Game 88 Open Thread - Royals (39-48) at Rays (53-32)
by Freneau on Jul 5, 2008 4:30 PM EDT
Email
PrintKansas City Royals at Tampa Bay Rays, Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT
It was something like Rays Week at BP the last few days, and one of the more interesting pieces was Nate Silver's Flipping the Switch article (free):
Team balance? The Devil Rays had five players who had a legitimate argument for making the All-Star team last year: Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Scott Kazmir, and James Shields. But they also had 28 distinct players who produced a negative VORP, collectively costing the Rays 157.9 runs below replacement level. Merely replacing those guys with passable alternatives—never mind league-average players—would have made a huge difference.
Put differently, the Rays had an awful lot of room to make additions by subtraction. The difficult part about baseball is supposed to be locking up blue-chip assets like Upton and Kazmir at below-market rates. The Rays had done plenty of that, but they hadn’t really bothered to sweat the small stuff—to dump some of their dead weight, to make sure they had guys who were up to the job defensively, or to tend to their bullpen.
Sound familiar? How's this for dead weight? First, the position players: John Buck (-1.7 VORP), Joey Gathright (-5.4 VORP), Ross Gload (-6.0 VORP), Esteban German (-8.7 VORP) and, por supuesto, Tony Pena Jr. (-18.0 VORP). Combined, those players have eaten up 952 plate appearances, or 29.1 % of the team's at bats.
As for the subpar pitchers, at least purely according to VORP: Brian Bannister (-1.2 VORP), Yasuhiko Yabuta (-1.4 VORP), Joel Peralta (-2.5 VORP), Jeff Fulchino (-3.3 VORP), John Bale (-3.8 VORP), Jimmy Gobble (-5.5 VORP), Hideo Nomo (-6.5 VORP) and, Brett Tomko (-12.3 VORP). Now, some of these horrible innings can be dismissed, to a point, thanks to size (Nomo only blasted 4.3 innings) and leverage considerations. In a blowout you can send Nomo out there for an inning, but you can't give TPJ most of his at bats that way. Nope, TPJ was slowly eroding innings an at regular distribution. Still, its telling how quickly a bullpen that we all thought was going to be an asset has not quite turned out that way.
Until this winter, that is, because that's when the Rays decided to transform themselves from a sort of hedge fund for undervalued assets into a real, functional baseball club.
Maybe the Royals will get to that point someday.
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my dad's new goal for the year for those who care:
Singlehandedly fucking up the playoffs for the Yankees. So far we seem to be doing a good job of this, dropping a series to Boston, plus a few more games against Tampa. Oh yeah, and how we’re going to OWN the Yankees in our next series against them.
4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.
Agreed w/ you all hoping for a series split
but then again an interesting game might be nice after last night
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:15 PM EDT reply actions
his last start wasn't all that encouraging
let’s hope for good Greinke
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
some people on here will chime in and tell us that banny is a good pitcher
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
i kinda wanna see a fight
TPJ...you're dead to me
one that doesnt involve zack getting beat up by navavrro or carlos pena
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
if we weren't such pansies, i'm sure the rays are up for it....
or do they only fight good teams to prove a point?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
any talk on here yesterday about how good that catch by guillen was?
TPJ...you're dead to me
ohhh... just watched it. nice catch.
although it would have been better if he completely flipped onto the chairs.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i bet kietzman thought it was the worst catch ever
4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.
by loyal2theroyals on Jul 5, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
keitzman is a douche...
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
im really interested to see if theres any comment about it by kietz....
if not, he’s just doing a bad job.
if you’re going to overreact in the manner that he does about minor stuff, you gotta at least mention the good.
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
damnit....
mike barnett just said we have to be more aggressive tonight
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:35 PM EDT reply actions
id feel fine about it...
if he meant swing more aggressively on good pitches, however, i highly doubt hes thinking that
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Like Actually
Trying to get on base and stay there until you can score.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Be! Be! AGGRESSIVE!
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
ahh...
ryan thinks the rays are good b/c they signed good clubhouse guys
TPJ...you're dead to me
The Little Things
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
don't forget about the healthy mix of grit.
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a neat part timer, though
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
yanks/sox is a good finish on fox right now, should be over before our game starts
fucking cardinals won in the 9th too
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:52 PM EDT reply actions
the bottom of the red sox order will kill them this season.
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Beat Me To
It; 7 HBP’s today, including 3 an Manny. Rivera just got a ridiculous strike 2 on Lugo.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
5 inches outside
then he tried it again and got called a ball….same pitch
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The Ball Was
Better.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd complain more
if it weren’t for the fact that the Sox somehow didn’t score a single run with bases loaded and no one out.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
LeFebvre just said DEVIL Rays
pagan
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:01 PM EDT reply actions
he'll get fined $1 by the Rays
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Teahie's On The
Bench, probably for being a baby; Hoagy takes his place in RF.
D. DeJesus lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
J. Guillen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
B. Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .271
R. Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
M. Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
M. Aviles ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
J. Gathright cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
Seriously, I don't get Gload over Teabag in this situation
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
do you get it any time when gload is in the lineup?
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
not unless it's the 8th/9th innings
and we’ve got a lead
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
But Gator is still hard to watch hit.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Rays only drew 16,000 on the 4th?
wow
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT reply actions
why would you go to a baseball game...in a dome...on 4th of july?
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
to watch the best team in baseball maybe?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
they should NOT show up on 4th of july...
b/c playing baseball indoors is unamerican.
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
it's an american flag thing
and yeah it is ugly
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Communist!
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
not the flag
the hat design
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Do You
Hate America??
?
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
5 pitches
2 outs….aggressive enough Barnett….Christ this incompetence is killing me
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
I see we've picked up
right where we left off yesterday. What the hell is the point of swinging early in the count if you can’t hit the f@cking ball?!?
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
ah, we're gonna see another complete game by an opponent
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:14 PM EDT reply actions
God the "voodoo" commercial is stupid
granted not as stupid as the “tradition” commercial, but they need to fire their ad agency
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions
Back from lifeguarding,
no one died. People did complain about an excess chlorine smell…in a chorline pool…with the chemicals levels lower than usual…
I want to see blood tonight.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Oops
Chlorine. Sorry.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Chorline Might Have
Killed everyone.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
No kidding
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Try It Next
Time.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
This girl I lifeguard with
said that chlorine might make the lane lines explode.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Any Baby Ruths?
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah,
but I just had a Fresca and chilled out instead of overreacting.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
they still make fresca?
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
They do indeed
though I will referencing Caddy Shack.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
My Oldest Brother
Drank Fresca and vodka when he was on the Atkins diet.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Was that his only source
of nutrition?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
i HATE diet coke, but id have to go jack and diet
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Why not
just coke or pepsi?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
adkins diet....
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Google Thinks It's
Atkins; I think it’s bullshit.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Fewer Carbs In
Vodka, apparently.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It seems odd to worry
about health while drinking Vodka, that’s all. :P
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont think that most on the atkins diet....
are worried about health…more worried about their weight
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
The two are often the same
I think. But point taken.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
What about Vess?
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
you're a true hero!
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you thank you
I’m rugged, too.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Sonnanstine Working On
An 81 pitch perfect game with no K’s. Zack projects to a forfeit or rainout.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
crash davis could get a rainout in a dome...
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
ahh...fuck me...its starting already
TPJ...you're dead to me
That's what she said!
(damn you, Michael Scott and devil fingers)
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Sonnanstine
might be a good back of the rotation guy, but he looks like Frankenstine.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Friggin' pictures
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I Hear Such
Can be found on the intertubes.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Truly you are
an internet savant, phillip.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
One L, The
Only real spelling.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops
Sorry, my speling sucks today.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, The Two
L spelling is more common today, but not a real name historically.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
So it was
King Philip whose Armada got squashed by Godzilla?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That Was One
Of my ancestors, Sir John Hawkins, not a big lizard, that squashed The Armada, and yes, it was King Philip. I am the King Of Finland and the Canadian province of Bob.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
ha ha...splitt really think that gordo is faster than upton?
TPJ...you're dead to me
no, i think he clarified
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
no....
‘i think he’d win that race, but not when you take into account that he has to find the bag…blah blah balh…ive never heard of bj upton’
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
he threw two pitches that could've been strike 3
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
And because of that, this won't end well.
winning records follow good bullpens
1 pitch outs....sweet!!!
more aggressiveness please!!!
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:27 PM EDT reply actions
Hack fest
After last night, you think we’d like, NOT go back to that strategy.
winning records follow good bullpens
you obviously didnt hear mike barnett
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Apparently
people hit .422 off Sonnanstine on the first pitch.
Of course, I bet that only applies to guys who PUT THE BALL IN PLAY on the first pitch…
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
3 pitches, 2 outs
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions
Sonnanstine is their Brian Bannister
winning records follow good bullpens
sonnanstine doesnt suck
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither does Banny
he’s just not as good as he looked last year.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
but in my opinion, as bad as he is this year is the type of pitcher he is
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, well,
to each his own. I think he’s better than he’s shown. I feel as if he’s been hit disproportionately hard recently given his control.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
or conversely....proportionately hard given his stuff
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
As I say,
to each his own. I’m not ready to give up on Bannister being a useful starter. You are?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
im getting close.
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe
but let’s never forget that we could DFA Banny tomorrow, and we STILL won that trade.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
wow...nice effort bj
TPJ...you're dead to me
no kidding, is that jose out there?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
if that was milton bradley instead of BJ ryan would still be talking about it
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
grudz, gordon, and gload all did
aviles swung at all 3….we need to realize we don’t HAVE to swing
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Goddammit aviles
You suck nowadays
winning records follow good bullpens
Captain Regression
is a heartless bastard.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
More like Captain Climb the Ladder and Swing at Crap Pitches
winning records follow good bullpens
I don't want to say I told you so
but he never was that patient in the minors anyway.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He doesn't have to be patient, he juts doesn't have to get himself out
winning records follow good bullpens
his problem is that he not only gets himself out...but often others as well
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Aviles continues to pop himself up swinging at high pitches
That pitich was garbage too
winning records follow good bullpens
we're swinging at a lot of garbage pitches
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
19 pitches in 2 innings baby
winning records follow good bullpens
Greinke has bad luck
winning records follow good bullpens
no luck on that rocket into right
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like the big inning will come early
winning records follow good bullpens
Why the hell is he throwing a 2-0 curveball to Hinske?
Huh? With 2 on and nobody out?
winning records follow good bullpens
Good teams take pitches...and walks...something about making pitchers work...
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
Sonnanstine not only is ugly
but he has a white pupil.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Oh my flipping god it worked.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice sach
Zach(k)
One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
Crap
I’m being railroaded into watching Avatar: The Last Airbender. Hopefully I can make a comeback. I’ll let you all know how the movie is. :p
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Ughhhh that 2-2 pitch was so good
winning records follow good bullpens
SHIIIIIIIT
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions
I'm so sick of this get two outs, then give up the huge it
He even got them on strike outs for christs sake. It’s just unbelievable
winning records follow good bullpens
Of fuckign course
Brilliant pitching, gets fucked in the ass
winning records follow good bullpens
Goddammit this is so frustrating to watch
winning records follow good bullpens
will we score 2 runs tonight?
or make a pitcher throw more than 15 in an inning?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions
i am not confident
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
complete game...87 pitches....
6-2 royals win
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
did joey legitimately think the rays fans care about him enough to boo?
TPJ...you're dead to me
i hope not
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
at least joey forced him to throw more than two pitches
minor victories!
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
that was a gritty two-out single with nobody on...
well done.
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
i wasnt gonna say it
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
good decision on his part.
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
are we going to get 2 all stars?
TPJ...you're dead to me
what about TPJ?
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
it's nice that we do have 3 other guys who are performing like legitimate all-stars
in jose, zack and davey
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Mommy, Why Is
The scary explody man batting 6th?
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
It's so the bottom third of the order
doesn’t suck quite so bad. Now eat your asparagus.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Mmmmmmmmmm, Asparagus..........
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
its never good when gload appears to be the best hitter in the line-up
after two times through the order.
where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.
joey didnt get his 2nd chance yet
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
More Likely He'll
Kick a touchdown.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
aviles really isnt that much different at the plate than pena or berroa
TPJ...you're dead to me
One Can Only
Hope to contain Ben Zobrist.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
Zack at 93 pitches, only threw low 80's last start
Run him out there for the 6th?
winning records follow good bullpens
God our offense has been PUTRID these past 2 games
winning records follow good bullpens
Have they showed up to a game yet?
winning records follow good bullpens
offense please?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions
I'm not going to be negative . .
because this year we are getting the best we should expect out of a team that surrenders three outs a game through the lineup and seems to have issues holding people accountable for making the same mistakes repeatedly.
Until those things change we’re going to have to live with it. The good is pretty good when it comes.
. . . a weary nation turns to Gil Meche
sorry, by 'outs'
I meant ‘spots in the order’.
. . . a weary nation turns to Gil Meche
Going to get shut out by Sonnanstine
He isn’t garbage time, but he’s pretty close. This is paaaaaaaaaaaathetic. I hope Guillen goes off tonight. Oh wait, he isn’t producing either.
winning records follow good bullpens
Fire Barnett, what a joke of an approach
we want aggressiveness patience and aggressive swings at hitter’s pitches
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
you're wrong
this game is proof of the age-old baseball adage that mediocre pitching beats crappy hitting.
. . . a weary nation turns to Gil Meche
while that is true
swinging at everything isn’t the way to buck the trend
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Did nobody hear the pre-game
or know anything about Sonnanstine?
He’s exceptionally susceptible early in the count. OPS against him drops after every pitch in an at-bat. It was an actual strategic decision to attack him tonight, and a defensible one; it just didn’t work.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
I did see the pre-game
and understand the numbers…but you simply cannot tell our hitters to be aggressive early in the count….they already are….and telling them to be moreso is foolish and exacerbates the hacking problem we already have
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
On top of that
we’ve had some lengthy at-bats anyway. Gathright had a six-pitch at-bat earlier, and just walked. Gload walked after being down 0-2. It’s not like everyone’s hacking away at everything.
In fact, I’m reaching the conclusion that the only thing Gathright needs in order to be a Real Live Major League Center Fielder is the ability to drive the ball. He’s got the speed, the defense, the arm, the plate discipline, and the ability to make contact.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
agreed on Gathright
he’s put together a couple good at-bats tonight
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno
I can think of another really fast guy whose SLG took a few years to catch up to his OBP.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
I haven't given up on Gator
and I actually think his presence in the lineup is justified- it is a nice consistency in the vision that GMDM is bringing to the franchise. He understands that the power-gasm we saw in the Steroids Era is gone to a degree and that small market teams have to be able to win in a number of different ways.
The fact that GMDM has a vision of how the Royals can win is a big part of my continued fandom towards this franchise. I have faith he can make this thing work.
But it is VERY aggravating to see the same issues arise constantly.
. . . a weary nation turns to Gil Meche
I know
and the thing that is driving me nuts is that Aviles understood that until about a week ago.
. . . a weary nation turns to Gil Meche
Uh oh, Alex may be injured
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions
no longer
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The Irony Of
Pitching to Gator was too much for him.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
he just got an outrageous jump....
no reason not to when theres no risk involved
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
cool grudz....
3 rbis this week mustve been his limit
TPJ...you're dead to me
Fast ball down the pipe is too good of a pitch with a runner on 3rd with <2 out
Gotta look at it.
winning records follow good bullpens
is that what he's swinging at?
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
And Throwing To
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
New Policy
When the Royals play vs. a team > 10 games over .500, I tivo and watch the game on the fastest speed. 10 minutes later, Royals lose and I can go on about my day.
damn, right past him
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions
On the bright side
Anything that helps keep either Boston or New York from winning the AL East is sort of a bonus. I guess.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
we suck again
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions
We've Finally Started
Taking pitches in the last 2 innings. Unfortunately, 4 or 5 of them were strike 3.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
Can we trade Guillen?
Somebody ought to want him.
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