fathom

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 12:51 AM) I'm done fantasizing over Vazquez's potential, or "stuff." He can't locate worth a s*** tonite. It's ridiculous. When's the last time he threw a curveball which didn't hang? Several more years of this, huh? Maybe it's me, but I'm not blown away by his stuff. As you said, his curve is more of a hanger than anything else. His fastball stinks now, especially as his control has been off.

We have our new weak link in the rotation. It's getting to the point I would have rather have kept Duque, and put him in the bullpen. With an umpire with no strike zone, our hitters should be very patient with Ortiz.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Jul 6, 2006 -> 04:24 PM) I'm not worried about Jenks. Just siting an observation. I would prefer he sticks with the 9th, and the other guys get us there. Why not go with your best in the situation he was brought in? That situation could have been just as important as any situation in the 9th inning. That strategy is what has set Joe Torre apart from other managers over the last decade. He gets Rivera into the game as soon as a big out is needed from the 8th inning on.

The sooner the DRays can get rid of Dukes, the better.

Personally, I loved the call by Ozzie to bring in Jenks in the 8th. Instead of worrying what's wrong with Jenks, I'll just give the Orioles credit for some good swings against him. Jenks didn't have any control of his fastball in either inning, and it made it easier for the Orioles to hit. I'll take my chances with him getting 4 outs though any game.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jul 4, 2006 -> 12:40 AM) This pitching problem is only getting worse. The defense has been s*** this inning, but all the hits in between could be prevented. This is Pathetic. The "best staff in baseball" is getting hit like a Triple A pitcher. Just wait until we play the Red Sox, Yanks, Tigers.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 4, 2006 -> 12:40 AM) I think Garcia's 86 mph meatballs are a bigger problem than Widger's game-calling. I don't think Widger changed much from 2005, and we didn't hear complaints about his game-calling then. The pitching has been awful lately plain and simple. Widger's been bad with basically every pitcher we have. There's a reason his CERA is over 5.5.

QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Jul 4, 2006 -> 12:38 AM) First Buehrle gets jacked around yesterday, now Freddy. Let's hope Jose can get a quality start tomorrow. First Buehrle? It's more like who hasn't been jacked around lately.

First post in a while, but Widger's game-calling disgusts me. He has a 2-2 pitch on Patterson, one of the worst breaking ball hitters in baseball. What does he call? A Garcia 86 mph fastball! Same thing with that last pitch to Millar. The only pitch he can hit in an inside fastball.

If you're going to warm up Jenks, let him start the inning. I hate when Ozzie dicks around in the last inning.

If the wind's blowing out, I hate Garland's chances today.

QUOTE(Dawgs @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 11:37 PM) Your numbers are wrong. Tigers 17-3, Sox 15-5, Twins 17-3. The Sox, despite a 9 game winning streak, have lost two games in the standings to both Detroit and Minnesota. Kinda disheartening isnt it? Nope, it's actually pretty encouraging. The Tigers and Twins won't get better pitching over a 20 game span than they did during this stretch. Our starting pitching has been struggling, and we only managed to lose 2 games while the Tigers/Twins were on fire.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 10:07 PM) Doesnt McCulloh throw heat? No

I'm just grateful he was so great last year. He's washed up, but at least he gave it his all for the World Series run.

I'm Mr. Pessimism, and this thread is pathetic. We just won 2 out of 3 on the road. Yes, the Pirates suck, but I honestly think they're a hell of a lot better than the Royals. The funny thing is that we could have easily lost 2 out of 3 games this series. Yes, our starting pitching needs to step up. However, I'm not going to jump off the ledge cause we lost one f***ing game. We've lost 2 games over the last 2 weeks, and we could have easily won those games. I'm not ready to start saying this team sucks....at least not yet.

QUOTE(quickman @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 06:27 PM) it was dumb considering how he was pitching. Now they are in a hole with a rain delay. They need to stay close to the Tigers. Its just a plain dumb move. I don't intend this for you, but this has been on my mind.....f*** what the Tigers are doing right now. They're playing out of their minds, and there's nothing we can do about it. In all honesty, I'm more concerned with what the Yanks are doing, as they're the likely prime competition for the WC. If the Tigers keep throwing shutouts every 4th game, we're not going to win the division.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 06:26 PM) Ozzie's decision was obviously wrong, but I'm not going to entirely blame him if this team loses today. Contreras pitched like a limp wristed school girl. I don't care if half their hits were bloops. Tough s***. Work around it and figure out how to locate a damn fastball. I'm like you...I expect dominance from Contreras on the mound. However, over the last month, he just hasn't been as effective. His ERA has shot up to the 3.5 range, and lets just hope AJP catches him for his next few starts.

QUOTE(Shamrock4Life @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 06:25 PM) eh what can you do. not upset for leaving jose in. now if ba ends up at 3rd then yes pitch hit to get the fly ball sac fly. but with him at second, i am fine with it. sucks that it started to rain. Contreras was getting hit around by a team on a 13 game losing streak. I would have been happy if we ph for him with 2 outs and no one on, as long as we got him out of the game.

I know it sounds foolish questioning Ozzie after the success we've had, but one of my main complaints has always been that he doesn't have a good feel for taking out his starting pitchers before more damage can be done. In regards to not ph for Contreras, I'm speechless.

It will be interesting to hear how anyone can support that move.

f*** the All-Star game Ozzie....do what's right for the team!!

Outside of 3 innings this series, we've been flat and lifeless. I'm just happy we won two games so far, and we have a chance to possibly sweep this series. I could care less how much the Tigers will dominate this same team.

Ozzie better ph for Contreras this inning.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 06:06 PM) i've yet to see count throw that 96 mph fastball at the knees. He didn't top 93 mph last game. He needs to go back to the arm angle he had prior to the injury.

QUOTE(CYGarland @ Jun 29, 2006 -> 06:01 PM) I hope Guillen doesn't leave JC out there TOO long. It's clear he isnt fooling ANYBODY today I think we know the answer to that one. This is one of the worst starts of the year by any of our pitchers, all things considered.