Comments on: And That Happened: Sunday’s scores and highlights

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:23:23 +0000

Hats Off, NS, a seldom seen sight, an admission of error in commenting, and with a humorous flair!

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:13:35 +0000

Genuinely Fair, as usual.

By: nicosamuelson2

nicosamuelson2 — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:43:30 +0000

Last year, I made many comments on these boards about Bautista being a fluke. As a Twins fan, it has become clear that Jose read those comments and has decided to take it out on my team. *waving white flag*

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:13:07 +0000

Yes I did, but I also said it should be a “very good game”. Not taking anything away from the Cardinals. BTW I welcome any and all corrections to my grammar and spelling. Except from Red Sox fans. Just kidding. If it’s not to late, good luck to the Cardinals this evening. May the “better” team win. How’s that?

By: marinersnate

marinersnate — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:34:35 +0000

“All three teams still “in it” in the AL West went 5-5″

Hey, we resemble that remark!

Actually, I watched most of the A’s-CWS series. The one game I am still having trouble with is friday’s. Down one run, two outs in the bottom of the 8th and Coco Crisp tries to.. steal HOME? The CWS win 4-3. Ouch.

The best thing about the weekend in Marinerland was getting rained out in Cleveland saturday and sunday. That meant that we did not have to watch Brandon League attempt to close games. I wonder if Toronto would trade Brandon Morrow for Brandon League? No, of course not. That would be stupid. No one but no one would trade a stud starter like Morrow for a reliever like League.

This weekend, with interleague play starting, we roll into SD to play our “natural rivals”. Anyone notice what the Padres’ have decided to do with the bat’s lately? Just in time. Things just keep getting better for the M’s.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:31:41 +0000

Maybe they are in “Dull Drums”, but more than likely they are stuck in a motionless sea, more commonly known as the doldrums. Just a little dig, my friend, but you did wish the Pheelies luck, and they are going to need it.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:05:05 +0000

Yeah, I’m not really that despondent simply because it’s the Red Sox anyway. I already know the answer to that one- a 9-9 split by season’s end.
As said previously, bringing up prospects will give them some Major League experience, and I’d rather witness some rookie inexperience than veteran ineptitude. Seems our fielding and hitting can’t get much worse.

By: cur68

cur68 — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:30:49 +0000

Good point MTE. He’s a dynamite defender in RF. Actually, he’s been good as a defender wherever he’s been asked to play. There’s something about that guy’s humbleness, willingness to play wherever he’s asked, and bat wherever he’s asked, all for the low low price (comparative to certain other AL East team rosters) of 13 mil/year over 5 years. Given his 2010 production and defense he was about a +12 WAR, $64.96 million value expectation (thanks fangraphs!). I do believe he’s exceeding that in 2011. Like, wow. I think the very best players post a WAR of 7 or better. So I bet this is another category in which he leads.

One big worry I have though; JB closed his stance since 2009. He used to hit open when he was bounced around from 5 different teams in his rookie year, 2004 (an MLB record for trades of 1 player). That violent swing can’t be good for his back, hips, and knees; especially as he hits from so closed off. That’s a lot of torque to his lower back and his hips. Notice that Adam Lind is down with a bad back? He’s also a bit more closed than he used to be and is swinging like he’s trying to kill a steer. If Jose can hold up all season he’ll win the home run title again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more spine trouble.

My biggest worry now is the All Star Game; JB will very likely be in the Home Run Derby this year (last season’s snub probably saved his life) and I am dreading it. He could easily end his whole season right there.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:10:53 +0000

http://lyrics.wikia.com/Electric_Six:Escape_From_Ohio

This song seems to be perfect for your feelings on Cincinnati.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:00:35 +0000

The Yankees recent troubles will pass, my friend. I also hold out hope that because of the Yankees recent “issues” Cashman may be forced to pull the trigger on a trade or trades sooner then he would have otherwise. Or may be even like I said calling up a prospect or 2, possibly Brackman and Montero. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We shall see, the full story has yet to be written. That’s just my opinion.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:55:17 +0000

nah… we deserve anything we get.. we are playing like sh*t right now. tonight when Arod comes to bat with 2 on and one out an promptly hits into an inning ending DP remember that he makes more than the whole Tampa team combined. disgraceful.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:53:56 +0000

I had a mental list of all the things the Universe needs to do to right this ship all the way from Granderson to keep up the good work, buddy! to THE FAT TOAD- get out of town, with a strongly worded admonition to a certain crybaby. And no further details will now be provided except to say that it is Kevin Long who must be the most frustrated man in town.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:08 +0000

Let’s state the obvious and get it out of the way. The Yankees are playing horribly right now. The offense and relief pitchers are not doing what they are getting paid very handsomely to do, with very few exceptions. Swisher and Posada are killing the Yankees offense and to be fair A-Rod and Tex to a degree are contributing to the offensive problems. The Yankees are clearly missing Chavez he would have been an excellent option to DH with all of Posada’s problems. It’s time for the Yankees to shake things up. Whether that means calling up Montero or doing something with the relief pitchers in the not to distant future the Yankees need to do something. Having said that even with all the issues, there is a bright side even with a 5 game losing streak and losing 9 out of the last 12 games the Yankees are still only 2 games behind the Rays. Who they play these next 2 games. Now there are 3 possible scenarios over the next 2 days. First, and ideally if your a Yankees fan they win both games and leave Tampa tied for the AL East lead. Second, which is like kissing your sister they split the 2 games series and leave Tampa exactly how they arrived 2 games back. Third, and the least desirable if your a Yankees fan they lose both games and leave Tampa 4 games back. Well as you might suspect as a Yankees fan I’m going to go with #1 they win both games and leave Tampa tied for the AL East lead. Call it optimism, call it dreaming, call it whatever you like but I firmly believe that the Yankees will break out of their dull drums this evening and AJ will get them going with a good game. And that’s really just my opinion.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:30:38 +0000

Nice catch.

By: sportsdrenched

sportsdrenched — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:30:30 +0000

If that’s the case. Don’t get defensive when the rest of us use this “one” down summer to pile on. This opportunity doesn’t come along but once every ten years so I’m going to take it.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:29:05 +0000

When I left for a week’s vacation the A’s were at .500 and most of the team was hitting at an OPS around .700. Imagine my surprise when returning a week later to find that nothing had changed. All three teams still “in it” in the AL West went 5-5, which actually means Texas won the week since LA and Oakland need to be distancing themselves from the Rangers during this period of peak Ranger injuries.

This will be an odd week for the A’s. First the Angels then the Twins come to town for two games each. Then the A’s “travel” to SF for a weekend series with the marquee matchup next Saturday of Mr. Anderson v. Timmy Lincecum. I’m looking forward to that, especially after getting off the plane yesterday and snapping on the tube and seeing the Giants ring ceremonies replayed. The whole sense of vacation return time warp was reinforced too much by that and the A’s non progress.

By: missthemexpos

missthemexpos — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:13:29 +0000

Lost in all the talk over Bautista’s hitting ability, is the respect runners on base are showing with regards to his throwing skill in right field. Bautista filled in admirably at third last season, however the outfield is definitely his natural posistion.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:07:42 +0000

Jonny 5 – If you’re implying that the Phillies have the “best record in baseball” you might want to wait until that’s actually true. Phillies have the most wins but not the “best record” right now that honor belongs to the Cleveland Indians by percentage points. Now that may change after this evenings games but it may not. Just like to keep things as accurate as possible. BTW, good luck this evening against spudchukar’s, Cardinals it should be a very good game.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:40:37 +0000

The Yanks will be in 3rd or 4th by end of week and its all the fault of their offense. 200 Million + and we cannot score runs without a HR or hit in the clutch. its going to be a looooooooooooooong season

By: rebarratige

rebarratige — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:37:06 +0000

This week’s rain delay entry sounds like something out of “The Universal Baseball Association, J. Henry Waugh, Prop.”

By: cur68

cur68 — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:20:36 +0000

Bautisita “A Cyberdyne Systems Model 101. Not a robot. A cyborg”, eh? Maybe. Could also be a Replicant, Nexus 6 model, no incept date, too.
Whatever he is, he pwned the Twins. Just pwned them. Like wow.

Somewhere, in lorrie full of lug nuts bound for Newcastle, under a curtain of rain, just sodding down, Rob McKenna is finally happy. He is not alone.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:55:22 +0000

The Phillies will be just fine. People need to relax until October. If you want to say they won’t hit in October, then OK, I’m with you there and I still fear the little man with the mullet. But come on…the Braves are pitching very well right now and it’s not surprising that they shut down the Phillies.

The Phillies are still far and away the most consistent team in the National League and will win 100 games. Tonight is the third chance for them to have a 3 game losing streak…and they have Cliff freaking Lee to stop the bleeding. Look for them to score early and often off Westbrook and for Lee to throw a gem. This team will NOT lose 3 in a row all season.

I’m going to bed now…wake me up in Mid-September when they are 15 games up.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:45:50 +0000

I’ll keep saying it, if no one else will. Best record in baseball.

Now that that’s said, I’ll also keep saying this. Start John Mayberry Jr. He deserves a shot if you’ll keep trotting Ben F, and Raul I out there. Charlie did you overhear John Jr. calling you a hillbillie or something? Cause you’re treating him like you did. Give him a shot.

BTW, baby blue must be a bad luck color for Roy huh?

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:18:36 +0000

The Phillies offense is a disgrace. Second complete game loss for Halladay. These starting pitchers cannot continue to go out there and have to pitch to near perfection to win games. It will wear thin real quick.

No one in the lineup can hit with any consistency with the exception of Polanco and Howard. For the love of god, please bench Ibanez and start playing Mayberry Jr. the majority of the time. Also, start benching Francisco for more playing time for Gload. This offense NEEDs to start scoring more runs!!!

I don’t know what else can be done. Utley is still a few weeks away. I don’t know what kind of immediate impact he can have with his injury. We are still a couple of months away from the trade deadline and trades are still hard to make this time of year.

Philles, dig in deep to will some runs to score. Losing (2) straight series to the Braves is unacceptable with that pitiful display of run production.

By: professorperry

professorperry — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:41:18 +0000

And let us all fail to brew a cup of perfect tea while we mourn Douglas Adams, taken from us too quickly.

Also, you’re a geek, Craig.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:09:43 +0000

Target Field is not home run friendly, yet Bautista has hit 7 home runs there in 7 games. Of his 70 home runs during the last 2 seasons, only 3 have not been to left field. Those 3 were all hit in Target Field.