4/17.5 vs Tampa Bay

[jacksonianmarch]

I know it is a small sample size, it is just funny how it is getting out of the gate, that's all. By the end of 162, assuming good health from Cameron and Beltre, they should be one of the better fielding teams in the game

[a700hitter]

I was at this debacle last night. It was the worst two losses that I have seen in person in a long time, and I can't remember the last time that I saw two outcomes for one admission. They gave away game one with the Scutaro error and Beltre losing the ground ball in the lights. Game two was lost by Cameron dropping the third out in the first inning leading to 4 unearned runs. Could Buccholz have picked up his fielder there? Yes, but the Cameron is a gold glover. For good measure, Scutaro made another error leading to a 5th unearned run. Scutaro is making a ton of errors. This really hurt because they gave away both games. The culprits were the new guys, Scutaro, Cameron and Beltre.

 

Buchholz worked excruciatingly slowly in the first inning. The results were three walks and two hits. After the first inning, he quickened his pace and did much better. Pacing was a problem that Lester had had before he turned the corner. He would agonize over each pitch. Buccholz needs to get the ball take the catchers sign and throw it to the location. His stuff will do the rest. The first half inning took about 1/2 hour. He needs to change his approach. I think he'll be okay, but when I see him, I still get aggravated that we could have traded him for Halladay.

 

Ortiz's bat speed is still there. His pitch recognition and timing is off just a bit. He will hit. I can't say the same about Drew's bat speed. He looks just plain awful. If you are more worried about Ortiz than Drew, O-Dawg says you are a racist.

 

No one was going to hit the ball out to RF or CF last night with that miserable weather. Hermida came the closest. He had several good swings last night. He's a good 4th OF. It's our starting three OFers that are not so great.

 

Getting Beltre was a giant cluster f***. We have 4 guys that can play 1st and 3 guys that can play 3rd. There is a tremendous logjam, and Beltre is the worst offensive player of the 4 players. Lowell is moving well. He's never been fast, but he is covering more ground in the field than last season,and he has always had great hands and throwing arm. We needed a top right handed OFer, not a free swinging 3B whose one power year came from a needle.

 

BTW, who are these short term solutions like Beltre, and Cameron and Scutaro bridging us to? Who are the big studs that will be coming up fromthe farm in a couple of years. I just don't see it.

 

Finally, I hate that prick Joe Maddon.We made him look smart last night when he did that 6 IF BS. He is not smart.