MLB Random Thoughts - [8/20 - 8/26]

[NAHSTE]

I don't even know how the Giants are winning right now. They haven't had a single batter over. 300 in the lineup the last 2 games since Posey's been out. Friggin Joaquin Arias is batting 5th. There's just no way they can keep this up because Pagan, Arias, and Scutaro are their best bats right now lol.

They got some scrappy mcscraps and they are small balling teams to death. They made things miserable for Hanson last night.

 

[Rudi]

Big Reeds/Crads series starts tonight...worst case scenario I will be happy as long as we don't get swept. Even if we just manage one game, we still would have a 6 game lead. LATOS on the mound tonight, faggot better be good.

 

[Slateman]

Red Sox = Firesale

 

[KnightNoles]

Damn Prince just missed that ball

 

[Goober]

So Mitch Williams actually gave a decent interview on the Baseball Today podcast. He said there's no such thing as a closer mentality (i.e. closers are not as effective in non save situations).

That is until they asked him about Cy Young voting. Mitch said he would vote for Craig Kimbrel to win NL Cy Young, but not Aroldis Chapman, because Kimbrel has affected more games. So lets get this straight, the guy who has played in 12 more games, and has pitched 16 more innings, has affected less games? Oh by the way, they have the same amount of saves.

And as a side note, in just under 700 career IP, Mitch Williams has a career -0.8 WAR.

 

[Rudi]

Fuckin Latos man. What a bum.

 

[MVPete]

Rays lose and blow it by not letting Longoria score on a ball to Coco Crisp, one of the worst arms in the league, who wasn't even fucking attempting to throw home.

 

[strahanfan92]

Cards getting that sweep this weekend. Craig 19 homers, god damn.

Please call up Bundy soon O's.

 

[Villain]

Chad Billingsley left last night's game in the fourth inning after not looking himself and complaining of pain in the throwing elbow.

I subsequently lost my shit. "JOSH BECKETT IS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE BLANTON NOT BILLS!" :runaway

http://www.truebluela.com/2012/8/25/3267221/chad-billingsley-mri-inflammation-right-elbow?ref=yahoo

Thankfully, I get to wake up to some good news:

The Dodgers got some relatively good news after Friday's 11-4 win over the Marlins, as an MRI on Chad Billingsley's right elbow revealed only right elbow inflammation and nothing worse.

"It's one thing about pitching. Every time you step out on the mound you never know what could happen," Billingsley said after the game. "From what the doc told me it's just inflammation, and that's a relief for me."

He exited the game in the fourth inning, two pitches after giving up a double to Rob Brantly. Billingsley said he wasn't comfortable while throwing and he was removed as a precaution.

Billingsley was 6-0 with a 1.30 ERA in six starts entering Friday since spending 15 days on the disabled list in July with elbow inflammation. He said his elbow felt similar to what it felt like in July, when he was placed on the DL, but that Saturday morning would be a better determinant for his immediate pitching future.

"It's hard to tell when it just happened. I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning, get some treatment, and see where we're at.," Billingsley said.

As to the Hanley/Eovaldi swap... Man it was nice watching Hanley hit a home run off of him in the 3rd inning. Ethier also had a 4-hit game. Much needed win, hopefully leading to a sweep. I just want A.Gonz to arrive. I can't wait to see that name in line-up cards and boxscores. :fap:

Interesting notes on 'Dre:

Andre Ethier had his first four-hit game of the season, and had two of those hits off former teammate Nathan Eovaldi, including a three-run home run in the first inning. It was bittersweet facing Eovaldi.

"He's a good buddy. I got to know him pretty well the last two years. It was tough to see him leave," Ethier said. "At the same time it was fun to face a guy you've become close with, but it's all business on the field and hopefully there are no hard feelings moving forward."

Ethier is now 6-for-8 in two games with a rather large blister on his right hand, which after popping has created what looks like a quarter-sized hole in his hand. It has caused Ethier to choke up on the bat, such that his bottom hand is no longer pressing against the knob as he swings.

It snapped an 0-for-16 string since hitting a home run in Atlanta on August 17.

"I told him that I'd cut a hole in his hand each time he starts struggling," said manager Don Mattingly

 

[Woy]

Allen Craig is a star in the making - all he does is hit. That bomb last night wasn't even GABP-aided! :runaway:

Oh, and I said when Jaime came back that Lynn was the one that needed moved down - not Kelly. I still don't feel Kelly has a future in the rotation for the next few years (but he'll make one hell of a reliever), but he's a more effective pitcher than Lynn at this point. Starting Lynn has spotted the opponent at least three runs his last few starts.

 

[Goober]

Allen Craig was a great draft pick. Everyone was drafting the Jemile Weeks and Dustin Ackley's of the world, while I waited until the end of the draft to take Craig. :lesmug:

 

[Villain]

I have a good friend who's relatively close with Craig's family. I forget how she knows them (I think maybe her and his dad? IDK), but anyways she was asking me last season if he was a good player and I was like "he's alright, still getting better." Then the playoffs happened, and that was fun. Apparently he comes from good people so I alway enjoy rooting for guys like that.

 

[Tailback U]

Some pics from the game last night, was an absolutely beautiful night in SF. I brought a thermal to wear under my jersey and didn't even put it on, can't remember the last time I went to a night game in just a wife beater and jersey.

Couple pics of me drinking a la bala de plata. If this doesn't make you thirsty nothing will.

 

[Villain]

I want to go there so badly.

 

[Woy]

Oh, and I said when Jaime came back that Lynn was the one that needed moved down - not Kelly. I still don't feel Kelly has a future in the rotation for the next few years (but he'll make one hell of a reliever), but he's a more effective pitcher than Lynn at this point. Starting Lynn has spotted the opponent at least three runs his last few starts.

@dgoold: Joe Kelly will move into rotation for next start. Lynn moved to relief. Will need few days to be available. Players told today. #STLCards

Called it. :golfclap:

 

[Woy]

Mike Matheny is very, very inept at managing.

 

[Goober]

Mike Matheny is very, very inept at managing.

And the trifecta...

 

[Woy]

:rofl:

 

[strahanfan92]

Cameras caught Adam Wainwright chucking cups full of Gatorade at teammate Kyle Lohse on Saturday — an act he explained as retaliation for Lohse flicking sunflower seeds at him during his in-game interview with the national broadcast.

Lol.

Have to get a win tomorrow.

 

[Villain]

Andre Ethier tied the Dodgers franchise record for most consecutive hits. He's 10-for-10 after shortening his swing because of the blister on his hand. This streak includes a pair of doubles and two home runs in two straight days, yesterday's coming off of a lefty.