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10/3: Rays Rays Rays!

Tiny by Jeff on in Game Threads Comment 536 comments

Lineup

Chicago White Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays

10/03/08 3:07 PM PDT

Chicago White Sox Tampa Bay Rays
Orlando Cabrera - SS Akinori Iwamura - 2B
Nick Swisher - LF B.J. Upton - CF
Jermaine Dye - RF Carl Crawford - LF
Paul Konerko - 1B Evan Longoria - 3B
Jim Thome - DH Willy Aybar - 1B
Alexei Ramirez - 2B Rocco Baldelli - DH
AJ Pierzynski - C Dioner Navarro - C
Juan Uribe - 3B Fernando Perez - RF
Brian Anderson - CF Jason Bartlett - SS

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Scott Kazmir 12-8 27 27 0 0 0 0 152.1 123 61 59 23 70 166 3.49 1.27

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Mark Buehrle 15-12 34 34 1 0 0 0 218.2 240 106 92 22 52 140 3.79 1.34

 

Star-divide

Balfourpumped_medium

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Read More: Chicago White Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays

Comments

Display:

It's funny because yesterday a TBS announcer

congratulated the Brewers for trading Seth McClung.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That whole at bat was so much fun.

Fuck Orlando Cabrera.

the other angels fan

by Eyebrows on Oct 3, 2008 2:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Grant Balfour is so much fun to watch.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yet another reason Maddon is Manager of the Year:

With Percival not making the playoff roster due to injury, most managers would have automatically plugged Balfour into the “closer” spot and refused to use him until the 9th inning. Because “that’s the way it’s done.” Instead, Maddon nominally gave that “position” to the reliable (but not overwhelming) Wheeler and said he’d use Balfour — his true relief ace — at any time, in any inning, whenever he was needed the most.

Bases loaded, one out, game on the line…and he strikes both batters out. Dominance.

Anyone else remember when this guy couldn’t find the strike zone with a map last year?

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Oct 3, 2008 2:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ehh

Wheeler has been the closer for a while, and Borowski saw more high leverage situations than Betancourt last year.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 2:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Where does the media get that Percival is hurt from?
Percival, 39, indicated he is healthy enough to pitch and believes the decision was made to get another player on the roster, not work around his previous ailments.

He was left off because he’s bad, not because he’s hurt.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Oct 3, 2008 2:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would give anything for a high-quality pic of Balfour doing the finger point.

He’s probably in mid-“FUCK” as he does it, too.

That dude is crazy entertaining.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Oct 3, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This work?

[img]http://assets.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/17033/sitthefuckdown.jpg[/img]

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 2:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

God dammit, used to forums:

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 2:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

Upton, Longo, Aybar, Baldelli, Navarro?

Carl Crawford had a 91 OPS+ this year. His OBP was .319…he’s not as bad as he’s shown this year but there are better #3 hitters in the very same lineup.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aybar and Navarro are not good options

You don’t know what you’re going to get out of Baldelli, and quite frankly if you’re going to base that on this year’s performance you should check Pena’s splits.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Better BB% (career and this year) lower K% (career and this year), better HR/FB, and equal LD rate with a BABIP 33 points worse.

He may not be a better hitter, but he’s had a better year, Crawford has been injured this year, and based on what Aybar’s responsible for, Aybar’s 2008>Crawford’s 2008 as a hitter. Crawford isn’t playing to his talent level but he’s also hurt, so it’s not crazy to think he’d play worse than his talent level right now.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a bunch of nonsense

Willy Aybar is a utility player who is not even on the same planet as Carl Crawford. Crawford, along with several other Rays, would have to be severely compromised to make it seems like a good idea.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 3:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aybar's bat would make him the best utility batter in baseball then.

You still can’t refute the 20.5% LD rate and .267 BABIP, really. He’s not good, but he still had an acceptable season while getting about as unlucky as Beltre (21.7% LD rate, .279 BABIP) so he had some bad breaks this year. Aybar’s more of a hitter than his results show.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He’s not good

Then he shouldn’t hit third.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 3:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you say so.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Willy Aybar is a league average hitter

and has no business hitting third on a team that wants to win and has better options: Longo, Baldelli, Upton, Crawford, Iwamura, Pena all have to die in a fiery plane crash before I entertain the idea the hitting Aybar third is a viable option.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 3:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Look, I respect that you guys could be right, but rather than "that's just not true" I'd like to know why.

From what I’ve learned the past year, BABIP is largely dependent on luck. Aybar had a higher OPS than Crawford this year despite suffering terrible BABIP luck. He had a good LD rate (20.5) and a horrible BABIP (.267) His BB is higher. His K% is lower. His HR/FB% is higher. In most of these categories it’s better than Crawford’s for their career. Aybar hasn’t played as much so a lot of that could be SSS I guess.

I know I am still learning, but from what I’ve learned about balls-in-play and LD rate and all that, it seems like Aybar has gotten really unlucky and still had a better year, whereas Crawford was mildly unlucky and still had a worse year at the plate. All I’m asking for is more of a statistical response. I don’t like using numbers, even if they’re the wrong ones, and then being told I’m wrong without being told why. Tell me why the numbers I’m using are wrong. Jeff knows way more about baseball than me so yeah, he’s probably right. But give me a reason why here.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well if he's a .737 OPS with bad luck, I don't know how much better, but at least a little better.

Same thing would happen to Crawford, but he was worse to begin with this year and he’s still a little injured. The Rays weren’t even sure he’d play in the ALDS at all.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He whines.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which is why you don't bat him 3rd

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He had to play center one day this year.

Pre-game he whined, during the game a line drive single to center, Mark Teahan scored from first. After the game Carl said he “forgot where he was.”

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 3, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How does anyone score from first on a single?

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Carl's arm is damon-esque/

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stop being hurt Kaz.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:15 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no Hot Corner?

Gameday is just not going to cut it

by Lents Park Homer on Oct 3, 2008 3:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2%

Screw you, Mariners. I'm back in football's loving arms.

by kevin_ess on Oct 3, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sapien

The Rays are human and therefore prone to mistakes.

9=8

by JI on Oct 3, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is this yet another example in a long list of reasons why you shouldn't pitch when injured?

Disappearing slider being an issue and all…

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Oct 3, 2008 3:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I blame his obviously faulty mechanics.

I mean, look at those mechanics. They’re HORRIFYING. He’s guaranteed to have his arm rot off any day now.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Oct 3, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can't be worse than Silva?

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ugh.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interestingly enough

Kazmir’s strike rate and swinging strike rate are the same as they were a year ago. The only differences are a higher LD% and an unsustainably higher HR%.

by Jeff on Oct 3, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh shit nevermind his groundball rate plummeted too

but it is interesting that despite all the BIP differences, his immediate pitch results remained stable.

by Jeff on Oct 3, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you look at his release point from this and last year.

He’s changed to make it more repeatable, yet the ball is released higher. Perhaps that’s a reason for more flyballs?

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 3, 2008 3:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, that sucked.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well ast least it's till the first inning...

GO RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS!

BOOYA! You got Slurved!

by Slurvey on Oct 3, 2008 3:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Balfour interview on HotCorner

and the interviewer didn’t even ask about the Cabrera at-bat. Heckuva job, TBS sports dork.

by Lents Park Homer on Oct 3, 2008 3:33 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hockey is a white man's game.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If I wasn't so insanely opposed to hockey in warm weather cities,

I would have jumped on the lightning. Their team looks Rays-esque.

by Matthew on Oct 3, 2008 3:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sports are easier to get into if you know somebody with a rooting interest

And their were other critia that forced my hand
1.) Eastern Conference
2.) Canadian Team
3.) No history of winning
4.) Not being the most obnoxious fans in the league

by Robert on Oct 3, 2008 3:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sports are easier to get into if you know somebody with a rooting interest
Sports are easier to get into if you know somebody with a rooting interest
Sports are easier to get into if you know somebody with a rooting interest
Sports are easier to get into if you know somebody with a rooting interest

by Robert on Oct 3, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think I've finally grown tired of his schtick

I liked him for a long long time, but in the last two or three years every time I see him he just kinda annoys me.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Oct 3, 2008 3:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

keep your exposure at its current level

and you’ll have many, many years of batshit crazy. Seattle cable gets the CBC and I used to never miss Coach’s Corner. Took a few years off, then saw it a couple times last year and…..ugh.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Oct 3, 2008 3:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

King David.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Throw more strikes, Kazmir

Fewer wide-angle shots of the underside of the dome roof, TBS

by Lents Park Homer on Oct 3, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

EJ's Mailbag sounds like a porno or a kids show.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Movie News: Steven Seagal's In Siege 3 has been greenlighte, and it will take place in space.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:55 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Under Siege

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Barty = MVP

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Goddamn double plays.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Oct 3, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What happened to this thread?

Unless my browser is messing with me again, nobody’s posting in it. My browser is probably messing with me.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Oct 3, 2008 4:15 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nah.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Real men do both at once.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm expected to actually work until about 5:30,

so I’m pretty much lurking until then.

I'm back to liking midgets too much.

by Thingray on Oct 3, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

..Or maybe just Kaz is excitable for the first few innings.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not saying it isn't.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least they're not down 1-0.

:p

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's okay, Big Gay Eyes.

:P

Screw you, Mariners. I'm back in football's loving arms.

by kevin_ess on Oct 3, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bahahaha

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just realized I failed.

Supposed to be Big Gay Heart.

I’m a fool.

Screw you, Mariners. I'm back in football's loving arms.

by kevin_ess on Oct 3, 2008 6:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I totally missed that...

I'm back to liking midgets too much.

by Thingray on Oct 3, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aw, I'm sorry.

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

TBS + Catwalks = Unnatural Metal Bridge Love.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amen!

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pena did it once last year.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Against Bedard!

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

...How do you know this?

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was watching the game.

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Huh.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah.

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OK, he started.

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Oct 3, 2008 4:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

M-V-P

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Oct 3, 2008 4:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs