Game Thread: April 9, 2008 - 6th inning
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:15 PM EDT
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weeeeee
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions
If we hadn't sat on our keisters all off-season and done something to improve this team, we'd have scored more than four runs that inning.
i prefer holocene slaughters
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, I'll give you guys some tough sheriff talk.
What is this insanity where everyone complains about putting Michaels in the lineup?
Gutierrez is not a significantly better fielder than Michaels. Michaels shows up looking great in all the advanced metrics, has almost as much range, and generally has made more assists and fewer errors than Gutierrez.
They are both guys who could play CF. If I had to pick? Gootz, but mostly because he's younger; MIchaels' range could decline significantly at some point. But Michaels is a perfectly fine pick to play RF with a flyball pitcher on the mound.
Also! After Opening Day, Gootz has hit even worse than Michaels. You could look it up.
blake should be in RF then, michaels in LF and marte at 3b
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he's that long man we've been looking for.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Must be long relief, because he sure can't start for long.
Can I get a rimshot on that?
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I sympathize. Sometimes it's tough to find just the right porn for the mood you're in. I think we've all struggled with that, and I admire the way Byrd is willing to talk about it.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Porn should be an open topic. I look forward to the day that its a consistent ice breaker in conversations.
You can't trick me that easily, I'm not following that link. Who knows what kind of gross or inappropriate thing you've done.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, the new guy's PORN link doesn't get deleted, but Meg Ryan is too hot for LGT?
by supermarioelia on Apr 9, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The devil is in the details.
I could delete it now if it would make you feel better.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, there's the rub. Only Stomp & Steel have options, so I'll put my money on ... Iron spending a month on DL + rehab assignment.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
And I'm in total agreement there, but several posts the last few days have directly assaulted Michaels' defense, as though he's no better than Dellucci, or for that matter Hollandsworth. He's rangy, a true fourth OF.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
masa with a strong 1-2-3 inning
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions
i just want hot dogs
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
top 7, oliver in for moseley
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
line drive right at figgins
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:27 PM EDT reply actions
We won't ever find out, but I'd bet a massive amount of money that if Fausto were made the closer again, he'd be one of the five or six best in the game. I think there's a good chance he'd be in the same category with Nathan and Papelbon.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
slider over the middle of the plate = in play outs
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
fastball down the middle of the plate = in play outs
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions
nice 7 pitch inning for oliver, jesus
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions
i think we played better when progressive theater commercials played
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions
looping single
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions
Part of the irony here is that Blake and Marte are opposites on this. Blake can look really great at 3B for short periods, but over time his weaknesses get exposed. Marte, on the other hand, notoriously has trouble getting comfortable, but over the long haul, really does have the goods. I think.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
unfortunately, it seems like as a young guy not named Sizemore in the Wedge system, it's hard to get enough burn to work through early struggles/discomfort
by DontCallMeJoey on Apr 9, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
stomp coming in
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions
in play runs
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
who knows
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
game
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
steel
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
shoppach and peralta have both hit one
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
List of pitchers immune to early season struggles thus far:
Jake Westbrook
Cliff Lee
Masa Kobayashi
Rafael Perez
Craig Breslow
fausto, or is he just that good that his struggles are real good
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
No really, you can use it. Jay just doesn't like it. I liked the idea that he's sold he's soul to become our future ace.
Faustus is too obvious and not descriptive, and a man named Fausto needs no nickname.
In your heart, you know I'm right about this.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Fausto is somewhere in between, he's walked 9 in two starts. But he's only given up one run....so I guess he's in. But it has been uncharacteristic.
true
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember last season when he wasn't getting "enough strikeouts?"
That worked out okay.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
nah
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
So what exactly was the reason given for Jensen Lewis's velocity being way down? Just needs to work it back up?
hammy: "I wonder if we'll see Adam Miller"
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:45 PM EDT reply actions
shields in
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:48 PM EDT reply actions
jhonny for the 3 spot again
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions
if michaels hits i'm going to be angry
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
marte
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
i know, i just don't care, i want to give him at bats
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
rex hudler will haunt my dreams forever. put him and hawk harrelson in a booth together, and i'd ask for all women and children to take cover.
fouled off ball 4
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
what the hell
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
hahahahaha
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
hunter lost a fly ball in the sun, double for dellucci peralta to third
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Well that was an error, but I just want to say: Delucci so far looks way better than Michaels. He goes deep into the count nearly every at bat.
dammit anderson is supposed to be slow and bad in the field
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions
He was. That wasn't a hard play, he just made it look hard.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
ahhh
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Aside to Undershorts: don't say the ball is over the fielder's head until it is actually over the fielder's head. Very bad karma will ensue.
Remember that insane RAlomar play they used to show over and over again? Every time you see it, you're sure, just like Undershorts, that the ball is past him, the trajectory makes it impossible to get to it. And then he gets to it anyway. And then flips over on his back while throwing to first.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
called out on strikes. fuck that shit
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
hire marte
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
aghhhhhhhhhh
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions
bachelors degree in health? what?
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
f that nouning noun
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
so hey if borowski wouldn't have imploded we would have won the series
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
he didn't think the ball would be caught
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone was speculating earlier that Wedge is overplaying the DMB to force Shapiro's hand. I think actually that it is something similar to that, although not adversarial. I think perhaps the thought is that they need to play these vets a lot, right now, to (a) give them a chance to get into a groove, and (b) find out if they've got anything left. If they don't have anything left, best to find that out now rather than let them mostly-suck in partial playing time all season.
Does that make sense to anyone else, or just me?
I understand that, but having Gutz and Marte sit soo much will really hurt them from getting in that so called groove as well. And their upsides "should" be higher than DMB's.
Yeah, but the rope is going to be much longer on those two.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
that makes some sense ... i can't figure out any other reason why, on god's green earth, michaels and dd would have played the corner OF slots at the same time twice in the first 10 games.
by DontCallMeJoey on Apr 9, 2008 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Twice, I don't know why; you have to assume they have some reason to want to give Gootz the day off. It does make sense to rest Gootz against RHP, which is not his forte, and it also keeps Michaels from going weeks or months without seeing one. Resting Gootz means playing both Dellucci and Michaels.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
why not play blake in the OF and play marte at 3B
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I was saying earlier, in the last thread, that I think because of the budgetary limitations, the Tribe has to go through a winnowing of the chaff period every April and May to identify the players that will show up for the upcoming season. Unlike teams with high payrolls, we don't have a lot of players in the prime of their careers who are eminently consistent. They're either too old, too young or too mediocre to be dependable right off the bat.
I think plenty of our players are in their consistent and in their early primes, i.e., our more experienced young players.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyway, the Athletics have deliberately re-made their team mid-season for several years running, it's not a bad approach.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I reached roughly the same conclusion, though you're putting a more positive spin on it. I try to remind myself that this isn't an organization that takes action without cause and justification. There's a reason they do this, and I don't.
by fleerdon on Apr 9, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
In my view, completely apropos comparison. Simmering mediocrity with long stretches of abject disappointment.
to the 9th
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
outs
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
so, besides the HR, not a bad outing from stomp
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:06 PM EDT reply actions
grady is due for a walk
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
fuck
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
FIRST PITCH SWINGING WHY
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
what the NOUN buzz
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
hafner HBP
hammy: that doesn't seem accidental
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
in play no out
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:12 PM EDT reply actions
has anyone else ever wanted to see a pitcher get charged from first base? like pronk would take his lead and as speier comes to the set, pronk butkuses him? me, either...
fuck game ON A POP UP AGH
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
I know, right? Orange County baseball. Whatever. They don't suffer enough to be fans.
by fleerdon on Apr 9, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
on 2-0 pops up behind the plate oh well jhonny had a good day
Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.
by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2008 6:14 PM EDT reply actions
First game thread, after almost three years on the site?
For those who don't know, elsandito is a true Old Time LGTer ... joined three days after Ryan and nine days before I did.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice chatting with you Cleveland folk. Sorry we can't part on a happier note.
He's extremely quick and good.
Fortunately or not, we generally don't do series recaps.
by Jay on Apr 9, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
After skimming the game thread, I am stunned at all the people that are stunned about Michaels starting occasionally in RF over Gutz. You must've missed a couple of things I heard Wedge talk about in ST.
1) Wedge has said he wants to "protect" Gutz, with this being his first full year. I don't know how much I buy into that, but at some level it makes sense. Many hitters struggle some right out of the gate in these situations. I'm too lazy to look up all the data, but I know Grady was struggling some his first year, Hafner actually got sent to the minors in 2003...and there are many others, going back to Manny and Thome. Plus, Gutz is 1 for his last 22, and hasn't looked good doing it. I think Wedge is trying to protect him by not having him extend that to 1 for 26...he gets an off-day today and tomorrow, and then can get right back after it on Friday.
2) Wedge commented in ST that Michaels had worked with Shelton in making an adjustment against righties and that it was working. Now you may question the likelihood of a 30-year old hitter making an "adjustment" and significantly improving his performance in these situations, but I think Wedge believes it.
So therefore, I came into this year expecting Michaels to play over Gutz about once a week...and so far, he's done it twice. Now that is subject to change if Gutz really gets going, but at this point he's really struggling. And because of that, I don't have that big a problem with it. I want them to remain committed to giving Gutz the vast majority of AB's, however.
It does make sense to protect Gutierrez, in a way. But, the logic winds up leading the team to play an old guy who's hitting .125 instead of a young guy who's hitting .125. Plus, the old guy is an inferior fielder and bats higher up in the line-up, thereby weakening the team even further.
All of this is really secondary. They won't get better unless Hafner hits, the pitching is solid, and the infield defense is at least adequate. So far, only the pitching has come close to being what it needs to be (and the bullpen is shaky, Byrd worrisome). Hafner is NOT hitting (despite the homer) and the infield defense continues to hurt them (despite some good play at 2B by Cabrera and Carroll). If that doesn't change, it won't matter how many AB's Gutierrez gets; they won't make the playoffs.
Seriously, anybody have thoughts on Blake's defense so far? I think it's been borderline atrocious, but then I'm disappointed and uncharitable.
by fleerdon on Apr 9, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you can't judge anything by a handful of games, but on the other hand, Blake was never a good third baseman. That was largely why they signed Boone and moved him to RF. He had sort of a career year on defense last season and came out looking a bit above average, but frankly, that was a fluke season, which does happen from time to time on defense. He was atrocious in 2004 and likely to be a little better than atrocious this year.
I don't want to alarm anyone, but Andy Gonzalez has an OPS of 1.504 through six games.
by supermarioelia on Apr 9, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to see Barfield and Brown off to nice starts, though. I'm sticking by my prediction that Smoke 'em Brian Slocum gets the first crack at the big-league rotation this year.
Looks like the Chuckster had another tough day in Akron. What gives, Lofgren? You're my dark horse breakout candidate. Get dark horsing!
by fleerdon on Apr 9, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
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