2018 Baseball season (2 Viewers)
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The 15 pitch mark is the bench mark but at that level the SP has become a 7 inning pitcher, at best, as the 100 pitch mark is used as the max number for a pitcher these days. There is also the 'new' benchmark of not allowing SP's to go through a lineup more than 2 times, as almost all pitchers become vastly less effective the 3rd time through a given lineup. The Nats #5 SP, Hellickson, is a prime example of the new restiction. Helickson's numbers have been very good going through the lineup twice, but tend to fall off the map on the 3rd time through. Hellickson has started 6 games, going past the 6 inning mark just once, by design. Martinez always pulls him when he reaches the 2x through the lineup mark, (regardless of pitch count, which have always been low), which gives Hellickson 5+ innings (in 4 of 6 starts). The one time he was allowed to go into the 6th was because he was throwing a perfect game. He got to the 6.1 inning mark, gave up a hit and was gone. Hellickson has pitched well enough to have 6 QS and possibly 6 wins, but hasn't been allowed to stay in the game long enough to achieve these figures as he has just one QS and is 1-0. Managing by the numbers/spread sheet must be pretty frustrating for a player like Hellickson who has preformed very well but hasn't reaped the personal recognition for it in terms of his record. The Nats are 4-2 in Hellickson's 6 starts, with the 2 losses both being by 1 run and being the fault of the bullpen. But as long as the 'numbers' say 2 times through the lineup and done, Hellickson will stay a 5 inning SP. -- Al
Panzer ace
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Another amazing stat for Verlander:
In 27 at-bats Mike Trout is hitting .074 against him, with 2 hits (albeit both are HRs).
Panzer ace
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Al:
Do you think it is time for a complete tear down like the Astros did a few years back?
-Jason
Jason, I actually have been conflicted on that possibility. The results of this season, so far, say tear it down and rebuild but I think the O's have the personal to be playing much better than they are. I don't know why, based on their players, that the record is so poor. O's are solid up the middle, have a decent DH situation, decent bullpen parts, and contrary to previous years, actually have some viable SP's (regardless of what their record shows so far). Something is just not working, although they have been doing better of late (prior to the Boston series). All that said, I think at least a partial tear down is coming, led by the probable trade of Machado. I don't think the O's can afford to not move him (they'll lose him anyway when he goes FA) and get something for him. The next couple of weeks will be interesting as the Machado move has been predicted by Memorial Day (or there abouts) if the O's are still foundering badly. We'll see. -- Al
Nats had a bad weekend, getting swept by the Dodgers (who they can't seem to beat, ever) and have lost another 2 key players to the DL. The injury bug refuses to let up on the Nats who have 4 starters, a #1 sub, and a major bullpen pitcher on the DL at this moment. No wonder they can't build any offensive consistency. They got Rendon back and promptly lost 1B Zimmerman, C Weiters, and now key utility player Kendricks (who was teams hitting leader in Avg.). When it rains, it pours. The loss of Madson in the bullpen is every bit as serious because he was 1 of 2 effective relief pitchers the Nats had. The bullpen is a disaster. It has allowed runs in all but 17 games this year, (allowing 3 or more runs 12 times). If not actually losing the game (9 so far), they put it out of reach. It's bad. SP ERA is 2.68 with a 19-12 record while bullpen ERA is 4.53 with a 5-9 record. While the Nats have played ok since a really slow start, they still haven't played up to expectations, and I doubt they will as long as half their offense remains on the DL. Question remains as to whether the injuries will derail the season or whether the Nats can overcome them. They haven't so far, but Rizzo never sits on his hands so I expect moves to help the bullpen, the catcher position, and maybe others, as well. They need something. -- Al
The Nats Max Scherzer is 7-1 with a 1.78 ERA and has 104 K's in 65.2 innings. The thing is, in 10 starts, he has 9 QS, and has given up no more than 2 ER's in any start. His one non-quality start (and only loss) was because of 3 unearned runs. Lack of runs and a blown save cost him 2 wins in his 2 non-decisions. With a little support or luck at the right time, he could easily be 10-0 right now, but that is baseball and 7-1 is pretty decent. -- Al
jazzeum
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Sorry, but you get no sympathy on injuries from me: we’ve lost our regular catchers (one for the year), our 3B Todd Frazier, Céspedes and Lugares (who was hitting 339) for the year. Everybody has injuries but the Mets seem to attract them.
Rutledge
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The Braves are making me cautiously optimistic. Given recent heartbreak felt by Falcons and Dawgs fans, we are naturally a skeptical bunch.
“The New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros ranked ahead of the Braves respectively in ESPN’s latest power ranking released Monday.
With Sunday’s win, the Braves lead the National League with a 28-17 overall record and a few other important stats, writes ESPN’s Kenneth Woolums.
“You can thank Atlanta's resilient offense for an incredible comeback victory Sunday, having rallied to win after being down five runs in the ninth inning,” Woolums wrote. “The Braves lead the NL in OPS (.775) and runs per game (5.4); it's becoming time to acknowledge that this offense is for real. Along with producing runs, they rarely strike out (NL's best strikeout rate), and they hit for power (leading the NL in isolated slugging).”
“The New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros ranked ahead of the Braves respectively in ESPN’s latest power ranking released Monday.
With Sunday’s win, the Braves lead the National League with a 28-17 overall record and a few other important stats, writes ESPN’s Kenneth Woolums.
“You can thank Atlanta's resilient offense for an incredible comeback victory Sunday, having rallied to win after being down five runs in the ninth inning,” Woolums wrote. “The Braves lead the NL in OPS (.775) and runs per game (5.4); it's becoming time to acknowledge that this offense is for real. Along with producing runs, they rarely strike out (NL's best strikeout rate), and they hit for power (leading the NL in isolated slugging).”
I think the Braves, more so than even the Phillies, have been the biggest story in baseball this season. They are playing spectacular ball and last nights comeback was a perfect example. -- Al
Didn't expect any, Brad. I know teams like the Mets and Giants have been hurt badly by injuries, just like the Nats. Just part of the game with any sport. -- Al
Nats have 12 men on the DL, 11 of who were or or were slated to be on the Opening Day roster. -- Al
Warrior
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Will always have a soft spot for the Braves, originally the Boston Braves, wish they never left Boston, would be great to have an NL team here, or real baseball...................
Interesting. Boston had 2 teams, the AL Red Sox, and the NL Braves, and both teams had Babe Ruth on them. From 1914 thru 1919, Ruth played for the Red Sox. In 1935, Ruth played his last MLB games with the Braves, retiring after having played just 28 games as a 40 year old. He did hit 6 Hr's in 72 AB's with the Braves, after hitting 49 Hr's while with the Red Sox, so Ruth actually hit 55 Hr's for the city of Boston. Ruth did hit 90 career Hr's against Boston, 49 in Fenway. -- Al
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Rutledge
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Atta boy! Now work on finding a soft spot for the Falcons...or at least the Dawgs. Heck, isn’t Nick’s ACT the college football version of the Yankees? That has to make you think twice!
Rutledge
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Babe was a Brave, albeit briefly!?? Very cool!
Warrior
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Always pulled for the Braves in the WS; vs the Twins, Jays, MFY's, Indians.......................the Patriots have three former Dawgs on their offense, two from the same class which is nice to see, they've got their left tackle and RB of the future locked down..............
I see Matt Harvey got his first win with the Reds last night, going 6, yielding 1 run in a 7-2 victory. The trade seems to be working for both teams as Harvey has looked decent for the Reds and Mesoraco, while not hitting for average, has hit 3 big Hr's for the Mets in his 9 games. Glad to see it. -- Al