a700hitter

f*** Bard for insisting on starting and screwing himself up so bad.

I think this is evidence of two things-- first, that I watch way too much baseball that I can remember a single pitch from a game that was more than one year ago. Second, you spend too much time on the computer researching baseball if you have seen that gif so many times that it is imbedded in your memory. Oh well, it's all harmless fun.

Aces win games when they don't have their best stuff. If he remains healthy and puts up 200 innings, he's there.

The freaking thing was 99 mph and it was moving like a crazy scewball. BTW, Do any prominent pitchers throw the screwball today?

Yep, that's the pitch. How do you find this stuff?

The deck is stacked in our favor for the weekend. Beat the teams that you are supposed to beat and just hold your own against the good teams. That is a good formula to get to the playoffs.

I can't view this on my blackberry. I have to wait until I get back to my desk.

Bard needs to find some consistency. He doesn't need to be lights out every time out there. His problem has been that for every good appearance he has had he has had 3 stinkers. He needs to get to where he has 3 out of 4 good appearances. As for the fastball movement, that is a good sign. I remember when he was at his best he threw a 99 mph pitch in a Yankee game that was knee high and it had so much late movement that it looked like it was making a right turn. It was completely unhittable. The Yankee broadcasters replayed it and commented on it. I remember thinking that if he could throw that with any consistency, no one would ever have a chance against him. I never saw that kind of movement on any of his pitches after that. If he has regained that movement and he can have some command with it, he could be consistent even if his velocity is down a few clicks. IMO the inexplicable loss of velocity and complete abandonment of command for such a prolonged period has made me suspect that he has been working through some physical problems. There was an article a while back where he discussed having some lower back issues. That could really screw you up from overcompensation etc. If the back troubles are finally over, he'll have a chance to rebuild himself. Unfortunately, back problems tend to be chronic.

Vernon Wells hit his 6th Homer yesterday. MFY luck that he regains his stroke this year. When he is hitting, he is a star quality player, because he is still an excellent fielder and baserunner and he has a very strong arm. MFYs!

I have seen 95 a very few times from him since he imploded, but I don't think that I have seen 96 from him. That's a good sign. What was he averaging?

They have a nice set up with the pathetic Stros for 3 more games before we go on the road. This fast start is more than I hoped for. I just didn't want the team to bury itself in April like they have for the last 3 years. A little over .500 would have made me happy. Jumping out to a start like this gives them some cushion to withstand some injuries to the pitching and still be competitive. If the pitching stays healthy, it could be a very very enjoyable year, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I missed Bard. What was his velocity?

With Aceves on his way out the door and Steve Wright stinking like 3 day old fish, we have one depth option for the rotation--- Webster. I hope the rotation takes their vitamins and stay healthy.

How are they going to get PT for Lavarnway, Salty and Ross?

Aceves down, probably going to get traded. Lavarnway up. Are we going to carry 3 catchers, or is a bigger trade brewing? Is there any news out there on this?

We should steamroll these guys.

You asshats will be messing with mojo. This is the best start we've had in years. If we go into a tailspin, I will hold you personally responsible, and bring down my wrath upon you.

Gomes is very inconsistent from year to year. He can have some stinky seasons.

I sense some frustration in your post. Is Strasburg on one of your fantasy teams?

According to Boston.com, Aceves is blaming everyone and everything other than himself for last night's debacle. Tough guys stand up and take the heat. Aceves is not a tough guy, just a psycho.

I'd say yes if I were Cherington, but no if I were the Marlin GM.

De La Rosa last night pitched 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit, 2 walks and 1 k. An improvement-- a small step.

Command has always been an issue for him.

I wouldn't trade Stanton for Webster if I were the GM of the Marlins. I wouldn't trade him for Webster and Bradley either.

Stanton is a bona fide stud power hitter. Webster is at most a "potential" ace. I read someplace last week that after 4 or 5 innings his stuff falls off a cliff. He did give up two bombs around that time. Papelbon could go through a batting order once, maybe twice and then he would get lit up. That is the reason he went to the pen. There is no guaranteed ace status for Webster-- far from it. Stanton is already a bona fide major league star.