The Blue Jays: 2009 Season Thread

[SteveToms]

Welcome back Scott Downs

[Machiavelli]

Another heartbreaker. I don't know how much more of this season I can watch. The team is so fragile right now...

[Jiggy_12]

This was one of those games, start to finish, that you just knew the Jays would lose. And you can bet the players thought the same thing. Even when they tied it up...it still wasn't enough.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom

he did use to sit at 92, but now his fast ball is clocking in at around 85/86. Six mph may not seem like a lot to you, but if you were a big league hitter it would. He wasn't even throwing a batting practice fastball. No one respected his Fastball, and waited for a mistake that was usually a hanging slider smashed to the bleachers. That slider used to be leathel when he had his heater hitting its spots.

Except he never sat at 92, he only topped out at it (on a good day). His average was around 89. This year his average is not 85-86, but 87-88. All my numbers are taken from a quick look at Pitch/FX data.

That turns the drop from your estimated 6mph to 1-2mph.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

He never really recovered 100% from that surgery. Once he lost that fastball, it forced him to completely change how he threw. Once hitters knew he no longer had the heat they were able to wait him out and force him to hit his spots and he just isn't that type of pitcher.

I know people like to mock baseball players for not being real athletes, but find me a more injury prone position that ruins as many careers as Baseball pitcher. Guys bodies aren't beaten up, but one injury and that can pretty much end their ability to compete at that level.

not Ryan's fault the Jays signed him to a ridiculous contract. He played, got hurt and unfortunately couldn't get back to his old self.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Originally Posted by JayP

Except he never sat at 92, he only topped out at it (on a good day). His average was around 89. This year his average is not 85-86, but 87-88. All my numbers are taken from a quick look at Pitch/FX data.

That turns the drop from your estimated 6mph to 1-2mph.

His average pre injury was never around 89. He was a 91 90, I recall the allstar year. This year, 87-88 was his max and would top out at 88, but would sit around 85. He was pitching that bad even in his rehab assignment and was getting knocked around down there. A one to two mph change isn't that great of a reason to speculate about his recent troubles.

So, my 6 mph still stands when the max and the min are covered.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Another thing, no radar reading for tv is completely accurate. Some parks have slower guns, while others have faster, conversely.

[fundmark19]

Rays go for the sweep of the jays again! Go rays go!

[tigger777]

I thought they had a chance to get the lead in the 8th, but lately, they have been playing for the tie.

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

This was one of those games, start to finish, that you just knew the Jays would lose. And you can bet the players thought the same thing. Even when they tied it up...it still wasn't enough.

[JohnnyFlame]

I treat baseball very philosophically. It's beyond stupid to begin with so why would you treat is as a sport? Some teams spend trillions and others fifty bucks(a well bit off perhaps but true enough). So if you aren't going to just join the crowd and be a fan of the big clubs then it's just what it's supposed to be-- a pastime. Really I have to admit I only watch it because there is no hockey on or basketball or soccer etc. It's a gap filler like summer tv shows.

So I just enjoy the stories and the situational plays, the great offensive and defensive plays and generally don't really care about the score. Sure it gets a bit disgusting watching them blow games but you can always change the channel--well at least on CFL nights you can.

[Machiavelli]

Just a reminder that today's game is an early one....in about 30 minutes.

The last two Halladay starts since his return from injury, he hasn't really looked like himself. We'll see if he can get it done today, though.

[Tyler]

Just checked my ball schedule.. this is on Roger's Preview? What the hell is that?

[Machiavelli]

Yeah, I can't find this game anywhere.

[Gozer]

MLB gameday it is!

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index...1&mode=gameday

Millar batting cleanup?
* gathers rope and a stool *

[habernac]

3 hits in the first inning already against Halladay, 1-0 Rays. WTF is with the breakfast time game today?

[Machiavelli]

Jays should stop trying to throw Crawford out once he's on the bases. There's really no point.

Originally Posted by Gozer

Millar batting cleanup?
* gathers rope and a stool *

And Bautista leading off....and no Rolen.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom

His average pre injury was never around 89. He was a 91 90, I recall the allstar year. This year, 87-88 was his max and would top out at 88, but would sit around 85. He was pitching that bad even in his rehab assignment and was getting knocked around down there. A one to two mph change isn't that great of a reason to speculate about his recent troubles.

So, my 6 mph still stands when the max and the min are covered.

"You recall" is the key here.

I'm using Pitch/FX data; you're using your memory. Big difference.

And Pitch/FX is a lot different than the radar they use on TV. The same system is installed in every MLB stadium so there's consistency thee.

[Gozer]

I think he lost some velocity and had to compensate by overthrowing - and therefore losing his accuracy, so you're both right.

[flamesaresmokin]

Bj!

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by JayP

Actually he was exactly that type of pitcher. Even in his best days, his fastball was only topping out at 92. Obviously he's lost some velocity, but we're not seeing a drop from 95-96 to 88-89. His main issue is control as he can't seem to locate anything on the corners. He always seems to walk an early batter and then tries to overcompensate by leaving everything over the heart of the plate.

Sounds a lot like everyone's favourite - brandon league.