After losing 8 consecutive games to the Red Sox and trailing 10-1 in the 7th, the O's scored 5 in the 7th and 5 in the 8th to beat the Sox 11-10.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Everything old is new again
I'm a little slow on catching onto some things, but I just saw that Seattle CF Franklin Gutierrez has been given the nickname "Death to Flying Things" in some circles because of his defensive prowess. I guess we will have to start keeping tabs on him.
Mo is no Babe
Mariano Rivera got career save No. 500 last night and also got his first-ever RBI courtesy of a bases-loaded walk. I was thinking about relievers getting saves and also driving in runs, which probably happened more frequently in the past.
That led me to the Tigers' Werner "Babe" Birrer.
Birrer, during his rookie year, got a save against the Orioles on July 19, 1955, thanks to four scoreless innings of relief. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate, with both hits being 3-run homers. Hence, the nickname, no doubt.
It was Birrer's second career save. He finished his career (56 games over parts of three seasons) with four. He finished his career with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 30 PAs.
He played four games for the Orioles in 1956, posting a 6.75 ERA. After being traded by the Orioles, he tossed a no-hitter against the O's Triple-A team.
That led me to the Tigers' Werner "Babe" Birrer.
Birrer, during his rookie year, got a save against the Orioles on July 19, 1955, thanks to four scoreless innings of relief. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate, with both hits being 3-run homers. Hence, the nickname, no doubt.
It was Birrer's second career save. He finished his career (56 games over parts of three seasons) with four. He finished his career with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 30 PAs.
He played four games for the Orioles in 1956, posting a 6.75 ERA. After being traded by the Orioles, he tossed a no-hitter against the O's Triple-A team.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What Town is This?
The Orioles took an 8-20 road record into Philadelphia over the weekend and improved it to 11-20, evening their June record at 9-9.Perhaps the sweep merely highlights the Phillies struggles at home (13-22) this season. But perhaps, given Philadelphia's proximity to Baltimore, the young Orioles did not realize they were on a road trip. The O's are 21-17 in Baltimore (3-0 in Philladelphia).
The O's head next to "Philadelphia" to play a 3 game set with the Florida Marlins. Feed 'em some cheesesteaks, skip. Promise them a trip to see "Independance Hall". Or "CheerLeaders".
Nolan Reimold is hitting .287 and slugging .546 with 8 HR in 108 AB. It is far too early to declare the rookie a stud, but he's playing one on TV.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ordering runs
Detroit has won four in a row, which coincides with Magglio Ordonez being benched. Miguel Cabrera was moved to the No. 3 spot, with Marcus Thames take over for Cabrera in the clean-up spot. The change in the order actually occurred the day prior to Ordonez's benching, with Maggs being dropped to sixth that day.
Here are some stats for the four games in which the top of the lineup was Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Cabrera and Thames. (Polanco did not play today, so that game is not included.)
Granderson was 7-for-18 with 5 R, 4 RBI and 3 HR.
Polanco was 5-for-16 with 5 R, 2 RBI and 2 HR.
Cabrera was 7-for-17 with 7 R, 4 RBI and 2 HR.
Thames was 6-for-16 with 4 R, 7 RBI and 3 HR.
Granted, this is a small sample, but the top of the order certainly seems to have responded to the changes. Those totals are 25-for-67 (.373) with 21R, 17 RBI and 10 HR. Cabrera also had two doubles.
Here are some stats for the four games in which the top of the lineup was Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Cabrera and Thames. (Polanco did not play today, so that game is not included.)
Granderson was 7-for-18 with 5 R, 4 RBI and 3 HR.
Polanco was 5-for-16 with 5 R, 2 RBI and 2 HR.
Cabrera was 7-for-17 with 7 R, 4 RBI and 2 HR.
Thames was 6-for-16 with 4 R, 7 RBI and 3 HR.
Granted, this is a small sample, but the top of the order certainly seems to have responded to the changes. Those totals are 25-for-67 (.373) with 21R, 17 RBI and 10 HR. Cabrera also had two doubles.
Verlander back in the groove
Justin Verlander rebounded from his ineffective start at St. Louis to beat the Brewers 3-2 and give the Tigers a sweep of the series. Brandon Inge provided the punch with a 2-out, 3-run tater in the sixth. Verlander struck out eight, but also got eight groundball outs, which he attributed to the best changeup he's had all year.
Prior to his start against the Cardinals, Verlander had tossed eight of nine "gems" as defined by the game scores system. His only "non gem" came against the Orioles, in the game Sparky and Stan attended. But he still won.
Jim Leyland is going to separate Verlander and Edwin Jackson in the rotation. The idea is to give the bullpen a break. Having Rick Porcello, Armando Galarraga and now rookie Alfredo Figaro (in place of Dontrelle Willis) pitch on consecutive days was putting too much of a strain on the pen in consecutive games. Seems like sound logic. We'll see if it works out.
Prior to his start against the Cardinals, Verlander had tossed eight of nine "gems" as defined by the game scores system. His only "non gem" came against the Orioles, in the game Sparky and Stan attended. But he still won.
Jim Leyland is going to separate Verlander and Edwin Jackson in the rotation. The idea is to give the bullpen a break. Having Rick Porcello, Armando Galarraga and now rookie Alfredo Figaro (in place of Dontrelle Willis) pitch on consecutive days was putting too much of a strain on the pen in consecutive games. Seems like sound logic. We'll see if it works out.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Figaro trims Brewers
Alfredo Figaro won his MLB debut today for Detroit. Figaro took Dontrelle Willis' spot in the rotation. Willis' last win was May 19 (maybe that should say "only win") and the Tigers were 1-4 in D Train's last five starts.
To make room for Figaro, the Tigers sent down backup catcher Dane Sardinha. That means Dusty Ryan is the backup now. Ryan is Detroit's catcher of the future.
The Tigers have won three in a row after losing four straight. Detroit has scored 25 runs in its last three games after going seven in a row with 3 or fewer.
To make room for Figaro, the Tigers sent down backup catcher Dane Sardinha. That means Dusty Ryan is the backup now. Ryan is Detroit's catcher of the future.
The Tigers have won three in a row after losing four straight. Detroit has scored 25 runs in its last three games after going seven in a row with 3 or fewer.
The O's do not stink
Phillies fans were talking this week like a sweep of Baltimore was not only a necessity, but as if the failure to do so was the final indication that the Fighins were in an awful funk.
Well, the Orioles took game one of the series last night. Contrary to the opinion of the talking heads in Philly, they are not horrible. And I'm not just saying that because I'm friends with Stan. As of now, they are only 7 games worse than the Phils. Baltimore is young and talented and inconsistent. That's a far cry from being horrible.
Also, Baltimore is the only team in the AL East playing below .500 ball. The O's entered tonight seven games under .500, which to me seems rather good considering their division.
Upon examination, the O's are 7-3 vs. the NL East this season. They're just in the wrong East.
The best teams in the AL, at least by records, are Boston, the Yankees, Detroit, Texas and Anaheim. The Orioles are 8-18 against those five squads. That puts them at 22-19 vs. everyone else.
Well, the Orioles took game one of the series last night. Contrary to the opinion of the talking heads in Philly, they are not horrible. And I'm not just saying that because I'm friends with Stan. As of now, they are only 7 games worse than the Phils. Baltimore is young and talented and inconsistent. That's a far cry from being horrible.
Also, Baltimore is the only team in the AL East playing below .500 ball. The O's entered tonight seven games under .500, which to me seems rather good considering their division.
Upon examination, the O's are 7-3 vs. the NL East this season. They're just in the wrong East.
The best teams in the AL, at least by records, are Boston, the Yankees, Detroit, Texas and Anaheim. The Orioles are 8-18 against those five squads. That puts them at 22-19 vs. everyone else.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Porcello = stopper
Rick Porcello helped the Tigers snap their four-game skid last night. Porcello's last 3 wins have all followed Detroit losses. The Tigs are 8-1 in Porcello's last 9 starts.
Really, Porcello didn't pitch great, but he did well enough. The offense busted out for 6 runs, snapping a seven-game stretch of scoring 3 or fewer.
Jim Leyland sat the struggling Magglio Ordonez. Ryan Raburn batted fifth in his place. I'm not sure this an improvement. Hopefully, a little time off can help Maggs get straight. What makes this compelling is that Maggs gets $18 million next season if he reaches certain levels in games started and/or plate appearances. Given his decline, it would seem the Tigers would do what they can to prevent that.
Really, Porcello didn't pitch great, but he did well enough. The offense busted out for 6 runs, snapping a seven-game stretch of scoring 3 or fewer.
Jim Leyland sat the struggling Magglio Ordonez. Ryan Raburn batted fifth in his place. I'm not sure this an improvement. Hopefully, a little time off can help Maggs get straight. What makes this compelling is that Maggs gets $18 million next season if he reaches certain levels in games started and/or plate appearances. Given his decline, it would seem the Tigers would do what they can to prevent that.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
This and that
Dontrelle Willis is back on the DL with anxiety disorder, Tigers.com reported. He was 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA and 28 BB in 33.2 IP. Detroit will call up right-hander Alfredo Figaro from Double-A Erie to start on Saturday. Figaro was 5-2 with a 4.10 ERA in 11 starts. He had 59 Ks in 68 IP.
Rick Porcello needs to get the Tigers a win tonight. Detroit has lost four in a row.
The Tigers return home tomorrow to face Milwaukee. Then the Cubbies come to visit.
Curtis Granderson hit 2 HR last night from the leadoff spot. Granderson (2) and Ian Kinsler (3) are the only players with multiple multi-HR games from the top spot.
Brandon Lyon has thrown 11 straight scoreless innings, with 13 Ks.
You can turn off the TV after the 6th inning of most Tigers' games. Detroit is 26-2 when leading after 6. The Tigs are 2-24 when trailing after 6. The only drama is if the game is tied; the Kitties are 6-5.
Rick Porcello needs to get the Tigers a win tonight. Detroit has lost four in a row.
The Tigers return home tomorrow to face Milwaukee. Then the Cubbies come to visit.
Curtis Granderson hit 2 HR last night from the leadoff spot. Granderson (2) and Ian Kinsler (3) are the only players with multiple multi-HR games from the top spot.
Brandon Lyon has thrown 11 straight scoreless innings, with 13 Ks.
You can turn off the TV after the 6th inning of most Tigers' games. Detroit is 26-2 when leading after 6. The Tigs are 2-24 when trailing after 6. The only drama is if the game is tied; the Kitties are 6-5.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Trouble
Last night Justin Verlander tossed in a clunker. This is to be expected from time to time. It highlights, though, the trouble with Detroit's pitching. As we've seen, if Verlander and Edwin Jackson aren't picking up wins, the Tigs are likely to struggle.
Pitching won't matter if the hitting remains cold. Detroit has scored 3 or fewer runs in six consecutive games, 7 of 8 and 17 of 24.
Good news: Detroit is 34-30 and still first in the AL Central.
Bad news: The Tigers continue to struggle against quality foes and no longer own Interleague. Detroit is 12-16 vs. teams that are .500 or better (as of this date, not when they met). If you throw in red-hot Colorado, the record is 13-18. Thank goodness the Tigers are 6-0 vs. Texas, otherwise it would be worse.
We anticipated June being a tough month, and Detroit is 6-9.
Dontrelle Willis will not make his next start on Saturday. No word on a replacement, or Willis' future.
It seems more likely that Detroit will be without Carlos Guillen the rest of the year.
Pitching won't matter if the hitting remains cold. Detroit has scored 3 or fewer runs in six consecutive games, 7 of 8 and 17 of 24.
Good news: Detroit is 34-30 and still first in the AL Central.
Bad news: The Tigers continue to struggle against quality foes and no longer own Interleague. Detroit is 12-16 vs. teams that are .500 or better (as of this date, not when they met). If you throw in red-hot Colorado, the record is 13-18. Thank goodness the Tigers are 6-0 vs. Texas, otherwise it would be worse.
We anticipated June being a tough month, and Detroit is 6-9.
Dontrelle Willis will not make his next start on Saturday. No word on a replacement, or Willis' future.
It seems more likely that Detroit will be without Carlos Guillen the rest of the year.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The end of the line
Dontrelle Willis can no longer be part of the Detroit Tigers rotation. As much as everyone loves D-Train, he is a wreck at this point. Armando Galarraga is probably approaching the same. Zach Miner can return to the rotation, at least for now, to help.
Of the 21 best "game scores" by Detroit pitchers this year (65 points or better, which Bill James qualifies as "gems"), Justin Verlander has 8, Edwin Jackson has 7 and Rick Porcello has 3. The Tigers have 9 game scores between 55-64, with Porcello getting 4, Miner getting 2 and Jackson and Verlander picking up 1 apiece.
So that means Galarraga (3) and Willis (1) have combined for only 4 of Detroit's 30 game score starts of 55 or better. Also, Miner has made only 4 starts, so his 2 are more impressive.
This might not be Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, but it is clear that the Tigers are getting great performances on a regular basis from the top of the rotation and holding their breath on the rest.
Of course, this is only part of the trouble. The offense, which has been more prone to slump than bop, is a whole other story.
Of the 21 best "game scores" by Detroit pitchers this year (65 points or better, which Bill James qualifies as "gems"), Justin Verlander has 8, Edwin Jackson has 7 and Rick Porcello has 3. The Tigers have 9 game scores between 55-64, with Porcello getting 4, Miner getting 2 and Jackson and Verlander picking up 1 apiece.
So that means Galarraga (3) and Willis (1) have combined for only 4 of Detroit's 30 game score starts of 55 or better. Also, Miner has made only 4 starts, so his 2 are more impressive.
This might not be Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, but it is clear that the Tigers are getting great performances on a regular basis from the top of the rotation and holding their breath on the rest.
Of course, this is only part of the trouble. The offense, which has been more prone to slump than bop, is a whole other story.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Not Just Yet
The "other shoe" hasn't dropped yet. Today, Brad Bergesen tossed a complete game 5 hitter allowing 2 earned runs in 112 pitches against Atlanta.Bergesen now has 32 innings pitched allowing 6 earned runs for a 1.69 ERA in his last 4 starts.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Fair or foul
Umpire Jim Joyce has had a tough week. Some might argue a bad week. Last night, in the Phillies-Red Sox game, Joyce ruled a potential game-winning HR of the bat of Philly's Greg Dobbs was foul and refused to go to video review. The video most likely would have proved inconclusive, but why have video review if it's not going to be used in a situation like this? In fairness to Joyce, it was a tough call and several Phillies believe he got it right. From what I've read, some fans at the game who were sitting down the line, think otherwise.
Joyce also was involved in a call at home plate in the Tigers-White Sox series earlier this week. He called a Chicago runner out -- on what would have been the game-winner in the ninth -- although replays indicated he was safe (at least that's what Hawk Harrelson repeatedly told me). Again, it was a very close play.
Still, it makes for a tough week.
Joyce also was involved in a call at home plate in the Tigers-White Sox series earlier this week. He called a Chicago runner out -- on what would have been the game-winner in the ninth -- although replays indicated he was safe (at least that's what Hawk Harrelson repeatedly told me). Again, it was a very close play.
Still, it makes for a tough week.
Batman
Rick Porcello pitched a great game last night for the Tigers and also drove in two runs with two-out hits. Porcello is the first Detroit pitcher since Woodie Fryman in 1972 to get a win, two hits, and two RBI in a game. (Of course, pitchers haven't had many chances.)
Curtis Granderson is batting .315-3-11 in his last 19 games. He also has three doubles and a triple. So far, Grandy only has seven two-baggers and two three-baggers this year. He had 26 and 13, respectively, last season. He had 38 and 23 in 2007. His line drive percentage is 18.1, his lowest mark since playing 9 games in 2004. He's also got more infield flies (14.4%, double his career rate) and only one infield hit (compared to 14 each of the past two seasons). Hopefully, he's starting to find his groove.
Detroit has 95 doubles as a team. Only the White Sox, with 83, have fewer. The league average is 113.
The Tigers are 44-14 in Interleague play since the start of 2006. That's not the best record in the bigs, though. Oddly, another AL Central team -- the Twins -- own that mark. Minnesota is 45-13.
Armando Galarraga pitches tonight for the Tigers. Galarraga was terrific in 3 of his first 4 starts this year, awful in his next 4 and fair in his most recent 4. With the way the top of the rotation is going, I can live with fair. If he can continue at that rate, Detroit will be OK, even with Dontrelle Willis as the No. 5 starter. If he returns to earlier form, the Tigs will be in very good shape. If he regresses, it will be a struggle, with Porcello holding the key.
Curtis Granderson is batting .315-3-11 in his last 19 games. He also has three doubles and a triple. So far, Grandy only has seven two-baggers and two three-baggers this year. He had 26 and 13, respectively, last season. He had 38 and 23 in 2007. His line drive percentage is 18.1, his lowest mark since playing 9 games in 2004. He's also got more infield flies (14.4%, double his career rate) and only one infield hit (compared to 14 each of the past two seasons). Hopefully, he's starting to find his groove.
Detroit has 95 doubles as a team. Only the White Sox, with 83, have fewer. The league average is 113.
The Tigers are 44-14 in Interleague play since the start of 2006. That's not the best record in the bigs, though. Oddly, another AL Central team -- the Twins -- own that mark. Minnesota is 45-13.
Armando Galarraga pitches tonight for the Tigers. Galarraga was terrific in 3 of his first 4 starts this year, awful in his next 4 and fair in his most recent 4. With the way the top of the rotation is going, I can live with fair. If he can continue at that rate, Detroit will be OK, even with Dontrelle Willis as the No. 5 starter. If he returns to earlier form, the Tigs will be in very good shape. If he regresses, it will be a struggle, with Porcello holding the key.
Friday, June 12, 2009
You cannot be serious
I would like to argue that tonight's loss by the Mets to the Yankees was perhaps the worst June loss in the history of the sport of baseball. Sure, it can't compare to some of the worst September or October losses suffered by this team or others, but I don't see how a loss in June could get much worse. Let's review the facts.
The starting pitching matchup was Livan Hernandez vs. Joba Chamberlain. In spite of this epic mismatch, the Mets entered the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead. They had this lead because they came from behind on three separate occasions. They had this lead because Chamberlain was so wild that he only lasted four innings and the Mets scored two runs in the third without a hit or even a sacrifice. They had this lead because, with two outs in the top of the eighth and the score tied at seven, Joe Girardi brought in Mariano Rivera to face Carlos Beltran and David Wright and the Mets' two studs proceeded to put a run on the board against the greatest closer who ever lived with a walk and a double.
Then Francisco Rodriguez, heretofore perfect in save opportunities, put a couple of runners on base in the bottom of the ninth, as is his wont. But he got a couple of outs, too. The game came down to a New York Post headline writer's dream matchup of K-Rod vs. A-Rod. The Met closer threw three straight balls to the three-time MVP. But then he got a strike. And then, at long last, he got a lazy pop up to second base. The kind of pop up that would likely have, had there been fewer than two outs, caused an umpire to call the infield fly rule, declaring A-Rod out. But in this case, no umpire could declare A-Rod out. Because there were two outs. And, oh yeah, because LUIS CASTILLO DROPPED THE BALL.
The Mets' losses to the Phillies this week were pretty disheartening in that a Mets team half-full of scrubs came agonizingly close to winning two or three from the defending champs. But this game against the Yankees, where the Mets had the lead in the bottom of the ninth against all odds and got the third out only to have it taken away in this most unlikely manner this side of bird interference, is even worse. It would be easier if I could blame Jerry Manuel for his terrible bullpen management or Omar Minaya for assembling a team that has Omir Santos on the field in the bottom of the ninth in a tight ballgame, but no. The Mets were put together and managed well enough to win this game except that Luis Castillo forgot how to catch a baseball. If I hadn't watched the Mets for the last three years and the twenty before that, I could hardly believe this happened. It's too ridiculous a series of events to actually take place in the real world. But any long time Mets fan can believe it. This is just a little worse that what we've seen so many times before. Could this happen to any other team?
News, notes and random thoughts
Jim Leyland returns to Pittsburgh. Looks for his initials carved in Pirates dugout, along with a pack of Marlboros left behind from 1996.
Red Wings vs. Penguins in Game 7 of NHL Stanley Cup finals tonight. Tigers vs. Pirates. I believe this is the first time since 1971 (Montreal vs. Chicago) that the cities involved in the Stanley Cup final also met on the baseball diamond during the series.
Dontrelle Willis gets to hit on Sunday. Now we'll see why the Tigers acquired this guy.
Six of Detroit's last eight games have been decided by a run. The Tigers won five.
Detroit took 3 of 5 in Chicago; can't expect better. Mostly feared worse.
The Tigers cannot solve Gavin Floyd. He's 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 11 starts vs. Detroit. His career ERA is 4.97. Go figure.
Red Wings vs. Penguins in Game 7 of NHL Stanley Cup finals tonight. Tigers vs. Pirates. I believe this is the first time since 1971 (Montreal vs. Chicago) that the cities involved in the Stanley Cup final also met on the baseball diamond during the series.
Dontrelle Willis gets to hit on Sunday. Now we'll see why the Tigers acquired this guy.
Six of Detroit's last eight games have been decided by a run. The Tigers won five.
Detroit took 3 of 5 in Chicago; can't expect better. Mostly feared worse.
The Tigers cannot solve Gavin Floyd. He's 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 11 starts vs. Detroit. His career ERA is 4.97. Go figure.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Well balanced
There is only one team in MLB that has a winning record against every division and Interleague. That teams is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Fightins are 18-12 vs. the NL East, 5-3 vs. the Central, 9-7 vs. the West (no thanks to Brad Lidge) and 2-1 vs. the AL.
Los Angeles has the MLB's best record at 40-21, but it appears to be largely the result of playing in the NL West. The Dodgers are 26-10 in their division; 14-11 elsewhere. Consider, the NL's worst teams outside of the West -- Florida, Washington, Pittsburgh and Houston -- are a combined 25-19 vs. the NL West.
If the Phils can ever figure out how to win at home (12-14) they might be the best team in baseball.
Los Angeles has the MLB's best record at 40-21, but it appears to be largely the result of playing in the NL West. The Dodgers are 26-10 in their division; 14-11 elsewhere. Consider, the NL's worst teams outside of the West -- Florida, Washington, Pittsburgh and Houston -- are a combined 25-19 vs. the NL West.
If the Phils can ever figure out how to win at home (12-14) they might be the best team in baseball.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Rauuul
Raul Ibanez is being forced to answer questions about PEDs.
I think Citzens Bank Park is the PED in question here. From 2004-08, Ibanez averaged .291/.354/.477 for Seattle. His AB/HR was 26.93. Those are pretty decent numbers, particularly because Seattle is not considered a hitters' park.
Now, let's look at Pat Burrell, the man Ibanez replaced. When Burrell played in Veterans Stadium, his numbers were .253/.348/.473. His AB/HR was 19.95. Those figures are not far off from Ibanez's.
When the Phils moved into the Zen, Burrell's numbers became .261/.382/.495. His AB/HR was 16.76. Only once in the Vet did Burrell slug for better than .500, but he did it his final four seasons in the Zen.
This is not a perfect comparison, for one thing Burrell was righthanded and Ibanez is lefthanded, but it's probably not bad. Certainly, it was reasonable to expect Ibanez's numbers to improve with the Phillies. Not only is the ballpark a factor, but Ibanez is in a more productive lineup with the Phillies. Last year, Philly scored 799 runs; Seattle scored 671.
It would seem unlikely Ibanez can continue his torrid pace. Maybe he's just enjoying a hot streak, energized by his new surroundings. But it seems there are plenty of valid reasons for his numbers other than medicine.
I think Citzens Bank Park is the PED in question here. From 2004-08, Ibanez averaged .291/.354/.477 for Seattle. His AB/HR was 26.93. Those are pretty decent numbers, particularly because Seattle is not considered a hitters' park.
Now, let's look at Pat Burrell, the man Ibanez replaced. When Burrell played in Veterans Stadium, his numbers were .253/.348/.473. His AB/HR was 19.95. Those figures are not far off from Ibanez's.
When the Phils moved into the Zen, Burrell's numbers became .261/.382/.495. His AB/HR was 16.76. Only once in the Vet did Burrell slug for better than .500, but he did it his final four seasons in the Zen.
This is not a perfect comparison, for one thing Burrell was righthanded and Ibanez is lefthanded, but it's probably not bad. Certainly, it was reasonable to expect Ibanez's numbers to improve with the Phillies. Not only is the ballpark a factor, but Ibanez is in a more productive lineup with the Phillies. Last year, Philly scored 799 runs; Seattle scored 671.
It would seem unlikely Ibanez can continue his torrid pace. Maybe he's just enjoying a hot streak, energized by his new surroundings. But it seems there are plenty of valid reasons for his numbers other than medicine.
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