--Losing to the Indians is a problem. The pitching staff looked like hell against the White Sox, which besides their 3-5 hitters, aren't exactly a worry. Their guy did well tonight, but I didn't see the whole game, so I can't say if he pitched well, or they hit badly. Or both. But you can't get your butt kicked against the Rangers, which is bad, but understandable, and then lose to the Indians, which is a very unbalanced team, 3-1.
--So let me say this about all those pickup truck ads during ballgames: The automakers know that 95% of all truckbuyers do not haul large trees, or spin around all the time in the mud, or drive hellbent through the forest, or carry large dirtbikes, off-road vehicles, or large numbers of cinderblocks, or dirty the truck up by splashing in the primordial ooze. Enough of this male chest-beating and fake bravado. Silly.
--Only 9,000 and change at Progressive Field tonight. There'll be more than that at Opening Night at McCoy Stadium Thursday, which, for those who don't know, is the Red Sox Triple-A club. There'll be about 9,500 people there, maybe more, and I'll be one of them.
--Speaking of that, a shout out to my friend, who's driving me there and back, and going very much out of his way to do so.
--Looks like Dr. Ting was not exactly on the level. I'd say you heard it here first, but I can't take credit for stating the obvious.
--What are people thinking when they pay $75 a piece for tickets to the Charlie Sheen thing in Detroit? The word is that he just ranted, mostly unintelligibly, and then his housemates came out on stage, at which point people booed him tremendously, he responded badly, he walked off the stage and the lights came on. I mean, what were they expecting, exactly?
--You heard it here that the tour gets cancelled before he gets to Foxwoods.
--I didn't think they'd lose 4 in a row all year.
--Dice-K needs to impress. And win.
--The Pawsox might get a win before the BoSox do--and their season starts a week later.
--I still say that the Rays losing three in a row to the Orioles, at home, is even worse. The Orioles aren't the best team in the league, and the Sox aren't the worst. It's still early.
--I know, I keep having to repeat that, too.
--Josh Tomlin 1, Josh Beckett 0.
--The Sox play the Yanks in a few days. They're not ready, to say the least.
--Watch, they'll sweep the Yanks at Fenway. That's baseball.
Showing posts with label Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rangers. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Game 2--Beltre, Rangers 12 Sox 5, and More
--Still no time to panic, though you are allowed to feel a strong sense of unease. I do.
--To state the obvious, the pitching looks to be a bit of a problem right now. I'm more concerned about the relief pitching than the starting pitching, though you would think Lackey wouldn't leave a pitch middle in to a right handed hitter, especially one of Beltre's caliber.
--If you leave the ball up, the Rangers hitters will hit it. Hard. Everyone, of almost any caliber or type of pitcher, needs to keep the ball either down or away from them. Even their 8th and 9th hitters look good.
--The worry with the starting pitching is that we haven't gotten to Beckett and Dice-K yet, who we expect to do badly. So if the others do as well...
--It's early, but a win today is strongly needed. You don't want to be swept during the first series of the season.
--A little perspective: The Rays lost 2 straight to the Orioles. The Orioles are not better than the Rays, I assure you.
--Ortiz hit another homer, good for him. Then again, so did Ian Kinsler...and Ellsbury looks good at the plate, too. In fact, the whole Sox offense looks good, except for Crawford, who really looks like he's pressing. I was guessing at that yesterday, but a golf-swing and miss on a pitch low and away yesterday proved it.
--The Cleveland pitching staff looks helpless. This against the Chicago White Sox, who don't have a thunderous lineup.
--I won't look at the standings until the Sox win one.
--Lou Gorman was apparently a really nice guy. That's always said when someone dies, but it's been the overwhelming thing that everyone's been saying about him, even before his 30 years or so in the business. He was the GM when I first started watching baseball, in 1984, and I remember that during interview spots he would always talk very slowly, very muffled, and that he cared more about the players themselves than is usual for GMs, then or now. He was the exact polar opposite of Dan Duquette. I have a very vague memory of maybe talking to him--or at least he was in the same room with me--when I was at McCoy when very young. This is back when Mike Stenhouse was involved with the team and he gave my Dad tickets, or maybe just AMICA in general.
--Dunkin' Donuts doesn't sponsor Sox games anymore? No more Dugout? I saw a Honey Dew commercial on NESN and I almost fell over.
--The Sox pitching coach will be earning his money starting right now.
--I want to see Varitek behind the plate today. Let's see if he can bring the staff ERA down. If he is in, and if Bucholz has a good game, I want to see him in there the next day, too. Even if Salty has a batting average a 100 points higher than Varitek's, it won't be worth it if Varitek calls a superior game and takes hits and runs off the board doing so. I believe this can happen, and that it has happened. With the Sox lineup the way it is, they can afford a great game-caller with a weak batting average hitting ninth.
--Castig has gotten even more nasal, if that's possible.
--By the way, why's Lackey the Number 2 over Bucholz? At this point, Lackey and Beckett are capable of each winning 20, but are presently lumbering innings-eaters. Let's have the younger guys who've been pitching much better and winning more consistently at the top of the rotation, okay?
--If you have 3 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers (one a grand slam) hit off you in 3 2/3 innings, now that's a bad day.
--Someone needs to keep the cameras off of pitchers during obvious f-word moments, such as Lackey's yesterday right after Beltre's slam. They're obviously putting the lens on these guys at those moments so that we, the viewers, can see them mouthing the f-word.
--Completely unnecessary, by the way, as we are saying the same thing at the time ourselves.
--The guys next to me were very vocal against Francona, as if they expected him to pull his starting pitcher, who is getting paid about $12 million this year to win and eat innings, in the fourth inning of the second game of the year. There's 160 of these left, guys. Take it easy.
--I see now why sports pros from across the country say that Sox fans are unique in their rabidity for the team. Every game really is life or death for many of these guys. These guys yesterday were an example, confusing the second game of the year for an ALCS or World Series game.
--By the way, kudos to my better half, who sat through five innings of a game, at a local restaurant/bar, surrounded by these guys, watching her second game in a row--while not appearing tortured. Though she still calls "uniforms" "outfits." I tried to explain that ballplayers wear uniforms and tennis players wear outfits, but she was not deterred.
--She said that she was now a Rangers fan because they at least make things happen. And said that all teams should use just one pitcher every day. I took that opportunity to speak about the 1880s Providence Greys, and Old Hoss Radbourne, and how teams then did just have one pitcher, who would often win 40-60 games a season while tossing 400 to 600 innings. Luckily she was on her second Mojito at the time and so was able to make it through my explanation without her eyes glazing over. (I did have to explain who Nomar was.)
--Beltre 1, Sox 0 for those keeping track.
--Speaking of Beltre, I didn't know that he'd been offered a one-year, $10 million contract by the Sox last year. Instead he signed a guaranteed 5 year, $80 million contract with the Rangers. That's an average of $16 million a year, each year for five years, for those bad at math. I'd turn down the Sox offer for that, wouldn't you? Sox fans vilified him, as they had Damon when he left for much more money than the Sox offered.
--As part of that contract, Beltre makes $14 million this year, and one million more each year until 2016, when he drops back down to $16 million a year. Included also is the stipulation that the Rangers can defer $12 million of the 2016 contract at 1% interest. Oh, and it's in his contract that he gets uniform #29.
--Remember that this guy was in the slush pile after 5 very bad years in Seattle, on an exorbitant contract that he landed after his one--and, at that time, only--great season with the Dodgers. His stats that year, especially the 49 homers, are dubious when compared to those 5 terrible seasons, a drop-off that he has never fully explained. Then one more great year, this time in Boston, and he uses that one good year again to garner an exorbitant long-term contract. I hope he does well this year, or else this would form a very questionable pattern of behavior, if you know what I'm sayin'.
--And speaking of money, Cliff Lee said No to the Rangers this past offseason when they offered him a 6-year/$138 million contract so he could return to the Phillies. That's an average of $23 million per year. And he said No. Tough to fathom, isn't it?
--To state the obvious, the pitching looks to be a bit of a problem right now. I'm more concerned about the relief pitching than the starting pitching, though you would think Lackey wouldn't leave a pitch middle in to a right handed hitter, especially one of Beltre's caliber.
--If you leave the ball up, the Rangers hitters will hit it. Hard. Everyone, of almost any caliber or type of pitcher, needs to keep the ball either down or away from them. Even their 8th and 9th hitters look good.
--The worry with the starting pitching is that we haven't gotten to Beckett and Dice-K yet, who we expect to do badly. So if the others do as well...
--It's early, but a win today is strongly needed. You don't want to be swept during the first series of the season.
--A little perspective: The Rays lost 2 straight to the Orioles. The Orioles are not better than the Rays, I assure you.
--Ortiz hit another homer, good for him. Then again, so did Ian Kinsler...and Ellsbury looks good at the plate, too. In fact, the whole Sox offense looks good, except for Crawford, who really looks like he's pressing. I was guessing at that yesterday, but a golf-swing and miss on a pitch low and away yesterday proved it.
--The Cleveland pitching staff looks helpless. This against the Chicago White Sox, who don't have a thunderous lineup.
--I won't look at the standings until the Sox win one.
--Lou Gorman was apparently a really nice guy. That's always said when someone dies, but it's been the overwhelming thing that everyone's been saying about him, even before his 30 years or so in the business. He was the GM when I first started watching baseball, in 1984, and I remember that during interview spots he would always talk very slowly, very muffled, and that he cared more about the players themselves than is usual for GMs, then or now. He was the exact polar opposite of Dan Duquette. I have a very vague memory of maybe talking to him--or at least he was in the same room with me--when I was at McCoy when very young. This is back when Mike Stenhouse was involved with the team and he gave my Dad tickets, or maybe just AMICA in general.
--Dunkin' Donuts doesn't sponsor Sox games anymore? No more Dugout? I saw a Honey Dew commercial on NESN and I almost fell over.
--The Sox pitching coach will be earning his money starting right now.
--I want to see Varitek behind the plate today. Let's see if he can bring the staff ERA down. If he is in, and if Bucholz has a good game, I want to see him in there the next day, too. Even if Salty has a batting average a 100 points higher than Varitek's, it won't be worth it if Varitek calls a superior game and takes hits and runs off the board doing so. I believe this can happen, and that it has happened. With the Sox lineup the way it is, they can afford a great game-caller with a weak batting average hitting ninth.
--Castig has gotten even more nasal, if that's possible.
--By the way, why's Lackey the Number 2 over Bucholz? At this point, Lackey and Beckett are capable of each winning 20, but are presently lumbering innings-eaters. Let's have the younger guys who've been pitching much better and winning more consistently at the top of the rotation, okay?
--If you have 3 doubles, 2 triples and 2 homers (one a grand slam) hit off you in 3 2/3 innings, now that's a bad day.
--Someone needs to keep the cameras off of pitchers during obvious f-word moments, such as Lackey's yesterday right after Beltre's slam. They're obviously putting the lens on these guys at those moments so that we, the viewers, can see them mouthing the f-word.
--Completely unnecessary, by the way, as we are saying the same thing at the time ourselves.
--The guys next to me were very vocal against Francona, as if they expected him to pull his starting pitcher, who is getting paid about $12 million this year to win and eat innings, in the fourth inning of the second game of the year. There's 160 of these left, guys. Take it easy.
--I see now why sports pros from across the country say that Sox fans are unique in their rabidity for the team. Every game really is life or death for many of these guys. These guys yesterday were an example, confusing the second game of the year for an ALCS or World Series game.
--By the way, kudos to my better half, who sat through five innings of a game, at a local restaurant/bar, surrounded by these guys, watching her second game in a row--while not appearing tortured. Though she still calls "uniforms" "outfits." I tried to explain that ballplayers wear uniforms and tennis players wear outfits, but she was not deterred.
--She said that she was now a Rangers fan because they at least make things happen. And said that all teams should use just one pitcher every day. I took that opportunity to speak about the 1880s Providence Greys, and Old Hoss Radbourne, and how teams then did just have one pitcher, who would often win 40-60 games a season while tossing 400 to 600 innings. Luckily she was on her second Mojito at the time and so was able to make it through my explanation without her eyes glazing over. (I did have to explain who Nomar was.)
--Beltre 1, Sox 0 for those keeping track.
--Speaking of Beltre, I didn't know that he'd been offered a one-year, $10 million contract by the Sox last year. Instead he signed a guaranteed 5 year, $80 million contract with the Rangers. That's an average of $16 million a year, each year for five years, for those bad at math. I'd turn down the Sox offer for that, wouldn't you? Sox fans vilified him, as they had Damon when he left for much more money than the Sox offered.
--As part of that contract, Beltre makes $14 million this year, and one million more each year until 2016, when he drops back down to $16 million a year. Included also is the stipulation that the Rangers can defer $12 million of the 2016 contract at 1% interest. Oh, and it's in his contract that he gets uniform #29.
--Remember that this guy was in the slush pile after 5 very bad years in Seattle, on an exorbitant contract that he landed after his one--and, at that time, only--great season with the Dodgers. His stats that year, especially the 49 homers, are dubious when compared to those 5 terrible seasons, a drop-off that he has never fully explained. Then one more great year, this time in Boston, and he uses that one good year again to garner an exorbitant long-term contract. I hope he does well this year, or else this would form a very questionable pattern of behavior, if you know what I'm sayin'.
--And speaking of money, Cliff Lee said No to the Rangers this past offseason when they offered him a 6-year/$138 million contract so he could return to the Phillies. That's an average of $23 million per year. And he said No. Tough to fathom, isn't it?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Parity
Cliff Lee to the Phillies. That gives them an embarrassment of riches on pitching and offense. I was surprised when Philly didn't go deeper in the playoffs last year, and I'll be shocked if they don't make the Series this year.
I'll go on a limb and pick a Sox/Phils World Series. Sox in six.
Having said that, it seems to me now that the teams to beat in the majors now are the Red Sox, Yanks, Angels, Rangers (replacing the Rays as a potential division-leading team without deep pockets) and Twins (perennial leaders also without the cash of the first three teams) in the American League and, in the National League, the Dodgers, Phillies (which has more money now than ever before), Mets (constant disappointments despite deep pockets), Braves (which doesn't spend as much as the others, without reason), with the Giants contending for now, but with little money to keep up after The Freak leaves. The Padres are an example of this now.
I say this because I suppose that there is better balance in MLB, yet the same teams--with the sporadic surprises every year--keep making the playoffs, don't they? Anyone expect the Nationals or Royals to make the postseason? I'm glad I'm a fan of a team constantly in contention, that's all I'm sayin'.
Take a look at my writers/readers blog, and look at the entry for this blog. One of those subjects will be on this blog soon. Topics include HOF voting (Why did Ruth, Williams, etc. have a surprisingly large percentage of voters vote against their inclusion in the Hall?); Pedro's greatness as measured in different ways than maybe you've seen before; a positional analysis of the Sox (and whatever other team I feel like); and a trip around the American League, and a coast through the National. Lots to get to. Just tryin' to find the time.
I'll go on a limb and pick a Sox/Phils World Series. Sox in six.
Having said that, it seems to me now that the teams to beat in the majors now are the Red Sox, Yanks, Angels, Rangers (replacing the Rays as a potential division-leading team without deep pockets) and Twins (perennial leaders also without the cash of the first three teams) in the American League and, in the National League, the Dodgers, Phillies (which has more money now than ever before), Mets (constant disappointments despite deep pockets), Braves (which doesn't spend as much as the others, without reason), with the Giants contending for now, but with little money to keep up after The Freak leaves. The Padres are an example of this now.
I say this because I suppose that there is better balance in MLB, yet the same teams--with the sporadic surprises every year--keep making the playoffs, don't they? Anyone expect the Nationals or Royals to make the postseason? I'm glad I'm a fan of a team constantly in contention, that's all I'm sayin'.
Take a look at my writers/readers blog, and look at the entry for this blog. One of those subjects will be on this blog soon. Topics include HOF voting (Why did Ruth, Williams, etc. have a surprisingly large percentage of voters vote against their inclusion in the Hall?); Pedro's greatness as measured in different ways than maybe you've seen before; a positional analysis of the Sox (and whatever other team I feel like); and a trip around the American League, and a coast through the National. Lots to get to. Just tryin' to find the time.
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