ThunderBolt

I have heard of exactly three of those pitchfork bands by name, none by music, am i musically lacking in some way, or are these bands intentionally obscure?

I still miss Swish, but if Marquez can pitch like this on a consistent basis, I will miss him significantly less. Regardless, it sounds like Swish had no place on this team now and in the future. On the Contreras front, it sounds like nothing except caution from the coaches will stop him from being in the rotation on opening day.

Look, I’m as big a fan of the Tank as anyone, but sliders pose huge problems for him. While the slider he swung at to K during the Reyes at bat was a good one, he tends to wave at the majority of the sliders that are thrown away. While this isn’t a huge deal as he tends to make some contact, the problem is that if opposing pitchers realizes that he has chase tendencies, all they’ll do is attack that weakness. Also, a couple more observations from the game: 1)Tyler Flowers is still raw defensively, especially on low pitches, but he did a great job of calling a game for Poreda. 2) JVB throws strikes now, and when he misses it’s always low. This is a tremendous improvement for him. 3) Jerry Owens does not know when to break on balls hit his way. His use of speed is to compensate for this, and is often not enough 4) If Jermaine Dye isn’t in the best shape of his life, he’s damn near close to it.

I was at the game today. I'm in a hurry so I'll just give you a few highlights (and lowlights)/ 1) Aaron Poreda, he had a shaky first inning, but his fabled slider really worked for him starting in the second. If he can throw that pitch consistently for a strike he could be nigh unhittable. Definitely the highlight of the game 2) Wilson Betemit cannot field AT ALL. He either has no range or is extremely lazy. Make of that what you will. 3) Getz has some serious wheels, and a nice level swing. 4) Vicideo will chase after any slider, no matter where it is. This really needs to be addressed. 5) Owens is awful. (Barring one great defensive play) moving on. 6) Michael Restovich finds it awkward that I knew his name. Deal with it, Restovich. I know everyone 7) Lillibridge, Getz, Walker were nice enough to sign autographs. Got a good picture with Lillibridge, and told him, "Keep hitting, man and you'll make this team". He smiled, good for him. 8) Kenny Williams looks awesome in his skybox. That's an intimidating figure. 9) Harold Baines looks oblivious when you call him out. Hilariously so 10) Jeff Cox is awesome.

I hope they're not humoring Kroeger, and actually intend on giving him an honest chance. He deserves that much at least. I just remember what the Athletics did to Todd Linden last year, where he hit about .571 during the entire spring, and was promptly discarded. I hope we have no intentions of pulling a similar stunt.

I suspect we'll see Mcullogh converted to relief in hopes to salavage something from him.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 07:04 PM) What's Kroeger's defense like? Decent range, standard arm, sometimes gets poor initial reads, but is more then capable of holding down all OF spots.

Read It Gonna Live by It.

Give Josh Kroeger a job. NOW.

Where did you read that? I see 4- 3 us.

Kroeger can hit. He always could. He just needs more of a shot at the Major League level.

Is anyone else starting to worry about Juan Pierre? Bad contract, yes, but he wants a trade, and Kenny wants him.

Given Richard's talent and given Broadway's general suckitude i'd say CR.

QUOTE (BFirebird @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 12:42 AM) Not if Getz can lead off. Or Lillibridge

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 12:41 AM) Has anyone seen Josh Kroeger play CF? I've read reports, good range, decent arm, he's got shaky reads, but he can cover ground well.

Kroeger's got a good mind for the game.

Poreda is attacking inside, that's really great to see.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 12:11 AM) Why didn't Kroeger score on the wild pitch/passed ball? Didn't he move to third on it?

I hope Kroeger keeps hitting, he needs to force himself into the OF battle just like Nix did into the 2b one.

God, i miss MVP Baseball 2005. Without a doubt the greatest baseball game ever made.

104??? Poreda may have just met a little thing we like to call adrenaline. This reminds me of when Jenks turned it back on VS the Twins in game 163. Also, probably a mistake on the radar gun, but it didn't stop me from making that previous point

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 11:57 PM) If Getz would've been able to bunt the guy over to 3rd, then that would've been a good play. I don't want to do the moneyball debate thing again, but i'm inclined to say that a basehit would of done just fine.

Three good hitters coming up for AP should be a good test for him.

Corpseball? In an inning where Jerry Owens bats? What is this world coming to???

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 11:49 PM) yes! Getz trying to bunt! that's what I like to see! Are you easily amused?