tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post987532036245945348..comments2024-03-18T20:39:01.965-07:00Comments on Raising Matt Cain: Great Except TimM.C. O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12258035192484655635noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-92006651950153923762013-04-10T21:25:21.070-07:002013-04-10T21:25:21.070-07:00The guy has to step back and take a breather once ...The guy has to step back and take a breather once in a while. He walked the pitcher twice and did not come close to throwing a strike. Surprised that he only walked 4. nomisnalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08297640472949764321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-60960204121263798502013-04-10T16:02:23.924-07:002013-04-10T16:02:23.924-07:00Yes, if Scutaro threw to first instead of second i...Yes, if Scutaro threw to first instead of second it might have been different. But, Tim walked three guys including the pitcher on pitches that weren't close. They were WTF pitches, as in, "where the fuck are they going?" There must be a mechanical flaw somewhere, and that is fixable (see Madison Bumgarner in the playoffs). And I do believe he needs to re-learn to pitch. He has a new arsenal, therefore he needs a new game plan. Barry Zito has re-learned to pitch, so can Tim. I don't think time in the minors will help. He needs to be around his catchers, his coaches, his teammates, etc. I have faith he will find a groove again. I hope he does and re-signs with the Giants in the off-season.<br />M.C. O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12258035192484655635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-43113863480503694182013-04-10T13:39:38.178-07:002013-04-10T13:39:38.178-07:00Really sorry to say it, but I think that it's ...Really sorry to say it, but I think that it's time for Tim to go down to the Minors to try to work things out. We've been on the 'letting him pitch himself through this' plan for nearly 1 1/2 seasons. It isn't getting any better. The only interlude in his troubles since August 2011 was the 2012 post-season, when he was awesome.<br /><br />So, I say either send him to Fresno for a bit or have him shift into that X-factor relief role. I favor the Fresno option.<br /><br />Many other great Pitchers have had to make a similar move to get their careers back on track. We can't afford to have him continue to trot out their & suffer.<br /><br />On a positive note, his hitting seems to be improving. He's trying so hard to contribute in some way.Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-84857798679889859972013-04-10T08:54:54.970-07:002013-04-10T08:54:54.970-07:00There should have been the first out before the ru...There should have been the first out before the run scored, which would have probably put Tulo on third with two outs and no runs scored. The strikeout that followed would have gotten us out of the inning long before Fowler ever came up. Tim set down the side in the 1st and 3rd, and walked one but retired the side on 4 batters in the 4th. He gave up one hit in the 5th and 6th (one of those Tulo's hr) and walked no one. So, Tim could have walked off the mound at the end of 6 with 1 run allowed. Not so bad. I do not think this is anything close to "evidence of another horrible year brewing for Tim." Yes, I'm wearing those rose-tinted glasses.<br /><br />Tim knows how to pitch, and I think you are doing him a disservice to suggest otherwise. He does not always have control over his pitches. He still has a devastating change-up, but without being able to set it up with a fastball (where he seems to have control issues) the batters can wait it out. Or get a fastball over the plate where they can hit it. The best thing was that Tim did not get Cained, but rather we saw a real, honest-to-God offensive rally to win going away.Zonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-30531304055573583392013-04-10T06:39:36.680-07:002013-04-10T06:39:36.680-07:00. . . if I be shaven, then my strength will go fro...<i>. . . if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man . . .</i><br /><br />(Judges 16:17, KJV)<br /><br /><br />I'm tellin' you, man, it is that horrible freakin' haircut. I want my Timmy with his freaky locks back!!<br /><br />Anyway, wins are wins. That is what matters the most. Tim, despite striking out seven guys, is not a "power" pitcher anymore. He has to rely on movement, which he has in abundance, and control/command, which he seems to lack. Despite the loss in velocity, he can still throw nasty shit, so he can still pitch. He needs to learn HOW to pitch and not just rely on "stuff." Tim Hudson barely tops 90 mph, but he is still a stud. Barry Zito re-learned the art of getting guys out and keeping his team in the game, so can Lincecum. On a side note, Hector Sanchez' poor pitch-framing skills were obviously not a factor last night. Perhaps, however, he and Tim need a better game plan and need to learn to use what is working that night instead of relying on imaginary "I-used-to-be-able-to-do-that" pitches.<br /><br />And way to go, BCraw!! Best fielder in the league and now opposite-field pop in the hardest park in baseball for lefties? DAMN!<br />M.C. O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12258035192484655635noreply@blogger.com