2011-08-01 Cardinals (Carpenter) at Brewers (Greinke) -- [Brewers win, 6-2]

[dlk9s]

Overbay released, you telling me we couldn't use that bat off the bench instead of CC?

Well, obviously any bat would be better than CC's, but Overbay has been really bad this year.

[topper09er]

http://www.holidayatthesea.com/wp-content/uploads/true_grit_poster_08.jpeg

 

 

[ninja33]

Greinke is one of those pitchers who proves that BABIP and K/BB aren't relevant peripheral stats to judge every pitcher based on. He's should be judged based on ERA/RA, and that's it. He refuses to risk walking even dangerous hitters after he's down in counts. It would behoove him to nibble and pitch backwards. Then he wouldn't be so predictable, and allow good hitters to get their timing right, and hammer the baseball.

I'm pretty sure Greinke is showing that they are completely relevant. 5 straight quality starts, 6 ER and 40 K. The results (ERA/RA) are finally starting to reflect what the peripherals have been showing all year.

That wouldn't disprove my point at all. Like I said, he should be judged based on whatever his ERA/RA is at the time. If after tonight he has a 4.40 ERA, that's indicative of what he's deserved to be. His high BABIP doesn't mean he's deserved closer to a ERA in the high 3's. This is the 7th straight season he has a BABIP above MLB average. That's a product of pounding the plate. If he can have a good ERA this season with that style, then great. But fact is he didn't get unlucky to do even better because of a high BABIP.

his career BABIP is like .310, and it has been pretty consistent around that number each season. Earlier in the season it was up in the .360 range, which is fairly significant.

Earlier in the season nobody was saying they were happy with Greinke's results (i.e.the high ERA). What they were saying is look at his peripherals, they show he's a better pitcher than his ERA is showing, and over the course of the year that will normalize. That we could expect good things from him in the second half of the season, that his results in the future would be better than they were at the time. That's what is happening.

[rluzinski]

So RRR sees JHJ as a defensive backup for Lopez but not Yuni or Casey...oh boy

I was trying to talk myself off a ledge by saying that Lopez will probably hit himself out of the starting lineup anyway... then I remembered Kotsay has a .242/.298/.319/.617 but RR is telling people that he's starting him in CF for his bat.

What do you want him to say? He's starting in CF because of his solid defense? RR isn't an idiot. Kotsay may be needed by the end of the season. You stash him on the bench for the entire season and he'll be awful when you actually might need him. If people ask why he's starting, what do you want him to say?

You may need to save a bad defender and hitter for WHAT!?

[dlk9s]

Corey has been improving nicely as the night has gone on.

[ilovebeer]

yep i read it on jsonline at what new foods they are goin to have at the fair.

[DocLuna7]

Well, it worked. I have to give RR some credit, as lately it does seem like his hunches have been working out. Even Counsell getting the start at 3rd yesterday for defense, then he makes that huge play starting the DP on the Myers bunt. Now Hawkins allows him to rest K-Rod and others.

Of course, he could have used Dillard for multiple innings, since he pitches once an eon at the moment.

I know I could look it up, but isn't Dillard back in AAA?

[dlk9s]

I think state far is going to have fired butter on a stick.

Seriously?

Not on a stick, but more like fried butter wontons. There was a video on JS-Online a couple weeks ago.

[jjkoestler]

yep i read it on jsonline at what new foods they are goin to have at the fair.

Wow. That might be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard.

[GamelToe]

I was trying to talk myself off a ledge by saying that Lopez will probably hit himself out of the starting lineup anyway... then I remembered Kotsay has a .242/.298/.319/.617 but RR is telling people that he's starting him in CF for his bat.

What do you want him to say? He's starting in CF because of his solid defense? RR isn't an idiot. Kotsay may be needed by the end of the season. You stash him on the bench for the entire season and he'll be awful when you actually might need him. If people ask why he's starting, what do you want him to say?

You may need to save a bad defender and hitter for WHAT!?

And who has a better bat off the bench?

[razzzorsharp]

Here is the Carpenter "Son" story...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5462236

[Raw Biz]

I think state far is going to have fired butter on a stick.

Seriously?

Wouldn't fired butter just melt?

[ilovebeer]

either way sounds nasty.

[endaround]

Well, it worked. I have to give RR some credit, as lately it does seem like his hunches have been working out. Even Counsell getting the start at 3rd yesterday for defense, then he makes that huge play starting the DP on the Myers bunt. Now Hawkins allows him to rest K-Rod and others.

Of course, he could have used Dillard for multiple innings, since he pitches once an eon at the moment.

I know I could look it up, but isn't Dillard back in AAA?

Nope. He's on the major league roster. Last pitched 7/18

[ilovebeer]

Not sure I like Loe pitching here.

[razzzorsharp]

Molina PH for with a lefty. You can hate LaRussa all you want but he is a smart manager.

[ramssuperbowl99]

I think state far is going to have fired butter on a stick.

Seriously?

Wouldn't fired butter just melt?

Depends. If you cook it hot enough you could sear the outside and keep the inside intact like a steak.

[topper09er]

This is why La Russa is a good manager, he knows to throw lefties up there against Loe. At least this isnt "Loe's inning" assuming Axford will come in if there is trouble

[razzzorsharp]

I don't sense a loss but I do feel like axford will be up at some point.

[FVBrewerFan]

So RRR sees JHJ as a defensive backup for Lopez but not Yuni or Casey...oh boy

I was trying to talk myself off a ledge by saying that Lopez will probably hit himself out of the starting lineup anyway... then I remembered Kotsay has a .242/.298/.319/.617 but RR is telling people that he's starting him in CF for his bat.

What do you want him to say? He's starting in CF because of his solid defense? RR isn't an idiot. Kotsay may be needed by the end of the season. You stash him on the bench for the entire season and he'll be awful when you actually might need him. If people ask why he's starting, what do you want him to say?

I'll take a stab at this. "I'm proving a theory that anyone with a glove and veteran grit can play CF"

[sargennm]

I will do anything for a win. Anything!

 

Btw, speaking of horrible fair food: anyone see the story about fried kook aid in San Diego?

[theavrock]

Yea this is danger zone for Loe

[natronek8780]

Molina PH for with a lefty. You can hate LaRussa all you want but he is a smart manager.

I've always felt that way. He is a very good game manager and plays the matchups very well both ways late in games.

[ilovebeer]

Extra inning for the Reds and Astro's

[brettac1]

Well, it worked. I have to give RR some credit, as lately it does seem like his hunches have been working out. Even Counsell getting the start at 3rd yesterday for defense, then he makes that huge play starting the DP on the Myers bunt. Now Hawkins allows him to rest K-Rod and others.

Of course, he could have used Dillard for multiple innings, since he pitches once an eon at the moment.

I know I could look it up, but isn't Dillard back in AAA?

No.