jacksonianmarch

Cutters are a tease for a pitcher. Throw a pitch close to fastball velocity that has a slider like movement? It's the great white whale for a pitcher. The problem is, the cutter is thrown a little differently than the fastball and due to the fact that the ball is held off center, it is a little more difficult to control. And since it doesnt have the same pop as a fastball, the bat doesnt need to be as fast. And if it is left in to a righty or out to a lefty, it will break into the sweet spot of the bat. Big time pitching prospects are being taught that movement on the fastball is the key to winning in the bigs. This has been taught to guys like Hughes and Bard and Buchholz, etc. The problem is, these guys are trying to master that pitch and are losing the most important tool in the game for a pitcher; fastball command.

92-93 thus far tonight for Bard. The last start I watched of him, he was more 94-95.

leadoff walks to speedy runners suck even more

Pettitte showed big doberman balls there. /endpapreference

WHAT THE f*** IS THE POINT OF A BACKUP CATCHER IF HE CANNOT CATCH AND THROW! Unf***ingbelievable beginning to this game. f*** you Chris Stewart, I hope you burn in hell for all eternity!

Bogaerts will likely need to take it one level at a time for now. He is being exposed a little in High A. Combine that with his age and if he doesnt settle in, he is in danger of needing to repeat the level

So.... just got back from a short vacation. Couldnt watch the games, pretty glad I couldnt. From the looks of it on gamecast, Hughes was throwing darts but couldnt put anyone away quickly and got out after a mildly effective 5.1IP. But 4 runs scored in 3 games vs the detritus we faced is just abysmal. It hurts when Tex is an auto out. He isnt this bad and he will break out, but it wont be tonight since he isnt in the lineup. That being said, he is due for a 10HR month and he is usually hot in June. Also, still puzzled by Kuroda. He seems to alternate awful and dominant starts. It isnt the stuff, it is the location. When he is on, he isnt beatable. When he isnt on, though, he is abused. The mark of a good pitcher is a guy who can beat the opponent or give his team a chance to win without his best stuff. Thus far, this season, Kuroda hasnt done that. He's pitching as an effective #4 starter, but right now, he is lined up as the #2. As was the problem last season, our #2 spot seems to alternate between a cast of 4 characters. We need someone to step up into that role this yr for us to be good. We have won all but one of our starter's quality starts this yr, so most of our issues are on the SP's. We just need them to get their s*** together, cause it isnt for lack of ability or track record. Our offense needs a kick in the ass as well, and we know it is coming, but listening to it was painful. Cmon Yanks, you are better than this.

He's got power to spare, that is true. But a sub .300 OBP means he's a liability offensively. And, he's hot right now. He doesn't get on base and has huge stretches of horrible production. Couple that with an abysmal defensive game and he's not improving. Just more gilding of the Lilly from Dojji

He has been an undisputed spark plug for the team. If he goes down and Youk struggles out of the gate, there might be a mutiny

Most first round college picks get promoted pretty quickly to AA if they dominate. He isnt. He started off hot and is only getting hotter

Beckett decided to remember that he is a prime time pitcher.

Great win, and good to see Tex finally get on track. Unfortunately we're dropping like flies. Robertson is getting an MRI on his side after straining it a week ago. Nova sprained his ankle. Rapada passed out in the dugout due to a viral illness and Ibanez was removed after a HBP

Hard throwers do well vs this lineup. My guess is he will dominate

btw, Jeter got porked on that call there. He was safe!

catharsis is good for the soul

He's being used as a lefty mostly. He is a sidewinder who tops out around 80 from the left, but his slider is nice. Problem is, his right handed stuff is below average at best and we already have Rapada and Logan up. I doubt he will get a shot in this organization, but someone will give him a chance.

Guy may be a bit of a tool, but he loves to play the game. I love the hustle and the passion. I guarantee you, he will never beg out of a game and unless his arm is hanging off, he wont be coming out. I love gamers

He doesnt hit enough to be a 4th OFer and he doesnt play good enough D to be a 4th OFer. Your 4th OFer must be able to play CF adequately. Nava can barely play LF adequately

Hughes was doing the same thing and his success started this yr when he stopped using it like a 4 seamer. A cutter is a great equalizer against the opposite batters. So for righties, it is good vs lefties and vice versa. It needs to be thrown in off the plate and into the hands to break the bat. Unfortunately, pitchers fall in love with it, try to hit the outside corner with it and when they miss, it becomes a slider speed cockshot. You need to throw it where a missed location isnt a strike cause a cutter in the middle of the plate might as well be an auto-tater.

he's found his command. He never lost his stuff. If he can replicate this command on a start by start basis, you will once again have one of the better pitchers in baseball

I am pretty sure he is occupied right now. He's giving a handy behind the sox dugout to Nava prior to his next AB. Nothing turns him on like career minor leaguers with no big league long term future

I take that back, tie game bitches!!

Swisher has sucked ass historically with RISP. He had a few games with clutch hits with the bags packed and now he sucks again. f***

Adam Warren is getting back on track. 5 shutout innings so far