Game 24, Mariners at Rays
Dave · April 30, 2012 at 2:45 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Hernandez vs Hellickson, 4:05 pm.
Happy Felix Day!
M’s go back to the standard line-up against a righty, so you can probably guess the order below by now.
Figgins, LF
Ackley, 2B
Ichiro, RF
Smoak, 1B
Montero, DH
Seager, 3B
Saunders, CF
Olivo, C
Ryan, SS
I believe Olivo’s batting ahead of Saunders today – Lord knows why. Probably something to do with stranding runners (as in Wedge wants to do that).
https://twitter.com/#!/Mariners/status/197052315566477313/photo/1
This is probably to give Saunders a close look at a veteran gamer like Olivo.
Wedge: “Saunders, I want you to go into that on-deck circle and see just how ridiculous Olivo looks . . . taking defensive swings at 0-0 pitches and crap. Don’t be that guy.”
I can’t write his name anymore. I just can’t do it.
Felix holding the Rays at “bay” is probably more important than ‘our catcher’ producing with the bat, and since there is no evidence of Jaso being able to catch (anybody), I supposed Wedge made the only decision he could … in wedge-speak.
Bizarro World references … still in play.
Smoak has clearly done what he needs to in order to remain in the 4 spot, too.
It’s hard for me to determine which decision is worse, actually. Maybe it’s a push and the two negatives will equal a positive. It worked in Basic Algebra.
Then again, the triumvirate of ‘our catcher’, Ryan, Figgins (if the lineup order above is correct), may be a triple negative thereby turning the double negative from positive to negative.
Awesome math! Bottom line: Wedge does NOT value talent, only “veteraness, and grittyness”…
Rays just signed Hideki Matsui today.
I would be concerned with Olivo clogging the bases ahead of Saunders.. but that assumes that Olivo will actually get on base. And that’s just funny.
You’re an idiot, Wedge.
Montero should be catching, Jaso at DH, Seager at SS and Liddi playing 3B.
I would like to propose that there be a Constitutional Amendment outlawing back-to-back series in a domed stadium.
How long will it be until there are rumors of the Rays moving to Brooklyn – after the Nets start playing there next season?
Come on Jesus!
That was actually a pretty good pick by Smoak
Rays scouting report on Felix says:
Work Horse
Great MIX of pitches (THANKS DAVE!)
HFD, everybody.
Remember when Ben Davis bunted to break up Schilling’s no-no? Bob Brenly called the play “chickenshit” and down 1-0 I think you do what you can to win the game…
But I am inexplicably mad we don’t get to be excited about Felix maybe getting a no-no today because of a bunt.
“our catcher”
Does anyone have statistics for pitches per plate appearance? It seems like Seager has to be dreadful in that stat. Way too many first pitch outs from him. It’s really frustrating because he used to have some patience…
BTW… OLIVO?!?
What will Olivo do here?
ROFL Olivo Unchained!
Wow the Rays really do shift nearly every batter
NOOOOOOOOO.
For that we get 2 more weeks of Olivo.
John Jaso just slit his wrists somewhere at the end of the bench
tHAT’S my statistical nightmare! my money is on miggy to pace us in HR’s again! all twenty six dollars. who’s in?
OMG Olivo.
Does anyone have statistics for pitches per plate appearance? It seems like Seager has to be dreadful in that stat. Way too many first pitch outs from him. It’s really frustrating because he used to have some patience…
BTW… OLIVO?!?
————-
Seager 3.70 P/PA.
LOVE to watch you M’s “fans” squirm while Miggy carries the offense on his supple posterior.
Is is just me, or are the camera feeds in Tampa a bit weird looking?
Does this mean “our catcher” now needs to cost us a run with his defense in order to retain equilibrium?
Frankly I don’t see the point of getting upset at Olivo’s success anymore. I mean, I hate him as much as anyone (I really can’t stand to watch him play) but I think Wedge is going to keep putting him in the lineup as long as he has him so might as well just be happy he can occasionally do something that’s not horrible.
Little plate of crow served up piping hot. So, if Miggy can hit what, another 58 of those, I think we might have a real dilemma on our hands as to whether he helps or hurts this team..
Wouldn’t it be funny if Olivo became a .300 hitter, suddenly learned how to catch/block balls in the dirt, and became an all-star? We’d never hear the end of the I told ya so’s from Wedge.
Bad process, good results.
Agree with Marcus.
Anyway, what we are seeing this year from Wedge isn’t any different than last year when Olivo and his .253 OBP hit cleanup.
NICE STOP MIGGY! “great quickness”-Hendu
As long as Olivo’s a Mariner, I’ll wish him success every time he’s in the game. Just wish I didn’t have to wish him success so often.
You guys are ridiculous, I understand the dislike for Olivo when he isn’t performing well but it’s non-stop even after he produces runs. Where is all the dislike for Ryan he has made multiple errors at SS this season and his bat is even worse the only thing he can do well is Robert De Niro impressions.
Wonder what kind of BJ Upton trade rumors we’ll hear this year. I’d be surprised if the M’s weren’t linked to one before the deadline.
Didn’t you hear the news Senor. ? For every run Miggy produces, he allows 1,062 for the opposition!
@SenorStover
It does get a little old when you hear constant complaints even when Olivo does good. But the reason Ryan isn’t under as much fire, is because his career numbers are much better. He’s hit better, played better than what we’re seeing in the early going. Olivo has not had a great career behind the plate. And he was terrible all of last year with the bat.
At work so I cant watch.. how hard is Felix throwing today?
Ryan is struggling right now, true. Last year, though, Ryan hit better than Olivo. And Ryan is way more valuable in the field. And we don’t have a better hitting opposite handed SS available on the bench.
Shortstops have it easy. No crouching, no foul tips. At least Olivo has an excuse.
@SenorStover
Multiple errors at shortstop happen and are to be expected and on the whole Ryan is very very good defensively. Plus, despite his extender 0-fer and Olivo’s recent hot hitting, Ryan still has a better OBP so it’s not like Olivo has been significantly better than Ryan.
@Jordan
Felix’s velocity is still down but he looks ok. Still getting settled. Gave up some hits and a run, but nothing to panic about.
@mossi
While no doubt catcher is very difficult to play, to say shortstops have it easy is not true at all. There’s a reason shortstops are such a valued commodity, it’s a very difficult position to play well.
Errors are a horrible way to judge defensive value.
And even if you do want to talk errors, Ryan has 1 this year, Olivo has three so…
If you want to argue hitting, Ryan has a higher OBP and OPS than Olivo.
Olivo is historically (as in, on the all time worst list) bad at stopping pitches.
He makes up for it, to some extent, by being above average at throwing.
Catch much Olivo?! For throwing out that would be base stealer we’ll get 40 more days and nights of the plague! Do something wrong for once! Don’t lead the team in homeruns!! Convince me not to buy that jersey!
@Marcus. Which position would you rather play? I think shortsop is like picking daiseys compared with catching a fastball with movement like Felix’s. Which position would likely result in a trip to the ER for the average M’s amateur pundit?
While I don’t hate the idea, another 2 pitch at bat for Seager, it’s starting to really frustrate me and I’ve been a huge supporter of his for a while now.
@mossi
I said catching was difficult, I just said that shortstop is not easy. Catching is definitely more difficult, that’s why you see them play so many fewer games. I am in no way refuting that. But in terms of difficulty to play at a major league quality shortstop would probably be second only to catcher.
I know how bad Olivo is, I’m just saying Olivo isn’t the only bad player we have.
@mossi
A trip to the ER? Like say, if a base-runner took out the legs of a SS covering the bag, or trying to turn a double-play?
And even though Ryan is a “good” defensive SS, the problem with the Mariners isn’t defense it’s offense and right now, not career, Olivo is hitting better then Ryan.
^.215 OBP -right now.
@Senor
In batting average and homers yes, but in OBP and OPS Ryan is better than Olivo this year. And it’s a very real possibility that if we had Seager or Liddi playing short instead of Ryan, defense would become something closer to a problem.
I think you can have one or two hitters of Ryan’s quality in a lineup if they’re at key defensive positions, our problem is that we don’t have hardly anyone else that’s above average to make up for Ryan’s slightly below average offensive output.
Ryan’s OBP is .290 (these are the numbers for both players coming into tonight’s game).
@Marcus: Shortstops need to get some bats waved in their grill while attempting to catch the foul tip off a 96 mile an hour heater!! Jumping over kirk gibson’s legs once a week while throwing to first base, is like playing jacks in comparison. But statistical “gurus” have no way to compute this, so we get to listen to amateurs run Olivo out of town for two years.
For all the hype about his slower fastball, Felix’s other pitches have all looked even better this year. He’s a nightmare to opposing hitters
I know nobody is panicking.. and Felix hasn’t given us a reason to.. but such a drop in velocity from one year to another almost certainly leads to a trip to the DL. I hope Felix isn’t just ‘being a man about it’ and if there is something wrong he speaks up before he heads for TJ.
Holly cow, that’s one loud fan!
Come on Saunders – line a gapper.
Maybe I should have better defined, “gapper”
Oops above snarky catcher remark directed to Stevemotivator not Marcus …
OBP Ryan is better this year but not OPS.
@Jordan
If his control is there, and it is, the drop in velocity doesn’t necessarily indicate an injury in the making. I’m sure he would have spoken-up if there was anything feeling weird or painful. He’s been around long enough to know better. Having said that, you can’t help but wonder a little, eh?! Hopefully everything’s ok.
@mossi
First, nobody needs a bat in their face. Second, it was already made clear that catcher is the toughest position. The point, is that SS isn’t as easy as you seem to think.
…At least with all the hubbub directed at Miggy, Chone Figgins can somehow emerge “unscathed” from most of these posts, presently. (Although I would not hold my breath)…And he plays one of the easier positions. Now that is a freakin’ miracle! What happened to the deserved outrage there? Are we just “over it”? Did everyone just collectively sigh and move on to Olivo? He’s not even hitting 4th, 5th or 6th this year…
@Stevemotivator :No one NEEDS a bat waved in face, per se, but every other pitch it seems to happen. No, i understand shortstop is the second hardest spot… I’m just making a pretty dull point.
One more point, mossi… Olivo isn’t the only catcher on the team. You would hear a lot less complaining if he was platooned with Jaso to make the most of the righty-lefty match-ups.
Oh, well thanks for your dullness!
If Jaso can catch so well why did he get traded here for a rapist?
Was that a little less dull?
Actually I think Figgins slightly gets let off the hook because he plays the easiest position. It’s hard to draw too much negative attention when, defensively at least, you’re a virtual non-factor.
With that said, I do think he should be trashed with all the vitriol Olivo receives for his offense. It’s truly atrocious how often he’s striking out for a guy who has such little power.
Catcher is the toughest and most important defensive position. SS is next. Centerfield is third. I think everyone already understands that. Been waiting a long time to be able to crow about the quality play of our catcher, Mossi?
It means one of four things:
1) You are statistically ignorant, but with capacity to learn something
2) You are stupid with no capacity to learn and just looking for a fight via a freakin keyboard
3) You are a troll
4) You have the patience of Job (pronounced Jobe)
Haha, yeah, I don’t get that one either! Seriously though, his BA dropped last year, and they have Molina. I can understand them letting him go, but for Lueke? I didn’t think they were THAT desperate for bullpen help!
Pick one. I’m gonna go with Job.
That was shocking.
I think the Lueke thing is because the Rays LOVE reclamation projects for relievers as long as they have good stuff. Rodney and Farnsworth have had their share of issues (none as bad as Lueke’s and I’m not trying to say they are) and the Rays have turned them into valuable pieces. I think they are/were looking to do the same with Josh.
@mossi
That was much less dull, it was pretty funny! Seriously, Jaso is a pretty good catcher. He’s showing he can hit this year, he’s a left-handed bat, and his career numbers behind the plate are better than Olivo’s, so I hope you can understand why people wanna see more of him. If not, I feel sorry for you.
I’m gonna go with 2 and 3, but it is still only a small sample from which to draw any conclusions.
I read the report on Lueke’s incident. I wont regurgitate it here, but I wasn’t too excited about having him around.
No player on the Mariners knows Hellickson better than a guy who “caught” him last year. Factor in handedness and Jaso should be in today’s lineup somewhere. Assuming, that is – playing the odds matters anywhere other than Vegas.
And Hellickson’s a RHP, so there’s even more reason to have Jaso in there.
Nobody was sad to see Lueke go. Plus, we
Replaced him with a Luetge, so there is that.
All part of the growingly curious Cliff Lee trade, i suppose. Hopefully Beavan does not end up becoming the headliner of it. Don’t want to even start down the even more curious road of the Doug Fister trade.
However, i would like to do see the m’s find a way to score a couple runs.
@M’sfanmike: “Looking for a fight via keyboard” is a bit extreme. I hope that my attempts of humor/blind allegiance to certain team members does not seriously upset anyone.It can be fun to debate but just to be sure i will apoligize.I’m sorry for the snarky statistical ignorance. Perhaps you will make me a non-believer yet.It has been traumatic for M’s fans the last few years and I am just trying to keep it fun. I may have a problem: I like Olivo. I’m not his mom, but i think he’s a capable player. Perhaps this is a delusion i am suffering. Anyway it’s clear that you do not appreciate my approach here as it is not the right venue, so i will attempt to knock it off.
I doubt Beavan sticks around too long. I could see Vargas getting dealt first, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Beavan go before the deadline.
I really hope we don’t trade Beavan. I might be in the minority here, but I think he is a perfect fit for us. We don’t expect him to be, nor do we need him to be an ace. He eats innings very effectively and works quickly making him my idea of an ideal 5th starter. He logs quality starts and doesn’t try to be more than he is and thus rarely gets lit up.
Well, with Ramirez, Hultzen, Paxton, and Walker in the works, there wont be a lot of room.
Actually, this is a venue for snarkiness, but moreso along the lines of having statistical proof. Nothing wrong with liking a certain player, but when that player is statistically bad in a violently reprehensible way, it sets off even the moderately statistically inclined … Of which I probably am. You don’t need to apologize, but I wish you had chosen option 1. That’s probably where you actually are. Unless you have received a scolding by Dave directly or by someone else who understands stats as well as a lot of these guys do, you have probably not yet received your badge of honor. My delivery was, well … Less mature than it should have been for my age, but direct (in the virtual sense) nonetheless.
All those guys have the stuff to be at the top of the rotation.
Well until all of them get to the pros and succeed, I think there ought to be a spot for Beavan. We just saw with Pineda that any thing can happen with pitchers and I don’t think a proven (albeit not particularly exciting) commodity as young as Beavan has plenty of value to our team.
At Steve: you really think Beavan will be traded? I think he is a perfect #5 starter and it will be a while before Cerebus is on the major league roster in its entirety. I think we need Vargas for a while, too. This kind of debate, I like.
Oh, I agree. I don’t wanna see him traded off just yet. But I could certainly understand and see it happening. He’ll have value because of his MLB experience and having several years of team control left.
10-4. Logical.
Now … RUNS!
Rob-Roy ….. Wherefore art thou???!!!
Anyone else having big problems with MLB.tv today? I mean, it usually is buggy, but this has just been rediculous. The feed has dropped for me 3-4 times!
Yeah, I do think he’ll be traded. And I’d suspect Ramirez or Furbush would replace him. Noesi’s a little less attractive right now.
I don’t think he’ll return enough value to justify a trade though. I think that if Millwood does anything resembling decent we will turn him around for spare parts and I think if someone is able to offer at least one high ceiling prospect we could see Vargas go. I think Beavan is one of the least likely guys to be traded on our roster this season.
For the record, I’m not saying he should be traded, I’m saying I believe he’ll be traded.
I doubt Millwood goes anywhere. Seems to be one of Wedge’s boys. Lot more value in Beavan. But as I said earlier, I think Vargas will be the first to go. He’ll net the best return (well, other than Felix of course).
I still just don’t see it. He doesn’t have the experience in a pennant race for a contender to be really comfortable sending him out there in huge games and I don’t think he has a long enough track record for teams to think he’ll translate just fine into a guy who can help them in the playoffs.
Ackley is historically a slow starter, correct?
May April’s crapfest of run scoring turn into May’s showers. Isn’t that how the old saying goes?
Breakout time, Justin! Right handed, even.
I don’t think Millwood will stay around. I think Wedge likes him because he’s a veteran, but I don’t think he loves him enough to prevent him being traded. I think he’ll ably serve his purpose until someone (Yankees, Tigers, etc.) need a proven guy for their stretch run
Yes, Ackley has always been horrible in April comparatively.
Well, that was quick and painless.
Rob-Roy!!!
I know, music business, late nights, infant son. Etc etc. We need some Scottish mojo. Bring it!
@marcus
You could have said the same for Fister. He had more experience, but still real young. With an extra wild-card team, maybe there’s extra players in the buyers market? I could definitely see it happening.
@mike
Even in the minors, Ackley has had bad Aprils. But real strong May’s. So hopefully he’s about to come alive!
@Steve
I don’t think it can be said to quite the same degree for Fister. Beavan hasn’t even had a full season of experience and he hasn’t been as effective as Fister was either. I just think if people come calling we will go the Millwood or, as you have mentioned, Vargas route.
I know you conceded that Fister had more experience, but I don’t think this can be glossed over quite so easily.
Crap … Ball has to be caught.
Whole inning changes with the mis-judged pop-up.
Crap again!
I don’t think Millwood will show enough stamina to appeal to a contender by July and I doubt he’d bring back much, if anything. Having said that, I wouldn’t be shocked if he did get dealt, either. I’m looking more at the potential returns. Who’s most likely to bring back a solid player(s). I think Vargas is first on that list, Beavan second. Doesn’t mean Noesi or Furbush (or Millwood) wont go first. With so many up & coming prospects, something’s gotta give soon. I’d be shocked if none of the current starters is traded by the deadline.
Based on last years performance, I still don’t know why the rays signed Scott in favor of Damon.
I am now glad they did, but……
RE: MLB TV. Mine has been perfect this evening, but I watch on XBOX.
Marcus, Steve; I think everyone else must be eating dinner right now. I am on a hunger strike until we score.
Or lose.
@marcus
Yeah, the Fister comparison was a reach, but the point is that he’s young and under team control for a while, much like Beavan. Personally, I’d have no problem seeing Millwood go. Maybe another team prefers a veteran? I just can’t see him netting much.
@mike
Scott has actually been fairly productive for them this year and I think Maddon loves having versatility and Scott at least could play in the field, Damon not so much.
@Steve
While I think Beavan might get more return than Millwood, I think that the organization will value what he can provide to us more than we would get offered in a trade. Realistically I would expect 2 prospects, one of which would have a chance to become an OK big leaguer (think the current version of Carlos Truienfel) and one that is almost destined to be organizational filler and I just don’t think that would be enough to trade Blake.
@Mike
I was just thinking the same thing. Us three seem to be dominating this conversation slightly haha.
Jesus, Jesus.
@mike
I really didn’t get the Scott signing either -or passing on Kotchman after the season he had. Pena’s good, has more flash for sure, but you get better defense with Kotchman, and he certainly held his own with the bat.
A long slow short single into the outfield? How else do you describe that hit
By Seager.
Money bag!
@Steve
I actually think Pena is as good or better than Kotchman defensively. Plus he gets a much higher OBP thanks to his walks.
And just so we’re clear, I’m not trying to argue with you consistently, it’s just been working out that I’ve respectfully disagreed with your last few points.
If Olivo scores Kawasaki, I will not complain about him for a month.
@marcus
That’s the big question! What’s a team willing to pay? That will ultimately decide whether or not he goes. If half-assed prospects are all we can net, I’d bet Jack waits for the offseason, or even til next season.
Can anyone explain to me why Wedge has an aversion to using League in anything but a save situation? Maddon has no problem going to Rodney here, why are we going with Wilhelmsen and not League? Why worry about the save when getting a lead is far from a foregone conclusion.
Come in “our catcher” need a knock
Wow, that was actually picture-perfect hitting by Olivo!
Sweet … You loveable goofball.
Sweet!
Olivo!!
That was really dumb.
Something must have been lost in translation, there. Great for a squeeZe bunt, but not great for a safety squeeze bunt. And, why the bunt. Saunders can hit a fly ball. Proven already.
Frack!
Wedge is weird…
That looks like Saunders did that on his own accord, interesting.. I would have liked to have seen him swing away. He’s hard to double up and a fly ball scores a run. I don’t like bunting there much.
I like Pena, I was just surprised they didn’t resign Kotchman. They signed Pena kinda late. I think Kotchman is better defensively, and would have cost less, but I certainly understand going after Pena (again).
I didn’t think you were arguing. I see your angle. I can understand your points as well. I just think that ultimately, the younger pitchers who’ve looked good, and are controllable beyond this year, will appeal to other clubs more.
Nice decision Wedge–man, I want you gone!!
I am getting hungry.
Oh my. Condor up to bat, one out. Talk about front row seat to an awful move. It’s clearly more likely they score on a sacrifice fly than on the squeeze. One of the worst decisions I have ever seen.
Man, that replay really depresses me.
Thank God Ackley was quick backing that up
yikes, this isn’t good
Does this injury mean Jaso might get some playing time? Not to be happy about an injury but…
Great play by Ackley. Our catcher, hurt. Nobody wants to see that. Boy, that looks like a bad one.
I like to see Wilhemlsen throw pitches out of the strike zone. I think his biggest problem this year has been that he insists on challenging people.
Despite my strong dislike for Olivo, I really don’t like to see anyone get hurt and for Olivo to leave a game it can’t be good, he genuinely is tough as nails.
So, we’ll need to pinch hit for the pitcher…. let’s hope this doesn’t go on for too long!
Not to be cynical here, but I’ve been reading this blog pretty regularly for the last month, and the posts have been 96 percent anti-Olivo–people saying they couldn’t WAIT to see him sat down or DFAed. So, if you were being honest, most of you should be dancing in the streets right now. Just being logical.
I predict that Guillermo Quiroz gets called up, Jaso still gets to ride the bench.
We are one foul tip from having Bloomquist catch. Or a pitcher. Or Wells. Yikes? And a pitcher batting.
No more fooling around … We need a fucking run!
As an aside, how weird is it that the exact same situation presented itself in High Dessert a few nights ago where the backup catcher was the DH and thus the pitcher had to be in the lineup? You don’t see it happen often so for it to happen within our organization twice this week seems really strange.
Hopefully it’s just the muscle and not a torn tendon…
Wow, that was the worst attempt to break-up a double-play, I’ve seen in a while.
Nobody wants to see anybody hurt, nickster. I know I don’t. Spent too many months on crutches during my athletic days. No no no – people want wedge to field the most sensible lineup … Not for someone to get hurt. I disagree with you.
Catching sure is a stroll through the park. Win one for the Migg!
Yeah I’m completely with Mike here. While I wish Olivo wouldn’t play so regularly, I never wanted the solution to be an injury.
Didnt Adam Moore get hurt in Tampa right when he was “starting to put it together” a couple years ago. Approx three injuries ago?
Can someone share what happened? I’m outta town!
Move to Brooklyn. Play on real grass.
@mike
That was last year actually. And he had two hits at that point if I remember correctly. So while that is what the announcers said, I think it might have been at least a little bit generous.
I think Vargas is your first pinch hitter. Casper the ghost is invisible on the bench.
Absolutely news a SB here. Tampa knows it too, though.
Frack. One pitch at bat out again. Come on smoak. Understand the situation.
Jeffs –
Looks like Olivo pulled his groin on a throw to first after chasing a ball down…
“need”
Now “needed”
Frack, I am hungry.
Swungonandbelted – Bummer, thanks.
Time moves slowly in Adam Moore years, apparently. I do remember he doubled and then pulled Up lame. I thought he got carted of defensively last year. Oh well, having had four knee surgeries myself, I think I know where his career is headed.
Sims: Tough play, going over the mound there.
Blowers: Well, it was actually over the home plate area, so it’s flat.
Sims: Well, that home plate can be slippery.
Blowers: I think it’s painted on there.
Sims: Oh, it’s painted on there?
???
Yes, they paint the plate a couple times during the game. Or at least, used to do it. Had nothing o do with what happened 30′ away from the plate, though. He contorted his body and threw. Ca-bloowey.
Think JMB was referencing Ackley’s run through the bullpen on that pop fly
OK. Time to start ragging on the Mariner catcher of the day.
That last pitch was filthy….
Wow, Montero did not look comfortable back there at all. That was scary! Hopefully that’s just discomfort catching for Wilhelmsen or something..
Wilhemsen has such a nasty curve.
Jesus!
JESUS!!!!
Scariest thing from this game – the possibility that Montero has to spend more time behind the plate.
OK, the dinger in the top of the 11th kind of helps that hurt.
Jesus delivers!
PRAISE JESUS!!!
It’s a good thing Wedge saved League.. I hate when poor process leads to good results and perpetuates the bad behavior. League should have been in the game already but because it worked out, Wedge will think that this was the proper way to handle it. Same thing happened in Japan
Is anyone else’s broadcast having a lot of issues? Or is this just me?
Trust in Jesus…
Just you, Marcus. You were selected to be part of a special test.
Why do you think League should have been in the game while it was still tied ?
Baseball managers adapt too slowly. We’re 5 games back right now. There’s never any urgency to make chanages. On another note, I appreciate the contribution from that fan shouting in the background. Hints at the cavernous, depopulated emptyness of a Rays game.
Marcus, I’m on mlb.tv and it’s been terrible tonight. Completely missed the Montero home run.
And ya, why would League have been in a tie game again? I thought on the road it was always best to save your closer to save games.
I think that your best reliever should pitch in the biggest situations and I think that a tied game in the tenth = the biggest situation. Just like Maddon brought in Rodney in the 9th, that’s a logical decision. I don’t think you should “save” anyone when one run would mean the end of the game.
When League’s fasball is up = lots of trouble. Seems to happen about every 4th game with him. I’m still not sold on him being as great as he’s billed.
I seriously can’t watch the game and my game cast isn’t working, this is so frustrating!
I find League’s interventions hair raising.
Hook wiggle off, please.
Every single batter League faced hit the ball HARD. League blows another save when Felix is brilliant.
Brandon League is so frustrating! Seems to only blow the saves that it would be particularly emotionally draining to blow.
I am going to eat, anyway.
I thought the Rays were tired after their grueling road trip to Texas?
One hell of a back hand play by Liddi. Awesome!
Tonight’s results notwithstanding, I’m not sure how strong the argument s that Wilhelmson’s not the Ms best reliever. E’s awfully good.
Yeah, but, you know, Wedge won’t adapt to the situation with League for at least another couple of months because, you know, no urgency when roles are at stake.
I just get home, figuring this game would be over!
Crap, did we use a season’s worth of for-Felix runs the last time? This just looks like more of the same…
I don’t necessarily think League is our best, but I definitely think that’s how Wedge and co. view it and if that’s the case, I think he should be in earlier. I don’t think you should save someone for a save when it’s in extras.
League = Closer. That means best pitcher.
Right?
(FWIW I do think League is quite good – most of the time…)
I’m officially done with the Figgins experiment. I can’t do it anymore. I don’t care that we’re paying him regardless, I don’t care that he could accumulate more value by playing. He’s horrible. You can’t have your leadoff hitter be a black hole in the order. It’s terrible.
Why not put Upton on there? He’s the hottest hitter on the Rays with Longoria out and it gets you too Sean Rodriguez who is every bit as useless at the plate as Brendan Ryan, Chone Figgins, and Miguel Olivo. Go ahead and say we can’t put the winning run on base but if we had done that, we would be celebrating a victory right now.
Right now, Ichiro’s back on track for another 200 hit season.
Upton is also a career .240 hitter or so. I know he’s hot now, but he’s not exactly a world beater and you would hope your closer could get that guy.
It doesn’t appear that League ever gets his secondary stuff over the plate. Meanwhile, his fastball starts out over the plate and always bends outside, down, away as opposed to back over the plate. And he’s got that haircut and tattoo. Closer. Oooh, must not threaten the closer’s role because he’s the only reliever that can have a major payday.
Off the top of my head I think most/all of Tom’s runs have been given up when we’ve been behind, definitely like him in situations where he’s holding a lead/ keeping the game tied. Do you think he’ll get the job when League gets dealt?
It’d also be nice to have a 3 hitter that is capable of hitting the ball out of the park late in games (or hit an extra base hit for that matter.) it’s time to end the Ichiro in the 3 spot experiment. He’s weak line drive singles are nice and all, but he has no ability whatsoever to put a charge in a ball.
Yeah, but who does hit extra base hits with any regularity? As far as I can tell, they all hit mostly weak singles.
Olivo hurt his groin? What’s Wedgie going to do? We have no other catcher!!
Yup, Olivo’s definitely been mentoring Jesus.
The bright side is that if Saunders drove in that run, then they would have probably brought in League who would have tied it up and then blown it anyway.
My signal is still not working. This is killing me. Only channel that isn’t working for me!
Well, that was an interesting 10 minutes.
Paging Mr Kelley – please lack a bag for Tampa.
The pregame “what do you think of Felix?” Roundabout noted Jaso as “Mariner’s Designated Hitter” which I guess was a better description than “pine-rider”
Does Carp have any arm on him? Could he have conceivably made that throw?
Wow, what a crushing loss. This April has not endeared Brandon League at all. I’m ready to trade him to the Red Sox right now
Looked like a decent throw to me.
Yeah well Upton is capable of a base hit. Rodriguez is not. Seems foolish to play career numbers when a guy is Hutton near .350 THIS YEAR. By your logic, Figgins is a stellar on base guy.
“pack” … Although “lack” almost works, too.
Paging Mr carp and mr Kelley. See ya Chone. See ya later, Iwakuma.
Well, Mike and Marcus et al, I know that yer not HAPPY that he got hurt. On the other hand, it ends up being the same thing, doesn’t. He stops playing. Highly convenient. Jaso and Montero get more starts, experience, etc. Miggy sits down. Everybody wins.
Woah woah woah… Upton has been back for three days. So to use his season numbers is beyond using small sample size.
Figgins actually has a decent arm. He probably made a stronger throw than carp would have. The hit lost the game, not the throw.
The lack of hitting, actually lost the game.
I admit to having ragged on Olivo, but – it’s not his fault his manager is an idiot.
I’m sorry to hear he got hurt.
Westy, do you work in downtown Seattle and commute to sumner every day? If so, I feel your pain. A friend of mine teaches in Sumner and it is a nice area, but my 9 minute commutes to work are something I am not willing to part with. When I retire, it will be condo city in issaquah or somewhere near the park, assuming i Can convince the Mrs. But I could not do that Seattle area commute for even a day. Life is tough enough already.
It’s even worse – I work at UW.
Normally I take the Sounder to King Street, then catch a bus to the UW.
I do get to telecommute one day a week, which is great! Wish it were two or three days a week though.
Woah Westside, what do you do at UW? I’m a student at that fine establishment.
I’m the webmaster for the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Ahh well that only completely guarantees that I will at no time bump in to you
Long day for you, Westy. God speed.
I had a chance to move up there in ’91, but elected to not go. I scouted it out thoroughly and just couldn’t pull the trigger and was single at the time. Met wife shortly therafter and we both had a chance to go again in late 90′s, but passed again. Summer was calling, and it was a fairly close call, but we stayed put. Too old for the aggravation by that point. Sorry if I blew your cover. I hope you didn’t flunk any of the other bloggers. Actually, you are in a research field, correct?
Web-master Westy. Someone’s gotta do it.
I used to work in a geophysics research lab until the director retired and the place shut down. Now I’m doing web support for the entire EE department – so not much research anymore.
Unless you consider my gardening to be research. hehe
Hey I think the web stuff is fun, most of the time! One nice thing about being at the university – I get to do a lot of different stuff. In the corporate world I’d be doing one thing most of the time.
Hehe Marcus.
I work for big brother and it is the same thing all of the time. A relentless seige of political crap on a bozo stick. Not fun, but not a perpetual thing to have to do. I should be retired by the time the mariners win it all. In the meantime, the 3 hours of daily vacation for six months out of the year shall carry me through.
BTW I didn’t mean all private sector jobs were “doing the same thing all the time” – it was just about the nature of most computing/web jobs anymore. In the university environment you have to wear lots of hats out of necessity – but it makes the work more interesting (in my opinion).
Tomorrow’s headline, if Seattle had a tabloid:
“BE-LEAGUE-ERD!”
This is his second blown Felix win and we’re not even out of April. (Ok, tonight he blew Wilhelmson’s win, if you wanna get technical). I’m glad he was kept out on the mound for the 12th–it was appropriate that his pitch let the winning run cross the plate.
Whenever I read “Happy Felix Day! ” on this site, I just want to pull the shades and crawl back in bed. I’m taking no joy in watching his outings wasted by this sad-sack organization. I find myself hoping he doesn’t stay with Seattle. He deserves better and the losing would be much easier to take.
I left for the movies with my lady as it went into extra innings. Got home to find the game being replayed, right where I left off. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed to see it end the way it did. Really hope we don’t see much (any) more of these with Felix. Two runs over 12 innings. Nuts.
@UTClouds : Hoping Felix leaves the team? you’re joking ? or is there a statistical analysis somewhere that supports this too ? That would sure be a “more fun” team to watch. But maybe not quite as much fun as watching last year’s team. Count your blessings.
I have a lot of contempt for the Mariners. I could care less about how the team fares. I hope Felix leaves so he can have a chance to pitch every five days for a team with a competent offense, for once in his career.