MLB Random Thoughts - Week 5 [4/30 - 5/6]

[Rudi]

15 pitchers in the NL have an ERA under 2.00 this year. last year, only FOUR pitchers in the NL had an ERA under 2.00 in April.

DEAD BALL ERA

[MVPete]

Rays take 2 of 3 in Texas getting with good pitching from Shields and Price. They face Seattle who always plays them tough, and Oakland who has struggled offensively but has had some really good pitching performances. Looking forward to the Phils @ Atlanta series, Orioles visiting the Yankees then Red Sox, Zona @ Washington, and Brewers @ Giants.

[Primetime]

Thanks to Tyler Greene being a dumbass and a fortunate double clutch by Lucroy, Axford moved into 4th on the all-time consecutive saves list and the Brewers have a little momentum going into their series with the Padres. Excited for some west coast games that don't start until real late.

[MVPete]

[Slateman]

I'm expecting the Nationals to struggle for the next week or two. The starting pitching is going to give a little and the offense has nothing. I'm hoping that Rick Eckstein will get canned for this. Players are already losing their jobs, time to move on to the coaches. Eckstein is the hitting coach and the Nationals SUCK at hitting. I swear, we make every pitcher look like 99 Pedro ....

[Villain]

3 in Colorado and 3 in Chicago. I'm really hoping the Dodgers stay hot and take this series from the Rockies. With the NL West, every win against a Division team is extra crucial because you never know how many you'll need come August/September. The Harangutang is starting tonight so that's always worrisome against an offense like the Rockies' especially at Coors Field. Loney hits well up there so maybe he can have a big series. Lord knows it's past time for that dude to step it up. He's been smacking the ball reasonably well, I think he's due to have some drop in the OF.

[Rudi]

Reds got a chance to make some moves this week, with the Cubs and the Pirates on the schedule.

[FirstTimer]

Can the Reds just start Chapman all fucking ready

[Primetime]

Can the Reds just start Chapman all fucking ready

I would give the Reds K-Rod for free if it meant they would start Chapman.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Can the Reds just start Chapman all fucking ready

You've got a long wait. Nick Masset hasn't even started throwing yet, and Bill Bray just started a rehab assignment (and got bombed in AAA yesterday).

Chapman has saved the Reds asses at least 4 or 5 times thus far, pitching multiple innings in tie games and coming in with men on base late in games, and the Reds have nobody else to pitch in those high leverage situations with the two primary setup men on the shelf.

The only way I see him starting anytime soon is if Mike Leake continues to struggle badly and Dusty can't take it anymore and is willing to roll the bullpen dice on somebody like JJ Hoover taking on a more prominent bullpen role.

[FedEx227]

Im somewhat out of the Chapman loop but what pitches does he throw with any consistency?

Judging by all the PitchFX I've looked at and FanGraphs he only throws fastball, slider. Is he just doing that now or does he actually have secondary pitches?

People see dominance and high speeds and immediately assume they'll be good starters. It's tough to be successful as a starter without consistent secondary pitches. Add in the idea that your fastball is probably going to lose a few MPH (unless you're Verlander).

[Primetime]

Im somewhat out of the Chapman loop but what pitches does he throw with any consistency?

Judging by all the PitchFX I've looked at and FanGraphs he only throws fastball, slider. Is he just doing that now or does he actually have secondary pitches?

People see dominance and high speeds and immediately assume they'll be good starters. It's tough to be successful as a starter without consistent secondary pitches. Add in the idea that your fastball is probably going to lose a few MPH (unless you're Verlander).

W2B says he's been working on a change up. They don't want to throw it in game until it's fully developed though.

[Slateman]

You've got a long wait. Nick Masset hasn't even started throwing yet, and Bill Bray just started a rehab assignment (and got bombed in AAA yesterday).

Chapman has saved the Reds asses at least 4 or 5 times thus far, pitching multiple innings in tie games and coming in with men on base late in games, and the Reds have nobody else to pitch in those high leverage situations with the two primary setup men on the shelf.

The only way I see him starting anytime soon is if Mike Leake continues to struggle badly and Dusty can't take it anymore and is willing to roll the bullpen dice on somebody like JJ Hoover taking on a more prominent bullpen role.

Why not just move Leake to the pen?

Im somewhat out of the Chapman loop but what pitches does he throw with any consistency?

Judging by all the PitchFX I've looked at and FanGraphs he only throws fastball, slider. Is he just doing that now or does he actually have secondary pitches?

People see dominance and high speeds and immediately assume they'll be good starters. It's tough to be successful as a starter without consistent secondary pitches. Add in the idea that your fastball is probably going to lose a few MPH (unless you're Verlander).

Fastball and slider.

[Woy]

I would move to Hagerstown when the Cards host the Pirates...would have seen the entire series all on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Im somewhat out of the Chapman loop but what pitches does he throw with any consistency?

Judging by all the PitchFX I've looked at and FanGraphs he only throws fastball, slider. Is he just doing that now or does he actually have secondary pitches?

People see dominance and high speeds and immediately assume they'll be good starters. It's tough to be successful as a starter without consistent secondary pitches. Add in the idea that your fastball is probably going to lose a few MPH (unless you're Verlander).

He throws a splitter, and he supposedly has a change up that they don't want him using until he starts. Somebody took cell phone videos of the change up during the spring, its floating around youtube. It's like some state secret that nobody wants out, very bizarre situation.

He also cut down on his velocity this year to reign in his control. He's living around 95-98, I think he's topped 100 only once or twice this season. I think he has three walks now, all coming in the last two appearances.