Archive for May, 2006

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Baseball Daily - Wednesday

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

How long will Lastings Milledge be with the Mets?
“The conversation that I’m going to have with Lastings is when Nady gets back, Nady is going to be in the lineup,” Randolph said. “Nady has performed pretty well, but I think the situation in this one is that it’s an opportunity for a kid to get a taste of the Major Leagues without the feeling he has to be the guy.”
News on the A’s struggles:
The A’s are in a span during which they will play 20 games in 20 days, and they are 5-9 so far.

“It’s kind of a grind,” outfielder Mark Kotsay said. “You just have to maintain your strength and get your rest — because day in and day out, [it’s the same thing].”

The A’s also have lost nine of their last 10 games. Oakland’s last five losses have been by two or fewer runs, including a 6-4 setback against the Royals on Monday, when the bullpen gave up two insurance runs after Dan Haren left the game.

The offense isn’t helping, having scored 35 runs in the last 11 games. The A’s are batting .233 over that span and .225 with runners in scoring position on the season.
Starting for Boston tonight, is David Pauley:
The 23-year-old Pauley is making the jump to the Major Leagues from the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, for whom he’s gone 2-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 10 starts this season, striking out 47 and walking just 17 in 60 1/3 innings. He has never pitched at the Triple-A level.
Lots of uncertainty in Arizona’s bullpen:
By not coming out and saying that Valverde would stay in the closer’s role, it sure seems like Melvin is leaning towards going with the recently-acquired Julio for the near future while Valverde tries to get back on track.
It looks like Gary Sheffield may be out for another extended stretch.

Paul Konerko will sit in place of Jim Thome during interleague play.

Adrian Beltre has been moved to the #2 spot. He’s at least raised his average from .189 in April to .222.

Eric Gagne has been activated and is serving his two game suspension.
A recent flag football finger injury has me off heavy typing, so no game stats until the tendon heals.

Posted in Baseball, General | No Comments »

Baseball Daily - Thursday

Thursday, May 25th, 2006

Baseball Musings notes Jason Bay’s recent surge:
Jason Bay is on quite the home run tear. In his last seven games he’s hit seven dingers, including two multi-homer games. He’s also driven in fourteen runs.

Unfortunately, his power surge hasn’t done much to help the Pirates win. They’re 1-6 after falling short in an 8-7 loss to the Diamondbacks tonight. The Pirates scored 33 runs in that stretch, meaning Bay’s driven in 42% of the team’s runs scored.
The Hardball Times posts notes found by examining the web site Hit Tracker. There’s too many good comments to quote, so I’ll just quote what the site itself does:
Hit Tracker is a spreadsheet tool that takes as inputs atmospheric information and observation data, and gives as an output the true distance that the home run traveled, along with the initial speed of the hit off the bat and the precise angles at which the ball left the bat. It does this by creating as a starting point an initial “best-guess” three dimensional trajectory for the home run, and then modifying that trajectory, a little bit at a time, until the trajectory matches the observed data from the actual home run event.
Kerry Wood might miss his next start.

Chris Carpenter was scratched from his Wednesday start due to “an inflamed bursa sac on his right side, below his shoulder”. The Cards think the injury isn’t serious.

Completing the trifecta, John Smoltz will take an extra day off before his next start; after throwing 251 pitches in his last two appearances.

Brian Roberts is finally back.

Finally some progress for A.J. Burnett. Small progress, but still progress.

There’s something about Ryan Madson as a starting pitcher that just doesn’t work. He’s back in the rotation after Cole Hamels landed on the DL and after pitching 7 excellent relief innings on Tuesday. Back in 2004, Madson’s rookie season was an impressive one, finishing the year with a 2.34 ERA in 77 innings. He appeared in 52 games that season, 51 as a reliever. The one time Philly threw him out on the mound to start a game, he lasted 1.2 innings and gave up 6 ER. Madson’s ERA as a reliever that season was 1.65. Last year, the Phillies used Madson only out of the bullpen, but this season they’ve started him 6 times. His ERA as a starter this year is 6.82. As a reliever, it’s 3.48.

Will try to get some pitching stats up later.

TB at BOS

Waechter:
0-1, 8.0, 1.013, 1.88, .258 vs BOS this season
0-1, 20.0, 4.95, 1.45, .293 vs BOS last season
0-2, 15.1, 9.39, 2.02, .364 away this season
0-2, 12.0, 8.25, 1.58, .286 career at Fenway
vs Loretta: 1/2
vs Lowell: 3/7
vs Nixon: 5/14, HR
vs Ortiz: 4/17, 2 HR
vs Pena: 1/5
vs Manny: 3/11, HR, 4 BB
vs Varitek: 4/13
vs Youkilis: 2/3, HR
Beckett:
First career start vs TB
2-0, 19.0, 2.84, 1.16, .212 at home this season
vs Branyan: 3/3, HR
vs Lee: 0/8
vs Lugo: 0/5
vs Wigginton: 3/8, HR

Posted in Baseball, General | No Comments »

Oil Country - Proud Nation

Thursday, May 25th, 2006

Sharks fans took it upon themselves

Covered in Oil

BlueMile

Off Wing

Posted in NHL Hockey, General | No Comments »

Baseball Daily - Wednesday

Wednesday, May 24th, 2006

Baseball Musings has more kind words about the Arizona lineup.

The Hardball Times is graphing Brad Penny.
A second indicator of a potential rise in ERA is Penny’s left-on-base rate in 2006. Over his career, 72% of base-runners were left on base, whereas that number is up to 81% this season. That number will likely regress as the season goes on and with it more runners will score.
Xavier Nady was scratched yesterday because of stiffness in his lower back.

Welcome back to the majors, Jeff Nelson.

Aaron Rowand is ready to come off the DL on Saturday.

It looks like Jason Botts is being given a chance to DH in Texas over Phil Nevin.

Their calling it the Kendry Morales era in Anaheim:
Morales established his credentials by hitting .330 during his career in Cuba. During the 2002-03 season, Morales hit .391 with nine homers and 42 RBIs for Industriales and then starred in the Baseball World Cup by hitting a grand slam as Cuba claimed the gold medal with a victory in the final over Taiwan.

Possibly more impressive is that Morales needed nine attempts to defect from Cuba. When Morales finally got out, he had to establish residency in the Dominican and become a citizen there before gaining legal entrance to the U.S.
Gary Sheffield is back.

Cole Hamels has been scratched from his Wednesday start, due to a sore shoulder.

Sean Casey is taking BP and fielding ground balls, and he could begin a rehab assignement later this week.

STL vs SF

Carpenter:
0-0, 8.0, 3.39, 1.13, .281 last season vs SF (home)
1-0, 6.2, 5.40, 1.35, .269 career at AT&T Park
3-1, 31.0, 4.06, 1.23, .250 this season away
2-0, 32.0, 1.41, 1.03, .230 last season at day
vs Alou: 8/24, HR
vs Bonds: 2/6, HR
vs Durham: 11/38, HR
vs Feliz: 0/3
vs Finley: 4/7, HR
vs Vizquel: 10/22, HR
vs Winn: 4/19
Lowry:
0-1, 7.0, 5.14, 1.43, .308 last season vs STL
1-0, 15.1, 4.11, 1.37, .259 this season at home
6-8, 117.1, 3.30, 1.21, .242 last season at home

CLE at MIN

Sabathia:
2-1, 33.2, 3.48, 1.28, .234 last season vs MIN
2-1, 19.1, 3.72, 1.34, .250 last season at Metrodome
6-4, 112.1, 3.85, 1.32, .237 career vs MIN
5-4, 78.1, 4.37, 1.33, .247 career at Metrodome
2-3, 52.1, 3.10, 1.07, .223 last season at day
18-11, 276.2, 3.71, 1.25, .235 career at day
vs Hunter: 14/42, 2 HR
vs Mauer: 1/8
vs Morneau: 0/7
vs White: 7/20, 3 HR
Radke:
2-1, 29.0, 2.79, 1.03, .259 last season vs CLE
3-1, 5.26, 1.21, .280 at home this season
7-6, 99.2, 3.25, 1.02, .246 at home last season
3-3, 72.0, 3.88, 1.10, .264 last season at day
vs Belliard: 12/29, HR
vs Blake: 9/31
vs Boonoe: 4/18, HR
vs Broussard: 9/27, HR
vs Hafner: 8/31, 3 HR
vs Mertinez: 3/24
vs Peralta: 2/19
vs Sizemore: 4/19, HR

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Baseball Daily - Tuesday

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006

Another slow day.

Ducksnorts goes crazy in breaking down Jake Peavy’s start last night.

Ben Sheets’ MRI showed no structural damage.

OAK at CWS

Saarloos:
1-1, 18.1, 3.44, 1.36, .265 last season vs CWS
0-1, 10.0, 7.20, 1.70, .275 away this season
(2-0, 20.2, 3.48, 1.55, .322 at home this season)
vs Crede: 4/8, HR
vs Dye: 0/4
vs Konerko: 3/8
vs AJ P: 0/7
vs Podsednik: 3/11
vs Thome: 3/4, HR
vs Uribe: 2/8
Vazquez:
Has not faced Oakland since 2004
0-2, 12.0, 9.00, 1.58, .234 career vs OAK
2-1, 21.2, 3.74, 0.78, .195 this season at home
vs Chavez: 0/5
vs Kendall: 7/22
vs Payton: 8/23, HR

CLE at MIN

Lee:
1-1, 11.0, 4.91, 1.45, .295 last season vs MIN
1-1, 16.1, 4.41, 1.59, .299 career at Metrodome
5-1, 50.0, 3.78, 1.16, .237 career indoors
vs Castillo: 2/4
vs Hunter: 3/9, HR
vs Morneau: 1/5
vs White: 2/5
Santana:
0-1, 5.1, 5.06, 1.31, .200 this season vs CLE (away)
1-1, 27.0, 3.33, 0.85, .202 last season vs CLE
3-0, 27.1, 2.63, 0.99, .223 this season at home
vs Blake: 9/28, HR
vs Boone: 1/10
vs Broussard: 4/15
vs Hafner: 1/15, HR
vs Martinez: 7/19, 2 HR
vs Peralta: 2/19, 14 K
vs Sizemore: 3/11, HR

COL at LA

Jennings:
0-1, 6.2, 4.05, 1.50, .259 this season vs LA (home)
1-1, 15.0, 3.00, 1.53, .241 last season vs LA
0-1, 6.0, 6.00, 1.83, .158 last season at Dodger Stadium
1-4, 46.0, 3.13, 1.41, .275 career at Dodger Stadium
1-3, 23.2, 6.46, 1.65, .319 this season away
vs Cruz: 2/15
vs Drew: 4/11
vs Furcal: 4/12, HR
vs Nomar: 3/14
vs Kent: 12/28, 3 HR
Penny:
1-0, 6.0, 1.50, 1.00, .250 this season vs COL
2-1, 23.2, 4.18, 1.31, .250 last season vs COL
1-0, 22.1, 2.82, 1.34, .264 this season at home
5-2, 88.1, 3.06, 1.20, .262 last season at home
vs Atkins: 4/10
vs Barmes: 1/6
vs Hawpe: 2/9
vs Helton: 9/30, HR
vs Holliday: 2/9, HR

TB at TOR

Hendrickson:
0-1, 7.0, 6.43, 1.14, .200 this season vs TOR (home)
1-1, 22.0, 5.32, 1.45, .280 last season vs TOR
2-1, 21.0, 0.43, 0.90, .162 away this season
1-0, 12.1, 4.38, 1.46, .269 last season at Rogers Centre
vs Hill: 1/11
vs Hillenbrand: 8/24
vs Hinske: 1/10
vs Johnson: 8/42
vs Molina: 3/14
vs Overbay: 1/3, HR
vs Rios: 8/22
vs Wells: 3/20, HR
Halladay:
1-1, 16.1, 3.31, 0.86, .200 vs TB this season
1-0, 16.0, 1.69, 1.06, .267 vs TB last season
3-1, 29.0, 2.79, 0.93, .219 at home this season
5-2, 60.0, 2.85, 0.88, .221 at home last season
vs Branyan: 3/11
vs Crawford: 9/35
vs Gomes: 3/11, HR
vs Hall: 5/21
vs Huff: 8/34
vs Lee: 8/23, HR
vs Lugo: 4/23, HR
vs Norton: 5/13
vs Wigginton: 0/3

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Baseball Daily - Monday

Monday, May 22nd, 2006

Scott Kazmir’s 8 shutout innings yesterday looked effortless. The kid had all three of his pitches working and he made most of the Marlins look like minor leaguers (even if many of them are).
“I was very focused out there,” said Kazmir. “I felt like every pitch, I was right in there and staring right into [catcher Josh Paul’s] glove. I really like the way everything went. Sometimes I would walk around and think about what I was doing wrong or what I could improve in my windup.
Ben Sheets is getting an MRI done to determine the status of his progress, if any.

Edgar Renteria has hit safely in 33 of the 34 games he’s played in this season.

Watch out for Tim Hudson in his next start. He threw 122 pitches yesterday, and many of them came in his pressure situations.

After a strong outing yesterday, Taylor Buchholz is learning how to pitch in the majors:
“The couple games before this, I was getting ahead of guys and then throwing fat pitches over the plate,” he said.

Although Buchholz threw too many fat pitches in those previous losses, he felt the same mechanically on Sunday as he did last week.

“Nothing changed,” he said. “I was just able to stay focused the whole game. I was trying not to get too overwhelmed. I just wanted to keep doing what I was doing the whole game.”
There were a number of fine pitching performances yesterday, and perhaps overlooked a bit was Matt Cain’s one hitter against Oakland. Cain was skipped a turn in the rotation last week so he could work on his mechanics and mental game and the results obviously paid off.

ATL at SD

Smoltz:
1-0, 9.0, 0.00, 0.67, .138 this season vs SD (home)
0-0, 15.0, 1.80, 1.07, .226 last season vs SD
0-0, 10.1, 0.87, 1.06, .222 career at PETCO
1-1, 30.0, 4.80, 1.27, .278 away this season
vs Cameron: 2/14, HR
vs Castilla: 10/48
vs Giles: 5/16
vs Greene: 2/7
vs Piazza: 11/55, 2 HR
vs Roberts: 3/11
Peavy:
0-1, 7.0, 2.57, 0.86, .160 this season vs ATL (away)
Did not face ATL last season
2-2, 37.1, 4.10, 1.23, .248 at home this season
16-8, 238.0, 2.80, 1.11, .221 career at PETCO
vs Francoeur: 1/3
vs Giles: 1/11
vs AJones: 1/9
vs CJones: 4/7, 2 HR
vs Jordan: 3/10
vs LaRoche: 2/5
vs Renteria: 4/10

OAK at CWS

Zito:
2-1, 21.2, 2.91, 0.92, .197 last season vs CWS
7-2, 68.0, 3.18, 1.04, .211 career vs CWS
1-0, 7.0, 1.29, 0.71, .091 last season at US Cellular
4-0, 33.2, 2.94, 1.07, .215 career at US Cellular
2-1, 25.2, 2.10, 1.05, .189 away this season
vs Crede: 4/15
vs Dye: 3/11, HR
vs Iguchi: 1/8
vs Konerko: 5/28, HR
vs Pierzynski: 0/12
vs Thome: 1/9
vs Uribe: 1/10
Garland:
2-1, 21.0, 2.57, 0.95, .224 last season vs OAK
1-0, 13.1, 1.35, 1.13, .260 at home this season
10-6, 113.2, 3.56, 1.12, .243 at home last season
vs Chavez: 7/19, 2 HR
vs Crosby: 5/9
vs Ellis: 2/16, HR
vs Kendall: 3/9
vs Kielty: 2/20
vs Kotsay: 3/17
vs Swisher: 1/7

STL at SF

Mulder:
1-0, 7.0, 0.00, 0.71, .174 last season vs SF (away)
6-2, 54.1, 2.98, 1.10, .245 career vs SF
3-2, 33.0, 2.45, 1.06, .246 career at SBC
vs Alou: 1/7
vs Bonds: 7/14, 3 HR
vs Durham: 4/12
vs Feliz: 1/13
vs Vizquel: 10/28
vs Winn: 11/40
Wright:
1-0, 12.1, 0.00, 1.05, .196 last season vs STL
3-7, 77.0, 5.96, 1.67, .291 career vs STL
2-2, 27.2, 5.53, 1.41, .283 this season at home
4-3, 63.0, 3.71, 1.32, .229 career at SBC
vs Eckstein: 1/6
vs Edmonds: 3/19, HR
vs Encarnacion: 2/11
vs Pujols: 7/15, HR
vs Rolen: 3/15, HR

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Baseball Daily - Friday

Friday, May 19th, 2006

Link to 2005 Interleague stats, although if there’s one thing I’ve learned from tracking these stats from the last two seasons, it’s that players and teams do well only if they’re playing well. There are few instances of predicable success based on interleague records and stats.

Jose Contreras is ready to make his start on Sunday.

Jeremy Hermida may return as soon as tonight.

Phil Nevin will mostly see bench time and pinch hitting duties during interleague play. He’s been struggling lately.

Adrian Beltre will probably miss the next few days as a result of a hamstring injury.

CHC at CWS

Maddux:
1-1, 13.0, 3.46, 1.08, .269 last season vs CWS<
1-0, 6.0, 3.00, 0.83, .208 last season at US Cellular
1-1, 10.0, 8.10, 1.80, .348 career at US Cellular
vs Dye: 3/9, HR
vs Iguchi: 1/6
vs Konerko: 4/10
vs Pierzynski: 6/11
vs Podsednik: 5/24, 2 SB
vs Thome: 2/16
vs Uribe: 1/9
Buerhle:
Did not fave CHC last season
0-0, 7.0, 1.29, 0.86, 1.74 vs CHC in 2004 (at Wrigley)
2-0, 2.77, 1.00, .208 at home this season
vs Barrett: 2/6
vs Jones: 1/27
vs Lee (out): 3/3, HR
vs Walker: 1/2

BOS at PHI

Clement:
1-0, 7.0, 1.29, 1.00, .269 last season vs PHI (at Citizens Bank)
7-4, 85.2, 3.57, 1.38, .228 career vs PHI
Last season’s start at PHI was only career appearance at Citizens Bank
vs Abreu: 13/34, 2 HR
vs Burrell: 6/23
vs Rollins: 2/26
vs Utley: 2/6
Lieber:
0-1, 5.0, 10.80, 2.20, .409 last season vs BOS (at home)
1-1, 24.1, 5.55, 1.32, .278 career vs BOS
1-3, 31.1, 6.03, 1.37, .304 this season at home
9-5, 102.2, 4.38, 1.29, .277 last season at home
vs Gonzalex: 7/22, HR
vs Loretta: 4/26
vs Lowell: 6/21, 3 HR
vs Nixon: 4/8
vs Ortiz: 4/13, 2 HR
vs Ramirez: 3/14, HR
vs Snow: 11/34, 2 HR

FLA at TB

Moehler:
0-0, 5.0, 1.80, 1.60, .400 last season vs TB (home)
1-3, 43.0, 4.19, 1.40, .308 career vs TB
1-2, 19.0, 4.74, 1.26, .293 career at Tropicana
4-9, 72.2, 5.45, 1.39, .310 career indoors
vs Branyan: 2/8, HR
vs Crawford: 0/2
vs Hollins: 2/3
vs Lugo: 4/8
vs Lee: 0/3
Fossum:
0-2, 11.1, 5.56, 1.50, .267 vs FLA last season
9-7, 108.2, 4.39, 1.43, .264 career at Tropicana
vs Cabrera: 1/8
vs Willingham: 0/1

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Baseball Daily - Thursday

Thursday, May 18th, 2006

The Hardball Times has their win-shares out for the first quarter of the season.

Elmer Dessens is the Royals new closer.

The Mariners’ GM says he’s not worried about Felix Hernandez. Sounds like a good buy low opportunity for fantasy teams.

Hello Cubs: Kerry Wood starts tonight and Mark Prior will make a rehab start on Friday. And even Wade Miller is making progress, as he will throw in a Rookie League game on Monday.

Jose Guillen is day to day after straining his groin.

Fasten your seatbelts, the MLB has begun collective bargaining talks.

I noted yesterday that J.J. Hardy suffered a high ankle sprain. Well, now he’s on the DL and the Breweres expect Bill Hall to pick up full-time what he’s been doing so far this season.

MIN at DET

Radke:
0-1, 2.1, 23.14, 4.29, .643 this season vs DET
2-0, 19.1, 4.66, 1.24, .295 last season vs DET
1-0, 13.1, 4.72, 1.27, .304 last season at Comerica
vs Guillen: 10/25, HR
vs Inge: 7/37, HR
vs Ordonez: 25/61, 2 HR
vs Polanco: 6/11
vs IRod: 27/64, 8 HR
vs Shelton: 2/5, HR
vs Young: 10/33, 2 HR
Rogers:
2-0, 13.0, 3.46, 1.00, .208 this season vs MIN
1-0, 20.2, 2.18, 1.21, .275 last season vs MIN
2-0, 16.0, 0.56, 0.81, .161 this season at home
6-1, 57.2, 2.65, 1.16, .254 career at Comerica
vs Castillo: 2/13
vs Hunter: 9/26, 2 HR
vs Mauer: 2/9
vs Morneau: 1/10
vs Stewart: 15/55, Hr

TOR at ANA

Halladay:
1-0, 9.0, 1.00, 0.56, .133 this season vs ANA
Did not face ANA last season
4-4, 59.2, 5.58, 1.41, .299 career vs ANA
1-2, 22.2, 9.13, 1.63, .323 career at Angel Stadium
vs Anderson: 8/21, 2 HR
vs Cabrera: 5/19
vs Erstad (out): 9/19
vs Figgins: 2/12
vs Vlad: 5/19
vs Kennedy: 7/23
vs Salmon: 5/13
Lackey:
0-1, 8.0, 2.25, 0.75, .207 this season vs TOR
0-0, 8.0, 0.00, 0.63, .154 last season vs TOR
2-1, 27.1, 3.29, 0.95, .186 this season at home
5-3, 87.2, 3.90, 1.38, .251 last season at home
vs Glaus: 1/3, HR
vs Hillenbrand: 3/15
vs Hinske: 1/13
vs Johnson: 2/10
vs McDonald: 2/15, HR
vs Rios: 1/5
vs Wells: 3/16

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Baseball Daily - Wednesday

Wednesday, May 17th, 2006

Barry Bonds will not play tonight.

Brian Roberts is a day or two away from returning, although there is an off chance he’ll be back tonight.

Bob Melvin on Ben Sheets:
“I’m focusing [on being] without Ben Sheets for the next four weeks,” Melvin said before the Brewers-Phillies game at Miller Park. “If he’s back sooner, then it’s a bonus to us. If he’s not back in four weeks, then we’ll evaluate it at that time. … We don’t know, the doctors don’t know, Ben doesn’t know right now.”
As noted yesterday, Josh Beckett is fine.

While the Dodgers’ closer Eric Gagne is making steady progress, they also have a new reliever in the mix.
If Little has decided to go with a closer by committee until Gagne returns, Saito is in that committee, and you never know what can come of that. The last time a Dodgers manager said he would close by committee, Gagne fell into Jim Tracy’s lap.
Gustavo Chacin is on the DL.

J.J. Hardy has a high ankle sprain.

Details here on Brad Lidge and his tipping of pitches.

MIN at DET

Santana:
1-0, 7.0, 2.57, 0.71, .160 this season vs DET
2-0, 12.0, 3.00, 1.17, .255 last season vs DET
1-3, 26.0, 4.15, 1.31, .260 this season away
2-0, 29.0, 1.86, 1.00, .204 career at Comerica Park
Has won last four starts
vs Guillen: 3/18
vs Inge: 5/21, HR
vs Ordonez: 9/22, 3 HR
vs IRod: 5/14, HR
vs Shelton: 4/9
Verlander:
1-0, 7.0, 1.29, 1.14, .231 this season vs MIN
1-1, 13.0, 4.15, 1.38, .275 career vs MIN
1-2, 15.2, 6.32, 1.66, .338 this season at home
vs Castillo: 2/2
vs Hunter: 1/6
vs Mauer: 3/5
vs Morneau: 2/5, HR
vs Stewart: 1/7

BOS at BAL

Wakefield:
2-0, 12.0, 2.25, 1.33, .240 this season vs BAL
0-2, 12.2, 7.82, 1.58, .333 last season vs BAL
7-3, 90.0, 2.90, 1.22, .221 career at Camden Yards
vs Conine: 4/30
vs Gibbons: 9/31, 3 HR
vs Lopez: 4/13
vs Millar: 4/10
vs Mora: 11/36, 2 HR
vs Tejada: 17/56, 5 HR
Bedard:
0-1, 2.0, 22.50, 5.00, .500 this season vs BOS
0-1, 10.2, 6.75, 1.69, .275 last season vs BOS
3-0, 30.0, 3.90, 1.53, .299 this season at home
vs Nixon: 3/5
vs Ortiz: 2/9
vs Pena: 2/2
vs Ramirez: 3/11
vs Varitek: 1/10
vs Youkilis: 1/7

SEA at OAK

Moyer:
0-1, 5.2, 4.76, 1.24, .286 this season vs OAK
1-1, 22.2, 6.35, 1.68, .320 last season vs OAK
10-6, 138.1, 4.10, 1.29, .260 career at McAfee
vs Chavez: 20/59, 6 HR
vs Crosby: 3/16
vs Ellis: 3/15, HR
vs Kendall: 6/18
vs Kielty: 7/21
vs Kotsay: 16/27 (.593), HR
vs Swisher: 0/4
vs Thomas: 16/40, 6 HR
Zito:
1-0, 6.0, 0.00, 0.17, .053 this season vs SEA
2-0, 27.1, 2.63, 1.10, .235 last season vs SEA
10-2, 125.1, 3.81, 1.25, .253 career vs SEA
0-2, 22.1, 5.64, 1.30, .234 this season at home
8-7, 117.2, 4.05, 1.16, .223 last season at home
vs Beltre: 4/16
vs Ichiro: 21/65, 3 HR
vs Sexson: 3/15, HR

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Baseball Daily - Tuesday

Tuesday, May 16th, 2006

Josh Beckett only threw 80 pitches in last night’s win over Baltimore, and there was speculation that he early departure was due to the recurring blister problem Beckett has fought with over his young career: Yet:
As it turns out, Beckett caught his spike during his sixth inning warmup tosses and tweaked his back, but it didn’t seem to be anything serious.
Yesterday, I wrote about my impressions of Alex Rios after seeing him in person on Sunday. Today, there’s an article with reason for Rios’ turnaround:
When a pitcher was in his delivery, Rios would bring his front foot back before striding forward. Given his 6-foot-5 frame, the technique was hindering his ability to catch up to fastballs, especially ones on the inside portion on the plate.

“The bigger you are, the tougher it is for your timing,” Gibbons said. “What would happen is the ball would be on top of him and his swing would break down. He’d be leaning back, and that’s when he slows his bat down, and he’d get a bigger loop in the swing. He wasn’t catching up with the inside pitch.”

Now, Rios starts in a more crouched stance and only strides forward after shifting his weight back first. The tap is gone, and so is his tendency to lift his body up during his swing.
It’s official, Francisco Liriano is part of the Twins’ rotation.

Brett Tomko seems to be for real, after dominating at Coors Field last night.
Tomko gave some credit to an adjustment he made in his changeup three starts back with the input of bullpen coach Dan Warthen and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.

“I felt guys were seeing the pitch, and we worked on a couple of things to make it more deceptive,” Tomko said. “Everyone knows I’m a fastball pitcher. We made a little mechanical change that has taken four mph off the changeup, and it’s made a huge difference. Guys can’t sit on the heater.”
Gary Sheffield is eligible to come off the DL later this week, but Joe Torre says that the Yankees’ RF is at least another week or two away from returning.

FLA at ATL

Willis:
0-1, 2.2, 10H, 7ER, 2BB this season vs ATL
1-1, 23.0, 3.13, 1.26, .281 last season vs ATL
1-1, 19.1, 4.66, 1.34, .280 career at Turner Field
vs Giles: 4/21, HR
vs AJones: 8/26
vs CJones: 81/9, HR
vs Jordan: 5/11
vs Renteria: 1/4
Hudson:
1-0, 15.2, 2.30, 0.96, 1.85 this season at home
7-4, 103.2, 3.39, 1.26, .254 last season at home
1-0, 6.0, 1.50, 1.00, .217 this season vs FLA
2-0, 12.1, 1.46, 1.30, .229 last season vs FLA
vs Cabrera: 4/8
vs Jacobs: 1/6

BOS at BAL

Schilling:
2-0, 14.0, 2.57, 0.93, .220 this season vs BAL
4-4, 64.0, 3.66, 1.06, .241 career vs BAL
2-2, 35.0, 4.68, 1.24, .271 career at Camden
vs Gibbons: 2/14
vs Lopez: 15/50 (.300), 3 HR
vs Mora: 3/22
vs Tejada: 6/17
Chen:
0-2, 14.1, 8.16, 1.81, .328 at home this season
7-5, 124.1, 4.05, 1.26, .240 career at Camden
0-1, 6.0, 4.50, 2.17, .348 this season vs BOS
2-1, 19.1, 4.19, 1.45, .257 last season vs BOS
vs Loretta: 3/11
vs Lowell: 5/16
vs Ortiz: 3/10
vs Ramirez: 3/10
vs Varitek: 6/12, 2 HR
vs Youkilis: 2/6

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Baseball Daily - Monday

Monday, May 15th, 2006

I don’t know if mlb was keeping stats of how the pink bats did across the majors yesterday, but the locals in the game I attended were:
Players who used pink bats Sunday, to support breast cancer awareness, combined to hit .357 (10-for-28) with one home run (Toronto’s Alex Rios, first pink bat hitter of the game). The Rays, however, hit .154 (2-for-13) with the bats.
One player who really stood out to me in person on Sunday was Alex Rios. He’s just one of those guys that, when he makes contact, the ball sounds different coming off his bat. At just 25 years old, Rios looks like he’s filling out his 6′5 frame a little better and looks like he’s set for a nice career in Toronto.

Brian Roberts is eligible to come off the DL today, but the Orioles are not planning on activating him until the weekend series against the Nationals starts on Friday.

Coco Crisp is staying in Boston to rehab, so he won’t be ready to return soon.

Eric Gagne may begin a minor league rehab assignment by next week.

Brad Penny had an MRI on his back and the results were good. Penny doesn’t expect to miss his next start.
Penny has had lower back problems in the past, but not to where he was forced to leave a game. He said the back bothered him the least in the throwing motion…

Penny was most bothered by the back when running and between innings on the bench, when he used a hot pack to try to loosen the muscle spasm.
Mark Loretta has finally broken out of his early season slump.

Jarrod Washburn says he battling a dead arm.

Milton Bradley had a significant setback over the weekend and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back soon.

SD at ARZ

Park:
1-0, 12.0, 5.25, 1.50, .320 this season away
(1-1, 33.1, 2.97, 1.17, .236 this season at home)
0-1, 8.2, 4.15, 1.15, .265 this season vs ARZ
1-0, 6.0, 3.00, 1.00, 1.43 last season vs ARZ
2-3, 25.2, 6.66, 1.60, .290 career vs Chase Field
Webb:
3-0, 23.2, 1.90, 1.10, .270 this season at home
1-0, 8.0, 1.13, 0.75, .222 this season vs SD
0-1, 25.2, 3.86, 1.60, .337 last season vs SD

BOS at BAL

Beckett:
2-1, 25.0, 6.12, 1.28, .242 this season away
First career start vs BAL
Lopez:
1-3, 37.0, 7.30, 1.57, .307 this season at home
0-2, 11.1, 6.35, 2.03, .347 this season vs BOS
2-2, 32.1, 3.90, 1.18, .226 last season vs BOS
vs Loretta: 3/10
vs Lowell: 3/6, 3 2B
vs Nixon: 17/48 (.354), HR
vs Ortiz: 12/38 (.316)
vs Ramirez: 13/54 (.241), 2 HR

TEX at NYYM

Millwood:
2-0, 21.0, 3.00, 1.29, .321 this season away
(1-3, 26.1, 6.84, 1.59, .291 this season at home)
0-1, 14.0, 5.14, 1.21, .278 last season vs NYY
0-1, 6.0, 9.00, 1.50, .280 last season at Yankee Stadium
Mussina:
3-0, 18.2, 2.41, 1.13, .243 this season at home
1-0, 7.0, 2.57, 0.43, .125 this season vs TEX
vs Blalock: 3/23
vs Mench: 5/13, HR
vs Nevin: 3/19
vs Teixeira: 0/14
vs Young: 7/27

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Baseball Daily - Friday

Friday, May 12th, 2006

Another short version today.

OAK at NYY

Zito:
0-1, 10.2, 7.59, 1.78, .319 last season vs NYY
0-1, 1.1, 4H, 7ER, 4BB, 3K this season vs NYY (at home)
0-0, 7.1, 3.68, 0.95, .214 last season at Yankee Stadium
1-4, 44.1, 4.26, 1.31, .247 career at Yankee Stadium
2-0, 19.2, 2.29, 0.92, .174 away this season
vs Damon: 10/21
vs Giambi: 4/15, 2 HR
vs Jeter: 13/33, 3 HR
vs Posada: 6/28, HR
vs ARod: 13/60 (.217), 4 HR
vs Sheffield: 8/20, 2 HR
vs Williams: 9/33, 2 HR
Wang:
0-0. 4/2. 3.86, 2.14, .333 this season (and career) vs OAK
0-1, 18.1, 6.38, 1.42, .264 this season at home
5-2, 66.0, 3.55, 1.20, .250 last season at home

CWS at MIN

Vazquez:
1-0, 6.0, 4.50, 1.00, .143 last season vs MIN
2-0, 19.0, 1.89, 1.11, .224 this season away
37-39, 752.2, 4.04, 1.24, .261 career indoors
0-1, 6.2, 8.10, 1.65, .321 career at Metrodome
vs Castille: 16/44 (.364)
vs Hunter: 3/9, HR
vs Morneau: 3/9, 3 HR
vs Stewart: 6/14, 2 HR
Santana:
0-1, 7.0, 2.57, 1.14, .200 this season vs CWS
4-0, 39.1, 0.92, 0.76, 1.75 last season vs CWS
2-0, 20.1, 3.10, 1.03, .231 this season at home
6-4, 121.0, 2.83, 0.90, 1.96 last season at home
vs Crede: 4/27, HR
vs Dye: 8/32
vs Iguchi: 5/19
vs Konerko: 4/33, HR
vs Pierzynski: 1/8
vs Podsednik: 1/9
vs Thome: 2/12, 2 HR
vs Uribe: 5/30, HR

LA at SF

Penny:
0-0, 6.0, 1.50, 0.33, .105 this season vs SF
0-0, 22.1, 2.82, 1.07, .217 last season vs SF
0-0, 13.1, 4.05, 1.13, .216 last season at SBC Park
1-1, 20.0, 3.15, 1.15, .227 away this season
vs Alou: 6/15
vs Bonds: 5/13, 3 HR
vs Durham: 1/10
vs Feliz: 3/18
vs Finley: 6/24, HR
vs Matheny: 2/13
vs Vizquel:4/14
vs Winn: 5/14, 3 HR
Morris:
0-1, 12.0, 6.75, 1.67, .340 last season vs LA
1-1, 20.1, 4.87, 1.38, .244 this season at home
0-1, 8.0, 2.25, 0.75, .222 last season at SBC Park
vs Drew: 3/7, HR
vs Furcal: 2/14
vs Nomar: 4/9
vs Kent: 18/51 (.353), 4 HR
vs Lofton: 7/21

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Baseball Daily - Thursday

Thursday, May 11th, 2006

Baseball Musings is projecting what kind of season Albert Pujols is on pace for:
Let say that Albert falls back for the rest of the season to his career home run rate, one every 14 at bats. Since Albert always gets 590 at bats (his career at bats: 590, 590, 591, 592, 591), we’ll say he has 474 at bats left. That would give him 34 more home runs for 52. Not a record, but certainly an impressive total, and one that would solidify his chances at breaking Aaron’s career record.
Pinto goes on to write about if Pujols’ start to the season is a permanent improvement, or just a hot streak.

The Hardball Times is discussing the Coors Field factor and it’s low scoring trends this season. They also have an interesting stat that shows that the non-homerun runs scored there this season are on pace with the last 4 seasons, it’s just that the homerun rate is significantly down. I still believe this is a global warming issue. Seriously. The seasons runs later and it’s been cool in Colorado so far. I believe that by the time August rolls in, those HR numbers will be close to normal- perhaps down just a bit.

Here are a couple notes about lingering injuries to Justin Morneau and Jeremy Reed.

Since I was off yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to write about Chan Ho Park. After throwing 6 scoreless last night, Park’s home record this season is now:
1-1, 33.1, 2.97, 1.17, .236
In 6 starts at PETCO last season, he went:
3-3, 32.0, 4.78, 1.50, .250
Park has now strung together 15 scoreless innings in a row and a big factor recently has been catcher Josh Bard:
Park praised Bard’s catching, saying, “He made me aggressive with my fastballs, in and out, then sliders later. Josh called good pitches when we needed them.”

…

“[Bard] took charge. He really took control at times and settled down Chan Ho,” Bochy said. “For a guy that had never caught him before, I thought that was impressive.”
Bochy also said that the Bard-Park duo isn’t permanent, but with these results, I’m sure it’s going to stick around for a while.

As mentioned here on Monday,Cole Hamels was called up by Philly and they plan on having him start on Friday.

Javy Lopez should be back with Baltimore this weekend.

Juan Pierre was dropped out of the leadoff spot yesterday in favor of Ronny Cedeno.

HOU at LA

Rodriguez:
1-0, 8.0, 2.25, 1.00, .200 career vs LA
0-0, 1.0, 0.00, 1.00, .250 career at Dodger Stadium
1-3, 34.0, 5.82, 1.29, .271 career at day
6-6, 79.0, 4.44, 1.29, .250 post all-star break last season
4-1, 44.0, 3.27, 1.20, .259 this season
Lowe:
0-1, 8.0, 2.25, 1.13, .233 last season vs HOU (at home)
0-1, 19.1, 4.66, 1.24, .269 this season at home
8-7, 110.2, 3.74, 1.21, .266 last season at home
5-6, 82.1, 4.37, 1.38, .278 last season at day
vs Berkman: 3/10
vs Biggio: 3/11, HR
vs Ensburg: 0/6
vs Lane: 3/5
vs Taveras: 1/7
vs Wilson: 1/5

ATL at FLA

Hudson:
1-3, 30.1, 6.53, 1.48, .287 this season away
7-5, 88.1, 3.67, 1.45, .276 last season away
2-0, 12.1, 1.46, 1.30, .229 last season vs FLA
1-0, 11.0, 3.27, 1.82, .302 career at Dolphins Stadium
vs Cabrera: 3/5
vs Jacobs: 1/3
Willis:
1-2, 17.2, 8.15, 1.81, .354 this season at home
11-6, 127.1, 2.69, 1.18, .245 last season at home
1-1, 23.0, 3.13, 1.26, .281 last season vs ATL
vs Giles: 3/18, HR
vs AJones: 7/24
vs CJones: 7/17, HR
vs Jordan: 4/9
vs Renteria: 0/3

DET at BAL

Rogers:
3-2, 30.2, 4.70, 1.24, .252 this season away
(2-0, 16.0, 0.56, 0.81, .161 this season at home)
0-0, 7.0, 3.86, 1.29, .276 last season vs BAL (at Camden)
4-3, 96.0, 4.22, 1.33, .265 career at Camden
vs Conine: 9/32, HR
vs Gibbons: 4/9
vs Hernandez: 7/24, HR
vs Mora: 6/19, HR
vs Tejada: 14/41, 3 HR
Bedard:
3-0, 25.0, 3.60, 1.48, .296 this season at home
4-4, 79.0, 3.87, 1.25, .233 last season at home
0-1, 4.2, 15.43, 2.14, .429 last season vs DET (at home)
vs Guillen: 0/3
vs Inge: 3/5
vs Ordonez: 2/3
vs Polanco: 2/7, HR
vs IRod: 3/5
vs Shelton: 0/3
vs Young: 2/3

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Baseball Daily - Tuesday

Tuesday, May 9th, 2006

The White Sox may know today if Jose Contreras needs to go on the DL and if he does, it’s possible that Brandon McCarthy will take his spot in the rotation. Let’s hope McCarthy has worked out his mechanics.

Kerry Wood may join the Cubs after he makes a AAA start on Friday.

The Padres are 26 for 28 in stolen bases this season. Manager Bruce Bochy is committed to running:
“We have, in the past, emphasized it — especially in this ballpark. I think it gives you energy, makes it easier to manufacture runs by taking the extra base or stealing a base. Speed shows up every day. It puts pressure on the pitcher and the defense.”
News again that Francisco Liriano may soon take over Kyle Lohse’s spot in the rotation.

Dallas McPherson, still in AAA, is finally starting to hit.

NYM at PHI

Pedro:
2-1, 20.0, 3.60, 1.20, .230 last season vs PHI
First career start at Citizens Bank
vs Abreu: 3/20, HR
vs Burrell: 0/14
vs Rollins: 5/19, HR
vs Utley: 4/12, 2 HR
Myers:
1-0, 18.0, 3.50, 1.44, .232 at home this season
8-4, 122.0, 4.20, 1.25, .264 last season at home
2-1, 24.1, 4.07, 1.15, .255 vs NYM last season
vs Beltran: 7/18, HR
vs Delgado: 6/9
vs Floyd: 8/27, 3 HR
vs Lo Duca: 8/23, 2 HR
vs Reyes: 7/22
vs Wright: 3/13, 2 HR

BOS at NYY

Beckett:
First career start vs NYY
Johnson:
3-0, 18.0, 4.00, 1.00, .200 at home this season
11-2, 126.2, 3.13, 0.99, .220 at home last season
5-0, 39.2, 3.63, 1.24, .221 vs BOS last season
vs Loretta: 3/38
vs Lowell: 5/30, HR
vs Ortiz: 3/18
vs Ramirez: 7/36, 3 HR
vs Varitek: 5/18, 2 HR

COL at STL

Fogg:
2-1, 20.1, 5.75, 1.43, .300 away this season
0-2, 13.0, 3.46, 2.08, .350 vs STL last season
vs Edmonds: 7/17, 2 HR
vs Encarnacion: 3/16
vs Pujols: 11/27, 3 HR
vs Rolen: 4/15, HR
Carpenter:
1-1, 21.0, 1.71, 1.19, .256 at home this season
9-4, 133.0, 2.77, 1.09, .240 at home last season
1-0, 7.2, 0.00, 0.91, .185 vs COL last season (at home)
Only career start vs COL

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Baseball Daily - Monday

Monday, May 8th, 2006

Ben Sheets was scratched from yesterday’s start because of shoulder soreness.
Yost emphasized Sunday the current setback is separate from the injuries Sheets suffered last August and this March to muscles behind his right shoulder.

But Sheets said he believes it’s related to healthy parts of his anatomy overcompensating for injured ones.

“A little bit sore is fine,” Sheets said. “I don’t need an MRI. I just need it to get stronger. Could I pitch today? Yeah — but if I’m smart, probably not. I think if I can get on a roll, I’ll be all right. But I can’t even get going.”
Kerry Wood struck out 12 in 5 innings of A ball.

Ken Griffey, Jr.’s return means Ryan Freel is back to fighting for a position.

Sidney Ponson, who has been a nice surprise this year for the Cards, had to leave Sunday’s game because of elbow problems. He says the injury is not serious, we’ll see.

Moises Alou has a sprained ankle.

The Pirates now have had 16 of their 32 games decided by two runs or less. They are 6-10 in these contests.

Phillies pitching prospect Cole Hamels is tearing up the minors and could be with Philly soon.

Gary Sheffield’s wrist is not improving and he may end up on the DL.

How did Austin Kearns get better?
“I think playing every day has helped a lot,” Kearns said. “I’m more relaxed up there and not trying to do too much. It allows you to work through some things if you have a couple of bad games in a row, and in the past it wasn’t that way, so you try to take advantage of being out there.”

ANA at TOR

Weaver:
First start vs TOR since 2003 (2-2, 26.0, 4.50, 1.31, .269)
6-7 120.2, 4.77, 1.51, .304 career indoors
3-3, 49.1, 4.56, 1.34, .276 career at Rogers Centre
vs Glaus: 2/31, 10 K
vs HIllenbrand: 3/15
vs Hinske: 9/23, HR
vs Johnson: 1/9
vs Overbay: 2/8
vs Wells: 8/26, 3 HR
Halladay:
2-1, 20.0, 3.60, 1.10, .253 at home this season
Did not face ANA last season
1-1, 14.2, 3.07, 1.30 ,.281 vs ANA in 2003
vs Anderson: 8/17, 2 HR
vs Cabrera: 4/15
vs Erstad: 9/19
vs Vlad: 4/15
vs Kennedy: 7/22

CHC at SD

Maddux:
1-0, 6.0, 4.50, 1.50, .308 last season vs SD (at PETCO)
2-0, 14.0, 2.57, 1.00, .241 career at PETCO
vs Castilla: 13/43, 3 HR
vs Giles: 9/25, HR
vs Piazza: 16/63 (.254), 4 HR
Young:
0-2, 16.0, 5.06, 1.31, .250 at home this season
First career start vs CHC

HOU at SF

Oswalt:
0-1, 7.0, 3.86, 1.43, .320 last season vs SF (at SBC)
8-10, 120.0, 3.38, 1.32, .276 last season away
1-3, 26.0, 4.15, 1.85, .349 career at SBC Park
vs Alou: 7/29, HR
vs Bonds: 4/4, HR
vs Durham: 7/15
vs Feliz: 7/16, HR
vs Finley: 1/11
vs Winn: 3/8
Lowry:
2nd start this season, first off DL (April 7th)
2-0, 16.0, 0.56, 0.63, .118 career vs HOU
11-8, 177.2, 3.09, 1.17, .239 career at SBC Park
vs Berkman: 0/5
vs Biggio: 0/7
vs Lane: 2/4
vs Wilson: 1/9, HR