A lot of thought has been on the state of our pen currently and the bottom half of our order in this current losing streak that we're in.

 

But last night, we shouldn't take anything anyway from JG's performance against a very good hitting team in the Rangers last night.

 

By all reports in last night's game thread (I didn't see the game personally), Jon didn't have his best stuff on the mound, and he left a couple of pitches hanging over the plate, which shows he definitely still has a lot to work on.

 

But only giving up 3ER (would have been 2 if not for Nelson) in 6.2IP is a very good step in the right direction in terms of Jon's season. Last night's start actually increased his home ERA to 3.08 in 4 games. If only Jon was actually able to pitch more at home, but he needs to start pitching a lot better on the road as well.

 

But let's hope Jon can carry on last night's outing into his next start. Because if he can start pitching like he did last night for the rest of the season in terms of run's given up, it'll be a BIG boost to this team down the stretch.

I keep seeing improvement in his starts, and it's a shame that the Sox had to waste a QS by Garland.

He basically made one bad mistake to Wilkerson. He looked great last night, and is improving every start.

He basically made one bad mistake to Wilkerson. He looked great last night, and is improving every start.

 

It was nice to see him utilize his fastball more. I think it's fair to say he won't match his numbers from last season, but he's going to be a solid 4/5 starter. To be honest, I have more confidence in him than I do Garcia.

It was nice to see him utilize his fastball more. I think it's fair to say he won't match his numbers from last season, but he's going to be a solid 4/5 starter. To be honest, I have more confidence in him than I do Garcia.

 

Same here. And when we finally get BMac his spot in the rotation, I'd rather have Garland stick around over Freddy. I just feel that we have every reason to believe Freddy's peaking or about to peak, especially with his new slower velocity.

 

I do feel Garland is good enough to be no worse than an above-average/solid 4-5 for us, and I have no problem with that.

Same here. And when we finally get BMac his spot in the rotation, I'd rather have Garland stick around over Freddy. I just feel that we have every reason to believe Freddy's peaking or about to peak, especially with his new slower velocity.

 

I do feel Garland is good enough to be no worse than an above-average/solid 4-5 for us, and I have no problem with that.

You know thats how I feel as well. He will have shades of a top of the rotation guy however. Last night his change wasnt working, and he still looked pretty damn good. Had those guys jamming themselves all night.

He basically made one bad mistake to Wilkerson. He looked great last night, and is improving every start.

 

It really wasnt all that bad of a mistake with his changeup either. Sure, it caught a good part of the plate, but Wilkerson was fooled, and kept his hands back and drove it. I was more impressed with Wilkersons adjustment mid-swing than I was dissapointed in the pitch location. That homerun was almost all wrist-strength.

Garland's had a good start and then a few bad ones all season now. I don't expect much from him, and whenever he doesn't completely wet the bed I'm satisfied.

He didn't get the win though. That's all that matters. Just ask all those people after Sunday's game. :rolly

I put this loss on Ozzie. He hit for BA in the 8th with 2 outs, runner on. Then ANOTHER ball sails over Mackowiac's head that BA would have gotten to, IMO. I was sitting in the front row of 162 so I had a pretty good angle on it. I think BA makes that play (Pretty easily actually) and we go into the bottom of 9 tied with the top of the order comming up. Mack just does not go back for a ball very well, period. Macs play in center has cost us runs in the past but last night is cost us the game.

 

Garland pitched a good game and I hope he comes out of it with a little more confidence because he has nothing to be ashamed of for this outting.

I put this loss on Ozzie. He hit for BA in the 8th with 2 outs, runner on. Then ANOTHER ball sails over Mackowiac's head that BA would have gotten to, IMO. I was sitting in the front row of 162 so I had a pretty good angle on it. I think BA makes that play (Pretty easily actually) and we go into the bottom of 9 tied with the top of the order comming up. Mack just does not go back for a ball very well, period. Macs play in center has cost us runs in the past but last night is cost us the game.

 

Ozzie didn't have one of his better games last night. Seemingly every move he made back-fired.

Ozzie didn't have one of his better games last night. Seemingly every move he made back-fired.

 

Agreed but this one has been foreshadowed four or five times in the last several weeks. I am not a baseball genius by any means and I saw it comming. Ozzie should have too, IMO.

Only saw the second half of the game, but generally agree with what's been posted here. Even without a good change, Jon did a better much job of locating and sawing off hitters than earlier this season. He still has a way to go, but his last two starts have been very encouraging. Let's hope that this trend continues.

Jon pitched a hell of a game last night. He looked fantastic and was dominating. I definitely like him better than Garcia and Buerhle.

Jon pitched a hell of a game last night. He looked fantastic and was dominating. I definitely like him better than Garcia and Buerhle.

Yeah, they better get his plaque in Cooperstown ready.

Jon pitched a hell of a game last night. He looked fantastic and was dominating. I definitely like him better than Garcia and Buerhle.

If you don't mind me asking, are you currently on any drugs?

 

(unless, by 'like' you mean a personal thing, but don't think Garland is a better pitcher)

Edited June 3, 200619 yr by Felix

Jon was better last night, but still not good enough. 116 pitches is just way too many for 6 innings of work. Plus he continues to give up the long ball. I listened to Farmer and Singelton and when Jon is effective the pitches are inside or he uses the sinker. His curve hangs and is hammered or he catches way too much of the plate and gets hammered. But then again we had 2 relief pitchers who can't get the first guy out when it matters.

Edited June 3, 200619 yr by elrockinMT

Jon was better last night, but still not good enough. 116 pitches is just way too many for 6 innings of work. Plus he continues to give up the long ball. I listened to Farmer and Singelton and when Jon is effective the pitches are inside or he uses the sinker. His curve hangs and is hammered or he catches way too much of the plate and gets hammered. But then again we had 2 relief pitchers who can't get the first guy out when it matters.

Yeah 116 in 6.2 is a lot, but for JG it's a start. Great hitting team vs a slumping pitcher and they got 3 runs off him? I say he's headed in the right direction.