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Saturday, June 18, 2005 |
Pickoff Moves
White Sox 6, Dodgers 0
The official recap makes it sound like Houlton had a bad game, but four earned runs in 6.0 IP for a rookie starter doesn't strike me as all that catastrophic, especially coming against the likes of the Chisox. If you're gonna bitch about something, bitch about the offense. And no, I'm not intentionally ignoring the Dodgers, but it does make it easier to bear when I'm at an Angels game. But, c'mon, this injury-wracked team is really no match for the Chisox right now, and expecting otherwise is ridiculous.Pin The Blame On The Bulldog?
David Pinto passes on a Dallas Morning News story about how the Nats may have found themselves a nice pitcher in Ryan Drese: he was tipping his sinker by throwing it sidearm, allowing batters to get a better read on it. Nationals pitching coach Randy St. Clair broke him of that, and his recent shutout of the Angels resulted. Pinto recommends that if "Drese continues to perform well in Washington, the Rangers should re-evaluate Orel's performance as coach." I'm not so sanguine; the club's pitching has turned around over the last year and a half, the time Bulldog has run the pitching show. You can't win 'em all.Roster Moves
- The Giants have disabled swingman LaTroy Hawkins, with nerve irritation. In his place, the Giants purchased the contract of Brandon Puffer from AAA Fresno.
- Padres starter Adam Eaton will miss his next start due to a strained flexor tendon in his right middle finger. He would have started on Monday against the Dodgers in San Diego; in his place, the Padres will start Jake Peavey.
- In addition to DFAing Juan Cruz, Oakland also sent down reliever Tim Harikkala. The team recalled lefty and former USC pitcher Ron Flores and RHP Jairo Garcia from AAA Sacramento.
- Update: Maicer Izturis was called up today to rejoin the Angels after his rehab stint. Robb Quinlan was sent down to AAA Salt Lake to make room on the 25-man roster.
- Update 2: The Times reports Milton Bradley has been sent back to Los Angeles for further tests. He cannot swing a bat left-handed without pain.
- Shortstop Cesar Izturis (hamstring) could return Monday, Tracy said, but pitcher Wilson Alvarez (shoulder), outfielder Ricky Ledee (hamstring), infielder Jose Valentin (knee) and catcher Paul Bako (knee) appear weeks away from returning. Bako, whose sprained knee did not respond well after he caught a bullpen session on Tuesday, will fly to Los Angeles for examination next week to check for a more serious injury. Pitcher Odalis Perez will make at least two more minor league rehabilitation starts, the first on Monday.
Rookie Derek Thompson could go onto the disabled list — his left elbow has been sore in recent days — or back to the minor leagues. The Dodgers promoted him from double-A Jacksonville to make three starts, the last on June 7, but he hasn't been used since.
- The Dodgers also reclaimed Rockies Rule 5 draftee LHP Matt Merricks, who failed to pitch for the Rockies because of a sore shoulder.
Comments:
"the club's pitching has turned around over the last year and a half..."
But how much of that is the fact that it had nowhere to go but up? The law of averages - the ‘Gers would find a few arms eventually.
But how much of that is the fact that it had nowhere to go but up? The law of averages - the ‘Gers would find a few arms eventually.
Richard: from Baseball Prospectus:
Not only was 2004 a breakout year for the Rangers in terms of ERA and the rank of the staff ERA vs. the rest of the AL, but it was also a record year for the team in terms of the number of starters they ran through. Because of injuries and ineffectiveness the Rangers were forced to rely on 17 (!!) starters to get through 162 games. This was just one year removed from the 2003 season in which they had to use 16 starters, and had only one player qualify for the ERA title. The Rangers have had trouble finding effective starters, but they'd had a harder time getting anyone to stay healthy and throw a decent game every fifth day.
In 2004 they found in Ryan Drese someone who pitched quite well and was also able to take his turn every time it came around (33 games started in 2004). In that context it is completely defensible for General Manager John Hart, and his lieutenant AGM Jon Daniels, to ignore the long history of ineffectiveness and sign Drese up for a moderate two-year deal.
For what it's worth, this year the Rangers have used just six starters, and that sixth was needed only after Drese was dismissed. It's too early to pop the champagne, but the Rangers are on pace to have their most consistent starting staff in years.
I find it unlikely Hirscheiser has nothing to do with that.
Not only was 2004 a breakout year for the Rangers in terms of ERA and the rank of the staff ERA vs. the rest of the AL, but it was also a record year for the team in terms of the number of starters they ran through. Because of injuries and ineffectiveness the Rangers were forced to rely on 17 (!!) starters to get through 162 games. This was just one year removed from the 2003 season in which they had to use 16 starters, and had only one player qualify for the ERA title. The Rangers have had trouble finding effective starters, but they'd had a harder time getting anyone to stay healthy and throw a decent game every fifth day.
In 2004 they found in Ryan Drese someone who pitched quite well and was also able to take his turn every time it came around (33 games started in 2004). In that context it is completely defensible for General Manager John Hart, and his lieutenant AGM Jon Daniels, to ignore the long history of ineffectiveness and sign Drese up for a moderate two-year deal.
For what it's worth, this year the Rangers have used just six starters, and that sixth was needed only after Drese was dismissed. It's too early to pop the champagne, but the Rangers are on pace to have their most consistent starting staff in years.
I find it unlikely Hirscheiser has nothing to do with that.
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