Gameday Thread: Twins @ O's
by Stacey on Sep 14, 2008 1:35 PM EDT
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PrintMinnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles, Sep 14, 2008 1:35 PM EDT
Radhames Liz vs. Nick Blackburn. Twins go for the sweep. Play ball!
Since the outcome of this game doesn't matter, let's take a look at some of our new young players who may have a future on this team.
Since coming off the DL on Sept 1st, Adam Jones is 8 for 33 with 2 home runs and an OPS of .782. For the year his OPS+ is 92. Not too shabby for a kid who seemed to swing badly at every breaking ball when the season started.
Lou Montanez has been with the team since August 5th and has started 19 games, mostly since Mora got injured and gave the lineup some breathing room. He's handled himself well, putting up an OPS of .782 and batting just over .300. After a few mishaps in the field initially he's proven to be a serviceable outfielder and I think he'd look real good as the #4 next year.
Ok, so Oscar Salazar probably doesn't have much of a future on the team and he's not even young, but he's been playing somewhat regularly since being called up. His batting average is a very unspectacular .214 but he's only had 42 AB. He has walked 7 times and has 3 home runs. I suppose he has his uses. But when I hear people clamoring that he should get a shot over people like Mora or whoever, it just makes me shake my head because this guy isn't the answer to anything.
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I can't watch this game
If I watch it, I’ll start rooting for the Oriioles, and I have to seriously root for the Twins to win. Boston missing the playoffs is still possible.
Plus, we have football on.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
Everyone's watching football
Except me.
I always say follow your dreams...even if they're about a giant spider with your father's head, and he keeps stealing your p*nis!
by Ghost of Floyd Rayford on Sep 14, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions
And in other news
The Orioles are winning 7-0.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
Hey the O's are winning
I’ve had this game on in the background while doing some housework. It’s been quite lovely, except for right now. Good old Georgie.
[Guthrie's] president of my heart. ~PhilR8
So, how about Rad today?
8 innings and no runs, I think that’s the best start the O’s have had since Waters’ debut.
"You have to discipline yourself so you don't come out with something just to say you made a trade. You have to make sure you come out better than you were before." - Andy MacPhail, 7/31/08
I kind of wish Dave had let him start the 9th.
"You have to discipline yourself so you don't come out with something just to say you made a trade. You have to make sure you come out better than you were before." - Andy MacPhail, 7/31/08
yeah...
liz looked really good. it’s been rough, but he has actually shown signs that he could develop into a quality starting pitcher.
i don’t know what the fuck olosn’s problem is.
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 14, 2008 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
lack of a true out pitch?
yeah. seems to be the case, i guess.
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
That was the knock on Maine too
Of course, he does play in the lesser leage. But it’s not as if the offenses in his division are super-crappy.
I still think we need to give Garrett much more time. After all, somebody’s gotta start the season in the rotation. Unless we grab a bunch of Rick Helling 2.0’s, which I’m afraid might be the case out of pure necessity.
however...
maine’s experience w/ the o’s over two seasons is equivalent to olson’s experience last year. and now olson has had neiarly a full season at the top level this year. i’m not saying get rid of the guy and he has even shown modest improvement, but he’s definitely not where one would like him to be.
(i’d also note that maine has continually regressed since his breakout to the point where he has posted a sub 100 era+ for this year)
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Also worth pointing out
That Kris Benson never had a 100+ ERA at all, was paid a lot more, and is no longer pitching at all, let alone near league-average.
why is it worth pointing that out?
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the knock on Maine too
And Rick Peterson taught him a new pitch which really helped him out. Olson, like JJ, probably needs to do the same.
Wolf, wolf, wolf.
jj?
you think johnson needs another or you’re saying he learned one in spring training (which was my understanding)?
i’ll be curious to see if they let jj audition for a role in the rotation and how that shakes out. as i said, w/ jj, patton and albers in the mix, along w/ olson, liz and penn and maybe bergesen or someone else from bowie, there’s definitely pressure on olson.
i don’t know why flanaquette lost patience w/ maine on the basis of 8 starts. i’d guess they felt as little burned by guys like douglass and towers, but when your system is churning out guys, it sort of behooves you to give a longer leash.
now, the o’s aren’t exactly flush w/ top drawer arms, but they’ve definitely got a wealth of internal options for the pen, for the rotation, for trade bait and fro chum.
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
you think johnson needs another or you’re saying he learned one in spring training (which was my understanding)?
He (sort of) learned one in spring training. Kranitz increased the length of JJ’s stride which created the sink on his fastball. And I’m all for putting JJ in the rotation.
Wolf, wolf, wolf.
well, look at rad liz...
i always thought the knock on him was that, while his fastball was amongst the best in the system, if not the best, he lacked effective secondary pitches. i’ve been really impressed w/ the change he’s developing. when he’s touching mid 90s w/ that exploder and all the sudden drops an 83 mph change, it’s not even fair.
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Liz-O can add for hundred billion pitches to his arsenal, but it won’t matter if he can’t throw them over the plate. His BB/SO ratio is terrible.
Wolf, wolf, wolf.
dude...
those numebrs are profoundly crummy. nice catch.
"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."
--Jerry Reed, on acting
by j.q. higgins on Sep 15, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
he's a reliever at best
minimizes the impact of the walks, I think.
Well, not in high-leverage situations. But that’s why bullpen management is an art.
Jamie Walker for closer!
Hey Stacey
I’d like you to keep declaring guys to be “not the answer to anything” so that they’ll go hit 2 HRs and raise their batting average by 50 points :)
my pleasure
perhaps tomorrow I’ll declare Brandon Fahey not the answer to anything just to see how strong my powers really are.
[Guthrie's] president of my heart. ~PhilR8
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