329 replies to this topic

[Buffalo Head]

Another tough loss for Glavine and the Mets today.

[Titans Bastard]

9/1 NL September callups:

Atlanta
OF Brian Jordan off the DL
RHP Kyle Davies
RHP Jim Brower
C Brayan Pena
3B Andy Marte

Cincinnati
RHP Josh Hancock off the DL

Houston
RHP Travis Driskill

Milwaukee
RHP Matt Wise off the DL
3B Jeff Cirillo off the DL
RHP Wes Obermueller

New York Mets
LHP Kazuhisa Ishii
RHP Shingo Takatsu
LHP Tim Hamulack

Philadelphia
RHP Geoff Geary
RHP Pedro Liriano
IF Matt Kata
C A.J. Hinch
OF Shane Victorino

San Diego
RHP Chris Oxspring
LHP Craig Breslow
1B/OF Paul McAnulty

Washington
3B Ryan Zimmerman

Edited by Titans Bastard, 01 September 2005 - 07:16 PM.

[941827]

When Pedro went to the Mets, and Clement, Pavano, et al. came to the AL, there was quite a bit of debate about how facing the pitcher instead of a DH helps an NL pitcher.

I found this Hardball Times blurb pretty interesting:

Pedro must really love being back in the National League, because once he gets to the bottom of the order it has been lights out this season. Take a look at his combined numbers against eighth- and ninth-place hitters:
AB      H     2B     3B     HR     BB     SO
133     14      0      0      0       1     45

Yes, you're reading that correctly. He has yet to allow a single extra-base hit in 133 at-bats against #8 and #9 hitters, and they have drawn a total of one walk against him while striking out 45 times. Add it all up and you get a combined line of .105/.112/.105 with a strikeout 34% of the time. And that's who he is facing about 20% of the time!

These numbers have changed since this article was posted (and/or ESPN's numbers are messed up), so 8 and 9 hitters are now hitting v. Pedro at

.129/.137/.171
.104/.114/.104

and he's allowed two BB and a dinger to 8 and 9 hitters.

According to ESPN, his stats against 8 and 9 batters from 2002 to 2004 were:

Batting #8 .203/.248/.284
Batting #9 .216/.272/.303

(27 BB, 30 XBH (1 HR), 148 K in 444 AB)

- It's strange to me that NL #8 hitters don't walk more v. Pedro and that AL #8 and #9 hitters batted so much better than their #8 NL counterparts against him. Do #8 hitters in the NL swing at more slop because they know they won't see good pitches w/ the pitcher on deck?

- It looks to me like there is at least some support, in Pedro's case, that facing pitchers is making his life easier.

- An interesting consistency: Both in the past three years and this year, Pedro's fared worst against #6 hitters (.823 OPS this year, .756 from 02-04).

Edited by 941827, 01 September 2005 - 10:47 PM.

[LynnRoyalRooter]

[quote name='941827' date='Sep 1 2005, 11:47 PM']
When Pedro went to the Mets, and Clement, Pavano, et al. came to the AL, there was quite a bit of debate about how facing the pitcher instead of a DH helps an NL pitcher.


I was checking this out last offseason and I was wondering how much effect it would have on a pitcher coming to the Red Sox. Here is what I found...Going from the NL to the Red Sox you face the same quality hitters as you would in the NL on the whole...Because you don't have to face the Red Sox...of course.

Here's the data for 2005
Lg - BA/OBP/SLG/OPS
AL - 269/333/426/759
AL w/o Red Sox
- 267/331/423/754

NL - 262/333/415/747

Well, it's not EXACTLY like I said it would be, but 1/2 of the OPS difference, which isn't that much to begin with, is gone when you pitch for the Red Sox...
If you go from the NL to the Drays, you got problems...

YES , i realize that this does not account for the unbalanced schedule and yes I am sure that makes a difference...I will get to work on that...

Edited by LynnRoyalRooter, 01 September 2005 - 11:29 PM.

[Nuf Ced]

The Reds lost their 4th straight game yesterday, but decided to donate one day's pay to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The donation be approximately $230,000.

The donation will be made Wednesday, which is Roberto Clemente Day throughout in Major League Baseball.

The Reds will "pass the hat" at the 12:35 p.m. game with the Brewers that day at Great American Ball Park to allow fans to donate.

Major League Baseball will match the amount of money collected at all 15 games that day, up to $1 million each.

Cincinnati Enquirer

[DJnVa]

Yusmeiro Petit, the main figure from the Mets in the discussed Manny trade, fell to 0-3 in AAA yesterday.

He was called up 2 weeks ago. Last night he held Durham hitless for the first 3 innings then gave up 6 hits and 7 runs in the 4th.

Numbers:

AAA: 14.2 IP, 24 H, 6 BB, 14 K, 9.20 ERA
AA: 117.2 IP, 90 H, 18 BB, 130 K, 2.91 ERA

Edited by DJnVa, 03 September 2005 - 12:59 PM.

[philly sox fan]

Mets fans seem to think (hope?) that Petit struggles on his first exposure to a new league and then gets better.

Don't you hate that kind of rose colored optimism in fans of other teams?

[soxfan121]

Cubs 3b Nomar Garciaparra has hit .364 with 3 homers for a tidy 1.178 OPS this week and is 0/2 with an RBI in today's game, 6-1 Cubs in the 5th.

[philly sox fan]

Nomar actually has been hitting very well overall since he came back. He may or may not get enough ABs to cancel out the effects of his hideous start, but he seems to be the same basic 880 OPS hitter he was post-injury for the Sox in 2002-2003.

Health is the overriding issue at this point, but an 880 OPS is a valuable thing to have at any position. I wonder if his agent or some team's GM will start whispering Paul Molitor's name in his ear this winter.

Forget SS, stay healthy and see if you can salvage an elite career.

[PedroKsBambino]

It's strange to me that NL #8 hitters don't walk more v. Pedro and that AL #8 and #9 hitters batted so much better than their #8 NL counterparts against him. Do #8 hitters in the NL swing at more slop because they know they won't see good pitches w/ the pitcher on deck?

This issue was discussed ad nauseum in the offseason, with many suggesting that Pedro would benefit greatly from the poor 8/9 hitters. There was also a lot of question about what his "true" HR rate was at this point----with the gb/fb rate indicating 2004 was real, but Pedro's track record indicating it was too high.

Looking at the numbers broken down this way certainly is interesting.

2005 vs 1-7: .216 BA against, .266 OBP, HR every 30.3 AB, k/9 (est*) 8.87, k/bb 3.81
2004 vs 1-9: .238 BA against, .299 OBP, HR every 31.3 AB, k/9 9.41, k/bb 3.72
2003 vs 1-9: .215 BA against, .271 OBP, HR every 98 AB, k/9 9.88, k/bb 4.38
2002 vs 1-9: .198 BA against, .240 OBP, HR every 56 AB, k/9 10.81, k/bb 5.98

Viewed that way (and it's not really a fair comparison, granted, because included AL number 8/9 hitters probably aren't all better than excluded NL number 8 hitters) 2005 looks a lot like what came before it, both in overall performance and in patterns. 2005 1-7 shows a plateau at the higher HR rate of 2004, continues the mutiyear decrease in K rate, and shows a plateau at the lower k/bb rate of 2004. The 2004 BA against just looks like an outlier, though, at this point. It's entirely unclear to me, by the way, how unfair it really is to pull out the 8/9 hitters like this! But the numbers are quite interesting given the offseason discussion.

* for estimated innings because I just took (AB-hits)/3 without adjusting for cs and DP.

Edited by PedroKsBambino, 03 September 2005 - 02:02 PM.

[Nuf Ced]

Dodgers fall 13 games under .500 in another loss to the Rockies; entire team has the Derek Lowe Face.

LA Daily News

Chris Carpenter became the first 20-game winner in MLB last night with a complete game victory for the Cards over Roger Clemens and the Astros.

St. Louis Post Dispatch

Jack McKeon got his 1,000 career victory as a manager with the Marlins 5-4 win over the Mets. Philadelphia leads the NL Wild card standings with Florida and Houston a half a game behind them.

Sun Sentinel

[941827]

Nomar actually has been hitting very well overall since he came back.  He may or may not get enough ABs to cancel out the effects of his hideous start, but he seems to be the same basic 880 OPS hitter he was post-injury for the Sox in 2002-2003. 

Health is the overriding issue at this point, but an 880 OPS is a valuable thing to have at any position.  I wonder if his agent or some team's GM will start whispering Paul Molitor's name in his ear this winter.

Forget SS, stay healthy and see if you can salvage an elite career.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Another HR for Nomar today. His OPS was 960 in August. He started 18 games in August and pinch-hit in two more. If he can have a healthy and productive September, someone is going to take a flier on him in the off-season, particularly if he's willing to play third -- there are quite a few teams in the majors that could use an upgrade at third (San Diego and LAD come immediately to mind as places Nomar might like to wind up).

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Tony Clark hit his 23rd home run today. Words fail me.

For a guy that has had more forks stuck in his back than a Thanksgiving turkey, he sure seems to be able to hang around long part what most folks thought would be his expiration date.

[Vermonter At Large]

Tony Clark hit his 23rd home run today. Words fail me.

For a guy that has had more forks stuck in his back than a Thanksgiving turkey, he sure seems to be able to hang around long part what most folks thought would be his expiration date.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tony Clark is a classy guy and I'm happy for him. During his year with Boston his swing was hideous, and had more holes than a block of Emmenthaler. Glad to see he's turned it around, and glad to see him doing it in the National League, lol.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Tony Clark is a classy guy and I'm happy for him.  During his year with Boston his swing was hideous, and  had more holes than a block of Emmenthaler.  Glad to see he's turned it around, and glad to see him doing it in the National League, lol.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My impressions of him as a classy guy have been severely diminished upon learning that a large reason for his dismal 2002 season for the Red Sox was due to his distraction with MLB union issues; he's admitted as such. Thanks for the effort, here's your $5 million.

Interpersonally I've been told he is indeed a great guy, but it's tough me to accept that he mailed in a season with us because he couldn't concetrate on baseball on the field over union issues.

Edited by Smiling Joe Hesketh, 04 September 2005 - 08:51 PM.

[Nuf Ced]

It looks like the Cubs are going to go with rookie Ronny Cedeno at SS next year, rather than re-sign Nomar Garciaparra because of his physical problems.

Chicago Sun Times

However, it looks like Dusty Baker is getting a contract extension. Wow.

Sun Times

San Diego's Jake Peavy doesn't have a sore shoulder. It's just "weary". Uh oh.

San Diego Union Tribune

[Randy Kutchers Mullet]

Think Nomar ends up in LA next season? Izturis is having another craptastic year at the plate. Maybe they go with Choi/Kent/Nomar/Perez? That's not a horrible infield.

Derek Lowe won't be happy, but pretty much everyone else has a normal G/F split, so the downgrade in defense shouldn't be that bad compared to the massive upgrade offensively.

It gives Guzman another year to develop and to determine whether he'll be a major league SS. If Guzman is the next SS, Nomar moves over to 2B/3B when Kent is done.

[941827]

Think Nomar ends up in LA next season? Izturis is having another craptastic year at the plate. Maybe they go with Choi/Kent/Nomar/Perez? That's not a horrible infield.

Derek Lowe won't be happy, but pretty much everyone else has a normal G/F split, so the downgrade in defense shouldn't be that bad compared to the massive upgrade offensively.

It gives Guzman another year to develop and to determine whether he'll be a major league SS. If Guzman is the next SS, Nomar moves over to 2B/3B when Kent is done.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would be surprised if Nomar continues to play SS regularly for any team, especially a team that has comprehensive defensive metrics like LA. I think Nomar's going to move to third, a position that's easier on his body.

[Randy Kutchers Mullet]

I would be surprised if Nomar continues to play SS regularly for any team, especially a team that has comprehensive defensive metrics like LA.  I think Nomar's going to move to third, a position that's easier on his body.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, but as a stopgap to get them to Guzman (with Izturis as the defensive sub), I could see it.

[LateRally]

Junior Griffey is injured again, this time with a sprained right foot. They're saying it's not serious, but sprained feet are not the kind of thing you rush back from, especially for a 35-year-old with his injury history.

Hope he does come back soon though. Griffey's having himself a damn fine year. I think if he was even reasonably healthy the last few years he would've tacked on at least 60-80 more homers, and he'd be sitting at 600+ right now.

[CaptainLaddie]

Still most definetly a HOF lock.

[Pearl Wilson]

Dodgers vs. Giants on ESPN at 8 tonight. DLowe against Hennessey.

[Alacoldart]

Dodgers vs. Giants on ESPN at 8 tonight. DLowe against Hennessey.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Heads you win, tails I lose.

Part of me feels bad for D-Lowe because he was my boy when he was still here (not like he's the boy of that reporter in LA, though, or the boy of whomever that broad he brought to the party in Boston last year), before Schill came. Schill was my favorite before he put on a Sox uni, but I still hold special place in my heart for Mr. Lowe and his patented facial expression.

The other part of me shakes my head at what a loser husband he is and the kind of example he's setting for his children by doing all this crap publicly. I know most of the boys are purported to have a girlfriend in every city, save for a few (again, purportedly) faithful ones (the Conman is supposedly not capable of sticking it anywhere else), but at least they have the decency to keep it mostly quiet.

My parents split-up and my dad may or may not have been screwing around before he asked for his "release," so it's not something I approve of under any circumstances, but at least he cut the cord and moved on. I don't know if Derek's trying to or not, but it tarnishes the legacy of what he did for this town to be such a scumbag off the field.

[smnookin]

I don't know if Derek's trying to or not, but it tarnishes the legacy of what he did for this town to be such a scumbag off the field.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hate to break it to you...but if extra-marital affairs count in your book as tarnishing a player's legacy, you should stop watching professional sports right now.

Edit, to avoid the double-whammy post pad:

Bonds took BP today. Also, he apparently punched one of his teammates in the head after said teammate had words with one of his personal trainers. Kent's in LA. Anyone have any idea who this is?

Edited by smnookin, 05 September 2005 - 09:01 PM.

[TheYellowDart5]

A scuffle ensued in which Bonds punched the player in the jaw, whereupon the player put Bonds in a headlock and retaliated.

How in God's name do you get Barry Bonds in a headlock? His head's the size of a large TV.

Oh, and my money's on one of Michael Tucker or Marquis Grissom. And no, I have no valid reason as to why I suspect them.

[CR67dream]

Reading the sidebar in that link, the fight actually happened before he left the Giants in June. Anyone remember a Giant with swelled jaw around that time?

[Paul M]

So, if Bonds plays this year, will any mea culpas be issued by the conspiracy theorists?

With the Giants only five games out, Bonds may actually be a factor in the race.

I guess he'll come back this weekend and probably hit a HR if they pitch to him.

[Alacoldart]

I hate to break it to you...but if extra-marital affairs count in your book as tarnishing a player's legacy, you should stop watching professional sports right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, I know...in fact, I think I mentioned this in my post. However, most of them don't flaunt it, Shawn Kemp notwithstanding. Perhaps legacy was a bad word...character would be a better choice. D-Lowe left this town, to me, on a throne. No matter what happened to him, wherever he landed, he was still the only guy to pitch (and win) in the deciding game of three straight postseason series. He was a giant among giants for me...and still is.

But it doesn't change the fact that he's a scumbag, which hurts.

[DieHard3]

BH Kim's latest: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's

How's Chris Narveson doing for St. Louis's AAA team?

[941827]

BH Kim's latest:  6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's

How's Chris Narveson doing for St. Louis's AAA team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Kim had turned into an unusable head case in Boston, and the team had to jettison him and his contract. His success in Colorado proves to me that the FO did the right thing when signing him (caveat below), but that the pressure of playing in Boston got the better of Kim, making it necessary to dump him.

BH Kim proves to me that Boston is a tough town to play in, and that the tough press and fans do have an impact on some players' ability to succeed. The FO needs to take that into consideration when acquiring players, and I assume they do (although Kim apparently fell through the cracks).

I know that a lot of people who post here reject the role that "changes of scenery" and "fan pressure" have on players. I assume those people will respond to this post by saying that Kim has finally gotten healthy in Colorado, which is why he's been successful. While that's possible, I believe that the low-pressure environment, and the ability to fail and not be pilloried for every failure, is what is helping Kim get closer to realizing his potential in Colorado.

[Hobson's Choice]

Oh, and my money's on one of Michael Tucker or Marquis Grissom. And no, I have no valid reason as to why I suspect them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neither Tucker nor Grissom are still with the team... is that part of your thinking, conscious or otherwise???

[DieHard3]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
BH Kim proves to me that Boston is a tough town to play in, and that the tough press and fans do have an impact on some players' ability to succeed. The FO needs to take that into consideration when acquiring players, and I assume they do (although Kim apparently fell through the cracks).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alternatively, the press and their lemmings who call themselves fans could lighten up, and therefore allow the front office to place talent at the top of the "requirements" list. It might turn out that we win more than one championship every 86 years that way.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
BH Kim proves to me that Boston is a tough town to play in, and that the tough press and fans do have an impact on some players' ability to succeed. The FO needs to take that into consideration when acquiring players, and I assume they do (although Kim apparently fell through the cracks).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alternatively, the press and their lemmings who call themselves fans could lighten up, and therefore allow the front office to place talent at the top of the "requirements" list.  It might turn out that we win more than one championship every 86 years that way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or, perhaps more rationally, Kim is no longer injured and no longer throwing 84. That's far a more likely scenario.

[soxfan121]

Alternatively, the press and their lemmings who call themselves fans could lighten up, and therefore allow the front office to place talent at the top of the "requirements" list. It might turn out that we win more than one championship every 86 years that way.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hey, it'd be great if the press were to "lighten up". However, you can file that under 'wishful thinking' right next to 'all the pitching prospects become all-stars' and 'traffic in & around Boston will be a thing of the past'.

The fans...well, that's a different problem. I used to attend 25-40 Sox games a season. As prices have increased (and family increased, as well), it's been cut to 8 and (next season) 4. One thing I have definitely noticed about Fenway in the last 3 years (and even before that) is the crowd changing. The "knowlegeable fans" have been priced/familied-out and "Fenway" is more of an event and a place to be seen. As a result, the fans who attend the games tend to know less and follow the game less. And players like Kim (who was just killed in the press) and Bellhorn get booed.

I think talent has always been at the top of the list - but the FO necessarily has to make "can he play in Boston?" a strong #2 criteria in the evaluation process.

[Monbo Jumbo]

Francouer is tied for the NL lead in outfield assists with 11, despite having played in only 48 games.

Edited by Monbo Jumbo, 06 September 2005 - 09:27 AM.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Yep, what the Fenway crowd needs is more intelligent fans like DH3. Would he hold up a sign saying "OWNERSHIP DOESN'T CARE ABOUT WINNING?"

Odd to hear DH saying that people need to "lighten up".

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 06 September 2005 - 09:06 AM.

[PedroKsBambino]

Or, perhaps more rationally, Kim is no longer injured and no longer throwing 84. That's far a more likely scenario.

This was the case by June of 2004, actually.

Whatever its causes, the BK Kim situation was one of the saddest in recent Red Sox history for a player. He has a lot of talent, he was crucial to the 2003 team making the playoffs, and it's sad that it ended as it did, and as early as it did.

[The Napkin]

Pirates have fired Lloyd McClendon. Pete Mackanin (bench coach) to take over for the rest of the year.

*edit*
Now with 100% more linky goodness!

Edited by The Napkin, 06 September 2005 - 02:47 PM.

[ShaneTrot]

Lloyd McClendon gets the axe. Link.

Once they lose another game, the Pirates' 13 consecutive losing seasons will be three short of the major league record.

Wow, things are bad for the once mighty Pirates.

[smastroyin]

Lloyd McClendon gets the axe. Link.
Wow, things are bad for the once mighty Pirates.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to admit, if I were Theo, I'd be seriously tempted to give it a go in Pirate-land. They have a gorgeous stadium, a once-loyal fanbase, and some solid young pitching. Put together a decent offense around Jason Bay and you could own that town.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Is there any evidence Littlefield is on the way out?

[normstalls]

RE: Bonds fight...

It was Jason Christensen. Apparently Bonds posse was treating someone in the locker room (a worker in there i think) rudely. Christensen took offense and said something...it got back to Bonds and the tussle ensued.

Side note: I saw him pitch vs. Mariners Saturday night. Not impressive at all...Ortiz will feast on this guy.

[smastroyin]

Is there any evidence Littlefield is on the way out?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not really, I'm more just musing about what teams I'd like to go to if I were a young GM looking to make a significant move without a huge budget.

[Big Guapo Style]

Re: McClendon firing...

I wonder if this means Jim Leyland is going to be making his comeback. I read an article on espn.com not long ago that said after 10 years off he was itching to get back into it. He certainly would be the popular fans' choice and would sell some tickets.

[Lars The Wanderer]

So, if Bonds plays this year, will any mea culpas be issued by the conspiracy theorists?

heh...of course they won't admit they were wrong, or that it was a ridiculous idea to begin with.

[Steve Dillard]

Critical back to back games for Pedro vs. the Mets' chief wildcard rivals:

Vs. Philly, 4 homers in 5 inning.
tonight vs. Atlanta:

P Martinez (L, 13-7)  6 5 3 3 2 2

102 pitches through 6.

[BGrif21125]

I don't think there's any doubt that Pedro is completely running on fumes right now. I think the upper back stiffness is really getting worse, tonight you could actually see him stretching and rolling his shoulders and head in between pitches, as if he had a knot in his neck and upper back. This really shouldn't come as a shock, if you look back on Pedro's career, whenever he doesnt go on the DL early in the year, he always runs out of gas in September (see: 1998, 2004, 2005). Whenever he gets a break during the year, he pitches great in September (1999, 2000, 2003). Unfortunately for the Mets, they need Pedro at full strength to even have a prayer at the wild card. Doesnt look like it's going to happen.

Edited by BGrif21125, 06 September 2005 - 11:14 PM.

[DieHardSoxFan1]

Great win for the Astros tonight. If they can get into the postseason they could be very dangerous with their 1-2 punch of Clemens and Oswalt -- no team can compete with that tandem.

Also, great game in Atlanta tonight. Smoltz and Hudson isn't a bad 1-2 in the postseason, either.

[NYCSox]

Great win for the Astros tonight. If they can get into the postseason they could be very dangerous with their 1-2 punch of Clemens and Oswalt -- no team can compete with that tandem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't forget Andy Pettitte and his 2.50 ERA