I only got to watch a limited amount of today's game, so all I really have to say is that Miguel Cairo and Jarrod Washburn might form the worst GWRBI/save combination of all time.
Biggest Contribution: Arthur Rhodes, +34.6%
Biggest Suckfest: Wladimir Balentien, -30.4%
Most Important AB: Cairo single, +31.9%
Most Important Pitch: Byrd DP, +27.5%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): +91.4%
Total Contribution by Hitters: -55.5%
Total Contribution by Opposition: +14.1%
(What is this chart?)
Not included in Wlad's Biggest Suckfest WPA is the fact that, once again, he was a circus out there in right field. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for a little while since he has a decent reputation and he's still getting used to a new level and new parks, but through his first couple weeks in the big leagues, he's been an absolute defensive disaster. I wasn't expecting that.
I'll also say this - Byrd's double play in the bottom of the seventh is a pretty good example of how you can still get excited watching a team that's no good. With the recent tailspin firmly entrenched in the forefront of my mind, that at bat had tragedy written all over it once Rhodes fell behind 2-0, and when he fell behind 3-0 it was all I could do to keep from turning away. But he got Byrd to roll over on an inside fastball, and Lopez's relay to Cairo arrived just in time to preserve the Mariners' narrow lead. I thrust a water bottle that was unknowingly capless into the air in celebration, which is pretty much the best you can do in an office environment without coming off as an annoying douchebag.
I'd like to say the game turned on that one pitch, because it would be easy, but considering the Rangers came back to tie things up in the next inning, I guess technically it wouldn't be "correct". So I'll just say it was awesome. A walk or a hit there would've been way too obvious.