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Saturday, March 10, 2012

Just In From the Desert

Another bummer of a game offensively, although Justin Masterson did lower his ERA to 14.54 and Shin-Soo Choo did launch this solo homer that had the vendors beyond the outfield lawn ducking for cover.

Hot Corner: Lonnie Chisenhall (.333) took his turn in the spring platoon and proceeded to ring up a pair of Ks in his only two trips. Chiz Kid will have to start mashing to win the starting spot.

#5: Scottie Barnes (0.00), who the media don't want you to believe is competing for the 5th spot, pitched two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and fanning a pair. No matter what anyone tells you, everyone is competing. If Barnes finishes the spring with an ERA under one and all of the other possibles struggle, he will be in the rotation.

Left Of Center: Matt LaPorta (.000) played the entire game, although I think just about everyone (including Matt) wishes that he had not. Matty went 0-for-4 with 2 Ks and is now hitless in 10 spring at bats. Felix Pie (.250) started in center (remember that CF is where he will be playing) and fared a bit better, singling in three trips. Pie has flashed the leather that he is known for, so even a middling spring offensively will likely earn him a spot.

Somewhere Out There: Russ Canzler (.308) doubled in a run in the 7th and continues to show a bat that might be big enough to stick. Ezequiel Carrera (.300) & Fred Lewis (.167) were each 0-for-1.

Bench Me: Jose Lopez (.556), the (cough) former all-star, laced a sharp single in three trips and is looking more and more like a guy that Manny Acta will want as his utility man. Andy LaRoche (.500) went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored, but is not getting a lot of PT.

Mightier Than the Sword: Jeremy Accardo (3.00) overcame three straight singles to begin the 9th, limiting the damage to one run and ending the inning with a strikeout. Hector Ambriz (2.25) surrendered a leadoff jack in the 8th, but sent the next three down 1-2-3, including a punch out of his own.

Remember, kids, to spring ahead tonight, which means that the games will generally be @ 4:05p from now on. Tomorrow's slate features split squad action with Kevin Slowey facing the Rangers and David Huff taking on the Angels. The latter will be carried on the MLB Network.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 03.10.12 - Laura McKeeman

I found this one watching the Pac-12 (ugh) basketball tournament. She's a "social media maven" or some such nonsense, which is not nearly as important as how damn fine she is. And, yes, I know it's two Laura's in a row. Deal with it.

Friday, March 9, 2012

What Mediocrity Is Made Of

Get used to this. Holmgren would rather have 86 mediocre players than one stud. Chastise me if you will, but get rid of 'em. I hear LA wants a football team. I think that they just officially lost me as a fan that gives a crap. We suffer through that abortion of a season and they won't step up and get the guy to make them better. I can't wait for the stream of bullshit out of Berea about how it was "just too much" to bet on one guy (who shattered NCAA and combine records alike). Nevermind. I'm done.

Word Of the Day - "New Orleans"

"A BIG MARGTIGAS PARTY ON BOOBOO STREET IN NUORLEO EENAS"

MVotD - Echo & the Bunnymen - Killing Moon

You know this one. It's on that commercial with the vampires and the headlights.

Just In From the Desert

No-no. No, no, no! Not much good news on a day that the Tribe gave up ten runs before they picked up their first hit and lost 12-2, but we are a week in, so I will offer my opinions on who is winning the roster battles.

Hot Corner: Captain Jack (.250) started and was as anemic as his fellows, going 0-for-3.
Projection: Jack Hannahan

#5: Zach McAllister (6.75) failed to hold serve as he struggled through two innings. ZMac allowed three extra base hits, including a home run, en route to surrendering 3 earned on four hits total. He did fan a pair, but this is not the sort of performance that will help a darkhorse candidate.
Projection: Jeanmar Gomez

Left Of Center: Felix Pie (.222) entered in the 7th and picked up the Indians' first extra base hit, a double, in his lone plate appearance. Matt LaPorta (.000) reached on a walk in his only trip.
Projection: Shelley Duncan

Somewhere Out There: Aaron Cunningham (.273) helped Brewers no-hitter extend through the first 23 hitters of the game with an 0-for-3 effort.
Projection: Felix Pie

Bench Me: Cristian Guzman (.286) broke up the no hitter with a 7th inning single. There is still no room for him in a the Opening Day clubhouse.
Projection: Jose Lopez

Mightier Than the Sword: Dan Wheeler's nightmare spring continued as he coughed up the long ball to the first man he faced. Wheeler also allowed a double and a second run in his inning of work, although his ERA did drop from 36.00 to 27.00. Chris Ray (15.00) fared no better, getting tagged for a pair of dingers during a 3-run 5th. Nick Hagadone (3.00) came on for the 9th and, go figure, gave up a run on three hits and a K. On the positive side, he has yet to walk a batter.
Projection (Assuming Chris Perez is healthy): Frank Herrmann & Jeremy Accardo

The boys are right back at it tomorrow against the Padres. Take heed of the start time (4:05p) and the TV coverage on STO.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl Update! - Alison Brie

Ba-yum-yum! I have high hopes that we'll soon see Ali topless.

Pretty Girl 03.09.12 - Laura Allen

If you have not yet seen Awake, check it out. It's well written and they do a nice job of allowing this one to be hot.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Just In From the Desert

The Indians lost a hard fought contest to Angels as Ubaldo Jimenez (2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0-2, 9.00) and Josh Tomlin (3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 7.20) both got knocked around.

Hot Corner: Lonnie Chisenhall (.429) started, batted twice, struck out, walked, and scored a run.

#5: Jeanmar Gomez took the baton down the stretch and continued his scoreless streak with clean innings (2 H, 2 BB, K) in the 7th and 8th. I'm allowed to root for whomever I want and I'm pulling for Jeanmar.

Left Of Center: Shelley Duncan (.300) was your left fielder today. He did nothing, going 0-for-3. Felix Pie (.125) came off the bench in center and went 0-for-2. It's important to remember that if Pie earns the starting spot or a bench role, it will be because of his defense and he will play primarily center. His career rTot/yr (runs saved per season) in center is +18. That's better than Kenny Lofton, Paul Blair, Willie Mays or anyone else you can name. To put it in plain English, he's a Gold Glove caliber center fielder. In left field, the number is a sub-par -3. That means he costs the team runs when he plays left. You know who doesn't cost the team runs in left? Shelley Duncan, who sports a career rTot/yr of +2 in left. I keep reading that the Indians want an offense/defense mix from the left fielder and other options like Aaron Cunningham (career 0 rTot/yr) & Ryan Spilborghs (-10!) offer more production in the field. Bullshit. I'll give you Fred Lewis (+8) for defense, but there's no way that his D offsets the discrepancy with the bat between him and Duncan. The next time you read something that an "Indians insider" tells you, check out the numbers before you believe it. And if you're one of those people who thinks the eye test is a better gauge of fielding, remember how well Matt LaPorta hits the ball in batting practice.

Somewhere Out There: Cunningham (.375) got the start in right. He singled and scored a run, but is still without an extra base hit. Both Spilborghs (.000, twice) and Chad Huffman (.000, once) struck out in their only plate appearances. Ezequiel Carrera (.333) led off in center and, after fanning his first two times, brought home a pair with a 5th inning single. Russ Canzler (.300) went 1-for-4 with a run scored, but struck out to end the game with the tying run on second base.

Bench Me: I'll say it again, I've got a feeling about former all-star Jose Lopez (.667). JoLo came in half way through to relieve Chisnehall at third. He proceeded to launch a 2-run dong in the 6th. He has certainly vaulted himself into consideration should Jack Hannahan win the third base job (otherwise, it's said that Jack will be a "utility infielder." Don't ask me).

Mightier Than the Sword: Uhh, like none of these dudes pitched today. Although I was told that Hector Ambriz is not in competition for a bullpen role, I do not believe it (see left field defense).

Check in with Tribe again tomorrow @ 3:05p when they travel to Maryvale to battle the Brew Crew.