OT: Raise the Jolly Roger: New season of plundering begins

[Empoleon8771]

Hayes adds some insurance with a seeing eye single that somehow turns into a double.

 

[DJ Spinoza]

The Joe hit was massively clutch but man we have had an incredible amount of luck all game. Let's slam the door on this one now.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Hayes adds some insurance with a seeing eye single that somehow turns into a double.

Gotta love that hustle

 

[Empoleon8771]

And now Cutch adds some more insurance with a hard hit single to send Hayes in.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Cutch!!!

 

[WickedWrister]

Love that stat they just mentioned on the broadcast. Pirates batting .338 with 2 outs on the year so far. 21 2 out RBI's

 

[Empoleon8771]

I've said this plenty of times before, but having actual MLB talent as your depth pieces makes a night and day difference from past teams. This hot streak won't last forever, just like last year, but they should be substantially better off when they inevitably cool down. This isn't like past years where you had Suwinski struggling after a hot start, but the only alternative you had was Cal Mitchell. This team has legitimate pieces this year.

I think the only positions I'm worried about right now in terms of depth are 2B and SS, but Cruz is going to be playing 95% of games at SS so that is a lesser concern I have.

 

[WickedWrister]

Don't know much about Ryder Ryan but I've been really impressed by him so far. Looks like he has a ton of movement with that sinker.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think Ryder Ryan may be too good to send down when everyone is healthy. His sinker is legitimately filthy. It has the velocity of a fastball with the downwards movement of a curveball, I definitely see what they saw in him to keep him up.

Don't know much about Ryder Ryan but I've been really impressed by him so far. Looks like he has a ton of movement with that sinker.

You beat me to it. Literally posting about exactly that, it's fastball velocity with the downwards movement of a curveball.

 

[DJ Spinoza]

Yeah I am kind of torn between wanting to see if Ryan can end it and wanting to just bank him for Wednesday.

It would be nice to take 2 more and really put this out of reach, and then maybe chance it with someone like Fleming to close it out.

 

[Rave7215]

That might have been a Grand Slam at PNC.

Man the offense is fun this year.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Going forward, I think Taylor is playing himself into "must play everyday" territory for me, at least until he cools off. Not only is the plus defense and plus speed in CF a big benefit, but he's also hitting extremely well and is an ideal lower of the lineup hitter.

Against lefties, my lineup 100% of the time would be Reynolds in LF, Taylor in CF, Olivares in RF and Joe at 1B. But against righties, pretty much any combination of Joe, Suwinski, Olivares, Reynolds and Taylor in the OF is a combination I can like.

 

[sovietsanta87]

Hate to cool down a streak but I’m thankful for the off day to get the bullpen recharged. Hats off to the bats for blowing it open so we didn’t have to use Chapman for bednar

 

[Rave7215]

Going forward, I think Taylor is playing himself into "must play everyday" territory for me, at least until he cools off. Not only is the plus defense and plus speed in CF a big benefit, but he's also hitting extremely well and is an ideal lower of the lineup hitter.

Against lefties, my lineup 100% of the time would be Reynolds in LF, Taylor in CF, Olivares in RF and Joe at 1B. But against righties, pretty much any combination of Joe, Suwinski, Olivares, Reynolds and Taylor in the OF is a combination I can like.

Suwinski isn't doing anything to remove Taylor from CF. He had a good at bat but he's just not doing anything this year yet.

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

Joe Block needs to STFU until the game is over.

He pulled the "game is over" card yesterday and they almost lost.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Suwinski isn't doing anything to remove Taylor from CF. He had a good at bat but he's just not doing anything this year yet.

They have also only played against lefties so far this year and Suwinski can't hit lefties.

I think their most common OF group against righties will be Suwinski in LF, Taylor in CF and Reynolds in RF, but I also want to see Olivares and Joe getting in against righties at a decent rate. Joe can play in place of Tellez occasionally (but you want Tellez in as much as possible against righties), but you'll also have to run with Reynolds in LF, Suwinski in CF and Olivares/Joe in RF to get those extra ABs.

 

[sovietsanta87]

Joe Block needs to STFU until the game is over.

He pulled the "game is over" card yesterday and they almost lost.

He’s terrible.

Hate to cool down a streak but I’m thankful for the off day to get the bullpen recharged. Hats off to the bats for blowing it open so we didn’t have to use Chapman for bednar

Also I’m terrible

 

[Rave7215]

Raise it!

 

[WickedWrister]

Raise it!

162-0

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Raise it! 5-0!

 

[Empoleon8771]

Really nice game all around, except from Contrears

Not going to harp too much on this game, but one strong opinion I have from it: Contreras simply must only be a 1 inning reliever. He immediately becomes bad if his fastball velocity drops at all, he's only viable as a reliever if he's throwing 96+. If he's throwing 93, he's going to be serving up HRs. I think Shelton is generally really good with his bullpen decisions, but using Contreras as a multi-inning guy is one I simply will not agree with.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

We’re never going to lose a game this year

 

[Ulf5]

 

[ChaosAgent]

So some early thoughts:

1) The schedule was helpful and all the consecutive reps against LHSP are helping. The Marlins may want to reconsider the R/L balance of their rotation...the more reps the more demystified lefties become.
2) I have to remind myself that Connor Joe isn't that good, because when he's on a hot streak he looks like he'll get on base every single time.
3) We are going to get 2nd half Hayes at the dish. He is our best player and will be our MVP.
4) Reynolds has improved as a right-handed batter.
5) Davis is going to take a step forward at the dish this year.

 

[OnMyOwn]

Taylor batting .471 when he’s a career like .200 hitter, sure isn’t hurting.

It’s definitely nice having actual MLB caliber guys playing, though.