The Blue Jays Thread: 2008 Season

[Flickered Flame]

The A's record is just surprising so far this year. Its always been about pitching, pitching, and more pitching for the A's. It will be interesting to watch them down the stretch to the trade deadline because even if they are in contention for the AL West title, both Harden and Blanton are likely to be moved.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by habernac

Mulliniks is my favourite analyst I think, really gets into all aspects of the game

Wow, I think I'm gonna have to disagree there. I absolutely can't stand Rance.

Not only is his voice grating to listen to, but he rambles on and on, taking awkward breathing pauses in the middle of his long and drawn-out "analyses." He says things that any baseball fan had already figured out five minutes ago.

With gems such as...

"Well, the Jays are gonna have to manufacture a run here..."
"Well, with the count ______ here, [insert pitcher] will be looking to throw a ...."
"[insert pitcher] has been really good at not giving up walks." (Said pitcher promptly walks the next batter.)
"Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah"

Anyways, Litsch (6-1) is pitching today's afternoon game: 3:35 pm EST start. If he could get his 7th win, that would be just nuts.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

"[insert pitcher] has been really good at not giving up walks." (Said pitcher promptly walks the next batter.)
"Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah"

This always happens. It's the commentator's curse.
"[insert batter] is really struggling, he's 0 for his last 19 and there's a line to left field for a base hit."

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Wow, I think I'm gonna have to disagree there. I absolutely can't stand Rance.

Not only is his voice grating to listen to, but he rambles on and on, taking awkward breathing pauses in the middle of his long and drawn-out "analyses." He says things that any baseball fan had already figured out five minutes ago.

With gems such as...

"Well, the Jays are gonna have to manufacture a run here..."
"Well, with the count ______ here, [insert pitcher] will be looking to throw a ...."
"[insert pitcher] has been really good at not giving up walks." (Said pitcher promptly walks the next batter.)
"Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah"

Anyways, Litsch (6-1) is pitching today's afternoon game: 3:35 pm EST start. If he could get his 7th win, that would be just nuts.

Nice to know I am not the only one.
Great game yesterday. Only complaint is BJ. I miss the 9th innings three outs of 3-pitch SOs (in which the batter never swings). What happened to that BJ?

[JayP]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Nice to know I am not the only one.
Great game yesterday. Only complaint is BJ. I miss the 9th innings three outs of 3-pitch SOs (in which the batter never swings). What happened to that BJ?

Tommy John surgery?

Even so, I don't know how you can complain about a guy with 11 saves in 11 opportunities, a 0.53 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 10.59 K/9, and a 2.5 K/B.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by JayP

Tommy John surgery?

Even so, I don't know how you can complain about a guy with 11 saves in 11 opportunities, a 0.53 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 10.59 K/9, and a 2.5 K/B.

I concur (but it's 12 for 12). As long as he gets it done, I don't care if BJ loads the bases to start the inning.

Makes for good TV anyway

[Sylvanfan]

Closer's just have to get the outs to finish out the game. Doesn't matter how they do it. Sure you like a guy who comes in and blows every one away ideally which is what Ryan was before the surgery. But if he can still throw strikes that aren't great pitches to hit and keep hitters off balance combined with a closer mentality than I think he'll be fine. Not every save is going to be easy, and I think Ryan still has like 20 strikeouts in 17 innings which equates to a good strikeout per 9 inning number.

[Flickered Flame]

The Jays have jumped all over Eveland this afternoon. Already 3-0 top of 3. In A's news, Eric Chavez is making his season debute today.

[JayP]

Jays are cruising now up 5-0 now. They're getting a couple runners on each inning essentially.

Mench and Barajas (another great signing) are having big days, each 2-2 with an RBI and a couple runs.

Wilkerson just drove home his 2nd run to make it 6-0 in the top of the 5th.

[Machiavelli]

7-0 now.

Litsch seems to be in line for a relatively easy 7th win.

Great hitting by the Jays today. Even pulled off a double steal!

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by JayP

Jays are cruising now up 5-0 now. They're getting a couple runners on each inning essentially.

Mench and Barajas (another great signing) are having big days, each 2-2 with an RBI and a couple runs.

Wilkerson just drove home his 2nd run to make it 6-0 in the top of the 5th.

Yeah, he's hit pretty well for the Jays so far. Not that much different than Benji Molina (who is a good hitter BTW) so far and he's easily twice as fast!

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Yeah, he's hit pretty well for the Jays so far. Not that much different than Benji Molina (who is a good hitter BTW) so far and he's easily twice as fast!

And Barajas can actually play defense too.

Rios is now the only Jay without a hit today.

Imagine where the Jays would be if he was even hitting pretty good. He's probably going to drop below a sub-700 OPS after today.

[Pagal4321]

16 hits after 5 innings? And 10 runs?

WHAT TEAM IS THIS?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by JayP

And Barajas can actually play defense too.

Yep, he's awesome at blocking people out at the plate. The Phillies fans' disdain for this guy reminds me of how Flyers fans treated Vandermeer when he left their team. Bust with the old team, gem with the new one.

Rios is now the only Jay without a hit today.

Imagine where the Jays would be if he was even hitting pretty good. He's probably going to drop below a sub-700 OPS after today.

Rios stinks right now and his attitude is the pits.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by JayP

And Barajas can actually play defense too.

As much as people like/dislike Mullinicks commentary. I thought he had a good point about how Barajas blocking that pitch of Ryan's to keep the runner at 2nd. Next guy hits a ball into left field which would have allowed the A's to try and score the tying run. It's not a stat, but still a tougher play to make that can have an impact on the game.

[Pagal4321]

Why did Thigpen replace Rolen??????

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Why did Thigpen replace Rolen??????

I assume to give Rolen a rest and get Thigpen some game time especially since its 10-0.

Thigpen is actually playing first and Scutaro moved from first to third.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Why did Thigpen replace Rolen??????

Probably to get the kid some at-bats.

[JayP]

Eckstein and Hill collided - Ignlett replaces Hill.

Not good news at all.

[Machiavelli]

Flippin' Eckstein.... Hill had that ball all the way.

He very likely just gave Hill a concussion. Dumbnuts.