Game 36, A’s at Mariners
Iwakuma vs Straily, 7:10 pm.
Marc’s taking the weekend off, so prepare for three less comprehensive game previews than you normally get. To find out about the specifics of the series, read Matthew’s preview right below this.
One quick note on Iwakuma, though – he ranks second in the majors among starting pitchers in getting batters to chase pitches out of the strike zone, with a 36.4% O-Swing rate; only Tim Hudson rates higher so far this year, and wouldn’t you know it, Hudson also throws a split-finger fastball. Felix — whose change-up is basically a splitter, since he throws it at 89 mph — ranks #4 in O-Swing%. The splitter/change-up is an exceptional pitch. The Mariners have two guys who are really great at getting ahead of batters and then getting them to chase a tumbling breaking ball falling out of the zone. Iwakuma’s not going to put up an ERA below 2.00 all year, but he is a quality pitcher with a real out pitch.
Also, let’s hope his blister is feeling better and he can keep the ball on the ground tonight, because the outfield defense is going to be disastrous.
1. Saunders, CF
2. Seager, 3B
3. Morales, DH
4. Morse, RF
5. Smoak, 1B
6. Ibanez, LF
7. Montero, C
8. Ackley, 2B
9. Ryan, SS
Jaso 🙁
One positive note about this outfield – the comedic potential is quite high.
Very true, Westy! Saunders is flanked by 2 of the 3 stooges.
Rare double for Smoak, need to see more like that.
I was convinced Smoak was going to hit into a double play.
Is Ibanez really going to be on this team all year?
No, Paul. He will literally die in the outfield if they keep runnin’ him out there.
Ibanez makes me growl around my pizza bite.
I don’t understand how Ryan can be such a crappy hitter. He doesn’t appear to be completely lost or clueless or inept. And yet, the results…
It’s mental. Sometimes he chases crap, sometimes he tries to kill it, sometimes he seems hesitant, sometimes he seems relaxed and puts a good swing on the ball or shows patience.
Personally, I think it’s Wedge pressuring him, making him nervous. The same could be said of other players.
He’s a NL hitter stuck in the AL West.
My memory’s failing me. Who was the really nice guy/couldn’t hit worth crap for the Mariners in-fielder they picked up when he was like 40 and the Giants tossed him aside? (I know that doesn’t narrow it down much) I want to say he played for the Pirates for years. The Mariners were SHOCKED, SHOCKED I tell you that he couldn’t hit for them.
Ryan tries to do too much at the plate. He keeps fouling off perfectly hittable pitches b/c he tries to hit a it 500 feet and has too much of an uppercut when he does. If all he did was hit singles and hit above .260 he would be worth putting out there everyday.
Al Martin? Stan Javier?
Nope, he was one of those whitest white dudes who was every white types. (Like Ryan)
Not Scott Spezio, that asshole.
Juneau-
Rich Amaral?
You’re not thinking of Rich Aurilia, are you?
David Bell?
Jeff Cirillo?
Aurilla!
*checking wikipedia* He’s only 41 now? God, he looked 45 when he played for the M’s. Like your Dad was out there in the field.
I am not the Wikipedia writer, BTW, but THIS:
“After more offensive stagnation in 2003, the Giants severed their nine-year relation with the shortstop, granting him free agency on October 27. Soon after, Aurilia signed on with the Seattle Mariners to patrol the M’s infield. The lifetime National Leaguer could not get a grip on American League pitching, and was dealt to the San Diego Padres.”
His age was the only thing that threw me off. I do remember him coming over from the Giants and suckin’ pretty bad here. Couldn’t think of any other Giants infielders that fit that profile closer.
He should be older than 41 now, though. I would bet wiki is wrong.
RAUUUUUUUUUUUUL!!!
What a sad little list. Jeff Cirillo! That bastard!
But we’ll give Raaaaulll a pass for the night!
Raul!
Raul! Nice to see him produce.
RAUUUULLLL
Awright Raul. Now put Chavez in left field.
I tuned in late. What’s Rizzzz doing on TV?
Iwakuma is good.
Iwakuma is really good.
Sims is off tonight. Dan Wilson is doing the radio broadcast tonight with the new guy, currently.
Kendrys!
Good game for Morales as well. While his BA hasn’t looked that impressive, he’s been maintaining a good OBP. I’d still have no problem shipping Smoak off somewhere and having Kendry take over 1B.
How did we get Kuma so cheap? both last year from Japan and the 2 year extension this year.
I’m with you Steve M. Smoak is the among the worst hitting first basers in MLB. With Morales at first, bring up a third catcher, and Montero and Ibanez can split dh when Jesus isn’t catching.
“The Machine”. I like it for Iwakuma, myself. I have actually stated I like a Rick Rizzs idea!
Wow, unusual day.
The King, The Machine and then Oh, Lord…three days to dream….
Iwakuma’s mad about giving up that 2-run double to Lowrie.
Love the attitude…but that’s just a case of a guy doing what he can with a good pitcher’s pitch. Not a mistake.
“Montero the runner on first”
Rizzs uses the word “runner” lightly.
Hmmm…that wasn’t exactly all-out hustle to first by Ryan on that double play.
Hurt? Not hustling is a little out of character.
Jaso can’t hit lefties 😛
I’m with you Steve M. Smoak is the among the worst hitting first basers in MLB. With Morales at first, bring up a third catcher, and Montero and Ibanez can split dh when Jesus isn’t catching.
The only problem with that is that Smoak is hitting a lot better than Montero or Ibanez. Yes they are both outslugging him, but he is getting on base at a pretty good clip, and he has been just about a league average hitter, believe it or not. And he is better defensively than Morales.
Ibanez .188/.246/.406 80 wRC+
Montero .200/.253/.350 67 wRC+
Smoak .239/.348/.319 97 wRC+
If we had Casper Wells, or a healthy Gutierrez that could play every day it would be a better option to play Morse at 1b, make Endy the 4th outfielder and leave Morales at DH.
Just saw a guy wearing a Figgins jersey. That’s actually kind of funny. I want one.
He must have lost a bet.
Having Rick on television is making me so happy. I wish they would switch off like they used to when they had Dave.
Ugh…Ackley batting .154 for May, and .105 the last seven days…hope he gets back on track tonight.
Andino batting .071 in May (and .149 for May).
Ryan batting .000 in May.
Ugh…Ackley batting .154 for May, and .105 the last seven days…hope he gets back on track tonight.
Andino batting .071 in May (and .149 for May).
Ryan batting .000 in May.
Oops…typo (Andino batted .149 in April).
The only problem with that is that Smoak is hitting a lot better than Montero or Ibanez. Yes they are both outslugging him, but he is getting on base at a pretty good clip, and he has been just about a league average hitter, believe it or not. And he is better defensively than Morales.
My comment is more about the future than the current situation. Everybody knows Smoak is hitting better right now, but how long will he keep it up? Does anybody really think he’ll keep producing the entire season and beyond? If there’s an opportunity to sell high (well, as high as he’s likely to get), don’t you think we should take it? It’s a big IF, but I would think something could at least happen in a package. And the drop-off in defense between Smoak and Morales is hardly concerning.
The point is that Smoak shouldn’t be part of the plan moving forward. By moving Morales to 1B, you could DH Morse, vice versa. Even if Morales isnt’ re-signed, Morse could simply take over 1B (assuming he is re-signed). This allows room for a real outfielder -which they might actually acquire as part of the deal for Smoak. They could make a switch like that with Morse as soon as Guti’s back, or they could simply DH Montero.
While Montero hasn’t looked great at the plate, or behind it, they can’t keep doing what they’re doing with him. He needs consistent playing time, whether it’s here, or in Tacoma. He can’t build any value for this team as a hitter, or a trade piece, if he’s sitting on the bench.
This team can live without Smoak. This team can live without Montero too, but if I had to choose between the two, Montero would be the guy.
If we had Casper Wells, or a healthy Gutierrez that could play every day it would be a better option to play Morse at 1b, make Endy the 4th outfielder and leave Morales at DH.
If we had Wells or a healthy Guti, we’d still need Chavez to start, or platoon a corner with Bay, with Morse moved to DH or 1B. But I’d be OK with that for now.
This team REALLY needs another solid outfielder.