Manny Ramirez suspended for fifty games!Why? Who knows! Who cares!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
UGLY^2
The Big Ugly was U-G-L-Y last night. The Crockies whacked him all over the place. Our offense was, well, offensive. But we knew that.
Check our old guy's game-by-game log:
#1 start) 5 IP, 4 ER, loss
#2 start) 3-2/3 IP, 7 ER, loss
#3 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#4 start) 3-1/3 IP, 2 ER, ND
#5 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#6 start) 5-2/3, 7 ER, loss
Johnson's ERA is 5.86 and his FIP is 5.68. That's ugly no matter how you slice it. When he's good, he's very good, but when he's bad, he's very bad. If he can make 24 starts (he made 25 last year), and manages only 2 good ones in every 6, that's only EIGHT good starts. That means 300 could be a looooooong wait. Let's hope Randy rights the Good Ship Johnson and pitches well more consistently. I, for one, was not against the Johnson signing. I thought he had some quality starts left, and with Lowry down and Sanchez a question mark, we needed another guy. It never hurts to have an all-time great around, and the youngsters we had last year (Hennessey and Correia) didn't cut the mustard. I've been reluctant to brag about our supposed "pitching depth." Yes, we have God Himself every 5th day, and Studly Young Matt as well. But a "resurgent" Zito is still a huge question mark, and if any of the Five get hurt we will be in big trouble.
Here's an idea--let's make MATT CAIN our "number two starter." He deserves that, don't you think? At least he'll get the chance to show us today. Colorado is a tough place to pitch, and he probably won't get the action on his curveball, so he'll have to pound them with the fastball and slider and hope the changeup is working.
UPDATE 1022: WOW.
Check our old guy's game-by-game log:
#1 start) 5 IP, 4 ER, loss
#2 start) 3-2/3 IP, 7 ER, loss
#3 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#4 start) 3-1/3 IP, 2 ER, ND
#5 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#6 start) 5-2/3, 7 ER, loss
Johnson's ERA is 5.86 and his FIP is 5.68. That's ugly no matter how you slice it. When he's good, he's very good, but when he's bad, he's very bad. If he can make 24 starts (he made 25 last year), and manages only 2 good ones in every 6, that's only EIGHT good starts. That means 300 could be a looooooong wait. Let's hope Randy rights the Good Ship Johnson and pitches well more consistently. I, for one, was not against the Johnson signing. I thought he had some quality starts left, and with Lowry down and Sanchez a question mark, we needed another guy. It never hurts to have an all-time great around, and the youngsters we had last year (Hennessey and Correia) didn't cut the mustard. I've been reluctant to brag about our supposed "pitching depth." Yes, we have God Himself every 5th day, and Studly Young Matt as well. But a "resurgent" Zito is still a huge question mark, and if any of the Five get hurt we will be in big trouble.
Here's an idea--let's make MATT CAIN our "number two starter." He deserves that, don't you think? At least he'll get the chance to show us today. Colorado is a tough place to pitch, and he probably won't get the action on his curveball, so he'll have to pound them with the fastball and slider and hope the changeup is working.
UPDATE 1022: WOW.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Windy City Tim
The Chicago Cubs had no illusions about their chances against Tim Lincecum. They had a lineup that featured Lee and Fukudome and nobody else. We are talking pinch-hitting depth today. I guess its a good day to rest when The Franchise's spot in the rotation rolls around, but this was ridiculous. However, I must admit that they were probably absolutely right as Tim ripped off his fourth straight quality start: 7 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. During this nice little run he given up 6 runs in 30 innings ( 1.80 era ) with 40 punchouts and 6 walks. On top of that, Lincecum now has a lovely 2-0 record ( 1.69 era, .167 avg) in 3 career starts at the Friendly Confines. It could be argued that the game was over as soon as "Big Money" Molina delivered a three run homer in the first, since Tim is an unearthly 23-1 when he gets 3 runs of support. That is a stat that never gets old no matter how many times you hear it.
Pop Giants Trivia Quiz!!
#1 The Cubs (16-16) are one of only three teams that are at or above .500 at our home field. What are the other two?
#2 Which current Giants pitcher has NEVER lost?
#3 Tim was the youngest Cy Young winner in either league since _____ won in ___ .
(Answers will be posted only if I remember to...so somebody better remind me!)
Pop Giants Trivia Quiz!!
#1 The Cubs (16-16) are one of only three teams that are at or above .500 at our home field. What are the other two?
#2 Which current Giants pitcher has NEVER lost?
#3 Tim was the youngest Cy Young winner in either league since _____ won in ___ .
(Answers will be posted only if I remember to...so somebody better remind me!)
Red Asphalt
Remember those Drivers Ed movies? Here's one on YouTube if you don't. Serious splatterpunk. And you gotta love the hardcore narrator and his rude cracks about artificial limbs! Check out the old Macs as well. The 16 mm flick we watched "back in the day" was from 1964--no computers in that one. And there's something about the clicking of projector sprockets and the rolling film reels that added to the experience. The Dolby/THX generation has no idea. Dude, that was authentic.
Speaking of road death, the MMIX San Francisco Giants just made the math easier last night. We've played 10 road games and won 2, and even a math teacher can tell you that's a .200 win percentage. The "beat 'em with pitching" model only works if you get a good start, and poor Sanchez was all over the place, walking six. The Cubs are a tough lineup even though they aren't playing up to expectations these days. They are vulnerable if you can score some runs. Thank goodness we had some youth at the top of the lineup, Mississippi Fred got a rally going with a walk and Pablito had two hits, but our VSC crowd were the walking dead. Señor Slow got rewarded for hitting a double play ball--he can pad his RBI stats for his free agency next year. Gomer is just about unmentionable. And that RF Guy needs a rest. Give Schierholtz the next few starts, eh?
Speaking of road death, the MMIX San Francisco Giants just made the math easier last night. We've played 10 road games and won 2, and even a math teacher can tell you that's a .200 win percentage. The "beat 'em with pitching" model only works if you get a good start, and poor Sanchez was all over the place, walking six. The Cubs are a tough lineup even though they aren't playing up to expectations these days. They are vulnerable if you can score some runs. Thank goodness we had some youth at the top of the lineup, Mississippi Fred got a rally going with a walk and Pablito had two hits, but our VSC crowd were the walking dead. Señor Slow got rewarded for hitting a double play ball--he can pad his RBI stats for his free agency next year. Gomer is just about unmentionable. And that RF Guy needs a rest. Give Schierholtz the next few starts, eh?
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