OT: Raise the Jolly Roger: Polanco likes to fish

[DJ Spinoza]

Cole looks totally locked in tonight and hasn't thrown many pitches at all.

Hopefully the offense can put up a crooked number in the next inning or two to make this even more smooth sailing.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

Mercer was a very good hitter and a reliable fielder... last year. This year, his bat has been Jeff Reboulet-esque and while his range remains very good, he's booted some easy balls and made some horrendous throws to first.

Despite what some might think, I don't hate Mercer. I just hate how much effort is being put into getting this guy out on the field as frquently as possible this year when he has done nothing to earn it. I have no issue if he is starting once a week or even occasionally twice a week. I don't mind Rammer coming out, Kang moving to third, and Mercer coming on late in games for defense. Where my problem lies is that it appears Hurdle is going to use Mercer as a starter at least 3 times a week. He has been using Mercer the same as he was before the injury. Since then Kang, along with McCutchen carried the offense in a time the Bucs were short 3 good players including their 2nd starting pitcher.

Kang played a large part in keeping the Cubs away and keeping the Cardinals close and has been rewarded by sitting 2 games of a 4 game series. Do you guys think for a second Kang wants to be sitting? Do you really think he wants to be in the dugout during crucial late season games? I believe I am quite justified in having the opinion that I do about this situation.

 

[DJ Spinoza]

I don't really disagree with you as much as you make it sound. I think that in general, if Hurdle wants to get Mercer in a game, he should do by moving having Ramirez sit and Kang at 3B. I just don't have as much of a problem with in a game that we should pretty much be able to win on autopilot like tonight. It is possible that there's more to it than simply Hurdle's whim/preference for Mercer.

But I think that generally, Mercer should basically play when Morton is starting and maybe one other game a week, especially if it's a LHP. I think it is also possible that Hurdle's overall strategy is something like what I said earlier, i.e. basically giving Ramirez rest days but trying to play him as much as possible besides that, in which case I think that's a bad idea.

For tonight I just don't really have as much of an issue with it. Besides the Cubs-Dodgers back-to-back, there aren't really any big clusters of tough games left on the schedule, so I'm fine with erring on the side of resting Kang a little more than usually called for given that he's in new territory right now.

 

[bathroomSTAAL]

Bad night at the plate for Marte

 

[cheesedanish87]

This game feels like a blowout, but its only a one run game.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

S-Rod coming in as a defensive replacement in a 1 run game? What if it goes to extras and we actually need someone at first who can hit? Hurdle is making me want to smash my head against a brick wall today.

Harrison in at third? He's not a better defender at third than Kang. Use your best players Clinton.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

And Rodriguez boots an easy grounder at first and throws the ball away to boot. **** off, Kang can't get into the game but S-Rod deserves to play in crunch time.

Hurdle has made every wrong decision possible today.

 

[DJ Spinoza]

Whew, S-Rod almost screwed that last out up.

Hurdle not making any good decisions, but this is a nail-biter because the offense failed to execute when they needed to. They smacked Nicerino around and have 2 runs to show for it.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

Well this comes back to the original point. Hurdle didn't play his best offensive lineup. He didn't even play his best defensive lineup as Kang is the best fielding 3b they have.

I'm not going to rip the offense because they are playing without Cervelli and Kang. Obviously Cervelli isn't Hurdle's fault but he has done them no favors tonight.

 

[wheelz87]

And Rodriguez boots an easy grounder at first and throws the ball away to boot. **** off, Kang can't get into the game but S-Rod deserves to play in crunch time.

Hurdle has made every wrong decision possible today.

I think we're on the same page tonight.

Lock in down, Mark.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

I think literally every bench player has been used but Kang. Surely he can handle a measly pinch hit ab without succumbing to the terrors of American professional baseball. And the travel. Good golly. Needless to say, a 28 year old in the prime of life will be exhausted 4 days after facing the grueling 5 hour flight from Pittsburgh to Miami on a first class private jet. If he had hit tonight he likely would have collapsed upon himself into a pile of dust.

 

[bathroomSTAAL]

Brown started saying "Raise the Jolly Roger" before the ball even got to Walker. Asking for trouble.

 

[Winger for Hire]

Good lord man... is it that hard to just accept he's getting a full night off?

 

[TNT87]

Raise it.

Cole gets that 15th win.

 

[DJ Spinoza]

Much ado about nothing. Coasted to 3/4 games against a bad team. Cardinals are on the verge of doing pretty much the same thing, but maybe they'll drop tonight and we'll scratch out a game.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Raise it.

4 game lead on the Cubs.

 

[wheelz87]

28 over! 3 of 4, wasn't always pretty but we got it done.

Fantastic crowd support all series!

Yo Arizona, can you win one for us, please?

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

Good lord man... is it that hard to just accept he's getting a full night off?

Is it that hard for you to understand that often times players with a day off might be used in a pinch hitting situation in a close game? Especially when the guy getting the day off is one of the best hitters on the team.

Win's a win but Hurdle will cost this team games in the stretch run if he's going to keep making decisions like this.

 

[bathroomSTAAL]

 

[Winger for Hire]

Is it that hard for you to understand that often times players with a day off might be used in a pinch hitting situation in a close game? Especially when the guy getting the day off is one of the best hitters on the team.

Win's a win but Hurdle will cost this team games in the stretch run if he's going to keep making decisions like this.

I will bet this same game in October or later in September against Chicago or St Louis is not going to be managed the same way.

Kang hasn't had a full day off since August 16th. Even ballplayers need a break from the grind, even if it's just mental in not having to prepare for an AB or grab a glove in the 9th to protect a lead.

I would imagine would you be pissed, and tired, if you had 10 days without a full day off. Even if on the weekends you had off you had to go into the office for an hour to fix something.

 

[wheelz87]

I'm ready. Get Locke the hell out of the rotation.

 

[clefty]

His walk rate is still bananas, though. I think he needs one more spring.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Yeah, Glasnow isn't ready yet.

 

[Penguins23]

His walk rate is still bananas, though. I think he needs one more spring.

That's my biggest concern as well.

 

[wheelz87]

I understand it's probably too much to ask for him, but I can dream.

My biggest concern with Locke is uh.. everything. We've got Cole, Liriano, and... hopefully Burnett. Happ has pitched great of late but he's going to come back to life. Morton is a 4. This kid could potentially be a huge number 3 for us down the stretch/into the playoffs. Seriously, J.A. Happ could be the starter for game 3 in a playoff game!! Yikes.