MLB Random Thoughts - Week 13 [6/25 - 7/1]

[NAHSTE]

Again, i'm not arguing the basic point here. I'm with you. I'm kinda sorta arguing that completely tossing W/L out the window as a product of the team is over simplifying.

This reminds me of the Sabathia/King Felix Cy Young debate (I picked Felix, btw)

Felix's metrics were better almost across the board. Of course, he was also pitching in closer games more often (pretty much every start), so had to pitch with maximum effort almost all of the time. Sabathia had the luxury of big leads at times that allowed him to pitch at 70% effort or whatever, and lay in the 2-0 fastball with a few MPH taken off, or not have to look for K's as often, etc. Felix rarely had the luxury to simply be efficient and to just get off the field. CC could at times, because he would still...wait for it...win the game, despite a two out double in the 7th up 6-1. He's not killing himself or pitching with the same intensity as he would in a close game to get that guy out. So my devil's advocate argument was that Felix had to pitch better than CC, he didnt have the luxury not to.

I have no idea what this has to do with the topic at hand, I just kinda went off on that. This is good stuff though.

All I have to add here that in light of what you just described, it's hilarious that the opposite argument was being used by many against Felix. "Oh but he did it for a last place team so he wasn't pitching under any pressure like CC had to handle in the AL East!"

[Slateman]

Bryce Harper has gotten a LOT better in the outfield ...

[NAHSTE]

I think at this point it's pretty clear who the NL Rookie of the Year is.

[EmpireWF]

Dodgers hit Tejada after he goes 3 for 3 so Dickey hits Gordon with an 83 mph fastball on the ass. Then, nearly picks him off first.

He now has 10 K's and 1 hit allowed after 6.

Torres should have caught that one hit but totally misread it...plus he saw Kirk coming in from left. Put Neuiwenhaus in center please!

[EmpireWF]

And Murphy hits a 3 run jack, his third dinger of the week!

Mets up 8-0 on the Dodgers.

[MVPete]

[Woy]

Eduardo Sanchez and Sam Freeman were optioned to Memphis today. Maikel Cleto and PCL All-Star Barrett Browning were called up.

Sanchez has the best pure stuff in the entire bullpen, but has absolutely no command. I don't really want to see him in a Cardinals uniform for the rest of the year, unless he suddenly solves those issues. Freeman was rushed through the system (started in AA) and has really good stuff as well, but shouldn't have been playing in the majors till at least next year. Meanwhile, Cleto should have been in the Cardinals' pen from the beginning and Browning deserves a chance as a second LOOGY.

[NAHSTE]

Aaron Cook shut out the Mariners last night with an 81 pitch complete game.

Of those 81 pitches, there were 0 swing and misses.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Aaron Cook shut out the Mariners last night with an 81 pitch complete game.

Of those 81 pitches, there were 0 swing and misses.

Lanteri could not be reached for comment.

[Golden Taters]

Aaron Cook shut out the Mariners last night with an 81 pitch complete game.

Of those 81 pitches, there were 0 swing and misses.

The Mariners offense is so bad. Thank god for Felix so I can at least have an enjoyable game every 5 days....even if the team barely gets him the win.

[NAHSTE]

PEDRO THE PUSSY POUNDER ALVAREZ

[NAHSTE]

Here is Trevor Bauer's weird change-up/screwball hybrid thingy that he calls a "reverse slider" in GIF form.

[Golden Taters]

That is filthy.

[KnightNoles]

Andrew McCutchen leaves game with wrist soreness, doesn't expect to miss time

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/19453698/andrew-mccutchen-leaves-game-with-wrist-injury

==============

McCutchen sprains wrist, likely to sit out Sunday

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120630&content_id=34222134&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[Slateman]

Well that answers that. If the Nats yank Strasburg after three innings because he's too hot, I seriously doubt that they'll let him go over 170 innings on the season.