World Series Game Four, try two
First, how’s the weather in St. Louis? From the National Weather Service, it’s 54 degrees, 90% humidity, and their forecast should make you wince:
Tonight: Areas of drizzle, then occasional rain after 1am. Low around 50. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday: Periods of rain. High near 52. Breezy, with a north wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Niiiiiiiiice. Anyway, if this games goes off, it’s Bonderman v Suppan, which brings me back to my frustration with the Tigers rotation.
How would you order these pitchers in a playoff rotation that goes 2-off-3-off-2?
A. RHP 4.08 ERA, 2.69 BB/9, 8.50 K/9, .76 HR/9
B. RHP 3.63 ERA, 2.9 BB/9, 6 K/9, 1.02 HR/9
C. LHP 3.84 ERA, 2.74 BB/9, 4.37 K/9, 1.01 HR/9
D. LHP 3.84 ERA, 2.89 BB/9, 5.91 K/9, 1.25 HR/9
An average pitcher walks 3 guys in 9, strikes out 6, gives up a home run, more or less.
But wait- say the other team’s vulnerable to lefties, and scores a third of a run/game less against them. That might bump a couple guys around, but assuming that this year’s lines are a good measure of the talent level right now, I’d arrange this ADBC, with the thought that with this scheduling, you’re looking at AD(off)BCA(off)DB, with the added benefit that in Game 7, you could conceivably start A on three days rest, and certainly pitch him out of the bullpen, along with C.
That ADBC rotation is Bonderman-Robertson-Verlander-Rogers. Now, I don’t care how you weight the relative intangibles of these guys, Bonderman is clearly the pick of the litter, and if you start him #1 you may well wring three starts out of him if it comes to that. The other guys don’t really matter so much
What if there’s a rainout, say, for game four, and you lose the second travel day and you’re down in the series? If you were super-aggressive, you could go AD(off)B(off)ADBC and immediately get another start out of the best pitcher in the rotation to give you your best shot at evening the series.
This has been driving me nuts all Series. Bonderman is, by far, the best pitcher in the rotation, and he’s #4, so you get one start out of him and then maybe you can bring him out again in game seven.
Anyway. Hoping for a good game.
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Wow! Judging by that weather report, I would say there probably won’t be a game played tonight!
I suspect that Bonderman’s inferior ERA and limited experience played a large role in Leyland’s decision. But I agree, it is nutty to only start him once and Robertson twice.
However, the real question is:
How many more episodes of “The War at Home” does FOX have in the can?
What would it take to pry “Player A” away from the Tigers? Sexson, Reed, and more?
Bonderman’s got four years of experience now, he’s young but he’s not so bad.
I don’t think Dombrowski would give up Bonderman, no matter how thick-headed his manager might be about rotation construction.
Derek – you’re up to #2,478 (8th in baseball)! Also, it’s funny that if you search for “Cheater’s Guide” on Amazon, the results are your book and then a Beavis and Butthead book…
It looks like there’ll be a game!
Cut short Kevin Kennedy’s screen time, and get this party started!!!
I did not, however, get the Bugs Bunny piece into the “Best American Sports Writing” 2006, which is disappointing.
“Game 4, Part 2: this time it’s personal”
RE: #7, #8
HAHA!!!
Yeah, they better show Scooter while the kids are still awake…
It’s funny I didn’t get into the Best American Sports Writing?
Really? I submitted and everything, and was hoping.
Why is there a generic Christina Aguilera clone writhing around underdressed when the game could be starting? Is she on their label or something?
#7– hey, I would have cleared it.
howsabout Elysian Fields or Spitball?
there is a slight lag on the tv side, so I have the weirdest feedback on Not-Ozzie
According to the analysts, the Tigers don’t have anyone who sees pitches, but Eckstein sees a ton while doing his job as a good leadoff man. In fact, they have two:
Brandon Inge (4.12)
Carlos Guillen (3.89)
And I think both Rolen and Pujols see more than Eckstein. These are facts, they’re not hard to look up.
Historically, I believe, Eckstein has a very good rate of P/PA. He doesn’t walk a whole lot because pitchers aren’t afraid to challenge him (so the theory goes).
Inge and Guillen are incapable of leading off because they aren’t fast and have power.
That’s not at all my point. My point is that they made the statement that no one on the Tigers – no one – sees many pitches in their at-bats, and then praised Eckstein at length for seeing so many pitches.
Either Eckstein sees lots of pitches, in which case the Tigers have two guys who are even better, or no one on the Tigers sees a lot of pitches, in which case Eckstein’s no good at it either.
It’s funny I didn’t get into the Best American Sports Writing?
Really? I submitted and everything, and was hoping.
Can’t you just be satisfied with kicking Tim McCarver’s ass in book sales?
Further, having power and not being fast doesn’t mean you’re incapable of leading off. It means you don’t fit the traditional stereotype of a high-average, high-OBP speedster in the #1 slot.
Oh, I misunderstood, I wasn’t paying attention to the broadcaster’s rants. Yeah, you’re totally right.
Further, having power and not being fast doesn’t mean you’re incapable of leading off. It means you don’t fit the traditional stereotype of a high-average, high-OBP speedster in the #1 slot.
Preaching to the converted.
Holy crap, I’m #49 in all of sports.
Holy crap, I’m #49 in all of sports.
Isn’t wonderful to have your own little blog where you can shamelessly promote your book without end? I kid. I swear I’ll buy a copy.
BTW, its abour rime Guillen hit 3rd.
Aaaaaaaand the Tigers are making Suppan look good.
How does Amazon calculate sales rankings? Is it number of books sold in the past year? Month? A weighted-average of daily sales?
speaking of the anthem, whatever happened to April Villanueva?
I don’t think the sales ranking calculations are disclosed anywhere, but you can search the web and find some interesting stuff on it.
Ouch, Bonderman just made Pujols look silly. This could be a great game with Bonderman on the hill and Detroit NOT hitting!
Or, with them hitting.
There you have it: Jeff Suppan is “one of the few big-game pitchers you’ll find on any roster.” Nice call, Buck.
Casey?!?
Casey had to golf that one out… dipped his knees even. Well done but I think a fluke.
Welcome to NL baseball. I-Rod takes second on Edmonds catch, so they walk Inge. Bonderman up.
didn’t think Pudge would do that
Suppan’s agent is sending Joe Buck a fruit basket for that gem.
Suppan’s agent is sending Joe Buck a fruit basket for that gem.
Now we hear that he’s a “real likeable 31-year old” who should be “cashing in” on his big postseasn this winter. Two fruit baskets for Joe.
Does Fox think 3 years old’s are watching the World Series?
Does Fox think 3 years old’s are watching the World Series?
Also, if you’re so young that Scooter appeals to you (and I’d argue that such a group might not actually exist), there are probably lots of more important things that you need to learn about baseball before you learn what a changeup is.
[NFW]
It worked!
#38: While I won’t wish an incurable disease on the guy, that ad is making me enjoy the Tigers’ lead. I’m petty like that.
I just saw an ad of Suppan trying to convince people stem cell research will inevitably lead to human cloning.
Yeah, because human cloning couldn’t happen otherwise…
40: it is a curable disease, and the cure would be here faster if not for chuckleheads like him
Tim McCarver tells me that Ivan Rodriguez is “probably” the best defensive catcher in the history of baseball. I ask, is Ivan Rodriguez the best defensive catcher in this game?
Who here thinks Suppan’s got another home run left in him?
Who here thinks Suppan’s got another home run left in him?
He might have another HR left to give up…
Always great to see LaRussa start playing his matchup games in the 5th. How many pitchers can he cram into a World Series game? 12?
If anyone could do it, Tony could.
Was that an intentional pass to Poo-holes?
Also, is it safe to say that Polanco no longer has the hot hand?
Was that an intentional pass to Poo-holes?
No, just four pitches that weren’t strikes, though I’m sure Bonderman was being careful.
10 ground outs so far for the Cardinals against Bonderman.
Holy crap, I’m #49 in all of sports.
Well, when you get rich and famous and are writing for ESPN.COM, don’t forget all the little people here at USS Mariner that supported you.
50: Thanks, I’m Gamecast only tonight…must meet deadline!
Buck notes the bottom of the lineup is more productive than the top, and concludes they’ve got a lot of power. Uh…or maybe Leyland does a good job of constructing a roster so that his best hitters get fewer opportunities to hit?
I’ve written for ESPN.com already.
But really, I should point out that despite my enthusiasm, even being in the top 1,000 only represents a couple dozen sales/week.
If every regular USSM reader bought the book, it would be amazing.
You walked mMolina, Bonderman, there wasn’t much choice…
You walked Molina, Bonderman, there wasn’t much choice…
He was missing pretty badly in the process, too.
This is where Hargrove would have brought in Mateo to get the ground ball.
“There are very few middle relief pitchers who are strikeout pitchers.” Sure, Timmy, but this isn’t exactly a low-leverage middle relief spot where you put a crap pitcher in to bridge the gap to the top guys. Welcome to the postseason, good to see you’ve been paying attention.
This is where Hargrove would have brought in Mateo to get the ground ball.
Sad, but true.
Seriously, who brings an American flag to the park just so they can wave it around durning God Bless America?
The same person that enjoys that Chevy “This is our country” commercial.
And the rain finally has an effect…
Taguchi for Duncan?
No me gusta.
This would be a horrid way for det to lose.
I stand by my previous comment.
Those guys are pitchers, not throwers!
Karmic payback for Rogers cheating?
Those guys are pitchers, not throwers!
I never like to see a pitcher make his throw that quickly when he doesn’t have to. Take a second, gather yourself, make a nice easy throw. He had plenty of time.
#66
Ha ha! Thinking the same and even more so when Joe Buck called for a bunt. Luck. Lots of luck.
I pitch on my softball teams and I’ve been known to throw to first just like that.
…and the cards take the lead…
The 2006 World Series might turn on a wet patch of grass…
Three free baserunners later, the Cards manage to scratch out a crooked number.
Preston Wilson.
Further proof, Tony LaRussa = GENIUS
Preston Wilson, Sean Casey
Two inane players enter, one leaves.
Who is it?
You know, if that ball’s not cut off, I think they have a shot at the plate.
Wilson almost slid into foul territory there.
I pitch on my softball teams and I’ve been known to throw to first just like that.
Morgan opined that pitchers (unlike infielders, especially award-winning 2nd basemen) don’t know to pause, turn the ball to get fingers onto the stitching, and then throw.
Well – and here’s the one thing that being a pitcher in a low level softball league has in common with being one in the majors – when the ball’s hit to the pitcher, almost always it was a hard shot (which means that you’re still freaked out that you’re ok), or it’s a long run with little time to finish the play. In either case, it’s easy to panic and overthrow.
Gomez was completely overmatched.
the Tiger bullpen is going to cause Jimmy Leyland to smoke that other carton.
Miles is so weak at the plate he couldn’t even get that ball hit to third fast enough for a GIDP. Sad.
Timmy, why the heck would they bunt if Zumaya was having trouble throwing strikes?
The Tigers are finding all sorts of odd ways to allow runners to reach base tonight.
Wait a minute, first base was occupied, batter’s out. Take a little stock out of #84.
David Eckstein, Doubles Machine!
is the strike zone as erratic as it seems on the radio side?
I cannot believe this series. Wow.
That was a really good, exciting game.
The Cardinals are the luckiest team ever.
Even with their entire roster at full strength the aren’t really this good.
That was a great game.
I only wish that it were a tighter series in terms of games or it’s likely to be remembered like last year’s series – close game but still a sweep.
WOO HOO! Go Cardinals! Really, unexplainable luck this series. They really needed those breaks tonight.
Is LaRussa really throwing Weaver tomorrow? Jeez. I like Detroit for the next two with Verlander vs. Weaver and Rogers vs. Reyes.
It’s a good idea, Reyes will benefit more from pitching at Comerica, Weaver can handle the bat better. Win-win.
So let me get this straight– tonight, the David Eckstein-led team beat the Sean Casey-led team, then afterward if you turned to ESPN you got to hear John Kruk analyze it?
World Series, or Bizarro-World Series?
94: Uh, no. Win-win for the Tigers maybe. Reyes gives the Cardinals the best chance of winning tomorrow and taking the series. Jeff Weaver is not good. Weaver cannot beat Verlander. And Reyes is less likely to beat Rogers than Verlander.
It’s a good idea, Reyes will benefit more from pitching at Comerica, Weaver can handle the bat better. Win-win.
Reyes did have a bunch of close calls on warning track shots in his first start, and he has a ridiculously low GB% and a ridiculously high HR/F rate. So I guess I could see why one would want him pitching in Comerica.
Carpenter on 3 days rest in Game 6 if needed. Not like he was really stretched in Game 3.
According ot the P.I. Blog Soriano will not be moving to the rotation next year. They didn’t cite any sources, but it is the PI Blog after all, so it must be true.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/archives/108045.asp#comments
Oh and the Giants named Bruce Bochy their manager today.
#30. There you have it: Jeff Suppan is “one of the few big-game pitchers you’ll find on any roster.” Nice call, Buck.
Also, Buck and/or McCarver must have said at least 3 times during this game broadcast that “the team that won Game 4 the last two times these Cards and Tigers met in the World Series went on to lose the Series”.
WHAT is the significance? They’re talking about one series 72 years ago, and another one 38 years ago — and not even the same team won Game 4 and lost the series (the Cards won it all in 1934, and the Tigers won in 1968).
On second thought, this “coincidence” might have significance in some sort of weird fantasy baseball league where participants really ARE “the baseball gods”.