Thursday, September 29, 2005 |
Games, Games, Games
Relax, Don't Do It: A's 6, Angels 1
As per my earlier comments, Scioscia predictably trotted out the scrubs today to give some guys rest, which meant -- to my surprise -- Anderson sat while every position save shortstop and the mound was manned by a backup player, and even Cabrera didn't last but one at bat. Unsurprisingly, this below-replacement-level offense failed to score much, the only run coming on an RBI single from Juan Rivera.The real story is the lineup going into the playoffs, and it seems Mike is determined to get Colon another start today, even if it's on only three days' rest. Not. Good. Also in the What-Were-You-Theeenking-Man department, it looks like the team is leaning toward Josh Paul as a third catcher. It's hard to know what to say: is the team's depth at other positions so shallow that this is a meaningless slot anyway? Or have they lost their minds?
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 3
Ah, Yhency. Yet: creativity in the lineup? Aybar batting leadoff? Choi's not in the game, again, but played in three consecutive games? Wow. Should we give that man a multiyear contract?Well, no, and not just for the reasons Jon suggested. Tracy, insubordinate, forced his arcane prejudices on the team, neutralizing the front office's plans. For that, he owes the fans, Paul DePodesta, Frank McCourt, and everyone else in the Dodger organization a full apology for his role in the unnecessary losses this team suffered because of his selfish indulgence. Instead, he issued self-serving evasions and, exhibiting enough gall to be divided in three, sprung a demand for a multiyear contract in such a way as to thumb his nose at anyone calling him on his faults. It's a high-stakes poker game which Tracy figures he can win without anyone calling his bluff, his only losing season attached to a doctor's bill. That's arrogance, and inexcusable arrogance at that. Buh bye, Jimbo. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Padres 9, Giants 1
They smashed the Giants. Barry Bonds was an arthritic old man out in left, he looked in pain every minute on the basepaths, and the Pads held him to two meaningless singles before he was pulled in the eighth for a pinch hitter. Brian Cooper, the journeyman on the mound for my first encounter with the magic tickets in 2004, has had better success this year and had a 1.62 ERA coming into today's game. Alas, it wasn't to last, as the inning started off with a right field single and a bunt single. Joe Randa came up and was credited with a bunt single, but in fact should have been called out on a sacrifice. This loaded the bases, with consecutive RBI singles by Ben Johnson, Robert Fick, and Mark Loretta. It was almost as comical as the time I saw Cooper, unless you were the Giants. Ah, at least the Pads got to clinch at home, although they were the last division winner to do so in the NL.
Sheesh - Scioscia is really annoying in that respect. If they would have just signed someone with catching experience, like Robert Fick, they could have a 3rd catcher for an emergencies plus a decent pinch hitting option.
Roster construction and lineup construction are not strong points with this team.
If I read that he is gonna carry 12 pitchers I might hurt myself...
Idiot.
Also, The Times had an article that tried to show that Stoneman is a genius since they won the division. Basically saying that the losses of Turnbow and Jenks (along with the departures of Glaus, Eck, and Percy) were all great moves because of the end result.
Yeah, letting high priced guys walk and replacing them with players from within (Glaus and Percy) is just like not protecting cheap, effective and young relievers (Turnbow and Jenks).
Whatever.
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