Welcome to the blog Fifty-Five – nice to have you on board. Please keep giving those Cardinal fans hell and let’s hope they start losing a few games. I’ll try to get these pathetic Cubbies winning up here so the Cards don’t win the division, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
Well, what else can you say about Zack Greinke that hasn’t been repeated by every media outlet in the same exact storyline over the past week and half. I think Posnanski has copy and pasted the same article 3 times in a row this week. I also learned that apparently Zack overcame social anxiety a couple years ago. Have you seen this? Have you heard about this?
I’m glad some of the Mechanics got out to “The New K” last night to witness that spectacular performance. That was the most dominant performance by Zack Attack since this. He was dialing it up to 96 in the 9th inning. That should be illegal for a starting pitcher – it’s just not fair. I’ve heard some fans are worried that Selig and Co. might lower the mounds next year thanks to Zack’s performances. Zack make the Sux looks dumber than Miss South Carolina.
It is only 6 starts, so yes the sample size is small. Obviously, if the season ended today he would win the Cy Young. I think it’s pretty certain that at worst, he will be in the race come September. He could finish the year with this line over the next 28 starts: 13-7 3.40 ERA with 160 K’s over 180 IP (this is about his average from last year with W-L slightly adjusted considering we’re better). Then his complete season would be 19-7 with a 2.80 ERA with 214 K’s in 225 IP. That line would definitely make him top 5 Cy Young candidate. Obviously, we all know he is capable of a much better line and I think he will do it. But I’m just pointing out that if he just matches his work from last year from here on out it will still be one of the best season’s in Royals history. I don’t like to talk about season awards in May, but I just thought I’d throw out some numbers.
He has outperformed our boldest projections and then some. It’s very, very exciting. It also solidifies the fact that we are a contender for the AL Central. Having someone as dominant as Zack to go along with some other competent pieces is a good start to a playoff run. Of course we will lose some games he starts throughout the season, but what if we only loses 5 or 6? That right there more than cancels out our #5 starter slot – where I’m sure we’ll win more than 5 or 6. Hear me out. An average season can break down to 34 starts from your top 4 starters and 26 starts from the 5 slot (from skipping him due to off days throughout the year). Below I propose what can happen when you have a ridiculous dominant 1 starter. The first record is the season total, the 2nd number is the Year to Date, and the final record is what we need from here on out.
Greinke
28-6
6-0
22-6
Meche
20-14
3-3
17-11
Davies
18-16
3-2
15-14
Banny/HoRam's 1 start/Hooch (ETA is TBD, I say ASAP)
16-18
3-1
13-17
Ponson/Banny (I think he slides in here when Hooch gets up)
7-19
0-5
7-14
I actually went pretty conservative with Meche and Davies. Maybe slightly optimistic with the 4 slot, and pretty fair for the 5 slot – though Sir Sid has gotten that slot into an 0-5 hole. That comes out to 89 wins, which many have predicted will win our division. This really helps to show what a dominant 1 starter can mean to your team.
Other observations from last night:
Mike Jacobs looked good last night. This guy will be a roller coaster this year in regards to consistency – I wanted to kill him last week. He is however seeing 4.2 pitches per plate appearance. That is good for 12th in the AL out of the 95 hitters who have qualified at bats (3.1PA per game your team plays). That is pretty impressive considering he has seen 3.7 for his career (which would rank around 50th). I’m real anxious to see if this holds and if it does I think you can give Seitzer some props. Fun fact here: Callaspo ranks 91st out of 95 with 3.3 p/pa. This defies all the "approach" rules because he makes contact on 95% of his swings (League average is 81%). That is insane - he whiffs 5 out of every 100 swings. Wow. Seitzer should (and I think he will) definitely leave Bert alone.
Miguel Olivo really, really sucks. CABG – I’m gonnna need you to take it back that you think Olivo can be a productive bat. Of all the outrageous things you’ve said so far – this Olivo thing really sticks in my side. It’s so bad that I get mad at you when he strikes out with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Can you please take it back – I love your homer blindness, I think its refreshing – but take off the Royal Blue glasses for this guy. He is an utter failure in the batter’s box. Please indulge me and concur. I’m not basing this on a small sample size, but rather on 2,149 AB’s of garbage. I actually like the guy’s fire and competitiveness. A lot actually. I get it that he is Greinke’s personal catcher, best friend, Wii tennis partner, etc. That is fine, don’t do anything to affect Greinke’s game – but let’s cut back on his starts, please. I’m not even saying John Buck is all that good, but Miggy is certainly all that bad.
180 degree Post turn…
I really like Jose Guillen. I know it doesn’t make sense because I mentioned how much I hate Barry Bonds. I’ve honestly liked him for a while now – back when he was with Cincinnati, Oakland, and Anaheim. Sometimes as a sports fan you can’t explain why you do or don’t like someone. Sports are funny that way.
Some athletes I randomly really like and always pull for: Lance Berkman, Fred Taylor, Raja Bell, Pedro Cerrano, Burt Reynolds.
Some guys I randomly hate and love to cheer against: Dustin Pedroia, Rex Grossman, Tony Parker, Jack Parkman
Anyway, on to why I like Guillen. He is a hard ass who is uber-competitive. He is a little bit of a head case, but I think the good kind that teammates like. His rant last year about “f@#king hating babies” was classic – and needed in my opinion. Yes, his delivery was odd, but it obviously hit home to our GM – who soon after the rant sent our biggest “baby” down to AAA. I think Guillen has a good feel for the pulse of the clubhouse – and his teammates respect him and his commitment to winning. Yes, I would like him to run out more grounders and yes I’d like a little more effort in RF, but this guy gets me fired up. I love watching him bat. I love the edge he gives our players. Case in point – Zack Greinke. This is a quote from Zack after Monday night’s game: “(José) Guillen pulled me aside (Sunday) and said, ‘All right, let’s show the White Sox that we’re for real this year.’ That got me excited a little bit because Guillen can feel it, too.” I really like that quote. I feel like that meant more to Zack coming from Guillen than just some guy on the team.
Guillen has been mashing the ball lately. He also has 6 BB vs. 7 K, which translates to 74 over a 650 PA season - which is ridiculous considering his track record. He walked 23 times last year. Do I think he will keep this walking trend? Not at this clip, but I’d like him to get above 40 walks like he did in Seattle the year before we paid him. That year his line was: .290/.353/.460. Guillen likes to swing the bat (read: Home Runs make you more money). He has always been a free swinger who didn’t walk much – and trust me, I still think he is at the core. However, I think I’ve seen a little change in him. Call me crazy, but hear me out. I think Guillen really, really wants to take this team to playoffs. I’m sure he would like that it would be a part of his legacy, that he took the 2009 Royals to the playoffs. I think he realized he has a good thing here and that they can make a run. He realizes that he doesn’t have to swing for the fences every at bat. He has been taking walks and driving the ball to opposite field – two things he rarely did last year. This could be some of Seitzer too, but I think it’s an attitude change from Guillen. If you notice, he is still taking his hacks at the first pitch. After that, it’s a completely different Jose (Hosey for Hillman fans). That might be his way of saying, “I get one crack to do it my old way. After that, I’ll shorten up and give a good at bat for the team and not worry about home runs.” After a recent win Jose had this to say: “Hopefully, people will start realizing that like I’ve been saying, we’re going to be good. Keep watching us. When people play us, they better have the mind-set that they’ve got to come and play hard for nine innings.” These are the kind of things I like to hear from Jose Guillen. I think when he is focused and locked in, that he can be a dangerous hitter. I know all the negatives about this guy – I know $12 million reasons this season alone – but I still think he will be a vital piece to our division run. I'd also like him to prove the negative, bitter KC fans wrong.
Sorry to have the Guillen rant take over the Greinke post, but we’ve all read roughly 18,000 words on Greinke in the past two weeks, so I’d like to mix in some other conversation as well. My exit questions does pertain to Greinke however.
Exit Question: What are your thoughts on all this national attention for Zack/Royals right now? Part of me likes it. I think more of me resents it. Kinda like “screw you – you’re only giving us air time because Zack has become a story”. Last year John Kruk said he couldn’t name a KC Royal, now he rides our jocks? Eff you, fat ass. I have mixed emotions. I kind of like just flying under the radar and quietly leading the division. I’m not really in the mode I was in 2003 when I basked in the Baseball Tonight attention. I think I could really care less. I just want my team to win and I want to share it with my fellow Kansas Citians. Am I weird on this?
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Hey Hatt, where we at?- offensive line edition
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41 comments:
I can't get over the fact that the royals have actually produced a legitimate ace. Koney, sweetims and I were referring to it as "Baird Bells Biggest Battle" a couple sundays ago (luckily we wrote that spooney idea down....after a long, lavish laugh).
that game last night will go down as top three royals moments i've been involved in. we had great seats as well (sweeties and I were in shouting distance) and watching zach was phenomenal. Too bad the pepsi party porch couldn't happen. We'll have plenty of stinky games this year to soak up the sun out there tho.
I don't know where you get your stats DP but they are fun alright. I definitely hate Kruk more than anyone in baseball (maybe period)...he took the job of Harold Reynolds for crying out loud). what a disaster. i'll take the national attention as a royals fan as long as the royals (not just Greinke) are getting respect.
I like the attention as far as raising attendance goes, but i kinda hope it dies down. We'll never get espn's full attention, we're coastly challenged. I don't think it will affect steinke though, since he is a space cadet. I also agree about Guillen, I love his intensity. That is exactly what our clubhouse was lacking, our leader used to be a soft bible beater. That doesn't work in baseball, it is a sport for assholes sometimes. And thats what we needed. we need a W tonight, and greinke put it best,"Games against other central teams are really important, because they are division games."
Although I was with my girlfriend and her parents, I'm sure I looked like the gay brother when I was waving to the Mask last night across the aisles. It was sort of a Tamba Hali style full arm extension wave (I tried to find video of this...I believe it was after Traffik Kopp (McIntosh) blocked 3 guys in a row last year).
When the kiss cam came up, Leslie was able to explain to her parents what I like to think was the first homosexual kiss attempt at the K between me and Porto. Good times.
Willie Bloomquist should be the starting shortstop. Aviles has the worst approach I've seen in a long time.
Hey Diet Pepsi,
First-time, long-time! Love-yer, love-yer blog. Me telling you something about baseball would be like a eunuch giving Jenna Ortiz tips on coitus. But, I'll see what I can do...
Looks like everyone on the blooog hates Kyle Farnsworth. Well, to take a page out of CABG's book and go all contrarian on you, I like Farnsworth. The guy makes Wayne from the Wonder Years look like a decent human being. He is "Likes to Fight Guy." He has that Dennis Rader mentality and I respect that.
Greinke is the topic du jour and I love it. Although I have spent nearly every Sunday for the last 6 years staring down the barrel of a Smith & Wesson (literally), I find mental health disease absolutely hilarious. Keith Richards, after snorting his father's ashes, thinks Greinke has displayed some odd social behavior. An un-medicated Liza Minelli thinks Greinke is not of sound mind.
Tip of the day, don't cross Eggs. Dude is harder than Mark Chmura in a hot tub after half a bottle of Cialis. I'm gonna watch my steps so I don't run afoul of this guy.
Diet Pepsi, I am sorry for bringing down the quality and integrity of your blog. Please don't come upstairs, kick down my door and go all Josef Fritzl on me. I know not what I do. I was never really into sports, I was more interested in finding out what bark was made out of.
Anyway, keep up the good work, fellas. I've gotta go walk my gerbil, so I'll catch up with you dudes later.
Sincerely,
Diet Caffeine-Free Mendota Springs Lime
WAR Dustin Pedroia's Brother
Exit Question: How does an asshole like Bob get such a great kitchen?
CABG - I never said you said anything "crazy", but you have said some things that were certainly unpopular on here. I don't want to rehash any of those topics, but I was trying to make light of your Olivo defense. Obviously, you are still (for reasons unknown) high on Miguel. I do not think Buck is a good hitter, but I know that Olivo is a MISERABLE hitter - that was my only point (and fact)
The attention issue was not about jinxing or me worrying that we couldn't handle it. I just don't like like asshole's like John Kruk pretending he likes KC or "always thought they could compete" when 8 months ago he proclaimed he couldn't name one player on our roster. Don't give us props because we are "this year's Rays" (I'll puke if I hear that one more time), rather give us props because we are a good friggin baseball team. I just hate token ESPN coverage.
Ryan - you are a creep. In your debut post you were able to touch on porn stars, Scott Baio's real life best friend, the BTK killer, Mark Chmura - the NFL's infamous rapist, and Austria's infamous incestual rapist.
WAR Bob Maplethorp.
Rack 'em.
A few years ago I was so irate after hearing something Krook said on Baseball Tonight that I remember saying something to the effect that the city of Kansas City should send him a letter with like 1 million signatures asking him never to step foot here. I still think we should make that happen.
Paul,
Loved the post and the spiced up comments section today. Before I even get started I just want to say it is so much fun watching this team win games that the Royals always found a way to lose in the past. You can see the confidence building day in and day out.
I know we've spoken several times about Miggy and his approach at the plate and I think you know I'm not his biggest fan. However, Pum makes some interesting points about his potential and what he brings to the table defensively. Either way, we're going to see him every time Grienke pitches so if he can start producing I have no problem with a catching platoon but he has looked absolutely lost at the plate this year and it's killing me.
I am torn with regards to the exit question about the national attention. A big part of me despises what ESPN has evolved into over the last fifteen years. I lived for Sunday Night Baseball with Joe and Jon...15 years ago. Now it's just annoying and kind of sad. The Worldwide Leader has monopolized televised sports coverage and dictates to us what is news and "entertainment" and I'm get thoroughly flustered when they run their "Hey, look everybody, the Royals might not suck anymore!" story lines after ripping on them for the last few years and giving them ZERO coverage pre-season. Whatever, they can do what they want but fewer and fewer real sports fans tune in. I used to watch ESPN and read espn.com religiously but now rarely find myself doing either unless I have no other choice.
HOWEVER, I think the positive coverage does have some upside for our team. First of all, I'm not worried about them getting flustered or jinxed. I'm not sure why, but that is just how I feel. Secondly, and possibly more importantly, I think the coverage can help this team win:
a) Positive national coverage puts fans in the seats and sells jerseys and concessions and revenue is revenue especially in the current economic climate (sports and otherwise)
b) It makes KC look much more appealing to free agents. They see fans in the seats, the beautiful ballpark, commentators gushing about the food and the people and the TEAM. All of this seems kind of trivial, but I think it could really pay dividends.
If the Royals keep winning, keep getting national attention and the positive effects I mentioned above the front office will be in a good position to make a key acquisition for the playoff run which would be a refreshing change of pace from sending a key piece elsewhere for prospects, picks and/or cash. And the front office will hopefully have an easier time luring free agents this off-season.
So, basically the point of this now very long post is that I've come to despise ESPN's coverage at this point in my fanhood, but I view them as a necessary--and possibly beneficial--evil.
I think that it’s fair to say that Ryan just earned his spot in this year’s Smack-Off…well played.
As for the exit question, Wormington pretty much said it all perfectly. I’m not worried about the coverage either; we have Fr. Hillman. And, the biggest market we have to go to w/ any regularity is Chicago and we play the 2nd most relevant baseball team in town when there. Plus, I love the make-up of this team (which is reason #1 why you CANNOT bring in Bonds). How perfect that the guy getting all the attention doesn’t care in the least? The other guys in the clubhouse have to see that and gain comfort seeing how Greinke is dealing w/ all of the attention.
From a Chicago perspective, the Royals are getting a TON of respect on the radio. The entire local ESPN Radio show on Tuesday was spent talking about how incredible Greinke is and how improved our team is as a whole. Lots of sound bites from players/coaches saying this is NOT the same Royals team and certainly NOT the same Greinke. Even if the coverage on ESPN (television) seems contrived, we are getting legitimate respect and attention from our division rivals.
Unrelated comments: Tuesday night’s win was incredible for this team. I don’t believe that any Royals team in the past 15 years would have won games like we did on Sunday in Minnesota (getting no-hit and trailing by 4 through 6) or last night against the Sox...fair to say this team IS different. I also think that Davies is actually @ a disadvantage pitching behind Greinke every night. The guy sits in the dugout and watches Greinke dealing for 9 innings in a crowded stadium w/ an unbelievable atmosphere, and he’s supposed to be the encore? I think there is an emotional letdown that we are dealing with amongst our fans and possibly in the clubhouse b/c everyone is so geeked-up for Zach. Should we switch Greinke and Meche in the rotation so that Davies is pitching behind someone mortal? It might also help Meche b/c he’s so competitive to see Zach and try to go out and match him the next night…almost like they are pitching against one another.
After watching last nights game, i was just gushing like a little kid. The last 3 games of royals baseball could be the best compilation ever. I am so proud of how this team has learned plate discipline, last night we got walked 10+ times. That is unbelievable, last year we were one of the most undisciplined teams, but this year is just a 180.
I also think that Coco Crisp is at the middle of this success. I think he is a great clubhouse guy and a hell of a leader. He plays solid D and is just a smart ballplayer. When got down in the count last night with the bases jacked, and managed to draw a walk, that was the most impressive part of the night for me, well maybe second to Jacobs home run. As i mentioned earlier we've got our 3 dependables in the pen Wright, Cruz, Soria. But we gotta get a lefty we can rely on, hopefully mahay will turn it around, but i am skeptical.
I also have to admit that i am now a bloomy fan. The guy does have the classic "hillman grit" but he also talent. The guy is a smart player. His hit and run last night was just a thing of beauty, what a clutch play.
Pum,
I will say that it appears Hillman has started to figure out this team. I was concerned with his use of the bullpen earlier this month and was relieved to hear that Soria was hurt (well, not "relieved" but it made more sense).
Like I mentioned in an earlier post, it looked like Hillman was starting to figure out his team post-Spring Training (using Farnsworth less, letting Meche stay in longer, etc...) and I think that is very promising and I've been impressed with his use of the bullpen lately and you have to give him credit for the way the team is playing right now.
I don't want to argue with you because it is pointless and annoying to every other poster. I will just throw out some numbers and not say anything further regarding the catchers.
The other half of defensive catching is blocking pitches.
Fun stat (last 3 years):
Buck: 9 PB's in 2,800 innings
Olivo: 30 PB's in 2,400 innings
Offense:
Let's just go over the last 3 years.
OBP - Buck .306, Olivo .275
BB - Buck 100 Olivo 30
HR - 19/162 even
Batting Average is maybe the most overrated stat in baseball. Olivo hit higher than Adam Dunn last year. Coco Crisp is hitting .230
Disclaimer: I don't like John Buck. At all really. But thanks for the game winner yesterday!
Hillman - I will certainly give him props when due. Props for pinch running Maier for Guillen, leaving Wright in for the 3rd inning, calling the hit and run in the 11th. Bad calls were pinch running Bloomquist for Butler, not using your best reliever (Soria) in an extra inning tie game at home on a days rest, and not pinch hitting for Pena Saturday night (easily slide Bloom to SS, Bert to 2B, Teahen to 3B).
So its a push on those items, though his bullpen management has been MUCH better recently. Trey - I give you credit for not being an idiot with your bullpen the last week.
There is your credit, CABG.
Like I said, I agree with you on the stolen bases. Just wanted to point out that aside from his rocket arm, Olivo isn't a defensive gem.
Just to clarify, Buck threw out 17% last year; 21% in 07; 34% in 06. He is at 7% in 11 games this year.
i can only assume that Ryan=Curt. no one else I know can bring the creepy like that. great Mark Chmura and Jason Hervey smack. you should definitely work some chmura into your comedy routine, a little of that will go a long way.
Royals talk. I love you alberto callaspo. please don't ever stop hitting. DP, I share your view on the new found Royals popularity. Even though we're in first and everyone wants to talk up Greinke, it still has a hint of "he's pretty good for a Royal" type of condescension to it. Fuck you, ESPN, please ignore us like you usually do.
Pummill - i hate to be grammar and usage police here, but someone has to do it, and as a baseball guy, i expect better from you. it's Passed Ball, not past ball.
On another note, i hate listening to games on radio only, as I have no frame of reference as to plate approach, defense, pitch location, etc.
blah, blah, blah
FML
How 'bout my boi "Too Sweet" Sidney Ponson gettin' it done? Something tells me the Ponson Pals' inbox is gonna be full of applications for membership tomorrow. Good thing too, there were rumors the group was thinking of disbanding after one of its member said he "never wanted to see Ponson in a Royals uniform ever again."
I really don't like looking at that lineup card and seeing Bloomquist-RF. I know he's been doing well, but we shouldn't be playing him in the outfield, or batting him second for that matter. Can someone give me a legitimate reason why Bert "Ernie" Callaspo isn't hitting at the top of our order?
I can't remember who brought this up, but I wanted to get in on the ESPN bashing.
ESPN has become a total joke. I'd rather get my sporting news via daily text messages from CABG (no offense CABG). Mike Anderson's Tigers may play the fastest 40 minutes, but Sportscenter plays the slowest 60. The decision to stretch that show to an hour has resulted in 30 minutes of total garbage per episode. It's like, "Sorry Mike Greenberg, you're no longer boring enough. Brian Kenney, come on down!"
Ryan, I laughed at your message. But rest assured, I am not hard. I am softer than you can possibly imagine. Softer than Jeff Garcia's dick when he's in bed with his wife. Zing!
And that is how you use Fartsworth.
Thoughts
• The national media has given the Royals a fair amount of play to this point – for an organization with the past twenty years that we have, Greinke and the club have gotten plenty of attention. Keep winning and see what happens …
• Buck and Olivo are very similar players. Hot and cold at the plate with some pop and streaky behind the plate. Let’s be honest – there’s a reason that both are at this point of their careers and are platoon guys. They are what they are, but THEY ARE GOOD FOR EACH OTHER.
• Davies is quickly falling in the rotation. He’s escaped a few situations over the past couple starts that could have made things even worse. If Sidney earned himself another couple starts last night, we may have another candidate for Hochevar to replace if the trend continues.
• Guillen is a PIECE of what the clubhouse needed. The clubhouse needed more Jacob’s and Crisp’s than Guillen. A guy like Guillen can work when you have the other guys and the team is performing. It’s pretty evident how Guillen reacts when asked to do more than he’s comfortable with.
Alright, here we go Bannister!
Bthom - it sounds like you are close. get rid of the mlb radio package and get up w/ the times. I have purchased the mlb.tv package for fifteen bucks a month. its where its at (w/ bigg hatt?).
I'm not sure if we have touched on the subject but Frank White is gettin it done, son. as much as i like Splitt i think i am falling for that hunky black man. He really does a good job explaining situations and approaches and what managers are doing / thinking...
He does...and he's kind of funny. He'll also call out players. The solution is to have Split do radio with Denny and eventually take over as the voice of the Royals. Bob Davis, here's a noose.
I'll tell you one thing that ESPN gets right: their GameCast. They do about as much as can be asked for by us poor losers at work.
I love Frank White. I miss Split, but I'm very happy with ol' Frankie.
Sweets - You need to check out MLB.com's gameday. Pitch speed, break, and location is awesome. Though I do like watching the ball move on ESPN Gamecast.
BThom - buck up for the MLBtv on your lapper, I've heard very good things.
Who does Banny think he is with all these strikeouts???
I am an MLB gameday guy my self. I like watching the pitches come in and looking at the numbers. However, it does lack in the area of where the ball goes in play.
I really like Frank White, but i didn't mind Split either. I don't know what they will do when he returns (if he returns).
This is the perfect situation. Hand it to cruz for the 8th and Soria (Jack) for the 9th - Game Over.
Grapes
Grapes - This is not directed towards you, but the use of Jack in your comment reminded of something I've been meaning to do.
I would like to hereby banish the nickname "Jack" from this website. In no way will we condone Fr. Hillman's usage of this nickname. The man's name is Joakim. Calling him Jack really pisses me off.
By the way, shaky save there. I know it happens to the best, but I'm worried something is wrong with Jack.
As I check this site a lot. I will respond to that call out. I also hate the use of Jack, it was not meant to be serious, and I wholly support its banishment.
That was very shaky, but I was not worrying at all about the outcome. Things are going too well for them to crash and burn with a blown save by one of our best players.
Grapes
I know that wasn't a call out
I was just about to ask the question mentioned above by Grapes and DP:
Should we be worried about Soria?
while i'd love to get the tv package on the laptop, i lose all freedom of movement. Hell, with the ipod radio package, I can cook dinner and still listen to the game, and still only put one earphone in, and act like I'm interested in what the wife has to say. both approaches have their pros and cons. I'll probably grab my sack and go month by month with the mlb.tv come june or july and we're still in the hunt.
I'm not worried about Soria, until he blows a save and loses a game that we had in the bag, I have the utmost faith in him.
I have to say, it would be fun to see this team get in a fight. For once we aren't the biggest bunch of pussies in the league. If Farnsworth was on the mound and Olivo was behind the plate there isn't a hitter in the league that would dare charge the mound. Thats pretty cool.
Fighting prowess aside, I'm not sure whether Olivo should be getting the lion's share of starts behind the plate. I, like my good buddy CABG, am sickened by Buck's complete inability to throw anyone out. But Diet Pepsi's passed ball stat basically renders Olivo's superior arm strength moot.
I think what I would do is let Olivo catch Greinke (obviously) and also play against lefties. His career OPS against lefties is .844 as opposed to .621 against righties. So if he only hit lefties, he'd be a damn fine hitter. This situation isn't ideal because Buck also fares much better against lefties, but his splits aren't nearly as pronounced. .760 vs left, .678 against right. So basically Buck hits righties better than Olivo and Olivo hits lefties better than Buck. Sounds like an open and shut case to me.
I'll tell you what we can't have going on...Trey's insistency on NOT playing small ball. DeJesus looks at a called strike 3 while Crisp is on 2nd with no outs??! Put the bunt down and score a run Trey. I was complaining about this all night to whomever would listen to me. I must have looked like a total lunatic.
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