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Game 75 Open Thread: June 20, 2008

St. Louis Cardinals at Boston Red Sox, Jun 20, 2008 7:05 PM EDT


Lohse Wakefield
8-2, 3.77 4-4, 4.19

the last time st louis played in fenway, their starting pitcher was matt morris. the cards have played 5 games in boston during this decade; they've been outscored 29-44 . . . . . . overflow thread is programmed to open up at about 7:45 central.

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2 lineups. 2 threads

I posted it in the other one, so one for here too
Yadi to DH now
AK to 2B

Iz
Skip
Lud
Ank
Santa
Dunc
YAdi
AK
Stache

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions  

I like that line up so much better.

But I dont know why. It’s not like replace Grit with LaRue is going to score more runs. But at least the D is better.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

it's better, but AK still has no biz being in the line up

Barton & BOOG should be at DH & 2nd

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

As long as Larue doesn't get hurt or something

Then there are major issues. Either way, this AL roadstand is really going to illuminate how thin this bench really is right now, isn’t it?

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 20, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

No worries about LaRue!

Miles is on the bench!!

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

By golly there's the answer

Molina to catcher and Miles takes over Larue’s batting spot AND throws that sweet 75 mph heat on the mound!!! We have our contingency plan – still hope it doesn’t come to that.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 20, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah

the only thing that can happen if LaRue gets hurt is Molina goes into catch and we have to have the pitcher’s bat for themselves.

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 20, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Would that be the worst thing?

With the way our position players are hitting, I’m not sure it would be…

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

question for the statheads

is LaRue just a flat-out bad hitter or will his production pick up due to the law of averages?

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

good luck getting a stathead to accept the law of averages! :)

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

OK

let me rephrase the question then….are LaRue’s peripheral stats indicating that he’s as bad as his batting average indicates?

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

should have mentioned that i was gonna type up a response after being a smartass :)

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think maybe he was searching for the phrase

“regressing to the mean” as opposed to the law of averages

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was under the impression

the two phrases referred to the same thing, but evidently not….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

Close

Just how the terms are viewed by statisticians and regular people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regression_to_the_Mean

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol

anyway, yes, he should have had more hits than he has had, the last three years. If he had gotten the same number of hits on GB. LD and FB as the major-league-average hitter, his average over the last 3 years would have been .262.

IE he’s had 131 GB’s; a GB goes for a hit 24.5% of the time, so he should have had 32 GB hits. 117 FB’s at 21.7% says he should have had 25 hits, and 57 LD’s at 73.4% is 42 hits. Add his 13 home runs and that is 112 hits, in 427 AB’s (.262).

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

BTW this assumes a BABIP of 0.00 on infield fly balls

and doesn’t consider bunt hits, which Larue has had none of. Infield hits are captured by the GB rate.

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=337&position=C

career .232/.319/.401, so he never was a blazer but approaches league average OBP. BABIP is batting average on balls in play, showing how often non-home run balls actually put into play turn into a hit. a simple but effective formula to predict it is to add .120 to the player’s LD%. that number is usually called eBABIP, or expected BABIP. if eBABIP is lower than BABIP, it indicates that the player is getting unlucky on their line drives (which convert to a hit about 75% of the time on average).

2007 larue eBABIP, BABIP: .291, .212
2008 larue eBABIP, BABIP: .303, .203

so on that basis, it looks like he’s getting really unlucky. there’s a developing consistency to the underperformance that could make one question whether there’s something mechanically wrong. looking at other stuff, his GB% is down (good), his FB% is up (good), but his HR/FB% is way down – 3.4% against a career 13.4%. it doesn’t seem like it could possibly stay that low, but everything reads like he’s not hitting the ball with authority. to ultimately answer your question though, if he were given steady at-bats i would expect him to improve.

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

or what you said.

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

likewise :)

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

thanks for the responses everybody

I was at the game yesterday and it seemed like several guys stung the ball right at defenders (or defenders made strong plays to make an out), and I think LaRue had at least one of those.

Anyway, this team is not nearly as much fun to watch without Pujols and Molina….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

speaking of a suppressed HR/FB ratio… :)

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

i was just about to comment on that ;)

6.9%, now, so he still has room for improvement…

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

I hope we do some bunting tonight

Would love to see some small ball early in the game by Iz and Skip to try and make something happen.

by KYCards on Jun 20, 2008 6:40 PM EDT reply actions  

i havent

i’ve tried to throw one a buncha times, that, in and of itself, is hard.

catching one aint no picnic either.

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Didn't even think about that HL

Wasn’t thinking about wakefield on the mound.

by KYCards on Jun 20, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

My thinking was more that maybe the Red Sox

are not used to playing small ball and it might put them off guard early in the game. It would probably be better to wait and do this the next couple of games.

by KYCards on Jun 20, 2008 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

I reallly hope we don't

Giving away outs is very, very rarely a good idea. Small ball sounds nice and all but just leads to small scoring.

by DriverZn on Jun 20, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I don't mind bunting for a hit

But I didn’t think that’s what you were suggesting. Bunting to sacrifice generally isn’t going to work well when you need multiple runs.

by DriverZn on Jun 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Trying to get on base early is what I was getting at.

I just don’t think Boston are used to people bunting on them early in the game and it would throw them off a little….

by KYCards on Jun 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

:)

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

It all depens on your personell

If you’re already small scoring, you can score more reliably with small ball. I

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Any proof?

I have seen a number that show bunting decreases the number of runs you are expected to score in most situations. In a handfull it does increase the chance of scoring a single run at the expense of reducing the chance of scoring 2 or more.

Do you think 1 or 2 runs is going to get it done agains boston? I don’t. So I would go for broke knowing that you might go broke.

Put another way I like my chances more given:
50% chance of scoring 0, 50% chance of scoring 4
vs
100% chance of scoring 2

I view the 2 run option as an almost certain loss.

by DriverZn on Jun 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd guess it's dependent

On the number of guys that can hit for extra bases. If you have a bunch of guys with ISO’s under .100 then it starts to make more and more sense, since you’re counting on 3 hit innings to score most of the time with those types littered throughout.

Not saying I want us bunting left and right. I’m generally not a proponent of it. But I could see it making more sense with this team, as currently constructed, than usual.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 20, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Left unsaid, of course

Lets get runners on base first. Otherwise the whole subject is pretty irrelevant

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 20, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I pretty much agree with you in our current high-run environment

but, in other eras, where runs are a lot more scarce, it does make sense. A proxy for this is what happens to win probability in close and late situations—bunts and steals become way more desireable things in the eighth inning of a one run game.

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

team: home
inning: 1
outs: 0
bases: first
score: tied
win expectancy: 0.634

with 1 out and second base (a successful bunt result), the win expectancy DROPS to 0.613.

team: home
inning: 9
outs: 0
bases: first
score: tied
win expectancy: 0.716

with 1 out and second base (a successful bunt result), the win expectancy DROPS to 0.704

this is according to 1997-2006 historical data, not projections. the data would indicate that, even with a 100% success rate on bunts, the team would lower its chances of winning in the 1st or the 9th inning in a tied game if they were to bunt over a leadoff single. as we all know, bunts don’t always work so the decision in that particular situation would seem to be even worse than usual. there may be some situations where it’s a +EV move, but i based on this i imagine that it’s both very slight and very rare.

FIP > ERA, OBP > AVG

by astrostl on Jun 20, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks for looking that up

Pretty much what I remember. The only adjustments I saw was for quality of batters. That is the data doesn’t adjust for the fact we have people like AK, miles, and Izz2 in our lineup. At best bunting is likely a break even deal even with those factored in.

by DriverZn on Jun 20, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

It trust Istuias

batting first is to make Wakefield throw strikes….....

Westcoastbirdwatcher

by westcoastbirdwatcher on Jun 20, 2008 7:07 PM EDT reply actions  

Um, is it raining in Boston?

Cause the game hasn’t come on to Extra Innings yet and it starts in 5 minutes!

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 20, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions  

it looks like it is

but it doesn’t lookbad

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

I am sure

that field drains about as well as a swamp.

by Egyptian on Jun 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

doesnt look bad

but also, it doesnt look to be moving particularly fast, and Boston is sitting on the head of the front right now.

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

maybe we'll get lucky

The whole series will get rained out and we’ll have to reschedule when pujols and co. are healthy.

by hex706f726368 on Jun 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

should be a quick delay....

.... storm only lasted about 15-20 mins here (I’m about 40 min from Boston) and now its sunny. While you wait, check out Cards draftee Bradford pitch for LSU on ESPN.

by mkdog22 on Jun 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

very funny

It is f-in raining in Omaha too

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Does FOX

know something we don’t? The preview for the Saturday afternoon games says ” The high powered Cardinals invade Fenway”
So that is why Reyes really was pulled yesterday. He is being traded for offensive help. I knew it. That is why AK was going to DH, they wanted to make some team think he had a DH’s bat. He is going too!

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 7:22 PM EDT reply actions  

you know what?

fuck Big FOX.

i swear every time the Cards are the game of the week, they have a ohio team play the other game just so i cant watch them.

sorry for all the F bombs, i’m in a really pissed off mood tonight.

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

no need to say sorry

your F-bombs just get us ready for all the ones to follow

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

what luck

I thought it was a 7:15 game. Good thing there was a rain delay. I could’ve missed baseball!

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Not lucky for me.

When the game goes too long it interrupts my sex life – which is quite annoying. I hate having to choose.

by Egyptian on Jun 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ha ha ha ah ha

....and I’m still laughing….ouch that hurts!

mattnj

by mattnj on Jun 20, 2008 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

No really

On my way home just a little while ago, listening to the pregame on XM, and I heard all the names in our lineup, and all the names in theirs, and I thought “man, we’re gonna get KILLED.” This is, of course, baseball, and anything can happen, but on paper this appears to be a bloodbath. The likes of which we haven’t seen in quite some time. As in, last Friday…

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

My thoughts too

Hopefully it will rain for 3 days straight…David vs GOLIATH kind of stuff

mattnj

by mattnj on Jun 20, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

has anyone heard what time they're expecting to start?

I hear Tony La Russa may bat the Pitcher spot cleanup

by jds2 on Jun 20, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions  

The tarp is off the field

looked like the players are starting to warm up…...I’m stuck watching NESN :(

by mkdog22 on Jun 20, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes but

Doppler has some pretty severe storms approaching from west…there is hope.

mattnj

by mattnj on Jun 20, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

why save him for Detroit...we'll get swept there....

negativity aside I’d be thrilled with 2-4 over the next 6…

by stanchar on Jun 20, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

If Aaron Miles has to catch

will he revolutionize the position for the first times since Bench? Will we have thousands of kids across America raising the the ranks using the ‘standing up behind home plate’ technique to catch?

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 20, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions  

Do they even have catching gear his size?

He’s smaller than LaRue and Yadi, would he have to don the oversized gear? That could get humorous :D

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

We were discussing this today

how would he put down the signs? The bottom flap would hang below his knees, making it impossible for the pitcher to see his hand. Likewise, though, the flap would also block balls getting through the 5 hole.

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 20, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Once again

There’s always a Silver Lining!!!

by Tackle Box on Jun 20, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

In all fairness to Miles.

It’s not his fault he is the same height standing as Molina/Larue are squating.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

They just threw this stat up on the Braves telecast

So I’ll make it a rain-delay trivia question

Which left-handed batter in the NL has the highest BA against LHP? He’s hitting .431(!) against LHP as a hint

It’s probably the last guy you’d ever guess.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions  

Oh yeah

Guess without cheating

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

skip?

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

naw

Skip is hitting around .200 against LHP.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

he said guess

and I know Skippy hasnt exactly been tearing the cover off of the ball, so I figured it might be him

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

LHB

loop = RHB

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh right.

I just read over that and just seen who has the highest BA against LHBs.

How about Barton?

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Barton?

doesnt he bat right handed also?

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Richie Sexon?

They’re playing the M’s, ya?

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

and he's a righty

I could’ve swron I remembered that giant dude batting from the left side

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

I said NL as well

You thinking of Jay Buhner (he’s probably a righty too, I just don’t remember and don’t feel like looking it up lol)

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

AK?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions  

damn reply button

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Adam Kennedy

definitely the last person i would think of.

mattnj

by mattnj on Jun 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions  

OK OK

Maybe the second-to-last person, lol

Another hint, he doesn’t wear the BOB

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jimmy Ballgame?

Tracking the Cards' playoff chances daily: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/Cardinalspsodds.php

by ColinMacLeod on Jun 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nope

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ichiro?

Tracking the Cards' playoff chances daily: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/Cardinalspsodds.php

by ColinMacLeod on Jun 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

NL

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

watching the Braves game you say?

Chipper

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Chipper

switch hits, so if a LHP were to be on the mound, he would bat RH.

C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!

by yer dog first on Jun 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's a switch hitter

They put it up there because Brian McCann was like #2 or #3 on the list. #1 shocked me so much I didn’t pay attention to the rest of the list.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

i was thinking you were asking a trick question

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

OK, another hint

He plays in the NL West

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions  

is he a padre?

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe

Maybe not

I’ll get to which team he plays for after another round of wrong guesses

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

We have a winner!

Look at this shit

.431/.476/.500

But also with a BABIP of .446 (!)

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

OPS of .976 vs LHP

and .560 vs RHP. Now that’s a split….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

pure craziness

that statistic has to (ahem) regress to the mean eventually….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Indeed

Nicely done

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

This was fun....

... can you do this every game? ;-)

by Woodwork on Jun 20, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

If I can find a stupid obscure fact like that, I'd be glad to

I had help from Skip Caray and Joe Simpson on this one, though

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

I cheated searched for it.

Why is it such a surprise that he’s hitting .431?

Tracking the Cards' playoff chances daily: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/Cardinalspsodds.php

by ColinMacLeod on Jun 20, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

AND WE HAVE BASEBALL

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions  

OK

that drove me nuts, and some intense searching on baseball-reference finally gave me the answer….I would never in hell have come up with him either….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions  

oh

that’s much easier….I did kind of a brute force search…..BR won’t give you those numbers directly unless you subscribe. So I looked at which team had the best LHB BA vs LHP, and it was in fact the Dodgers….then I just looked thru all the Dodgers’ LH batting regulars and found it.

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why is Wakefield wearing a green jersey?

Oh, the Celtics. That’s kinda gimmicky

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions  

and Kennedy's back at DH

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thank you!

That was bugging me. I’m not the most observant person, but I could have sworn they weren’t wearing green jerseys the last time I saw them play.

by six on Jun 20, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

those damn stripes are ugly

looks like a soccer uni

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mather!!!

these are the games we need him on our team for. So we have a real DH in Amarican League parks.

Milt Thompson FTW!

by gossard56 on Jun 20, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions  

he's hurt

he’s only PH down in Memphis

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

details

He has only had 1 AB snice he was sent back down. Which explain why he stopped playing on the ML team too.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

he wasn't hurt until after

he went down

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

I do not know

It looked like his first game back that he hit a HR, maybe he hurt it on the swing??

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

but seriously

what is wrong with him this time?

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think FR

said he tweaked his back
I like tweaking better than hurting

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yuck

Ten-pitch inning. Let’s hope Lohse has his A+ game

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Not for him

But I’d like to see more of a battle from our guys

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

+1

they can’t sleepwalk through innings like they did against the Royals….the Sox are not likely to put up 7 runs through three games….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Eh, I don't think these guys are underachieving

They just suck. I remember being mad to see one of Kennedy, Duncan, and LaRue in the game. Now we get all 3 a lot.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

One thing I'm looking forward to

Getting to see Duncan try to hit Wakefield.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Yah

Talk about close your eyes and hit it

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

if we're lucky he'll swing so hard

that he’ll spin himself into the ground up to his waist.

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

he probably kills that slow shit

2 HR game for Dunc- the Knuckleballer is a slumpbuster this time

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

if Wakefield's pitches fail to knuckle

Duncan probably could pound the hell out of them. LHB have that comfy little corner there at Fenway….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hmm

It’s been raining up there, 11 mph wind according to Gameday

Sounds like a recipe for some wicked knuckle action :(

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

if Wakefield doesn't break Dunc's slump

maybe he should try #3 on this list

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Also, is Wakefield the last active knuckleballer?

Steve Sparks is out of baseball now, and I can’t think of another one that’s still playing

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions  

R.A. Dickey

Don’t remember who he pitches for right now. He pitched for the Rangers a few years back.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

if we have to play Boston without AP

it’s at least a little reassuring that we don’t have to face Ortiz….

by nota bene on Jun 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions  

As much shit as we all give him

He would look really nice in our lineup right about now (both the way he’s hitting and how we’re (not) hitting)

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Awesome

Always trying to find a way to bury Nick Stavinoha!

Just kidding.

by Tackle Box on Jun 20, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Clement

Gave up 4 runs in the first inning for Memphis. Looks like he an Mulder might not be helping any time soon.

Ludwick/Molina for 2008 All-Star team.

by tangledbrett on Jun 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Bedard out of the game in Atlanta

Looked like he hurt his back flinching on a broken bat. I guess that adds to the discussion of whether we should get him or not…

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply actions  

might make him cheap...

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Awful jump, Rick

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions  

but Dan said it was a great jump

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know better than to believe Dan

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

running into outs

while trying to steal bases isn’t that bad

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

as fast as Rick is

you would think he could be decent base stealer

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

There's more to it than being fast, is the problem

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know

I wish Rick would give up on stealing bases. Skip can’t swipe one either. I bet APu is better than both

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

well...

He hasn’t had nearly the pratice that most people have.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

not good

but not as bad as stupid baserunning

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes it is.

The break even point is >70%. If you cannot steal at that rate, then don’t try….

by DriverZn on Jun 20, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

In theory it isn't as bad

too bad this team can’t prove a damn theory…better?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

This Knuckleball

confusing the ump too i guess.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions  

Do the Boston broadcasters

ever focus on the game?

That was a real test," Soriano said of the play. "He didn’t call the ball, I didn’t call the ball, but I saw him close to the ball and I let him get the ball."

by Cardsfan_inCHI on Jun 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions  

Do you want to disparage talk of a wahhhriahr like Cuaht Schilling???

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

i refuse to watch nesn now that my dads gone

he loved those guys, while i wanted to jam something sharp in my ears every time they were on

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

All right

I’m out, hitting the bars, etc. Enjoy your night, everyone :D

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 20, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions  

find DUNK a good slump buster

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

find me one too

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

At least Ank broke up the no hitter early tonight.

One less thing to worry about.

Ludwick/Molina for 2008 All-Star team.

by tangledbrett on Jun 20, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Imagine if we had Manny

That would constitute decent protection behind Pujols I bet.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

Manny somehow sold the ump on that one. Looked good to me.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions  

oh boo!

Come on Iz2. You dont do that.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions  

you just cannot beat yourself

if you expect to win in bean town.

you just can’t do it

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions  

lohse has it tonight

he will get out of it

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions  

STAND STILL, you're not a bobblehead!!!!

"It ain't braggin' if you can do it." -- Dizzy Dean

by '54 Cardinal Fan on Jun 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions  

The home plate ump needs to be replaced.

He doesn’t have any clue what his strike zone is.

That was a real test," Soriano said of the play. "He didn’t call the ball, I didn’t call the ball, but I saw him close to the ball and I let him get the ball."

by Cardsfan_inCHI on Jun 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions  

that was a stike

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know, I'm just talkin in general

he has no consistency

That was a real test," Soriano said of the play. "He didn’t call the ball, I didn’t call the ball, but I saw him close to the ball and I let him get the ball."

by Cardsfan_inCHI on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

EXCELLENT

one out

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions  

now if only we can get

a GB for a DP

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

got, what a douche hit

stupid coco

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions  

god*

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

this is probably a revenge game for him

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Damnit Duncan

Pick up the ball!!!!!!

Oh, whoops.

by Tackle Box on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Did I miss the memo. . .

are the Memphis Redbirds playing in Boston tonight?

"It ain't braggin' if you can do it." -- Dizzy Dean

by '54 Cardinal Fan on Jun 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Memphis...

would probably score more runs…

Start Ludwick

by DiscoJer on Jun 20, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

ouch

"It ain't braggin' if you can do it." -- Dizzy Dean

by '54 Cardinal Fan on Jun 20, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

.........

nothing going right for lohse….

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 8:47 PM EDT reply actions  

THAT WAS A STRIKE

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions  

only one run

someone will jack a dong off wake

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions  

what the hell is wrong with you IZ2?

geesh

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions  

Hopefully

someone helps him pull his head out of his ass in the dug out.

by Evilfrog on Jun 20, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

just about fumbled that one too...

barely got the guy at second.

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

if his defense slips

he is worthless to this team.

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jun 20, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks Iz2

almost messed up another one.

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jun 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions  

Someone needs to tell Izturis he isn't a switch hitter

He just looks so horrible from the left side

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions  

how flat is it?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

instant rimshot

dot com

less dunca(i)n', more ludwickin'

by dan on Jun 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

dudukding

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

nice!

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was hoping someone

would go all Carson-y on that one

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nice play by AK

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions  

for as wet as the ground looks

they sure are jumping around

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

on that stupid "keep watching" commercial

they should force one of the MLB players to give the fine print part of the MLB.tv thing. IE “Hi, my name is justin morneau, and all my games are live on mlb.tv”

Then manny interjects “Except for saturdays, which are blacked out due to a bizarre licensing agreement with Fox. but you can still watch all MY games, because I play for the Red Sox!”

Then Jeter says “Mine too. BTW you also won’t get to see any home games, if you live in the same geographic area as your team you are screwed. Sometimes even if you aren’t, poor iowans”.

“Keep on watching!”

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions  

isnt that the truth

I want to give my money to MLB, but they won’t take it from Iowans (Iowegians?)

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wonder what it what it would take

To get Clint Barmes from Colorado. We need to get some pop in the middle infield.

Ludwick/Molina for 2008 All-Star team.

by tangledbrett on Jun 20, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions  

God, Lohse is playing with fire

but he’s doing a pretty gutty job fighting through it so far

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions  

For everyones enjoyment

I am watching this with my best friend who thinks the Sox are God’s gift to earth…

ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?

by Smokin Turkeys on Jun 20, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions  

that's all find & dandy

GOD lets Satan run this world any way.

so, in a way, your friend is a fan of Satan.

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd like to see Lud

Steal a bag here.

Ludwick/Molina for 2008 All-Star team.

by tangledbrett on Jun 20, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions  

about freaking time

come on O, wake up

DUNK it’s now or never

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions  

oh dunc

please big boy please

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions  

dunc can draw a walk

its go time

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions  

all things considered DUNK

that’s not a bad at bat

come on YADDA

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Like father like son.

Anyone see papa dunc put in that huge wad of dip? It was like half a tin.

That was a real test," Soriano said of the play. "He didn’t call the ball, I didn’t call the ball, but I saw him close to the ball and I let him get the ball."

by Cardsfan_inCHI on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions  

uh, that was a trap right?

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions  

robbed, dammit

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions  

That's 2 RBI nine times out of ten, Yadi

bad luck, there

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions  

no doubt, i swear that was a trap though

he was robbed either way

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

thanks for nothing AK

DFA

DFA

DFA

DFA

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions  

He's neutral for this game

He saved two runs with that play at 2B, and cost two there.

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not with his hot bat!

less dunca(i)n', more ludwickin'

by dan on Jun 20, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

BOOG at SS?

great, so IS2 is hurt now.

awesome*

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Jun 20, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions  

more PT for Ryan

do we go yet another man short or does Barden or Hoff get called up?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

LOL

one man, one stache, one mission.

by TheBirds on Jun 20, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions  

Damn Larue

2 dongs in one week!

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions  

Thadda boy, Chesty

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions  

you have to elaborate

Chesty?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

There was a simpson's episode (the max power one)

where Homer insisted that Marge change her name to Chesty LaRue. Someone reminded me of this episode earlier re: Jason, and the name stuck in my head

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 20, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

I remember that episode now

thanks, I will be laughing at LaRue even more than I do now

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 20, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

OMFG

Did LaRue just do what i think he did?

less dunca(i)n', more ludwickin'

by dan on Jun 20, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions  

depends

what do you think he did?

"the hardest decision to make is to do nothing; there is a terrible temptation to interfere." -gen patton

by SleepyCA on Jun 20, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

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