Kalapse

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 08:03 PM) Because he is still adjusting to his stuff and this level of success. Probably a bit of a learning process since this has all come so fast for him. This guy was not a big-time prospect 3 years ago. And it's nothing between Kal and I...anyone can jump in if they'd like. I argue my bulls*** against Kal's hard numbers all the time. These aren't numbers, it's based on having seen the majority of his big league starts with my own eyes. He's an amazing young talent and there's a reason why the Braves had him as an untouchable when the Tex deal was being negotiated.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:59 PM) So you don't think the fact that he was a 22nd round pick and this is his first full year starting the major leagues and he has a scarce few starts against AL teams raises a sample size argument? He was a draft and follow pick out of Community College, that's why he went so late. He's dominated every where's he's pitched and he has everything you look for in a pitcher, I think no less of him today than I did yesterday he just couldn't find the feel for his breaking ball and started throwing almost all fastballs, this happens sometimes. We caught him on a bad night, I'm happy.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:57 PM) Who is your pick for the homer? I'm thinking Alexei. Pierzynski. Sitting first pitch fastball. He's absolutely on fire right now.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:56 PM) Not at all. I'm saying Hansen doesn't have enough of a pedigree for me to care about how many times he's been lit up before. Good for you. Personally, If find it fun to break down matchups.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:51 PM) No, but a few random starts against good AL team don't give him a body of work that is inscrutable. He's young and he faces p**** NL lineups all the time. He's not Roy Halladay. Give me a break. I've seen the guy pitch and and his stuff, control and moxy matchup well against any lineup. He just has absolutely nothing tonight, he's not even bothering with his breaking balls because he no feel for them today, these things happen. What you're basically saying is that there isn't much reason to believe Peavy can still dominate because 3 of his very best outings this season has come against horrible competition.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:48 PM) Not with that pathetic swing. Another seemingly protect swing by Beckham before having two strikes. He just can't do anything with the inside fastball, which justifies concerns about his mechanics at the plate. The funny thing is the way Hanson is pitching right now is an INCREDIBLE matchup for Viciedo. Omar's hot bat needs to stay in the lineup but for now he should be getting a lot of ABs at second.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:47 PM) It's not about faith. It's about using logic instead of always the "worst case scenario, which is what goes on in these game threads. There's nothing in Tommy Hanson's past performances that says he'll get killed today yet you seem to think he will, that's called faith. You're number 1 problem here is trying to lump me in with those who give up after 2 innings, you obviously don't know me very well.

Hanson has nothing out there. 24 fastballs, 4 offpeed pitches. Time to put it to him.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:39 PM) I'll bet you $25 we score 3 runs against him. I like you're faith. I'm just posting stats, don't try to use that "keep the faith" bulls*** on me as I'm not one that needs a pep talk.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:35 PM) Yeah, for the most part againt NL lineups, who our entire rotation just dominated twice. Tommy Hanson's stuff translates to all lineups, I don't really care what kind of teams he's shutting down. There's a reason why he blanked the Rays in his last outing. 4 career outings vs AL lineups and he's allowed 0 in 3 of them and 2 in the other. We could get to him today, anything could happen but we're not going up against a chump. I feel a lot right now like I did against Strasburg on Friday.

Disturbing stat of the day: Tommy Hanson has allowed 3+ runs in only 3 of his 14 starts this season and no more than 2 in any of his last 5 outings.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:27 PM) Last I checked, we're red hot and playing with some confidence... And if we were all Braves fans we could worry about the Sox putting an end to our hot play. Of course 2 of their last 3 series wins are against Tampa and Minnesota.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:23 PM) We sure of that? I thought he was at that mark a few weeks ago. That's my fault forgot to add on the 3 hits. He's 3 for 20 not 3 for 17. 3/20 (15%) on bunts this season.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 07:18 PM) Jeez Pierre, STOP BUNTING! 3/17 (18%) on the season. Hasn't had a bunt base hit since May 19th.

Someone needs to stop bunting.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 02:06 PM) Thing is, you can't play Viciedo tomorrow with Buehrle on the mound. He'll probably play Thursday against D. Lowe. Not only is Buehrle on the mound but so is Tim Hudson. Then the question becomes: how tough do you consider Dempster and Zambrano? Lerew, Bannister and Greinke?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 01:59 PM) I don't care what people say about his stuff, he should be in our bullpen next season as our long reliever / spot starter. He should have been filling that role for AT LEAST the past few weeks.

So from what I can tell out of our next 4 series (ATL, CHC, KCR, TEX) we'll face a grand total of 2 lefties: Ted Lilly (3.42 ERA, 1.086 WHIP) and CJ Wilson (3.41 ERA, 1.238 WHIP). After that we have LAA and KCR before the break, that's a bit far in the future to project probable starters but the 2 teams have 3 lefty starters combined: Saunders, Kazmir and Chen. That's 2 lefties in the next 12 games and a possibility of 5 in the next 19.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 01:38 PM) Guys, he's trying to protect him against the stud arms right now. There are only so many John Lannan's out there (hell there's one less today than there was Sunday when they demoted THE John Lannan to AAA after his horrible outing) and a whole lot of righties, this stretch of games here includes quite a few "tough" righties: Strasburg, Martin, Hanson, Hudson, Lowe(?), Zambrano, Dempster and only 2 lefties: Lannan (horrible) and Lilly (very good). Seems like they picked the absolute worst time to call up Viciedo if he's going to be protected from "though" righties.

Does Tim Hudson count as a tough righty (2.34 ERA this season, one of the best pitchers of his generation)? Derek Lowe (9-5 this season)? Do we have to wait until Friday and Ted Lilly until we see Viciedo again?

Might as well put this here as well http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/yB88b

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 22, 2010 -> 12:01 PM) Does anyone think we can compete in the playoffs if we somehow win our division? If we face anyone in the east it seems like we'd get swept. Anything can happen in the playoffs especially if the top of your rotation is strong.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 21, 2010 -> 09:48 PM) He's on pace for 22 RBI and 14 doubles, not to mention he's batting a boastful .250 with an OPS below .600 and well below average defense... he better pull off some serious magic if he wants his season to be anywhere remotely near decent. DeJesus is leaps and bounds better. Juan Pierre has been f***ing amazing in LF, outside of Carl Crawford he has arguably the best range of any LF in the game.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 21, 2010 -> 05:45 PM) I honestly remember being in Cincinnati playing the Reds in the midst of our ass-kicking of just about everyone, and it was right when the Twins were beginning to put a streak together. It was right around this time (probably this last weekend), and I knew they were going to make a run. They had Santana, Liriano was coming into his own, and you just could feel that they were going to get back into the race. I hope that they are thinking the same thing right now. We can do this....Just need to keep the arms going. That Twins team got some absurd 2nd half numbers (mostly batting average) out of EVERYONE in their lineup including some seemingly mediocre players. 5 starters (Morneau, White, Mauer, Hunter and Cuddyer) put up .850+ OPS's, Morneau hit .342, White .321 and Mauer .311. Then the absurd: their backup catcher (Redmond) hit .321 in 21 starts, Luis Castillo hit .314 with a .375 OBP at the top, Jason Bartlett hit .309, Nick "no bat" Punto hit .285 with a .332 OBP as their everyday 3B and Jason f***ing Tyner hit .312 in 321 PA. The team as a whole hit .316/.363/.474/.838 in July. When you have THAT many fluky performances and throw in the MVP of the league, Cy Young award winner, a catcher who wins the f***ing batting title, a rookie stater with a 208 ERA+ and a closer with a 0.79 WHIP and 12.5 K/9 you're going to win a s*** ton of games.

All Time we're 5-6 vs Zambrano, 4-1 vs Dempster and 2-9 vs Lilly.