Bad Series, Bad Hops, etc.
by DanUpBaby on May 13, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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My favorite series to this effect, as I've written multiple times, was back in June 2006, in Chicago for an interleague set. Cardinals pitchers started the series with an ERA of 3.99 and ended it, after a one-hitter, at 4.33. 40 hits and eight home runs in 16 innings, then one hit, one run, and one loss in the last eight. Mark Mulder—average fastball a charitable 85.6 miles per hour, that year, according to Fangraphs—was just about to vanish. Chris Duncan, not yet the second bat the Cardinals were leaning on, hit a garbage-time home run and the Cardinals fans in the crowd gave him a grateful standing ovation. The next day Timo Perez hit a garbage-time home run, and people weren't quite so happy about it.
The Cardinals didn't pull out of that tailspin immediately—it was a harbinger of bad things as much as it was the bad thing itself. They proceeded to give up 21 runs to the Tigers in three losses, then 13 in two more to the Indians before their first win in 10 days. Then they lost two out of three to the Royals. The Cardinals weren't right for two weeks after the White Sox series, and they were different by the time it finally happened. Mark Mulder pitched five bad innings the rest of the season; Chris Duncan took on a bigger role; Jeff Weaver crowded Sidney Ponson back out of a brief second go-around in the rotation.
The Cardinals' need to clean house isn't nearly so urgent now as it was then. The middle infield has hit terribly, and it's dragged down an offense that's gotten worse-than-expected offense from its two expensive hitters. Felipe Lopez probably won't be eased back into the lineup so much as dragged, and there's a non-zero chance that Brendan Ryan loses significant playing time to Lopez or Tyler Greene, but the other problems that have made the last two games so terrible are backed my multi-year contracts and, it should be said, multiple years of production that suggest things will get better.
If they don't—if fan hysteria has its right-twice-a-day moment and it turns out that two weeks in May are more predictive than the month of April and the three years of numbers that have been crunched by every projection system on the internet—it is time to panic.
Bad Hops
It's not often I get a chance to praise Al Hrabosky for his subtlety and reluctance to pile on, but good on him for not taking the old-ballplayer bait when Dan asked if Brendan Ryan was taking his offensive frustration into the field. He might be—it certainly parses, and it's something to hold on to when the team is ready to make you mute the TV—but Al said, several times (as is his wont), that it's more complex than that. The Globe-Democrat has him expressing a more generalized frustration, which sounds about right to me:
"I'm not really having much fun right now," Ryan said. "Pride is probably getting in the way of that. I just don't feel like any part of the game is reflecting what I can bring to this team and to the table. There's probably a little bit of embarrassment there."
Probably.
Less instructive, I thought, was Bernie Miklasz's tweet: "Brendan Ryan is sort of having some Rick Ankiel moments, eh? Just a bit jumpy out there at shortstop." I was thinking the same thing, but most cases of the yips—the ones that don't reach Ankiel level—are the observer's, not the player's. When the ball was hit his way after error number two I wasn't convinced that he'd throw it away every time; I was aware that I was no longer comfortable watching him throw. He'd given me the yips.
His ROOGY throwing motion has always looked less than reliable, but after a while that surface angst dissipated and his arm was like any other good arm. Now my yips are back.
More pressing are his problems with the bat. His glove is great, but he's not quite Adam Everett—he's got to hit a little, at least. More G-D, from La Russa:
"What he was doing in that cage was high quality and he took it into spring training," La Russa said. "When he came back (from a broken wrist during spring training), the way he was starting to take it into batting practice, he was working and doing some great things. Now, if he takes four at-bats, he may do what he worked on all winter once, or twice.
"I read where he's trying to incorporate that with the other thing. If he took Mark's approach and did it every at-bat, he wouldn't be hitting what he's hitting. He's panicked."
Coincidentally, I'm panicked. Skip Schumaker's over the Mendoza line, and has another year as a solid hitter to his credit, but given their respective defensive abilities their poor starts have been a wash. Felipe Lopez can spell one or the other on a regular basis, but at least one of them is going to have to put it back together.
Etc.
Like the Chris Duncan garbage-timer four years ago it was good, cathartic, to see the middle of the Cardinals' order finally hit, even after it had stopped mattering to WPA. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday hitting well would do a lot to get the Brendan Ryan theater out of the headlines—he hasn't been hitting all year, and I think it's no coincidence that he's stayed basically Brendan Ryan-like until the center of the order stopped hitting, too.
Without Pujols and Holliday the pressure's built up on the marginal guys, Lohse and Ryan et al, and while either of them performing themselves would be one way of dealing with it, another will be more doubles and RBI from the guys who occupy the doubles-and-RBI part of the order.
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No need to fret over the inability to beat the 'Stros
There’s no beating the Yankees in the World Series, so what does this season matter anyway?
you're right
lets stop watching now, there is no way to beat a teams who’s number 3 is andy pettite
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
87 year old Andy Pettite
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
I picture him in the nursing home, still balking.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
whose other guy is a cub
cast off…
This guys so good(Pujols) He should be illegal-Pirates announcers
That's the best pickoff move in the majors, sir.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Yes, strange, unexpected things never happen in the postseason
it’s why the wild cards always get eliminated in the first round.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on May 13, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
we will get beat by the rays
he is a bit eccentric
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 13, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Pujols certainly thinks our current struggles will only help in the long run
Heyman has a fluff piece up on pujols and his feelings about the current team…so read that if you are feeling down, it will make you feel a bit better.
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
good fluff...
In Retrospect… I guess if we can be struggling while leading the division with a 20-14 record, I can’t be too upset… Apu always knows what to say…
On another note – Bud Norris’ face on the Cardinals website is so dumb…
"I don't like to sound egotistical, but every time I stepped up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pitcher." Rogers hornsby.
Yikes that game was hard to watch...
And then some how we had the tying run up to bat in the the 9th. Who lined out to RF. Both Pujols and Holliday hit line shots to right in the 9th. Think they had a plan facing Lindstrom?
Dinger Camp
We made fun of Houston in that first series for not hitting any yet while the Cards had 50 kajillion. Things change I guess. But I was encouraged at some of the at bats taken last night. They started showing more patience with Wandy as the game went on. Even Ryan had a nice swing on a ball hit right to Ruiz.
T. Greene for SS
hmm, thoughts...
- As much as I want to give Mac the benefit of the doubt, his star pupils are failboating at their three respective levels. Stop talking to them. The only thing I hear about McGwire is his losing sleep over this, and quite frankly I am beginning to suspect he’s just passing the anxiety on to these professional hitters. All three have dads/brothers also talking to them behind-the-scenes, and like that Scott guy said — everyone is filling their ears. Even panicking bloggers.
- Plate recognition improves when the umpires are not crap. Go figure! I am not inclined to panic over the long-term — zone is the thing.
- What the heck happened to Albert’s plate recognition? Does he have a vision problem, really?
- Those errors on Brendan Ryan (and perhaps some on Freese and Greene? I cannot remember) are mostly Albert picking bad hops. Those hops that he picked all last year, you know the ones. Does he have a vision problem…? Really.
- Walks and relievers. Bad. Bad, stop, no, no— don’t fall asleep!
- Who’s that cat who patrols the outfield and don’t take no slump? Ryan Ludwick! Yeah, damn right. You see this ‘wick is one bad motherf— shut yo’ mouth! But I’m talkin’ ’bout Luddy.
- David Freese and Colby Rasmus do still need to work on their footwork (and uh, Colby: the arm.) But they are as advertised. Not bad at all. Like this bacon is not bad at all.
- Matt Holliday has graduated from corralling every fly ball to working the caroms of the side walls. Next chapter is throwing the runner out and fence-work. He has solid if not unspectacular report cards; I look forward to the next section.
- Hey, wow, they really made Stavinoha run, didn’t they?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
there may be something with Ryan and McGwire
But there might also be something with Ryan and Ryan’s wrist. There might be something with Freese and McGwire. The whole Skip and McGwire thing… Skip has been working with McGwire for several productive years.
I agree
I also may need a diagram.
The thing with Skip is that he worked with McGwire in the offseason… and then he would, presumably, not be working with McGwire during the season.
Now Mac is available 24-7. Just putting that together with how obsessively perfectionist Skip is, it seems unlikely (this plus the spring training anecdotes) that they’d let it rest and allow it to shake out for a few games.
I’ve said quite a bit that Brendan is adjusting his swing with a healthy wrist (we hope) for the first time in his adult life. I imagine the degree of difficulty in un-learning is quite high in both cases, much less combined. But on top of that… I watch his constant scurry back to Mac, before/during*/after at-bats, and worry.
*BP
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
this.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought I read something about Skip exchanging texts with Big Mac in-season.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
yeah, but that's a text
how many times can you send a text during a game?
I mean, just reading the Pujols piece up yonder, these guys spend a lot of time at the ballpark. I’m not kidding about Mac 24-7. it’s a real possibility he actually is on-call.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
office hours. that's what he needs.
rock it college prof-style.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure he is,
he said as much when he took the job.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and it's been repeated from all corners since then.
I can discount it as hyperbole, but the frequency of that statement is telling.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
And McGwire may be at the stadium all the time. So might Dave Duncan. Just because Mac is at the stadium doesn’t mean that he is working with players every moment he is there. I would wager that he does a lot of film watching, etc. All we are doing (myself included) is essentially engaging in baseless speculation as to Mac’s teaching practices.
What’s more, with Skip, I’m not at all concerned. His walk rate is around 9.5%, which would be a career-high. His OBP is about 80 points higher than his BA, which would also be a career-high ISO in that regard. His K rate is up, which I suppose is somewhat concerning. That said, his LD% is over 27% after being 21.6% 21.7% in the last two seasons. Yet, his BABIP is a mere .248. His BABIP was .328 in ‘08, .341 last season and is .324 for his career. That’s why his ZiPS RoS projection is .288/.346 with a .328 BABIP. These numbers, to me, suggest that there isn’t much wrong with Skip’s swing. His approach could use a little more discipline, I guess, but that opens up the chicken-and-egg argument of him expanding his zone because he is struggling or struggling because he is expanding his zone. I don’t know the answer to that, but I think it’s more likely he is struggling largely because of bad luck.
All info from Fangraphs.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
as to your first paragraph
I’m basing that on watching the game and reading the quotes. My speculation may be speculation, but it is hardly baseless.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps, "baseless" is too strong a word.
But I wouldn’t go building a house on the foundation of a handful of quotes from articles—quotes that we don’t have idea of the context of and a handful of cutaways during games. The game is, what, half of the time—and maybe even less than half of the time—that the players are at the ballpark. And it seems to me that television cameras tend to zoom in on a hitting coach when he is in the act of coaching more often than him just standing there, spitting seeds or something. (That is, unless the announcers are talking PEDs.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I think he's got multiple people in his ear, now.
pre-2009, from what little I can gather, the only guy in his ear was his older brother.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
The problem is that 90 percent of people don't know what they are talking about
As I mentioned, during the ST video he was spewing sh!t.
The problem is that that sh!t is very common advice.
But you end up with Joe Thurston’s swing.
even if it's all good advice
they gotta cool it for a second and let Brendan work it out for a while. the thing is, combine easily-distracted with eager-to-please, well. either the noise has to die down, or Brendan has to step up and tell everyone he needs space to tweak things.
it would be one thing if he’s being stampeded solely on bad performance, but there’s ample reason to examine whether he’s being stampeded by good intentions.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
PJ
Watching Lohse suffer makes me wonder how before they find a DL induced injury. I see HL brought it up already over at futureredbirds. Who will be the first man up? It’s hard not to pull for PJ Walters.
Memphis Article on the eve of PJ’s return
T. Greene for SS
K-Mac has not looked consistent all year
Is that just me? In a good start he does… but that could be followed by a shaky one.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
hmm...
15.1 IP 14 Ks 7 BBs 2 HRs
And the biggest test for any reliever …. 0 Inherited runners scored! Zero! None of the Zero inherited runners he has had have came across the plate. Actually, all of the zero inherited runners he has had have scored.)
I mean, he is no Garcia but he is he hasn’t been Lohse.
I Think....
…he has moore value to us as a set-up guy; I’d be up for giving PJ a second shot.
:=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
yes it can
I’m okay with bring PJ up as a starter. I was just making sure that was what you were suggesting.
Yes as a Starter....
and 50 hits and 31 runs in 34 innings pitched over 8 games for an 0-3 record makes me think PJ cud do just as well or better – why not give him a shot?
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
I think PJ will only fare well here if he uses his change-up, and he got away from it the first time.
And we all know how much Dunc loves the change-up. So unless Dunc let’s him use it liberally, I don’t see how much better he will be this time around.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 13, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
This is terrifying.
We pay Kyle Lohse for two more seasons after this year, and he will make over $10MM in each of those seasons. Our club simply cannot afford to pay a player this much money and have him be unplayable, which is a designation Lohse seems to be closing in on. He has barely given up any home runs and, yet, still his numbers are terrible. It’s going to get really, really ugly when he starts giving up homers at his career rate.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I suppose it's karma
for laughing at the Brewers and their Suppan deal.
Still, Lohse will get better.
T. Greene for SS
Need to get Luddy back to an RBI spot
the man is built for run production. We are wasting him at the 2 spot. Get Lopez in there hitting second and move Luddy back to 5th.
Milt Thompson FTW!
Neyer on El Caballo
Carlos Lee is not at all the same player the Astros got when they signed him for the 2007 season. His slugging percentage dropped 80 points last season and is just .292 so far this season. He is a liability on the basepaths and had the lowest range factor of any starting left fielder last year. He has also hit into 21 double plays last year and is on pace for 30 this year. All of this comes in addition to hitting .200 this year with a .530 OPS. Lee is unlikely to magically improve at the age of 33.
But, my favorite part of the post is probably this indictment of the Washington and Kansas City front offices:
Houston is in a real bind. Who needs a declining outfielder in his mid-30s who can’t play defense? The only teams that might take a chance on such a player — the Royals and Nationals — would surely be rejected by Lee.
All in all, it is definitely worth a read as a cautionary tale. Hopefully, the Cards don’t find outselves in a similar bind in a few years.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Was Carlos Lee ever as fit as Matt Holliday?
He certainly wasn’t at the same age.
You can read it in any tone you like.
I agree that there are significant differences between the two.
Body type and offensive skills being the major indicators, I believe. But, who is to say that Matt Holliday at 35 won’t resemble Carlos Lee at 33? At some point, most players see their batspeed slow down.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Same with extending Pujols.
One can only hope that these guys find a way to adjust, even if it means becoming different hitters.
You can read it in any tone you like.
i'm wondering why it's scheduled for 12:40
do they wanna make Carp mad to begin with?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
You mean Berkman?
I know it must be hard for a cow to spell.
As for the luggage flying by his head I think that could be entertaining. I"m hoping Carp is his grittiest, luggage-toting, bulldogish best today.
I found this:
The Luxury Suites are available for guests when the Busch Stadium gates open, which is typically two hours before game time.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
excellent
thanks RR, thanks thepainguy
i’m leaving
if anyone else is coming
162B row G
i believe there will be time for beers in between rain and thunder
Looks like the rain will pass through before scheduled first pitch
At least that’s what I’m hoping. Radar has the line of showers cruising along pretty good.
by BTown Birds fan on May 13, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Never too early to start...
watching baseball.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
I'm debating it
Trying to figure out when the weather’s going to hit.
I’d love to shoot some video during BP, but they may take it indoors.
Phillies get their slap on the wrist
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_15074235
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
MLB reviewed the complaint and
noted the Howard contract. They felt the organization had appropriately punished themselves.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
by TBender on May 13, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
ha!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
"Binoculars are Bad, Mmmmkay...
….you shouldn’t use binoculars, and, well, stealing signs is bad, mmmmmkay, you shouldn’t steal signs, and as for cheating, well, cheating is bad, mmmmmkay, you shouldn’t cheat…"
;=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Today's Lineup via FSN
Schumake 2B
Ludwick RF
Pujols1B
Holliday LF
Freese 3B
Rasmus CF
Molina C
Greene SS
Carpenter P
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
Nice lineup.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
other than I would switch colby and freese...
might be the best lineup of the year (I’m pretty sure we’ve not had this one, but admittedly, did not cross-reference)
by Willie McGee's Twin on May 13, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
We need a TLR lineup database
where we can simply plug in the lineup and it will provide us with whether he has used it before and, if so, when.
I prefer Colby behind Holliday, too.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I have an itch to write a script to parse boxscores..
If I get a chance, I’ll pull out my old perl reference tonight and see what I can do. Surprised that this isn’t already out there though.
Baseball Fever....WPS!
It very well could be.
And we just don’t know about it.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
TLR had it written to help remind him
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Is there any circumstance...
That a player would switch their spot in the lineup during a game? I don’t know of any rule that would support that – but I don’t know the rules that well .
Baseball Fever....WPS!
Once a player goes into the lineup, they're locked into that spot.
They can switch fielding positions, but not lineup spots.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Cool. that's what I thought
Thought there was an outside chance some esoteric injury rule, or some f’d up trumped up rule (like the DH) that would allow it in some circumstance.
Baseball Fever....WPS!
I think the All-Star Game has a catcher injury re-entry rule
but not sure how it works. But it wouldn’t affect your efforts anyway.
The DH rule simply states that the player replaced by the DH in the field gets replaced by the pitcher in the lineup. (If the DH goes into the field for the LF, the P then hits in the LF spot.)
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
I think so
Who has the best chance in this lineup to snap the streak? My on-the-fly odds:
Pujols: 2-1
Ludwick: 4-1
Holliday: 7-1
Rasmus: 8-1
Freese: 8-1
Molina: 10-1
Greene: 20-1
Schumaker: 100-1
Stav from his knees: 1-1
T. Greene for SS
by paposse on May 13, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
boom. I hate callin' these things.
Ackerman1120 Talked to TLR about B. Ryan. They believe in Brendan’s ability, but he’s still a young player. Gets emotional. He’ll continue to learn. 6 minutes ago via UberTwitter
Ackerman1120 Greene, Lopez and Ryan will get opportunities at SS. Best guy plays. #stlcards 3 minutes ago via UberTwitter
Otherwise, whoever mentioned John Gall? They found ‘em. He’s with Eric Byrnes.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Interesting
So, Ryan has gone from being categorized by TLR as “like Yadi” in that he’ll play even if he doesn’t hit to being relegated to “Young Player” status once again after the back-to-back 2-error games. Poor Boog.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
like I said, he's being stampeded.
part of it is his own fault, of course. he focused on the negative right when his swing and approach started to come together. part of it is, metaphorically speaking, like a mental-health trigger. if we know what the triggers are, and then every trigger gets piled on at the same time, the results are rarely good.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
also, as much as I hate repeating Strauss
Brendan Ryan is out of options.
the jokes about shipping him to Memphis are just that: jokes.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
options mean nothing
Once Flip is ready to return, Ryan’s wrist will “flare up.” The Cards will put him on the 15-day DL and he’ll go on a rehab assignment.
Just my prediction, but it seems like a move the Cards would make.
I would almost say that's a great idea
except La Russa told him last year that health was a big part of his getting regular playing-time.
we’ll see. best-case scenario is Boog shaves his head, grows a stache, and rights the ship himself.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
28 years old is young?
Great, we’ve either taken the old Cubs’ line on Dunston (he just needs a couple more years to develop) OR the Astros’ stance that no one under 30 is major league ready.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
crap. never mind
Why did I think he got in? Andre Dawson.
Please disregard me.
Baseball Fever....WPS!
In that context, your comment now makes sense
Heh
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Don't know why, but I've always gotten those two mixed up -
and Wikipedia changed its layout today! The bastards.
Baseball Fever....WPS!
I think we all know it's between the ears.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep.
But claiming he’s a young player doesn’t help him at all. Treat him like a veteran (as bgh notes) and he’ll find his own way out.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
true enough
just saying that to the press is odd. much less more than once.
not the first time Tony’s stuck with that — there were some interesting ones last year.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 13, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
28's young to me anyway.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 13, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Lohse and the Two-Seamer
So Fangraphs has him throwing a two-seamer more than a four-seamer now, and this is quite a bit different from previous years.
Is this a matter of Fangraphs/Pitch FX not correctly categorizing his two-seamer in previous years, or is this a real change in approach from Kyle?
Thoughts welcome from Pitch FX-perts.
Jobu needs a refill
League wide algorithm-ing 4-seam vs. 2-seam is pretty much impossible
They’ve probably just changed the classifications.
Not afraid to nitpick
Looking at the actual movement
It looks like he might be throwing with a little more “2seamer-y” movement but it’s nothing really significant.
Not afraid to nitpick
Just watched the replay from last nights game
It looks to me like he’s trying to sink the ball and it just isn’t sinking, or he’s locating it for me. This might explain the 2 seamer categorizations you’re seeing.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
40% groundball rate for Lohse.
Would this jibe with him not sinking his two-seamer?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
2-Seamer would bet fit with Duncan's philosophy
However, it can be harder to locate since it moves more.
I know lots of pitchers who have struggled moving from a 4 to a 2. All of the tail is nice, but it takes some getting used to.
looking at lohse's 2 seamer, anecdotally at least, it doesn't seem to move much.
by Willie McGee's Twin on May 13, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
whoaaaaa Molina drama
The clip, which was first publicly criticized by beat writer Henry Schulman, showed [Bengie] Molina running in slow-motion while the “Chariots of Fire” theme played.
Molina — an 11-year pro’s pro who doesn’t exactly have the build of a modern-type catcher like Joe Mauer — is upset for a couple of reasons.
For one, his mother saw it and was upset once his brother Yadier explained to her what was being said.
For another, it was the only play shown from a Giants victory that, at the time, gave them the best record in the National League.
That’s from BLS.
Here’s Bengie’s blog. (Which is ghost-written, btw, but it’s pretty close to his own sentiments, esp apparent in his more emotional entries.)
I just got one thing to say: FESPN!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
This is mind-bending...
how can the media hand the award back to Cushing after he failed a PEDs test, but brand baseball players for life?
Franklin !#@$!&*%#
It's the NFL
They get a free pass.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Because it was hCG, it's only a steroid related banned substance and not a steroid!
He didn’t get busted for steroids, he got busted for the stuff you take after a cycle of steroids. Big difference.
Not afraid to nitpick
Um, Manny Ramirez?
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
I knew you were being funny.
I should’ve used an exclamation point.
You can read it in any tone you like.
The double standard is nonsensical.
No one even talks about Shawn Merriman’s positive test. No one in the media writes about Julius Peppers, either. It’s almost as if they don’t care.
This is also present with corporations. After Merriman tested positive, he gets his own Nike commercial. After Giambi admitted PED use, Nike dropped him.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
MLB and NFL fanbases are different
Fans of baseball are far more concerned about the “integrity” of the game" and “playing the game the right way” than a lot of fans of the NFL.
by Frozen_Beltran on May 13, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
footage of Carp throwing BP to Matt!!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
...Matt got a little jiggy there.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
a picture of a dove on a wire.
it looks like good eatin’.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
horrific Eagles puns
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
so i am at the astros dugout
and some 12 year ol.d next to me stros bp
“woooow.. that’s not the cardinals? where arw they?.. what do you mean that is not their dugout?”
this knowledgeable child does “want to marry him. want to marry him so bad”
geeez
by d-dee on May 13, 2010 1:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
your first mistake was listening to the children
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Hey now
My 3yo yesterday said he wants to play soccer/baseball/basketball (he kept switching) and wear #5 with the birds on the front.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
well that's your kid
that’s different
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Your kid...
is an angel and a genius… It’s all the other ones that are annoying little brats.
Franklin !#@$!&*%#
chilren are loud, leave you no choice
wants to marry albert but cant pick him out of a croud
ppl are annoying, teenagers are the worst
by d-dee on May 13, 2010 1:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I went to the game last night
And listening to the AverageFan® talk about baseball makes my head hurt.
Not afraid to nitpick
is it bad like going to thanksgiving and talking baseball with relatives bad?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Worse
-No matter what happened, it should have been done a different way if the Cards were on the wrong end of it. It’s impossible that the other team just made a decent play.
-More importantly, Skip diving into 1st base means he hustles.
Not afraid to nitpick
oh god... the horror
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Products of their media environment
When your baseball knowledge comes from the Post-Dispatch, Dan ‘n’ Al, and/or sports talk radio, armchair analysis and cliches are you’ve got.
Jobu needs a refill
Isn't today a school day?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
...Busch Stadium.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Young girls don`t even know what they`re interested in
until they arrange a high-level meeting with all of their sometimes friends, their real friends, their true friends, their best friend forever (who was a sometimes friend until she was so sweet to her and helped her out in Mafia Wars on Facebook, and let her copy her Jonas Brothers CD, and they`re getting together next month for the Hannah Montana show because her mom is soooo coool and got tickets from that one guy she knows in her office whose daughter can`t go because she has mono or the flu or something), and engage in a furious round of IM-ing both on mobile devices and Facebook itself, although Facebook is starting to be so lame because you have 1,916 friends and most of them are from Mafia Wars, like that creepy guy from that one country where he uses that one language that looks like he`s just mashing the keyboards with his fist, only maybe that`s mean, because that`s probably just the way they talk.
And after this meeting, which ideas are thought, discussed and distributed among the girls in a manner similar to the stacks of communiques between, among and throughout climate change diplomats in Copenhagen, only without the “Therefores,” and the “We resolve to” and the “Those stolen e-mails don`t mean anything, and besides, they were stolen,” the young girl in question has come to a firm decision. Just as soon as she checks in with her sometimes friends, her real friends, her true friends, and her best friend forever, who is starting to get on her nerves because she expects her to answer every text now, and some of her texts are just “LOL,” and how can that be a real text, because it doesn`t say anything.
by Michael_68_1999 on May 13, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
this is just practice for later. when superior networking wins.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
VEB: Where words randomly appear?
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
it's like what would happen
if WCBW wrote social commentary pieces for the LA Times…
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
by SleepyCA on May 13, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nice touch having him write for the LA Times.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
"...language that looks like he`s just mashing the keyboards with his fist..."
That’s right, make fun of my hooves! I’ll get Bill Gates to design my own, cow-sized QWERTY!
;=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
it seems to me that having Lopez out of the lineup is having some pretty drastic effects
anyone have some team offense numbers that show the offense after Lopez got hurt, and before? might be interesting to see. I would have preferred having Holliday bat second after he got hurt. is Felipe due to return the lineup in the next few days? or will it be more like a week or more. seems like he’s the missing link for the offense
he is a bit eccentric
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 13, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
b-r is perfect for this
well that's weird
there goes my correlation, thought we were better at offense earlier in the season. I guess we were just getting more clutch hits or whatever
he is a bit eccentric
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 13, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
i think we are presently a team plagued by bad luck all-around
if our pitcher makes a mistake, it’s a hit. instead, our balls on mistakes go right at someone. unless the GOB’s have some grudge, it should even out.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
on Mr. Hrabosky
after having read the ragging on him from VEBers over the months, this now my first experience with him myself:
I don’t mind his Kruk-esque pontifications, but I DO get annoyed at his Morgan-esque telling me what I can SEE for myself watching the picture. He especially hogs the re-play segments and says (and repeats) the obvious, such as “he got there in time but the ball popped out of his glove.” Gee, Al, no sherlock.
I guess he thinks he is on radio or is talking to the blind.
He's just trying to include everybody.
Yaneverknow there may be a blind person watching the TV.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 13, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
If this team gets shut down by Bud F. Norris...
and swept at home by the worst team in the NL I’m gonna freak… And we’ve got the Reds for three after this… Must. Win. Game.
Franklin !#@$!&*%#
By August
we’ll have so many Must-Win-Games on the calendar we’ll have forgotten all about this one. Wasn’t Brad Penny’s start against the Giants to avoid a sweep in San Francisco a must-win game? See, that’s what I’m talking about.
by Michael_68_1999 on May 13, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
carp
disapeared in the back in time for god bless america and the snthem and magically reappeared after.
gotta love him
by d-dee on May 13, 2010 1:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Gamethread up
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
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