Game 153, Mariners at Tigers
James Paxton vs. Doug Fister, 10:08am
Early game today as the M’s look for an improbable split. James Paxton’s emergence late in the year has been a much-needed bright spot for those of us that have watched Nick Franklin grind down after a fast start, then watch as Tai Walker tantalized for a few innings before being shut down, and as Felix takes a much-needed break. I’m not saying that I’m only interested in games Paxton starts; Iwakuma’s obviously pretty fun to watch when he’s on. But Paxton gives meaning to an M’s game in a forgotten season in a way that even Iwakuma (to say nothing of Saunders) does.
Paxton’s still something of tabula rasa. Over the past 12 months or so, we’ve seen glimpses of him through pitch fx and on tv/in person, and each time, he looks slightly different. The sum total of these observations still doesn’t add up to much, and much of what we’d seen is contradictory (Paxton struggles to hit 91! Paxton touches 98!). He’s gone from being an extreme fly-ball guy to running an absurd GB/FB ratio in his two MLB starts. He’s picked up a new pitch, and all but refused to throw it in MLB so far. His movement has fluctuated a bit, and at this point, I have no idea where it’ll settle into next year. I’m just glad there’s a pitcher on this team that I’m actively interested to learn more about.
1: Ackley, CF
2: Saunders, RF
3: Seager, 3B
4: Morales, DH
5: Ibanez, LF
6: Smoak, 1B
7: Franklin, 2B
8: Zunino, C
9: Triunfel, SS
SP: Paxton
The other news out of Japan this morning is that the commissioner of NPB has resigned under pressure due to the controversy around the “juiced” ball, and the way it was stealthily introduced this year.
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Nice play by Franklin for a change!
Less stellar play by Raul – par for the course!
So far the game has encapsulated Raul Ibañez’s season in a nutshell – an RBI plus a clank that led to an opposition run.
Raul giveth, Raul taketh away.
Or…To U or Not To U.
“I don’t know what to tell ya, kid. Throw strikes but don’t let anyone get a hit. We’ll leave you out here until you either succeed or put this game so far out of reach that it doesn’t matter any more. Good luck to you!”–Willits
UPDATE
“Good job, you did just what I told you to do!”
Ack Attack!
Did that look fair to anyone else?
Couldn’t tell – I’m unfortunately on radio.
I really need a TV in my office… 😀
Ugh. Blown call, Fielder was out.
So sick of MLB and the lack of instant replay.
I forgot the Mariners were playing.
Good news, though … we get to go to Anaheim and take on Mike Trout and his 10.2 WAR with our top dozen WAR “earners” this season:
Seager 3.5
Morales 1.3
Miller 1.2
Saunders .9
Ibanez .6
Smoak .5
Almonte .4
Guti .4
Quintero .2
Zunino .1
Fraklin 0
Ackley 0
Total: 9.1
Shit, never mind … we are going to need some more guys. Yeah, I know – it doesn’t work this way, but at least we get to see Trout three more times.
*stats courtesy of fangraphs
“we get to go to Anaheim and take on Mike Trout and his 10.2 WAR […] we are going to need some more guys”
To paraphrase _Jaws_: we’re going to need a bigger bat.