against Atlanta this week. Perez allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings in Monday's win. Maine allowed one run on three hits and three walks and five strikeouts in six innings on Wednesday in a game that the bullpen tried but failed to give away. Perez has been the less awful of the two in the second half, but the fourth spot in the Mets' playoff rotation seemingly remains up for grabs. Both came through on the brink of elimination in last year's NLCS but only one is likely to get a shot at an encore.
The Mets (83-62) do still have some regular season games left to play. Despite El Duque's struggles and an injury to Carlos Delgado, they have heated up in September, winning nine of eleven and scoring more than five runs per game. This weekend they'll host the Wild Card-hungry Phillies (76-69) who only two weeks ago closed to within two games of first place. Glavine (13-6, 3.95) Pedro (2-0, 1.80) and Perez (14-9, 3.42) will start for the Mets against Jamie Moyer (13-11, 5.23), Kyle Lohse (8-12, 4.47) and Adam Eaton (9-9, 6.31). I know I said this last time, but I like those pitching matchups.
The biggest question right now surrounds the starting rotation. Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez are basically guaranteed spots if they can remain healthy enough to claim them. Their doing so could be described as almost certain, increasingly likely and a little dicey, respectively. Glavine has been quite consistent in both performance and health, holding the Astros to one run on three hits in seven innings in his thirtieth and most recent start. Pedro followed up his promising season debut by blanking Houston for five innings on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts. And El Duque returned from injury on Tuesday to get lit up by the Braves for eight runs on six hits and four walks in three innings. El Duque could make the Mets' decision for them by continuing to pitch like this, but if he gets it together, they may have to make a tough choice to pare their rotation down to four in October.
Oliver Perez and John Maine have both stumbled in the second half after strong starts, but they both pitched well against Atlanta this week. Perez allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings in Monday's win. Maine allowed one run on three hits and three walks and five strikeouts in six innings on Wednesday in a game that the bullpen tried but failed to give away. Perez has been the less awful of the two in the second half, but the fourth spot in the Mets' playoff rotation seemingly remains up for grabs. Both came through on the brink of elimination in last year's NLCS but only one is likely to get a shot at an encore.
The Mets (83-62) do still have some regular season games left to play. Despite El Duque's struggles and an injury to Carlos Delgado, they have heated up in September, winning nine of eleven and scoring more than five runs per game. This weekend they'll host the Wild Card-hungry Phillies (76-69) who only two weeks ago closed to within two games of first place. Glavine (13-6, 3.95) Pedro (2-0, 1.80) and Perez (14-9, 3.42) will start for the Mets against Jamie Moyer (13-11, 5.23), Kyle Lohse (8-12, 4.47) and Adam Eaton (9-9, 6.31). I know I said this last time, but I like those pitching matchups.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Time to roar
Detroit starts a key 3-game series against Seattle tonight. At least the Tigers have the rotation in their favor with Verlander, Robertson and Bonderman throwing. It would be nice if Robertson and Bonderman flashed a little 2006 form.
This, obviously, is a big series between 2 of the wild card contenders. The Yankees travel to KC, then Toronto and Boston, so Detroit needs to make a run right now.
Were the past 2 dramatic wins a sign of things to come, or just something to provide false hope? This in Detroit's favor -- although the Tigs have got a doubleheader on Sept. 11 vs. Texas, they've got off days for the final 3 Thursdays. That could be huge. The Yanks and Mariners both only have 1 day off during that span.
This, obviously, is a big series between 2 of the wild card contenders. The Yankees travel to KC, then Toronto and Boston, so Detroit needs to make a run right now.
Were the past 2 dramatic wins a sign of things to come, or just something to provide false hope? This in Detroit's favor -- although the Tigs have got a doubleheader on Sept. 11 vs. Texas, they've got off days for the final 3 Thursdays. That could be huge. The Yanks and Mariners both only have 1 day off during that span.
No luck
The Tigers have a make-up game against Toronto scheduled for Monday. The Blue Jays are expected to start Roy Halladay.
Seay me
Tigers reliever Bobby Seay picked up wins on consecutive days as Detroit won in 11 innings on Wednesday and rallied for a 9th-inning victory Thursday. Seay had 2 wins in his entire 6-year career entering this week.
Rescue me
Blown saves in 2007 for AL wild card contenders
Yankees 17
Record: 78-62
Seattle 14
Record: 74-64
Detroit 20
Record: 75-65
Yankees 17
Record: 78-62
Seattle 14
Record: 74-64
Detroit 20
Record: 75-65
Monday, September 03, 2007
Pedro!
A lot can happen in four days. For four days last week it seemed like the Mets would never win another baseball game. The last four days have given reason to reevaluate that assessment.
First there was a shocking three-game sweep of the Braves at Turner Field, not a place where the Mets have played particularly well over the years. The offense, starting pitching and bullpen all performed more consistently than in the Philadelphia series, with the Mets outscoring the Braves 15-4 in the series. John Maine had his best start in a month, Mike Pelfrey had his best major league start ever and Tom Glavine continued his solid second half. The bullpen had the most surprising weekend, giving up just one run in eight innings.
While a sweep of the Braves in Atlanta was satisfying, especially in light of what came before it, nothing could top what happened on Monday. Pedro Martinez made his first major league start in eleventh months and looked quite capable of helping this team through September in beyond. He threw just 76 pitches by design, 47 of them for strikes, and lasted five innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and three walks, one intentional. The Mets did not play good defense behind him, but he struck out four, including the 3,000th of his career, and pitched out of trouble more than once. As promising as the results was the way he did it. His fastball was in the low eighties in the first inning, but by the fifth he was consistently at 88 and 89 MPH, even hitting 90 once. If he can put his pitches where he wants to, he won't need any more velocity than that. Of course we'll need to see more than one start before we anoint Pedro World Series MVP, but start number one was very encouraging. Last year the Mets were scrambling to come up with starting pitchers in the playoffs. This year they may find themselves deciding whether Maine or Oliver Perez heads to the postseason bullpen.
Those two will take the hill for the Mets (77-60) in the final games of this series against the Reds (62-76). Perez (12-9, 3.39) will take on Matt Belisle (7-8, 5.33) on Tuesday night and Maine (14-8, 3.57) will face rookie Tom Shearn (1-0, 4.76) on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks to the Phillies losing three of four, the Mets' division lead is back up to five games. Now they'll try to win five straight for the first time all season. With Pedro back in uniform, anything seems possible.
First there was a shocking three-game sweep of the Braves at Turner Field, not a place where the Mets have played particularly well over the years. The offense, starting pitching and bullpen all performed more consistently than in the Philadelphia series, with the Mets outscoring the Braves 15-4 in the series. John Maine had his best start in a month, Mike Pelfrey had his best major league start ever and Tom Glavine continued his solid second half. The bullpen had the most surprising weekend, giving up just one run in eight innings.
While a sweep of the Braves in Atlanta was satisfying, especially in light of what came before it, nothing could top what happened on Monday. Pedro Martinez made his first major league start in eleventh months and looked quite capable of helping this team through September in beyond. He threw just 76 pitches by design, 47 of them for strikes, and lasted five innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and three walks, one intentional. The Mets did not play good defense behind him, but he struck out four, including the 3,000th of his career, and pitched out of trouble more than once. As promising as the results was the way he did it. His fastball was in the low eighties in the first inning, but by the fifth he was consistently at 88 and 89 MPH, even hitting 90 once. If he can put his pitches where he wants to, he won't need any more velocity than that. Of course we'll need to see more than one start before we anoint Pedro World Series MVP, but start number one was very encouraging. Last year the Mets were scrambling to come up with starting pitchers in the playoffs. This year they may find themselves deciding whether Maine or Oliver Perez heads to the postseason bullpen.
Those two will take the hill for the Mets (77-60) in the final games of this series against the Reds (62-76). Perez (12-9, 3.39) will take on Matt Belisle (7-8, 5.33) on Tuesday night and Maine (14-8, 3.57) will face rookie Tom Shearn (1-0, 4.76) on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks to the Phillies losing three of four, the Mets' division lead is back up to five games. Now they'll try to win five straight for the first time all season. With Pedro back in uniform, anything seems possible.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
I think the sword could take this pen
Now I am a little bit concerned. The Mets' bullpen is a complete disaster. It would be so based on the performances of the pitchers alone, but Willie Randolph seems intent on making things worse.
On Thursday afternoon, Orlando Hernandez had a rare bad start, giving up five runs in three innings. Randolph had little choice but to bring in Aaron Sele given that Jorge Sosa had pitched two innings the previous night. Aaron Sele had little choice but to give up three runs in an inning and two-thirds given that he's Aaron Sele. But the Mets put ten runs on the board, more than they had in their previous four games combined, and led by two entering the bottom of the eighth inning.
Randolph brought in Billy Wagner, who hadn't pitched since last Friday due to a "tired arm," to pitch the eighth. This was pretty odd, but could be interpreted as smart. Using your best reliever against the heart of the Phillies' lineup in the eighth, as was the case here, makes a lot more sense than saving him to pitch to the bottom of the lineup in the ninth so he can earn a save. Unfortunately, Wagner gave up a solo home run to Patt Burrell in the eighth. But he escaped the inning with the lead intact, having thrown twenty-two pitches.
Wagner did strike out two in the eighth, so it's not as if he was clearly pitching poorly. Still, sending he and his recently tired arm out to pitch the ninth when Aaron Heilman was available and had warmed up earlier in the game was pretty strange. Things got stranger as Wagner allowed a leadoff single to Jayson Werth and still no one stirred in the Mets' bullpen. After Wagner got one out, he and Paul Lo Duca let Werth steal second and third. Another single brought in the tying run. Still no action in the bullpen. Then a walk. No Heilman. Forty-five pitches and four outs in, Wagner gave up his fourth hit which drove in his third and losing run.
The last time Billy Wagner threw as many as forty-five pitches in a regular season game was more than six years ago. Obviously he pitched badly as twenty-two of those forty-five were balls. And this was not a shock as he's now allowed runs in four straight appearances--a total of seven runs in four and one-third innings. But it's hard to fathom what Randolph was thinking letting him pitch that long in such a big game without even warming anyone else up. Given how Wagner's felt and how he's pitched lately, a shorter leash, hell, any leash at all, would have seemed reasonable.
Four losses to the Phillies, each more excruciating than the last, have left the Mets (73-60) with a mere two game lead in the NL East. Now they head to Atlanta to face the Braves (69-65) and their two best pitchers. Tim Hudson (15-6, 3.23) and John Smoltz (12-6, 3.06) will serve as the bread in a Chuck James (9-9, 4.22) sandwich while the Mets send out John Maine (13-8, 3.68), Mike Pelfrey (0-7, 5.92) and Tom Glavine (11-6, 4.15). I think winning one game would be a triumph at this point.
On Thursday afternoon, Orlando Hernandez had a rare bad start, giving up five runs in three innings. Randolph had little choice but to bring in Aaron Sele given that Jorge Sosa had pitched two innings the previous night. Aaron Sele had little choice but to give up three runs in an inning and two-thirds given that he's Aaron Sele. But the Mets put ten runs on the board, more than they had in their previous four games combined, and led by two entering the bottom of the eighth inning.
Randolph brought in Billy Wagner, who hadn't pitched since last Friday due to a "tired arm," to pitch the eighth. This was pretty odd, but could be interpreted as smart. Using your best reliever against the heart of the Phillies' lineup in the eighth, as was the case here, makes a lot more sense than saving him to pitch to the bottom of the lineup in the ninth so he can earn a save. Unfortunately, Wagner gave up a solo home run to Patt Burrell in the eighth. But he escaped the inning with the lead intact, having thrown twenty-two pitches.
Wagner did strike out two in the eighth, so it's not as if he was clearly pitching poorly. Still, sending he and his recently tired arm out to pitch the ninth when Aaron Heilman was available and had warmed up earlier in the game was pretty strange. Things got stranger as Wagner allowed a leadoff single to Jayson Werth and still no one stirred in the Mets' bullpen. After Wagner got one out, he and Paul Lo Duca let Werth steal second and third. Another single brought in the tying run. Still no action in the bullpen. Then a walk. No Heilman. Forty-five pitches and four outs in, Wagner gave up his fourth hit which drove in his third and losing run.
The last time Billy Wagner threw as many as forty-five pitches in a regular season game was more than six years ago. Obviously he pitched badly as twenty-two of those forty-five were balls. And this was not a shock as he's now allowed runs in four straight appearances--a total of seven runs in four and one-third innings. But it's hard to fathom what Randolph was thinking letting him pitch that long in such a big game without even warming anyone else up. Given how Wagner's felt and how he's pitched lately, a shorter leash, hell, any leash at all, would have seemed reasonable.
Four losses to the Phillies, each more excruciating than the last, have left the Mets (73-60) with a mere two game lead in the NL East. Now they head to Atlanta to face the Braves (69-65) and their two best pitchers. Tim Hudson (15-6, 3.23) and John Smoltz (12-6, 3.06) will serve as the bread in a Chuck James (9-9, 4.22) sandwich while the Mets send out John Maine (13-8, 3.68), Mike Pelfrey (0-7, 5.92) and Tom Glavine (11-6, 4.15). I think winning one game would be a triumph at this point.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
New World Emerging Blues
After a disappointing homestand in which they won just three of six from the Dodgers and Padres, things have only gotten worse on the road for the Mets. Monday's 9-2 loss was neither surprising nor disappointing given than Brian Lawrence was the Mets' starting pitcher. Lawrence has been an adequate short-term fifth starter, but there was never any reason to expect much from him against a good offensive team in a good offensive park.
Tuesday's 4-2 loss in ten innings was a lot more troubling. First of all, the Mets scored just two runs in a game started by Adam Eaton. Only three Mets had a hit in this game and one of them was Tom Glavine. Glavine, Moises Alou and Carlos Delgado did each have two hits, including a Delgado home run that accounted for both runs, but the top four hitters in the lineup went hitless in sixteen at bats. The recently hot New York offense has scored just six runs in its last three games and fifteen in its last five.
Then there's the bullpen. Over the last eight games, the only Mets relievers with ERAs under six are Aaron Sele, who's pitched two scoreless innings, and Aaron Heilman, who's given up six hits and a walk in his last three and one-third innings and allowed an inherited runner to score the tying run in Tuesday's game. It seems no one in the Mets' pen can be trusted right now as even Billy Wagner appeared mortal this week, blowing one save and one tie game. And of course, Willie Randolph's bullpen management has not helped matters. On Tuesday he used Guillermo Mota in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game and got away with it only to tempt fate and send him out to pitch to Ryan Howard in the tenth. As the inevitable walk-off home run sailed the hundred or so feet it takes to reach the fence in Citizen's Bank Park, one couldn't help but wonder where Wagner was, or why Scott Schoeneweis is even on the team if someone like Mota is going to pitch to one of the best lefties in the league in extra innings.
The Mets still have a four-game lead in the NL East and favorable pitching matchups in the final two games of this series with Oliver Perez (12-8, 3.34) and Orlando Hernandez (9-4, 3.07) taking on Jamie Moyer (11-10, 5.16) and Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.47), respectively. But neither Perez nor El Duque is likely to pitch a complete game and the Mets' offense seems incapable of building a big enough lead for their bullpen to protect right now. The Mets still have a much easier road to a division title than the Phillies, but they're going to have to play better than they have the last week to reach its end.
Tuesday's 4-2 loss in ten innings was a lot more troubling. First of all, the Mets scored just two runs in a game started by Adam Eaton. Only three Mets had a hit in this game and one of them was Tom Glavine. Glavine, Moises Alou and Carlos Delgado did each have two hits, including a Delgado home run that accounted for both runs, but the top four hitters in the lineup went hitless in sixteen at bats. The recently hot New York offense has scored just six runs in its last three games and fifteen in its last five.
Then there's the bullpen. Over the last eight games, the only Mets relievers with ERAs under six are Aaron Sele, who's pitched two scoreless innings, and Aaron Heilman, who's given up six hits and a walk in his last three and one-third innings and allowed an inherited runner to score the tying run in Tuesday's game. It seems no one in the Mets' pen can be trusted right now as even Billy Wagner appeared mortal this week, blowing one save and one tie game. And of course, Willie Randolph's bullpen management has not helped matters. On Tuesday he used Guillermo Mota in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game and got away with it only to tempt fate and send him out to pitch to Ryan Howard in the tenth. As the inevitable walk-off home run sailed the hundred or so feet it takes to reach the fence in Citizen's Bank Park, one couldn't help but wonder where Wagner was, or why Scott Schoeneweis is even on the team if someone like Mota is going to pitch to one of the best lefties in the league in extra innings.
The Mets still have a four-game lead in the NL East and favorable pitching matchups in the final two games of this series with Oliver Perez (12-8, 3.34) and Orlando Hernandez (9-4, 3.07) taking on Jamie Moyer (11-10, 5.16) and Kyle Lohse (7-12, 4.47), respectively. But neither Perez nor El Duque is likely to pitch a complete game and the Mets' offense seems incapable of building a big enough lead for their bullpen to protect right now. The Mets still have a much easier road to a division title than the Phillies, but they're going to have to play better than they have the last week to reach its end.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Life's a beach
I remember one day in 1989, as a cub sportswriter covering Double-A baseball in Williamsport, I interviewed Joey (later Albert) Belle after a 3-K performance for the Canton Indians. Just before the interview started, Indians manager Bobby Molinaro walked by and said to Belle, “This game, sometimes she’s a (rhymes with witch), Joey, ain’t she?”
That quote came to mind tonight as the Tigers lost 11-8 to the Cleveland Indians. A night after Detroit gives up 1 hit to beat the Tribe, and with Justin Verlander on the mound, the Tigs give up 16 hits and 11 runs. Detroit led 3-1 after the first, fell behind 8-3 after 5, then pulled within 8-6 in the 6th only to watch the pen give up 3 in the 8th.
The teams combined for 28 hits after combining for 4 last night. Tuesday’s game was played in 1:59; tonight it was 3:38.
And Gary Sheffield is out indefinitely because of his bum shoulder.
This game, sometimes she’s a …
That quote came to mind tonight as the Tigers lost 11-8 to the Cleveland Indians. A night after Detroit gives up 1 hit to beat the Tribe, and with Justin Verlander on the mound, the Tigs give up 16 hits and 11 runs. Detroit led 3-1 after the first, fell behind 8-3 after 5, then pulled within 8-6 in the 6th only to watch the pen give up 3 in the 8th.
The teams combined for 28 hits after combining for 4 last night. Tuesday’s game was played in 1:59; tonight it was 3:38.
And Gary Sheffield is out indefinitely because of his bum shoulder.
This game, sometimes she’s a …
One magic night
Hopefully, it will lead to more. Jair Jurrjens gave the Tigers the start of a lifetime and the return of Joel Zumaya led to the familiar Zoom-Fernando Rodney-Todd Jones late-inning relay that was so successful in 2006. Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen hit back-to-back jacks and all was right in Motown.
Best line from the night came from Mitch Albom, who said Jair Jurrjens sounds like the name of a Dutch hand lotion.
Heading into last night's game, I figured the Tigers needed to win every 3-game series and split any 4-game sets to have a chance. Using that formula of 2-1/2-2 in series from here on, Detroit would go 25-13 down the stretch and finish 92-70. That means Cleveland would need to play better than 23-16 the rest of the way to force a tie or outright win the AL Central.
At least one win down, coupled with one loss for the Tribe. Still, asking a team that's been struggling like Detroit to play .658 ball the rest of the way could be a stretch. But if the Tigs do start to click, they are capable.
Best line from the night came from Mitch Albom, who said Jair Jurrjens sounds like the name of a Dutch hand lotion.
Heading into last night's game, I figured the Tigers needed to win every 3-game series and split any 4-game sets to have a chance. Using that formula of 2-1/2-2 in series from here on, Detroit would go 25-13 down the stretch and finish 92-70. That means Cleveland would need to play better than 23-16 the rest of the way to force a tie or outright win the AL Central.
At least one win down, coupled with one loss for the Tribe. Still, asking a team that's been struggling like Detroit to play .658 ball the rest of the way could be a stretch. But if the Tigs do start to click, they are capable.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Is Mother Nature The Phillies Biggest Rival?
Here on a rainy Tuesday, I started wondering if the Phillies will be able to get their game in tonight. I started thinking about the problems it would cause if they couldn’t since there is rain in the forecast for tomorrow as well, and this is the last time the Dodgers are hitting up the east coast. If tonight’s game gets called it would bring up a double header and we’ve all seen how hard it is for a team to win both games of a double header. That’s bad news for both the Dodgers and the Phillies who both need as many victories as the can get.
Last September the Phillies had to make up 4 games due to rain. Their record in those make up games was 2-2, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Three of those games were played as double headers where a split is a common hope. The other was a make up game against the Houston Astros, played on what would have been an off day for the Phillies. Many people point to the September series loss in Washington last season as the series that got away, and the series that ultimately cost the Phillies their shot at the wildcard. That series came right after that make up game loss to the Astros. Is it possible that missing that off day and playing 3 double headers ultimately caused the Phillies to run out of gas?
The question remains, did Pat Gillick do enough to address the Phillies weak bullpen and bench? These were the two weakest links going into the year, and are probably still the team’s two main weak spots. If the Phillies want to make the playoffs, both the aging bullpen and thin bench have to be able to stand up to whatever the last few week’s schedule brings. A little less rain might help too.
Last September the Phillies had to make up 4 games due to rain. Their record in those make up games was 2-2, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Three of those games were played as double headers where a split is a common hope. The other was a make up game against the Houston Astros, played on what would have been an off day for the Phillies. Many people point to the September series loss in Washington last season as the series that got away, and the series that ultimately cost the Phillies their shot at the wildcard. That series came right after that make up game loss to the Astros. Is it possible that missing that off day and playing 3 double headers ultimately caused the Phillies to run out of gas?
The question remains, did Pat Gillick do enough to address the Phillies weak bullpen and bench? These were the two weakest links going into the year, and are probably still the team’s two main weak spots. If the Phillies want to make the playoffs, both the aging bullpen and thin bench have to be able to stand up to whatever the last few week’s schedule brings. A little less rain might help too.
Time to Zoom
The Tigers still have 38 games on the schedule, but it feels like time is running out quickly as the team tries to right itself and reach the playoffs again. Detroit really needed to split its series in NY over the weekend, but left with 1 win after taking the opener. The Tigs are 15-23 since the All-Star break and have fallen 2 games behind Cleveland in the loss column in the AL Central and 5 behind Seattle for the wild card.
Needless to say, the upcoming 3-game set with Cleveland is crucial; then comes 4 more against the Yanks followed by a road trip to KC and Oakland. The rotation for the series against the Indians sees Jair Jurrjens, Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson go to the hill. Detroit is playing only .500 ball against the AL, which isn’t a good sign.
Over the past 7 days (6 games), the Tigers hit .253/.294/.373 while their opponents batted .288/.368/.459. Detroit was outscored 32-22 and outhomered 8-4.
Brandon Inge will be on the pines when the Cleveland series starts. This is one of the many reasons Detroit is struggling compared to 2006. Inge is batting .242/.317/.389 this year. He has 12 HR and 56 RBI. Last season, Inge hit .253/.313/.463. He had 27 HR and 83 RBI. Couple this with the output of recently outrighted Craig Monroe, who was .255/.301/.482 with 28 HR and 92 RBI last season and just .222/.264/.373 this year with 11 HR and 55 RBI. That’s a significant drop in power and run production.
Joel Zumaya is expected back tonight; maybe that will be a lift. Placido Polanco should be back, too, after missing 6 games with the flu. Getting Kenny Rogers back would be a help, too. And Andrew Miller.
I noticed the Tigers have allowed 637 runs, which in the Central trails only the White Sox, who have given up 644. Cleveland has yielded 564.
The Tigers have used 11 different starting pitchers this season and 24 pitchers overall.
All told, I guess I should just be thankful the Tigers remain in position to reach the postseason given all that’s gone wrong – injuries to Zumaya, Rodney and Rogers; the drop off of Monroe and Inge, Gary Sheffield’s shoulder woes, and the general ineffectiveness of the bullpen.
Needless to say, the upcoming 3-game set with Cleveland is crucial; then comes 4 more against the Yanks followed by a road trip to KC and Oakland. The rotation for the series against the Indians sees Jair Jurrjens, Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson go to the hill. Detroit is playing only .500 ball against the AL, which isn’t a good sign.
Over the past 7 days (6 games), the Tigers hit .253/.294/.373 while their opponents batted .288/.368/.459. Detroit was outscored 32-22 and outhomered 8-4.
Brandon Inge will be on the pines when the Cleveland series starts. This is one of the many reasons Detroit is struggling compared to 2006. Inge is batting .242/.317/.389 this year. He has 12 HR and 56 RBI. Last season, Inge hit .253/.313/.463. He had 27 HR and 83 RBI. Couple this with the output of recently outrighted Craig Monroe, who was .255/.301/.482 with 28 HR and 92 RBI last season and just .222/.264/.373 this year with 11 HR and 55 RBI. That’s a significant drop in power and run production.
Joel Zumaya is expected back tonight; maybe that will be a lift. Placido Polanco should be back, too, after missing 6 games with the flu. Getting Kenny Rogers back would be a help, too. And Andrew Miller.
I noticed the Tigers have allowed 637 runs, which in the Central trails only the White Sox, who have given up 644. Cleveland has yielded 564.
The Tigers have used 11 different starting pitchers this season and 24 pitchers overall.
All told, I guess I should just be thankful the Tigers remain in position to reach the postseason given all that’s gone wrong – injuries to Zumaya, Rodney and Rogers; the drop off of Monroe and Inge, Gary Sheffield’s shoulder woes, and the general ineffectiveness of the bullpen.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Seeing Daylight
New York pitching was shaky again this week, but the offense exploded, enabling them to win five of six from two of the National League's weakest teams. After a spectacular bullpen implosion cost the Mets a sweep of the Pirates on Thursday, there was plenty of reason to worry about this team. But a weekend sweep in the nation's capital leaves the Mets with a five-game lead in the division, tying their largest of the season.
The Mets scored forty-three runs in six games games this week, hitting .318/.400/.516 as a team. This is all the more remarkable given that Carlos Delgado only played two games this week and either Mike DiFelice or Sandy Alomar, Jr. started every game at catcher. Carlos Beltran, apparently back to his 2006 form, led the way with four home runs and a .292/.379/.917 line for the week. David Wright and Moises Alou each also had an OPS over 1.000 and Marlon Anderson went four-for-ten with two doubles off the bench. This offense is finally starting to resemble the 2006 version, scoring 6.47 runs per game in the month of August, second best in the NL. With Beltran dominating again, Wright and Jose Reyes both slightly improving on their 2006 campaigns, Alou making up for the decline in Delgado's production, Lastings Milledge providing some offense out of right field and Luis Castillo playing the Paul Lo Duca role of "guy who gets on base enough to make up for the fact that he has no power," this offense could be just as dangerous as last year's.
Unfortunately, the pitching staff is also starting to look like something we've seen before. Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez have pitched well lately and Brian Lawrence has not been a disaster in the fifth spot. But John Maine and Oliver Perez each had another unimpressive start, allowing a total of six runs in ten and two-thirds innings. There may be some help on the way for this starting rotation, but I would feel much more confident if one or both of these guys put a few consecutive good starts together. The Mets may be able to win some 8-6 games in October, but I'd rather they didn't have to.
The lack of success and innings from the starting pitchers is all the more troubling given the recent performance from the bullpen. Billy Wagner has been dominant and Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano have been pretty good. Jorge Sosa has also looked a lot better since moving to the pen. But the rest of the relievers, Scott Schoeneweis, Guillermo Mota and Aaron Sele, have been awful. Combined, they've allowed 148 hits and 54 walks in 127.2 innings with 88 strikeouts and a 5.29 ERA for the season. Schoeneweis and Mota have both been good against lefties, but if Willie Randolph isn't going to use them accordingly, what does that matter? Joe Smith has a 2.57 ERA in seven innings since being sent to New Orleans, but his 4:4 K:BB ratio does not inspire a lot of confidence. Lawrence might make a better long reliever than Sele and if certain other plans work out, Perez or Maine could find himself in the playoff pen as well. Aside from that, there isn't any help on the way. The sixth, seventh and eighth innings of October are likely to be extremely tense affairs.
The Mets (70-53) now return home with Ramon Castro and Damion Easley having joined Paul Lo Duca on the disabled list. Maintaining their offensive pace won't be easy as the Padres (65-57) bring the best pitching staff in the league to town. Maine (13-7, 3.59), Lawrence (1-0, 5.06) and Glavine (11-6, 4.12) will start in this series for the Mets. Chris Young (9-4, 1.93), Clay Hensley (2-3, 6.70) and Jake Peavy (13-5, 2.19) will go for San Diego.
The Mets scored forty-three runs in six games games this week, hitting .318/.400/.516 as a team. This is all the more remarkable given that Carlos Delgado only played two games this week and either Mike DiFelice or Sandy Alomar, Jr. started every game at catcher. Carlos Beltran, apparently back to his 2006 form, led the way with four home runs and a .292/.379/.917 line for the week. David Wright and Moises Alou each also had an OPS over 1.000 and Marlon Anderson went four-for-ten with two doubles off the bench. This offense is finally starting to resemble the 2006 version, scoring 6.47 runs per game in the month of August, second best in the NL. With Beltran dominating again, Wright and Jose Reyes both slightly improving on their 2006 campaigns, Alou making up for the decline in Delgado's production, Lastings Milledge providing some offense out of right field and Luis Castillo playing the Paul Lo Duca role of "guy who gets on base enough to make up for the fact that he has no power," this offense could be just as dangerous as last year's.
Unfortunately, the pitching staff is also starting to look like something we've seen before. Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez have pitched well lately and Brian Lawrence has not been a disaster in the fifth spot. But John Maine and Oliver Perez each had another unimpressive start, allowing a total of six runs in ten and two-thirds innings. There may be some help on the way for this starting rotation, but I would feel much more confident if one or both of these guys put a few consecutive good starts together. The Mets may be able to win some 8-6 games in October, but I'd rather they didn't have to.
The lack of success and innings from the starting pitchers is all the more troubling given the recent performance from the bullpen. Billy Wagner has been dominant and Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano have been pretty good. Jorge Sosa has also looked a lot better since moving to the pen. But the rest of the relievers, Scott Schoeneweis, Guillermo Mota and Aaron Sele, have been awful. Combined, they've allowed 148 hits and 54 walks in 127.2 innings with 88 strikeouts and a 5.29 ERA for the season. Schoeneweis and Mota have both been good against lefties, but if Willie Randolph isn't going to use them accordingly, what does that matter? Joe Smith has a 2.57 ERA in seven innings since being sent to New Orleans, but his 4:4 K:BB ratio does not inspire a lot of confidence. Lawrence might make a better long reliever than Sele and if certain other plans work out, Perez or Maine could find himself in the playoff pen as well. Aside from that, there isn't any help on the way. The sixth, seventh and eighth innings of October are likely to be extremely tense affairs.
The Mets (70-53) now return home with Ramon Castro and Damion Easley having joined Paul Lo Duca on the disabled list. Maintaining their offensive pace won't be easy as the Padres (65-57) bring the best pitching staff in the league to town. Maine (13-7, 3.59), Lawrence (1-0, 5.06) and Glavine (11-6, 4.12) will start in this series for the Mets. Chris Young (9-4, 1.93), Clay Hensley (2-3, 6.70) and Jake Peavy (13-5, 2.19) will go for San Diego.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Moving on up
Cameron Maybin, the Tigers' top prospect, has been called up from Double-A Erie while Craig Monroe was designated for assignment. Maybin, 20, who has been compared to Eric Davis (a healthy Davis, I'm hoping), hit .304-10-44 with 25 SB in Single-A before batting .400-4-8 in 6 games for Erie.
Maggestic
Magglio Ordonez is batting .356/.430/.595 this season. He's got 22 HR, 109 RBI and 92 runs scored. He's got 41 doubles and 159 hits. His OPS is 1.025, which is the best of his career. He's on pace for around 210 hits, 120 runs, 50 doubles, 30 HR and 140 RBI. All, except the homers, would be career highs. Pretty impressive given his age, his past injuries, and the fact that a typical Maggs year in his prime White Sox days was something like .315 with 100 runs, 40 doubles, 31 HR and 117 RBI.We like Maggs.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Can't Decide
With the O's dismal performance in the month of June culminating in the termination of yet another manager, my exasperation reached the point where I determined not to write any more about such a pack of losers.Taking 2 of three from the Red Sox and Yankees in successive 3 game sets after dropping 3 in a row to Seattle has prompted reconsideration. However, I remain unable to decide whether or not this team is worth talking about.
Erik Bedard has 10 No Decisions in 26 starts. In these 10 No Decisions, Bedard's numbers are as follows:
6.03 IP per start, 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, 47 H, 20 BB, 80 K.
Bedard has 12 wins, 10 No Decisions, 12 consecutive starts w/o taking a loss and 8 (or 9) starts remaining. It's probably not enough remaining starts to get 20 of anything.
But I can't decide.
RUSS-ELL BRAN-YUN *clap clap clapclapclap*
Last night was defiantly one of those games that a contending team wins. Branyan’s homer on the 2nd pitch he saw as a Phillie was a monster. Credit has to be given to Charlie Manuel for asking for Branyan, and for Gillick for getting him. Just by Russell Branyan coming through last night makes that deal worth it.
I’m sold on Loshe, and I’m hoping that they can resigning him at the end of the year. I know he is an average pitcher, but it is clear he has the stuff. I know he’ll probably implode a few times before the season ends, since that is his history, but with the pitching market the way it is Loshe could be a bargain and gives this team what it needs from its pitchers and that is to hold the team in a game. Loshe even pitched a little bit better than his line suggests. Iguchi was eaten up by two ground balls that should have been outs and would have gotten the Philes out of the inning with out being scored on. They weren’t the easiest of plays, but Loshe got the ground balls you wanted at that point. Tough break there, but no big deal thanks to Branyan.
Myers counties to look dominate as a closer as long as he is put into closing situations, striking out the side, and Gordon looks a little bit healthier each time out.
Last night Victorino suffered a set back in his road back. According to the Phillies, Shane felt his calf grab while he was trying to beat out a double-play. Looks like Shane is going to take some more time off before he gets another rehab start.
Today is the day we find out if Eaton gets to stay or go from the rotation. I guessing he gets one more start against the Pirates though I won’t mind if I’m wrong.
I’m sold on Loshe, and I’m hoping that they can resigning him at the end of the year. I know he is an average pitcher, but it is clear he has the stuff. I know he’ll probably implode a few times before the season ends, since that is his history, but with the pitching market the way it is Loshe could be a bargain and gives this team what it needs from its pitchers and that is to hold the team in a game. Loshe even pitched a little bit better than his line suggests. Iguchi was eaten up by two ground balls that should have been outs and would have gotten the Philes out of the inning with out being scored on. They weren’t the easiest of plays, but Loshe got the ground balls you wanted at that point. Tough break there, but no big deal thanks to Branyan.
Myers counties to look dominate as a closer as long as he is put into closing situations, striking out the side, and Gordon looks a little bit healthier each time out.
Last night Victorino suffered a set back in his road back. According to the Phillies, Shane felt his calf grab while he was trying to beat out a double-play. Looks like Shane is going to take some more time off before he gets another rehab start.
Today is the day we find out if Eaton gets to stay or go from the rotation. I guessing he gets one more start against the Pirates though I won’t mind if I’m wrong.
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