Game 97 Open Thread - Royals (43-53) at White Sox (54-40)
by Freneau on Jul 18, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
Email
PrintKansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox, Jul 18, 2008 8:11 PM EDT
Tonight its Greinke (3.48 ERA) versus Buehrle (3.68 ERA) in a rematch of the subtly difficult to spell matchup we witnessed right before the Break.
Bullet-headed, dim-eyed, unshaven, and more than a little menacing. I've definitely tried to avoid making eye-contact with guys like Buehrle before at a QT or a Casey's.
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First!
ive been waiting for this thread for so long!
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
I am so freaking pumped for this game
I want to demolish the White Sox!
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
NYRoyal
I feel like you’ve been gone for awhile, did you go to your summer home for the All-Star Break?
by I need more Esteban on Jul 18, 2008 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Wedding and honeymoon in Jamaica
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
haha that just reminds me of the office episode
back from vacation.
” Michael: The Jamaicans don’t have a word for “impossible.”
“Jim: Yep, it’s English. It’s “impossible.”
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Thanks
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks :)
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll add my congrats
to the congrats parade. That’s really cool. :)
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
U.S. Cellular Field is a buzzsaw
It’s so intimidating with its short dimensions. Sometimes I think I could hit a 5-run home run in that absolute stinker of a bandbox.
By the way, Kenny Williams has now solidified himself well into the top half of G.M.’s in baseball, in my humble opinion.
Kenny Williams sucks as a GM
He’s riding flukey pitching this year, just as he did in 2005. Guys like Floyd, Contreras and Danks aren’t going to be able to keep this up. And his offensive core is aging rapidly.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
it pisses me off to no end
that his win now strategy to get Swisher has paid off so far. Even if Swisher has been awful.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
They are winning, but the Swisher trade certainly hasn't paid off or helped the winning at all
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
At what point does it become *not* a fluke?
Come on! Other than 2007, the White Sox have been perennial contenders atop the AL Central! And I think their burgeoning payroll can more than overcome a slightly greater prospect giveaway. Quentin, Swisher, and Ramirez were each outstanding additions this offseason.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I loathe the White Sox, too
Their fanbase is largely classless and their announcers are rude. Plus, Ozzie Guillen is a racist. And I loathe the fact that Joe Morgan, a man whom I disagree with often, deems Williams the best G.M. in baseball.
However, they are just another well-run contending team in a buzzsaw of a division….the American League Central.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
They are poorly run, and their win-now strategy is going to cost them over the next 3-5 years
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Ramirez? Swisher?
are not that good. I’d take Swisher but not a chance in hell on Ramirez. Quentin has been the offense to this point.
And their pitching is going to totally collapse soon. Too many guys pitching over their heads.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Rotation
Buehrle – legitimate #2, probable ace on a few good seasons.
Contreras – horrendous 2007, but decent peripherals. Definite #4.
Vazquez – Great peripherals – K:BB and K:9 – having a lackluster year. Definite #3, possible #2.
Danks – Look out! I didn’t know where this came from, but he’s at a 2.67 ERA through 19 starts this season.
Floyd – Great prospect whom Philly had given up on.
Their bullpen additions have been fantastic.
Dotel: 2.98
Masset: 3.32
Thornton: 2.33
Logan: 3.00
Jenks: 1.95
Linebrink: 2.37
!!!! What is the beef, here? Linebrink has four years, sure, but it is a very deep bullpen to go with an above average rotation and a killer offense in a hitters’ park.
Definitely a top 10 most talented team in baseball. Possible top 7.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone is drinking the Chisox kool-aid
I’m not. Two words: fluke…unsustainable
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Buehrle
not an ace, more of a #3. Gives up way too many hits. I don’ think he’s any better than Joe Blanton.
Contreras is a good #5.
Vazquez would be the ace of this staff but luck has been hurting him.
Danks- I dont know anything about him honestly but he isnt this good.
and Floyd just isn’t that good. a 1.60 K/BB rate and a .226 BABIP don’t exactly portend succuess.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Buehrle
2000: 4.21
2001: 3.29
2002: 3.58
2003: 4.14
2004: 3.89
2005: 3.12
2006: 4.99
2007: 3.63
2008: 3.68
Career MLB ERA 3.79. 2006 is the obvious outlier.
2.08 BB9, 5.22 K9, 1.26 WHIP, about a 5:2 K:BB, which is very good.
In the prime of his career (29 years old), locked up for the next 4 years.
Meche’s 2007 ERA was 3.67, and I think the RR consensus was that he was a #2, borderline ace that year. Buehrle is a legitimate #2.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
It isn't all just a fluke this season
Maybe some of their success is, but I have a difficult time believing they are just one swirling cesspool of overachieve. Which players on that team have underachieved? In 2005, it was a fluke. In 2006, it was a fluke. In 2008, it’s still a fluke. I don’t think so. There is a definite pattern.
Contreras is aging, true, but their pitching coach is apparently helping him get things figured out this season….not tipping his pitches, etc.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
FIP
Buehrle has had only 3 seasons at or below 4.00 FIP.
He was a pretty good pitcher for awhile but nothing amazing. It is my belief that the Sox have really burned his arm out.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Yeah, the ERA-only analysis is pretty thin
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
How is it thin?
It’s over a 9 year time period? I understand the need for stats like FIP, K:BB, WHIP, K:9, etc. in pitcher analysis. But ERA is a quick and easy way to evaluate a pitcher’s success as long as it is over a significant time period? And I’m subconsciously taking things like defense and park factor into effect? How has Chicago’s defense been over the years? And I’m sure that ERA is waaaaaay down just because of the enormous pitchers’ park that is U.S. Cellular Field/Comiskey Park. Oh, wait a minute….
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops
Omit the question marks and replace them with periods. I wasn’t helping my argument, here.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
ERA is never sufficient on its own
And, particularly when his FIP has more often than not been over 4, it shows that ERA-only can be very misleading. And the ERA-only analysis of the rest of the Chisox pitching staff is even more thin.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
However, Buehrle's ERA has been consistent
over this time period. (Sans 2006…that being the obvious outlier).
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
And, yet again, you have to look beyond merely ERA
sigh
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
ERA is the direct result
In a way, he’s what we hope Banny will be. A pitcher that defies peripherals to post great results.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm talking about specific players being flukes
I think you are just looking at their record and the stats of a handful of players. That’s not quite enough. Look deeper. This team is a fluke and they have sold out their future for one flukey season. Congrats, KW. I’m going to enjoy the next 3-5 years of White Sox suckitude.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Their team won't regress dramatically next season
With their payroll, they can afford the Free Agents we can’t. And they can now begin replenshing their farm system. By the time the draft class of 2008 is ready for MLB, they will be at or near the level they are at now. They can fill holes with Free Agents until then, or continue their amazingly shrewd acquisitions like Quentin, Ramirez, Jenks, etc.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They won't regress next season?
You base that on what? With a payroll already over $100M, how can you say that they can afford big free agents? Because you know Reinsdorf is willing to spend even more? And you know this how? Their farm system stinks. They have needed to replenish it for a long time and they haven’t. They only way they can replenish it is slowly through the draft or by trading established major leaguers. They won’t be doing the latter, as KW has sold out to “win now.” They are in big trouble in the near future. Big trouble, because KW has had more bad deals than “shrewed acquisitions.”
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
The White Sox' situation right now
is an awful lot similar to the Tigers’ situation. Think about that. Many of the players on this current 25-man (White Sox) roster have been shrewd and excellent acquisitions by the G.M.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
A $100M payroll can keep just about any team in contention
The pitching carried them in 2005 and proved itself to be flukey in the following years. Now flukey pitching from bad pitchers like Contreras and Floyd is carrying them. It won’t last. Maybe it will last this season, but not beyond. They simply aren’t good. Thome and Konerko are on the downhill side of their career with recurring injury problems. Crede will be gone to free agency. Their success this year is mostly a fluke and they’ll prove that next year. The Quentin trade was a good one. It really remains to be seen how good Ramirez is (and he’s likely 30+ years old).
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The American League Central - a buzzsaw division.
As Royals fans, we keep telling ourselves the White Sox are this lackluster, overachieving, house-of-cards ballclub with an idiotic G.M. and manager. However, they are much, much, much more than that. Why do we tell ourselves these things? To make us feel more comfortable about the insanely competitive division in which we play. In fact, it’s the best division in baseball, all things considered (eptitude of ballclubs, payrolls, etc.) 4 legitimately well-run teams and 1 team on its way up (us).
Swisher provides an awesome OBP and 30 HR power. Trust me…he is way more than a .236/.352/.403 hitter. Plenty of teams have old hitters like Thome. The Red Sox? Yankees? Cubs? (Well…they did in 2003). Each of those are dynamic teams with fantastic offenses.
Alex Ramirez is over 30? Is that based on fact? They fired their ex-scouting director (I believe) last year, and that alone is a step up, as they produced almost nothing from 1998-2004.
I have a difficult time believing Dye, Thome, Quentin, Ramirez, Cabrera, Contreras, et all will all nosedive next season.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
they all did last season
cabrera excluded
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Per Ken Tremendous of Fire Joe Morgan...
A sabermetrician and frequent and outspoken critic of Williams and the White Sox’ way of handling their ballclub:
“Kenny Williams has certainly done his homework this season.”
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My analysis about the White Sox is about how good they really are and have been
It’s about more than looking at their W-L record.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
They are a first-place club
They won the World Series in 2005, and almost won the division in 2006 and 2003. They were slightly above average in 2004 and below average in 2007.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, KW has gotten a team with a payroll in the top third (even better than that now)
...into contention on a fairly regular basis. Am I supposed to be impressed by that? I think the analysis should go more than a little deeper than that.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
They're contenders
What more do you want? .700+ baseball? I’m not arguing that Kenny Williams is in fact the best G.M. in baseball. But he definitely deserves applause for assembling this year’s squad, as well as the squads of 2005 and 2006.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a poor GM, and I think that's pretty obvious if you closely analyze the organization and his moves over the years
It’s pretty easy to be in contention with a $100M+ payroll. He deserves credit for the good moves and blame for the bad moves. And we need to recognize flukes for what they are, no?
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, as long as their payroll is $100+M
And it will be, given their committed owner, then can we expect them to remain in contention? And I don’t think they are just going to keel over and die in the FYP drafts of 08, 09, 10, etc.
Dye, Thome, and Quentin would have to have pretty steep drops next season to be below average. Pretty. Steep.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, they'll stay in the 75 to 90 win range
And some people will give KW a lot of credit for keeping them in contention with a $100M+ payroll, which is extremely easy.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Think Thome and Dye aren't declining?
Are you kidding? I mean really, is this a joke? Are you familiar with their ages and the decline curve?
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
I know their stories, their ages, etc. I don’t follow the MLB as closely as a BP expert would, but I’m aware that they are declining. But plenty of players today – Thomas, Griffey, Jeter – can maintain production of years’ past well into their 30’s. Past 35, even. Proper conditioning, IMO, has led players to more prolonged careers than years’ past, especially pitchers.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Griffey
I meant to emphasize that he can still be an above-league average player. Thomas hasn’t been the player he used to be, of course. But these are both still useful, toward-the-middle-of-the-order/above average players.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
And no one should expect any player to beat the decline curve
It happens, but they are exceptional occurrences. Players their age decline, and the decline gets greater every year after 33.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't expect
Dye and Thome to be .230/.300/.380 next season.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither do I
but they’re still hardly to be counted on to match this year’s production.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Re: the decline phase
Several thoughts:
1. As I mentioned previously, I firmly believe we are going to see players maintain health well into their 30’s, with the advancements in training that have occurred in baseball since the 1980s, and given how physically strong players are in the 2000’s compared to even the late 1980s.
2. Pitchers’ IP and workloads are now specialized, and limited strongly. No coincidence that Clemens, Maddux, Glavine, Moyer, Rogers, Wells, etc. lasted well into their 40’s.
3. I think players’ contracts are weighed heavily when judging a player. A .260/.320/.400 shortstop making $400K-$2MM is heralded, while a .260/.320/.400 shortstop at age 30 making $9-12MM just….sucks.
This ‘decline phase’ is drastically overrated, in my opinion. Dye and Thome have continued production well into their 30’s.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
No
Of course not.
Griffey and Thomas aren’t 180 OPS+ players, anymore.
See my post, below. The decline phase is overrated, IMO. Sheffield and Thomas are two players that have maintained strong production well into their 30’s, although they are both now a bit injury prone.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
And look at the ages of the middle of
the Boston Red Sox’ lineup.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
What
you mean the HoF clearly past his prime and the guy who hasn’t played in a month due to a nagging injury?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Yeah
Two still awesomely productive hitters.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way,
this has been a spirited argument. I’m not trying to be a jackass, be rude, or belittle NYRoyal….I’m just saying how I truly feel.
I just sense a little bias because they are, in fact, the White Sox.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Guillen out with back spasms
Apparently the days off weren’t quite enough.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvACHXhKpAulZzpxvm.2_x0RvLYF?slug=ap-royals-guillen&prov=ap&type=lgns
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
It's crazy how
“The Mexecutioner” has really caught on. It started as a blog thing and now it’s everywhere, T-shirts and the like. Joel Goldberg just called him that in the pregame show.
by I need more Esteban on Jul 18, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions
I'm still going to call him Ezekial
but I’m a contrarian
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like he's also
put his money to good use so far. He’s interviewing right now and it’s the first time I’ve noticed braces on him.
by I need more Esteban on Jul 18, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
lineups!
ROYALS
dejesus
aviles
teahen
butler
grud
gordon
gload
buck
german
PALE HOSE
cabrera
pierzynski
quentin
dye
thome
konerko
swisher
crede
ramirez
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions
We can't take the White Sox lightly in this series.
Or in any series, for that matter, this season.
Cabrera: .270/.329/.364
Pierzynski: .287/.326/.429
Quentin: .276/.375/.525
Dye: .306/.361/.563
Thome: .253/.375/.512
Konerko: .217/.320/.368
Swisher: .236/.352/.403
Crede: .253/.325/.466
Ramirez: .312/.332/.459
Just a fantastic well-rounded offense that is completely healthy, right now.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Please
Fantastic? That’s a joke.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Statistics
Team OBP: 5 / 14 (.337)
Team SLG: 3 / 14 (.443)
Team AVG: 6 / 14 (.265)
54-40, pyth. 55-39
Scored 465 runs, allowed 382
Park factors included, you’re right in that it’s not fantastic. How about ‘very, very good?’
Certainly a hell of a lot better than ours….big club and farm system included.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, 5th out of 14....that's "fantastic"?
Yes, their offense has been good. And many of those key players are in serious decline and/or won’t be around in the near future. And much of the pitching has definitely, clearly been flukey. And no, the Chisox farm system is not better than the Royals. Definitely not (at least according to BP-KG).
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
they have aaron poreda
and thats about it. and he’s 50/50 on being a starter or reliever.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Our offense
is so ridiculously barren, it isn’t even funny. We do have many capable pitchers. I can point to about 5 or 7 surefire starting pitchers right now…..Rosa, Cortes, Wood, Duffy, and Sample to name 5.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
We are very light in hitting in the minors
And very heavy in hitting. The Chisox are light in both.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
everyone here is lucky
The giants were giving out Crazy Crab bobbleheads tonight in a Sabathia vs Cain matchup and the only thing that prevented me from going was 28 dollars being the cheapest ticket and 22 for standing room ticket.
So my presence will instead grace the game thread. Lucky you guys and girls.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
if there is rain
someone is getting slaughtered
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
do i really have to listen to this raging douche hawk harrellson...
man i hate him. BOB DAVIS NOW!!!
where tpj happens.
Well that's a bad start to the second half.
A three pitch strikeout.
Blown Save
god kill me
i cant listen to these announcers.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
they are one of the prime reasons i hate the white sox.
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
i just don't know why mlbtv
doesn’t have options for both teams.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
they do on directv
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah unfortunately i do not have directv...
where i could also watch this game in hd
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Aviles Walks Now!
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Aviles walks, a shocker
winning records follow good bullpens
Who knew
Teahen, of all people, fairly owns Buehrle?
by powderbluepower on Jul 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions
Sure didn't that AB
winning records follow good bullpens
Hillman.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
We need Teahen
to step up the getting on base, that will make everything else in his profile look a lot better.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Back from lifeguarding,
no one died. I got to sit with the pretty female lifeguard for a couple hours. Good day.
Let’s win, hey?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
i am anti-alias
bad computer joke ba dum cha!
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
you have quite the streak giong of nobody dying...
keep it up.
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm waiting with breathless anticipation
for “Back from lifeguarding, two people died while I was macking on the pretty female lifeguard.”
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
I'm also waiting with breathless anticipation
for them to draw my numbers in MegaMillions.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
good for you...
and get the pretty female’s phone number. you could go out and talk sabermetrics.
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
One step ahead, actually
though I think she’s more into football.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
well
i think its after the dot racing but before the ridiculous ball in the caps game so id say sometime around the 5th inning.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
The Sox actually do a pizza race at their games.....cheese/pepperoni/sausage
but for some reason the fans don’t get as into it as much as the KC fans with the hot dog race
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
races should never change from dots
its the worse. San Diego did some sail boat race. Its a sacrosanct tradition.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Where is Guillen, by the way?
winning records follow good bullpens
the mike sweeney special
“back spasms”
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Does he really have back spasms?
Or does he have lingering effects from the “Tim Lincecum Flu”?
Blown Save
or wheels as i like to call him
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Hawk sounds more
like an announcer for the little pig races at the county fair than MLB
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Billy Butler is just looking like a disaster.
Really though.
winning records follow good bullpens
A bit of an overreaction to a baserunning mistake by a 22-year-old
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Really though
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
A brief cameo
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to ask too
it’d be swell if you’d stick around.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
It's not exactly the first baserunning mistake he's made this year
This guy has run into a bunch of outs, and continue to hit the ball on the ground
winning records follow good bullpens
22-year-olds are going to make mistakes
More than a few. Remember how polished Brett was at 22? He wasn’t.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
why are you stretching it Billy.
oh well.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
I don't.
He’s on my fantasy team.
Blown Save
Wow, 3 pitches and the bases are loaded
This is bizarre
winning records follow good bullpens
cheating on the fast ball
fucking white sox
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
how 'bout we mix in an off-speed pitch, eh?
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions
Nope, another fastball to Thome
winning records follow good bullpens
jesus christ
winning records follow good bullpens
COSTA NOW!!!!
Except he’s hurts… so…. Lubanski now?
Blown Save
The All-Star Break was not good to Greinke.
Blown Save
This isn't exactly encouraging
winning records follow good bullpens
this is unbelievable
a bunch of dinky basehits. I hate it more than anything.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Slider.....curve.....anything not straight????
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions
I don't understand this pitch calling at all
winning records follow good bullpens
I've never seen anything like it
winning records follow good bullpens
What the hell is going on?
Is he giving away the signs somehow?
by powderbluepower on Jul 18, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions
7 pitches, 5 hits, 1 HBP, 4 ER
winning records follow good bullpens
Hopefully he doesn't let it get to him
But seriously, the pitch sequences… they just kept pouring in first pitch fastballs, obviously they were sitting on them. Don’t understand that at all.
winning records follow good bullpens
I am offended
by the crawl informing me that I’m paying $200 for a free preview of MLBEI.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
I thought being Hacktastic was a bad thing!!!!
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions
Nothing Succeeds Like
Success.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It just won't stop
winning records follow good bullpens
Fething hell!
You’ve to be fudging joking me, right?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Very Eloquent
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
So this is what you call an anomaly, right?
winning records follow good bullpens
I Have A
Few other choice words for this.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
This has absolutely blown it through the roof
winning records follow good bullpens
this is total bullcrap
maybe one or two were hit hard…everything else has been just finding spots.
MEATBALLS???? They’re hitting dinky grounders not massive doubles!
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
If this isn't enough to send Greinke back to the golf course
Nothing is
winning records follow good bullpens
I am
very confused. Also, stage three.
First Stage of Royals fandom: “Wow, they’re just teeing off on him.”
Second stage: “This can’t be happening.”
Third stage: “Why is this happening?”
Fourth Stage: “Did I do something wrong?”
Fifth Stage: “Well, Monk is on in a half hour….”
by powderbluepower on Jul 18, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions
except they actually strung their singles together
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
That Is Our
Playbook, they’re just executing it well.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Zack,
take a deep breath, focus on the target, and walk off the mound. This is just not your night, kid.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
He needs to give us some innings tonight, we can't shred our bullpen first game back from ASB
winning records follow good bullpens
is this like the spring training game where greinke got tattooed . . .
and afterward he admitted he was only throwing fastballs and wasn’t trying . . .
followed by a trip to the same mental hospital that brad pitt and bruce willis were in, in 12 monkeys????
by royalstern05 on Jul 18, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
They've hit 7 singles
This isn’t exactly getting tattooed, it’s getting incredibly unlucky all at one time
winning records follow good bullpens
Fuck the Chicago White Sox
their fat shitty city, their stupid rivalry with the cubs, their stupid accents, their obnoxious announcers and everything else.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
why the hell is German
even on this team?
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
god this inning is such BS, some of the luckiest shit I've ever seen
winning records follow good bullpens
Good to know...I just started keeping track...
It’s horrific.
Also, this new Beck album is great.
Orlando Cabrera
I hate you irrationally. Go retire.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
i have muted the game and turned on music...
by far the best decision i will make all night.
where tpj happens.
Ahem,
may I recommend Weezer’s Blue Album…which is all I’ve listened to for the past week…
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
I would recommend Coldplay's Viva La Vida
finally got around to it. Good stuff.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
In my CD player:
The Raconteurs’ “Broken Boy Soldiers”.
by powderbluepower on Jul 18, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
As stated previously...
I have Beck’s Moder Guilt
both are on the computer... both will be listened to
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
question . . . . .
is this like the spring training game where greinke got tattooed . . . and afterward he admitted he was only throwing fastballs and wasn’t trying . . . followed by a trip to the same mental hospital that brad pitt and bruce willis were in, in 12 monkeys????
you know what's not funny . . .
when our “new” ”#1” looks like complete shit right out of the ASB gate.
by royalstern05 on Jul 18, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It was a fluke.
Incredibly flukey.
winning records follow good bullpens
how come flukes never work in our favor for 6 runs?????
meanwhile, i blinked and we have 2 outs.
i predict we finish the season on a 67 game losing streak.
by royalstern05 on Jul 18, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't wait to hear Greinke's postgame interview after this one
winning records follow good bullpens
the "it's love" song from the heineken light commercial . . .
makes me want to torture a small animal.
heinekin commercials
in general make me feel that way
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
the thing about hawk
that is so annoying, is that he uses the same three or four really really shitty phrases. It doesn’t seem like he is able to actually think or say anything that isn’t blatant homerism. Just repetitive and obnoxious…he gone! he gone! he gone! ok shut the fuck up hawk and actually do your job. And for some reason the chicago fans love it.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Suddenly I'm not sure
which is worse: Watching Greinke have a bad day or dealing with a medical situation that has kept me from sitting for half the week (please, please don’t guess).
Umm… check that… I think the sitting thing is still worse… Must remember: this game shall pass.
by powderbluepower on Jul 18, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions
Lets see how Zack bounces back
winning records follow good bullpens
You realize over the past 2 seasons, German has been like, our 2nd best OBP guy
Next to dejesus, right?
winning records follow good bullpens
mostly because
he is a part time player
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Yeah
German still has definite value to the ballclub. I would still bring him back next year for the right price, despite his horrific defense.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
And that's how he bounces back
JESUS CHRIST
winning records follow good bullpens
I don't think zack is very happy
winning records follow good bullpens
note
when grooving it down the middle doesn’t work, keep grooving it down the middle.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
Actual, real-life headline
on mlb.com.
“Yankees add Sexson’s big bat to line-up.”
In other just-as-crazily-exaggerated news, I got the best laces in the world for my shoes.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
i just ate the greatest apple of all-time!
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
G5?
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Dear Trey
I know how to play the outfield, seriously. Let me play the outfield.
Sincerely,
Billy Butler
Butler hits way better while at 1st than at DH
but that can’t stop Gload, or putting German in left field.
Desi freaking Relaford had more business in the outfield than Esteban.
I hope this start
And possible starts like this in the near future deflate Zack’s value to the point where his contract will not be extended. I’m pretty sure Dayton Moore doesn’t really value BABIP, and Zack’s BABIP has been ridiculously high this season. Flaws in the market we need to take advantage of! I hope we do it.
It sure seems like he's given up a ton of hits relative to how well he's pitched
winning records follow good bullpens
In fact
screw compared to TPJ. Aviles has the best SS RZR in the AL among guys with more than 100 innings at SS.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
What does this mean
winning records follow good bullpens
Bizarro world
also, Aviles is apparently much worse at 2B than at SS according to the ratings thus far…I have no idea what to say about this.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Yes I did
I’ve been keeping my eye on that. I can’t really place much weight in it yet, since it’s still a sample size issue…but it’s very, very interesting to say the least.
In case anyone is wondering what we’re talking about, RZR has Aviles as playing an excellent SS thus far.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Wait, you don't want to extend his contract?
Why don’t youw ant to resign him?
winning records follow good bullpens
No, I do want him extended.
I just hope that if his ERA is 4.2 at the end of the year, we won’t go to arbitration or avoid arbitration (1 year contract) with him again. Whatever underachieving he does this year (with respect to BABIP) has to pale in comparison to the long-term value he can bring to this ballclub….as an ace starting pitcher.
by Royals Nation on Jul 18, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Zack BABIP going into tonight: .290
where it ends up…nobody knows
by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Jul 18, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
After 3254235 years in Chicago
Ozzie Guillen still can’t pronounce it right.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
That's what every AL team's
hitting coach must say before a series with the Sox.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
i would make a fine
hitting coach/bench coach/ other mostly irrelevant coach.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
I think bench coach
must be the easiest job in the world.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
"Get The Lefty"
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 18, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
to be honest
it was not that bad a movie.
Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.
In fairness
I might watch 27 Dresses, but only if someone tells me Kate Heigl takes them all off.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
i wouldn't kick her out of bed...
i might even invite her in.
where tpj happens.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 18, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions