Open Thread: LAnaheim’s weakness
ByWe plan on doing a more in-depth analysis of the ALCS matchup in the coming days, but iYankees provides us a little info to whet our appetites…
In ‘09, the Angel bullpen has sported a 4.27 FIP, which is actually better than the Yankees’ mark of 4.33. However, looking beyond FIP, there are some discernible flaws nesting within the LA ‘pen. For instance, while the NY relief corps has walked 3.46 batters per 9 — the second lowest BB/9 in the AL — LA’s relievers have walked 3.85 per 9, the 5th highest in the league. In addition, the Angels’ bullpen has put up relatively weak strikeout numbers when compared to the rest of the AL. With a K/9 of 7.41 — the 6th lowest in the league — the Angel bullpen isn’t as imposing when compared to previous years (the Yankees 8.44 K/9 is the best in the AL).
The bullpen is just one difference between these two clubs, one the Yankees will hopefully exploit when the series starts in four friggin’ days.
Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. We already have another thread going for NLDS Game Four, so chat about that game there. The Rangers and Devils are both in action tonight, but something tells me the main topic of conversation tonight will be the Jets and Dolphins in Monday Night Football. There’s also a new House, but c’mon, the Jets are on MNF. Anything goes, just follow the guidelines and be cool to each other.
Between baseball, House and the Jets it’s like a TV orgy. /Kay’d. Only not really.
Jason Werth is fucking werth-less.
My brother’sa best friend who is a Phillies fan would agree.
Ima fuckinnn beasttt!
You’re 19, you’re too young to be a beast. But you’re a damn good player.
Yeah? Well I’m on pace for 41 points this season!
For your enjoyment – Drew Magary holding down the Boston-hating fort:
http://deadspin.com/5379765/fi.....ack-sunday
(If Whitey’s lurking around here, sorry man… No more schadenfreude comments from me. For a little while, anyway.)
Enjoyed that. The Saint Louis one was funny, too:
http://deadspin.com/5378102/th.....ue&s=i
Heh, yeah. Fake Chip Caray weighed in on the Cardinals, too:
http://twitter.com/chipcaray/status/4723990995
Haha, wonderful.
Oh jeez, my jaw hurts from laughing so hard!
Thanks for that HCM, hilarious stuff.
Heh, no problem. That guy does some funny anti-Boston posts over at KSK, too, btw.
http://kissingsuzykolber.uprox.....om-quinzee
In a sense, what the Red Sox of 2003 to 2007 accomplished was even more impressive than the Joe Torre Yankees dynasty of 1996 to 2001, for while the Yankees were truly dominant, the Red Sox seemed only to reach their zenith when faced with permanent extinction.
Nope ESPN Boston I’d take the 4 championships ove rthe 2 Boston has…
Didn’t you hear? Baseball’s like golf now. The more championships you have, the worse.
That’s funny, I thought they reached their zenith when they swept overmatched opponents in the World Series and didn’t face “permanent extinction” in those series. My bad.
(2004 was historic for them, for sure… But all this talk is ridiculous. They won 2 titles in 4 years. They’ve had a nice run, but a dynasty that run is not.)
Link please?
Nevermind, found it on my own.
http://sports.espn.go.com/bost.....id=4552570
Holy motherfucker they cannot be serious…
Their adolescent, self absorbed, over-dramatization of their lives as sports fans was easier to explain away as being ‘quirky’ and ‘passionate’ Baseball and sports fans before they had won anything in that town.
Now, they just sound like a bunch of whiny little crybabies. My only regret is that WE didn’t get to bury them this year.
oh yes they can, rebecca. NESPN’s ignorance, bias and hatred knows no bounds and the rest of the American nation have been left to suffer from their stupidity.
/ Yankees Universe’d
Meh. Go funnel your energies into an email to Simmons or something. If you’re going to troll, at least make your comments witty.
Nevermind the fact that 03 they lost, 05 got swept in the playoffs, and 06 didn’t make the playoffs. Yeah that’s a Dynasty.
Look the Redsox had a very good run, but that was just sheer exageration and just stupidity.
In fact, it was just an o-kay run when you truly scrutnize, Ivan. During these past 7 years, the roiders of new england have had 2 remarkable championship runs, 2 postseason runs stopped in the Alcs, 2 Disapointing sweeps in the Alds and of course their lovely postseason-less campaign of ‘06. For me, that is strictly a C+ or a B- era of baseball quality; only a bunch of nuts could consider it better than the legendary run we had in the past decade and half. The Roiders will never even match our 6 pennants in the 8 years from ‘96- ‘03.
Trolling is entertaining, huh.
Todd Helton = HOF, right?
Only question is which ballot. One of the greatest Canadian players, ever.
That last part is a joke?
Helton was born in Knoxville.
He was Peyton’s backup at Tennessee. You could also argue that he’s also the greatest relief pitcher/closer in NCAA history, though it’s very debatable.
I could have sworn he was Canadian o_O;; who am I confusing him with?
Larry Walker.
ta.
If you asked me 4 years ago, I would’ve thought it to be a slam-dunk. But he hasn’t hit more than 20 HRs since 2004. He hasn’t driven in 100 runs since 2003. He’s 35 and has 2134 hits and 325 HRs. I don’t think he makes it.
Not to mention the fact that his power drop-off has coincided with increase steroid testing. Never heard his name mentioned before, but it can’t go without notice.
Just noticed on B-R that his nickname is “The Toddfather.” Has anyone ever heard that name used for him?
I guess it’s better than being called by his middle name, Lynn.
If he was using steroids, so what? I guarantee he played against pitchers that were using steroids. We can’t just ignore that half of the equation.
I somewhat agree. But obviously the voters feel differently, just ask Mark McGwire.
different–McGwire was challenging records that people care about
Versus a guy who turned himself from a .300/30/100 into a .340/40/130 guy? The difference between those stat lines is what separates HOFers and Hall of Very Gooders.
Of course those numbers are completely speculative, but you know where I’m going with it.
I don’t really care if he used or didn’t. My stance has always been – MLB should do its best to quietly sweep the issue away. Unfortunately MLB made a big hullabaloo over the issue and the sport got a ton of negative publicity over it. I like the NFL’s policy: improve testing, suspend the guy, then act like it never happened.
Nope. Only hitters and Roger Clemens juiced.
Good thing Andy never did.
He’s off the hook, he apologized.
A-Rod isn’t because he is an unclutch bastard who only thinks about himself.
I’m still pretty shocked that Ortiz never came out and admitted it. He had the odd apology at Yankee Stadium, but nothing ever really came of it. I doubt that approach would’ve worked with Alex. Maybe it’s Ortiz personality that lets him get away with it?
Probably some combination of the fact that Ortiz is very well-liked, especially by the Boston media and even by the national media and the fact that so many other big names came out before his.
Damn. If only A-Rod had apologized, then he could be off the hook too.
The PED speculation is fair, considering the era, but without any proof I don’t think it’s fair to take that speculation into account.
(To clarify – I don’t think it should be taken into account, anyway, but even if I stipulate that it should be taken into account, for the sake of the argument, I still don’t think it’s fair to take it into account with regard to a guy about whom there’s no evidence at all.)
I think he’s going to get a lot of support and I don’t have a big problem with him getting in, but the home-road splits kinda bother me, especially since we’re dealing with the Coors Field factor. Either way, he’s one of those guys who could use another couple of solid seasons just to cement his candidacy, though.
Loosely related – I went to his baseball-reference page and noticed his nickname is listed as “The Toddfather.” Which is awful and awesome rolled into one.
Whoa, guess I was two minutes late on that Toddfather note.
I know the feeling, I’m the king of not refreshing the page fast enough.
while the NY relief corps has walked 3.46 batters per 9 — the second lowest BB/9 in the AL — LA’s relievers have walked 3.85 per 9, the 5th highest in the league.
That says to me that there isn’t much difference between a good bullpen and a bad bullpen. If the series goes 7 games, and the bullpen pitches 3 innings in every game, the Angels pen will walk one more batter than the Yankees pen. That’s with rounding up.
In addition, the Angels’ bullpen has put up relatively weak strikeout numbers when compared to the rest of the AL. With a K/9 of 7.41 — the 6th lowest in the league — the Angel bullpen isn’t as imposing when compared to previous years (the Yankees 8.44 K/9 is the best in the AL).
Same conditions as before, and you get a little under 2.5 extra K’s. More significant, but doesn’t scream exploitable to me.
That’s because there isn’t much of a difference between a good bullpen and a bad bullpen.
I mean the difference between a good hitter and a bad hitter is if you fail seven times out of ten or eight.
Failing 7 times out of 10 = .300 OBP, which is pretty dreadful. Failing 6 times out of 10 is good.
well, the numbers for the Yankee relief corps include the DFAed, soon to be DFAed, September callups, etc–IPK, Dunn, and Claggett walked 11 batters in 7.2 innings
Rivera, Robertson, Aceves, and Coke together (too lazy to look up Hughes’ walk rate as a reliever) walk 2.5/9, which is more significant
Yeah, but then you have to look at the Angels’ numbers sans their DFA’d, soon to be DFA’d, September callups, etc., right?
yup–
Bulger, Jepsen, Fuentes, and Oliver (the four relievers who saw time in the ALDS) walk 3.44/9
Good point there.
Yeah… Interested to see what the numbers look like when you include Hughes, but not interested enough to actually look it up.
Procrastination: 1
me: 0
the best part is, it came out to be a total waste of time because the BB/9 for Rivera, Hughes (as a reliever), Robertson, Coke, and Aceves (as a reliever) is…still 2.50
Ha, figures. Thanks for looking it up, anyways.
Rockies fans are even worse than Kay at reading a ball off the bat.
They’re still conditioned by the pre-humidor days, like Pavlov’s dogs.
IETC.
http://thedirty.com/2009/10/12...../#comments
Why else do you play baseball?
for the wemenz
…or write about baseball.
/Mashmore’d
there was a drive by shooting about 200 feet from my building a little bit before 4 PM on Friday.
holy shit
Roctober!
I hate to say it, but LoHud is just another Yankee blog (albeit a good one) without PA there. He drove us all nuts with his analysis and bad jokes at times, but maybe that was part of the attraction.
In any case, it’s not nearly what it used to be, and I was rooting for Chad.
Dude, it’s been what, a week? It’ll take some time for him to get settled in there and make the blog his, it’s a little early to be judging.
You’re right, and I will keep checking back. But I’m trying to read it and I find myself going blank halfway through a paragraph. I just don’t give a shit about what they’re writing, and its one of the best times of the year to be reporting Yankee news. Love him or hate him, I never felt that way about PA.
One thing I really don’t like is the multiple writers. It makes it more of newspaper feel, a bunch of columnists contributing different stories. LoHud was about PA and his opinions, stuff that wouldn’t be appropriate in a news column but was interesting nonetheless. It was an exceedingly ‘news-y’ blog, with live updates and behind the scenes tidbits. Now, it just seems like the same news you get a zillion other places.
I hear you. Keep in mind, though, that today is day one of four straight off-days. CJ hasn’t yet had a regular stretch where he could write game-recaps and be in the clubhouse getting interesting info daily, he started and was handed off-days galore. PA hit his stride and was most effective, to me, during the regular season when he could offer a glimpse behind the scenes on a daily basis. It’s going to take a little time for CJ to get into a groove and have the opportunity to provide that kind of info.
Yeah, that.
I find myself checking a little less, but to be honest, I was checking LoHud a little less than normal by the end of the season.
Here, I think this sums up my feelings better than my first few stabs at it. It about two posts down right now.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-624672
I hear you… And this is a matter of opinion, after all, it’s not like there’s a right answer here… But I do hear you, CJ definitely hasn’t made the blog reflect his personality yet and made it interesting. I just think it’s asking too much to expect that process to have happened already. If it’s going to happen, it probably won’t really happen until the middle or end of next season. The guy is stepping into big shoes, during the playoffs. I think you have to give him a lot of time to get his feet on the ground and make the blog his own, it’s not going to happen in his first month on the job (and especially when his first month is during the playoffs, with lots of off days and 2 other guys contributing to the blog as well). So, we’ll see, hopefully he settles in at some point and put some personal touches on the blog.
No.
Chad and Joba need to be sent down immediately!
Maybe Chad should be starting, and Joba should stay in the pen?
I’ll admit it’s not the same even though I can’t stand Pete, but I’m definitely willing to give Chad a chance to catch his breath and get used to everything. Start off next season and see how it goes from there with the information and access he should provide
It doesn’t have to be the same, it just has to be good and/or interesting. But it isn’t.
Best way to describe it is it went from reading about an opinionated sports fan with unfettered access, to being a small town newspaper with writers who are nice enough guys, but don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.
I see what you’re saying, I guess I’ll just wait a little bit for him to get settled in, then maybe we’ll get the access we want along with some opinions. The opinions, however, will never be the same as Pete, which I’ll personally enjoy
I agree with your second paragraph. And to reference your earlier post about multiple writers:
I believe the intent is to have Chad take over full-time, right? I think Sam and Josh are there to ease the transition and give extra insight during the playoffs.
I totally agree with the sentiment that it was Pete’s blog and his insight and access was what made it so unique and interesting.
Coverage always get ramped up in the postseason, Sam would have been on board even if Pete was around.
I honestly like it better. Of course, I only go there for some daily updates.
I’m holding off judgement until the offseason. That’s when Chad will have to do his best work. He’ll need to feed the beast, and keep attracting people on days when the hot stove is cold.
Right now, Chad Sam and Josh can ride the postseason excitement. A lot of those posts will write themselves and most of the readers will have their postseason blinders on. If the team wins, the blog will do well. If (Mo forbid) they fail, then the blog will be tougher to maintain.
Also, I feel that Pete was opinionated enough that he could he never came off sounding like a shill. He would pick on guys that sometimes deserved it (Alex), point out hypocrisies (Andy vs. other PED users), yet he would still give the readers all the info that was available. I always felt he did a good job of toeing the line between objective journalism, and attention getter. I’m sure there are a ton of people who would disagree, but after following LoHud for 3 years, I feel pretty content in my opinion.
As a LoHud reader, I’m sure you noticed the difference between his formal Joural News pieces and the stuff he’d post on his blog.
And that was the whole point of it, to give opinion and behind the scenes stuff that would seem unprofessional in a formal newspaper piece. But in a blog, it was great stuff.
Yep. Exactly. It was a very successful balance.
I agree, although I’m willing to give them some more time. I think PA had some personality, regardless of the validity of his analysis (which I agree, drove me nuts). Sam Borden is your garden variety sportswriter, without much that stands out, so I don’t have much hope for him. Chad is just getting his feet wet and he did such a good job at SWB that he could definitely improve after getting used to the situation. I mean, my Mo, he’s starting a job as beat writer for the yankees in the playoffs??? No time to adjust.
Ubaldo is really a joy to watch.
Dude you want to kiss Ubaldo. You’re smitten. lol
Heh. His stuff is ridiculous, that is all.
TWSS.
Who else is thrilled that this weekend we won’t have to hear, “GEORGE IS HAVING A PARTY!!?” I never thought I’d look forward to watching FOX.
I’m sure FOX will find some way to fuck up that anti-TBS excitement.
Totally.
On a different note, though, I hate watching sports events on FOX HD. Their HD cameras aren’t as good as the other channels’, and it really annoys me. They provide an inferior product.
What a save by Lundqvist.
/Holliday’d
The Yankees have the sort of offense where it does not matter who is pitching, it is nearly impossible to hold them under 3 runs, and games where they see average pitching they’re going to score 5 or 6. Anaheim can beat them, but they will have to get extremely good pitching and will have to get some breaks offensively. The article on the Red Sox is sort of melodramatic. The author over does the “decline” of the team this season; the Red Sox are probably the second best team in baseball this year. He also over states the quality of their championship teams. Two WS wins in 4 years, one as a wild card…they were a very good team, but not ‘great’ in my book.
Personally, I believe they were only a good championship team that benefited greatly from two choke jobs and two immensely inferior NL pennant winners in their 2 W.S. runs. The H. Byrant article on NESPN Bawsthon continues to prove how obsessed and biased they are when dealing with their beloved Roid Sux.
J! E! T! S! JETS JETS JETS
Was anyone else getting nauseous during the STL-LAD game in St. Louis? That dead-centerfield camera completely threw me off. I found it disorienting. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually.
It still beats watching an old game with the camera behind home plate. Not sure how anyone could enjoy watching that.
I know this topic was broached here last week, the thought just popped back into mind.
I liked the CF camera.
I like how it represents the pitches better. I was just physically disoriented by it at first.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!
Oh shit… most of the ESPN analysts picked the Jets to win… we’re fucked
Actually, everything I read picked the Dolphins, so I guess we’re even
Ah, okay, I’ll take that
So who’s the best team in football rite now?
To be honest, I really don’t know.
Giants?
I don’t know either. I just root for them and they’re 5-0 so I’m picking them.
G-Men, Colts, and Saints?
That seems about right.
No Vikes?
Sure? I know nothing about the NFL right now since baseball is still going on.
The only thing I really know about the Vikes is that their C went to my high school.
/something I already talked about.
No Cowboys….try say that with a straight face.
They’re lucky to be in the top half of the league right now, hah.
Lol. I knew that will hit a nerve. Nice win against the Chiefs.
Meh, whatever happens happens this year. The Giants are ridiculous but anything can happen.
I got them sliding into a wild card spot. I really didn’t believe that a bad coach/coordinator could run your team into the ground but Wade Philips and Jason Garrett have proved me wrong.
Schedule has been pretty weak so far in the season.
Buzzkill.
Yeah I gotta be the prick.
Yeah, but they’ve crushed the weaker competition. You can’t dock them points for taking care of business. If they were barely beating weaker competition, that would be one thing, but they’re making statements.
That being said… Let’s KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLL tonight, Jets.
Thats understanable. Giants gotta squad no doubt but I still think the Eagles are just as good.
If they were barely beating weaker competition, that would be one thing
Kinda like the ‘Boys getting taken to OT by KC?
Haha. Yes, kinda like that.
Kinda like the Red Sox steamrolling the Orioles. How’d that work out for them?
Giants haven’t really faced tough competition.
They don’t have their bye until Week 10, which is pretty late. If they can go 2-2 in the next four games, then they’ll be 7-2, have a week off, and they can focus on finishing strong. These next four games will define their season. New orleans, AZ, Philly, and San Diego are all pretty talented (at least compared to the dreck they’ve beaten up on so far).
Saints or Giants
The MNF theme, performed by Miami Sound Machine? Way to stay relevant, MNF.
Fasano, woot woot!
I don’t see how the Rockies’ season “might” be on the line in this situation. Isn’t it definitely on the line?
And Feliz fail.
Holy fuck Jets, you look awful.
Is the “Optimist Prime” thing meant to be ironic?
Where did the defense go?
Defending the Wildcat or the Dolphins running game isn’t easy. Just ask the Colts defense.
These umps man.
Wow, that was a weird play. He did barely touch him, but more than anything he seemed to discombobulate Utley.
Yeah, there was no interference on the contact, it looked like a graze if anything. Could he have been called out for going out of the baseline there? He veered pretty far to the right of second base, which made that throw from Utley to Rollins much tougher.
Dexter Fowler is a man. That was awesome.
Ben Francisco is unimpressed by Troy Tulowitzki.
Nice play.
The Giambino!!! Good for him.
It’s the power of the ’stache.
And less we forget, the power of his magic golden thong!!
Way to go Jason
The Giambino ties the game!?!?!?!?
The NL… Where aging AL sluggers go to… Hit singles?
With an opposite field hit!! Jason finally remembering you don’t have to pull everything. And on the second look, it seems he was just jammed and got lucky. It always makes me smile to see Jason do well and I can only hope he finds happiness and health in his soon-to-be post baseball career.
Giambinoo
I want the Phillies to win…but it was Giambi who got the game tying hit, so I can’t be too mad.
Love Giambi. Go Rox.
The Giambino!! heh, good for him.
the giambino striking again
good to see he is alive and well
BRAYLON!!!!!!!!
Heh heh. BRAYLON. Is that the blackest name ever or what? HELLUVA BLACK NAME. Boys, Braylon comes uto us from the dilapidated shithole known as Cleveland. Ain’t that right, fella?
(licks chicken grease off thumbs)
I dont think any Philly fan will be saying the bullpen doesnt mean much. It is why theres no chance that Girardi will take Joba out of there. It is why Anaheim doesnt match up.
Again with that straw man.
Now for the billionth time people have to explain, no one said the bullpen isn’t important, however starting pitching is much more important.
i love me some braylon edwards
I’m so glad Cliff Lee blew it — I’m still in denial about him being any good.
Well, he didn’t quite blow it. Regardless, still in denial.
Hilarious shit — Phillies phans want Utley playing first, saying it’s his “natural position”.
Uhhhhh . . .
Huh? Where?
Rangers wrecking the Leafs
Giants wrecked the Raiders
Yankees swept the Twins
Jets doing their thing (game obviously is in 1st Q)
Awesome Weekend for NY sports.
Uh oh Street, making trouble for yourself.
Damn Sanchize, you have to be more careful
Wow, I’d bring Beimel in.
Horrible.
Howard pwn.
Oh, great! Now the Giambi magic hit means nothing
Damn, you Howard and your “natural” power bat!!
Sheesh, Huston Street doing his best PapelBum impression.
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....attempting
It’s times like this, you appreciate having Mo Rivera.
damn jets, can’t give them the ball back….
nice article on fangraphs about arod and his perceived unclutchiness in the postseason:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs.....of-october
Let’s go Gonzo
Franklin, Street, Nathan, and Papelbon… 0
Rivera… 1
Tracy is an idiot.
You don’t need to use your closer, especially with three lefties coming up.
Lidge vs. Tulo for the Rockies’ season.
Lidge-Tulowitzki 2: Electric Boogaloo
Come on ump.
He’s been bad on the corners with both teams.
Am I the only one rooting for the Phils?
i dont like anything philly
Cheez Steak?
nah, don’t like em
Well I do (Eagles fan)
Damn. Wanted the Rox to win that game.
Gay.
Oh peace, CoRox.
wow, sucks for the rockies
How ironic… The Fall Of Troy just popped up in iTunes…
Haha, fantastic.
(I haven’t listened to TFOT in a long, long time)
Well it’s official
Dodgers Vs. Phillies
Angels Vs. Yankees
Pretty damn good LCS’s rite there.
Plus, DLS were pretty fuckin lame.
You guys seen this?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....=CBSsports
“The Angels are serene.”
So who you guys got in the NLCS: Dodgers or Phillies?
Dodgers, led by a ridiculous series by Manny.
Phils. I predicted Phils/Yanks back in April and I’m sticking to it.
I got the Dodgers
It’s gonna be a heck of a series though.
All sliders that at-bat? Boo.
Well, the Yankees have to win out now, because all the other options are highly objectionable.
Werth made absolutely zero eye contact with Aldridge in that interview.
It’s getting to the point where nobody in football makes people miss tackles more than Leon Washington.
wow, a david clowney sighting
I expected the JEts to have a larger lead.
Not surprisingly, it looks like runs are at a premium so far this postseason. There weren’t more than 7 runs scored by any team in any of the 13 1st round games and there were only 2 games with double-digit run outputs. Interesting.
WOW NFL is really takin the teeth out of a secondary.
This lady has really crawled into Ron’s head.
Hoily Motehr of God what a catch.
It was amazing.
wow i just got royally screwed
so i thought braylon got the TD, which would give me a 1 point lead in fantasy
nope, TJ got the run, which my opponent has him starting, and now i am down by 7
effing A
Hahaha damn dude.
Ah shit now that u brought it up I just checked my own team. I’m up one point and starting the Jets defense which has scored Zero points. If Miami scores again I’m probably going to lose bc the Jets D will put up negative points. Fuck me.
OOf Dela u get fucked again. Edwards draws the penatly/should have caught that pass, and T. Jones punches in a cheapie.
yeah i feel like mary carey after the ALDS clincher last night
Sticky?
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs1....._sambu.gif
Hey, whaddya know, Braylon Edwards hasn’t forgotten how to catch!
Jets are giving me a freakin heart attack
Officials just handed the Jets the win. Terrible pass interference call.
wow that was deflating
Agreed. Well at least Sanchize and Edwards looked good. Damn defense couldn’t stop the freakin run…
What the hell happened to the Jets tonight. Wow…
Calvin Pace’s return was supposed to be a morale boost. The D simply collapsed.
How the hell was Sanchez called for intentional grounding when Henne wasn’t. That’s the game right there. Bull..
He was clearly out of the pocket (unfortunately)
DOLPHINS!