The baseball thread.

[irul&ublo]

welcome back big papi!

durf....durf...durf.

[pappag]

I was supposed to be in Ed Coleman's seats today... something happened and I wasn't. Super pissed, but talk about a COMEBACK. I'll admit... after the Howard homerun, I thought the game was over, but some clutch hitting at the bottom of the lineup combined with a few 4-pitch walks, and we got a whole different game. Big win.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Papelbon was a fucking joke out there last night, but any more two-inning saves this month and he will be in trouble again by the end of the summer. Timlin had better come back healthy, and soon.

Oh, and Jor-El Piniero is worse than I ever imagined (and I've had some pretty ugly scenarios going through my head the last couple weeks).

[SKISC]

Since I am going to be stuck in Dallas week after next I ordered tickets for the Rangers/Mariners game 4/23. Can't think of much else to do there other than drink.

[smmokan]

^^^ Good place to see a game.

[MassLiberal]

Papelbon was a fucking joke out there last night, but any more two-inning saves this month and he will be in trouble again by the end of the summer. Timlin had better come back healthy, and soon.

Oh, and Jor-El Piniero is worse than I ever imagined (and I've had some pretty ugly scenarios going through my head the last couple weeks).

Papelbon was a joke? are you kidding me? He looked better than he ever has. Fucking dominator.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Yeah, that's what I mean- ridiculously nasty stuff. The out pitch to Young was unhittable.

[ECbum]

Yeah, that's what I mean- ridiculously nasty stuff. The out pitch to Young was unhittable.

Maybe he'll start calling his splitter the "gyro-ball"?

[Long Duck Dong]

Well, Paps only threw 15 pitches in 1.2 innings, so lets not start freaking out about his shoulder yet.

But I agree about Timlin; having him back would go a long way towards fixing the revolving door of setup men that we currently use.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Well, Paps only threw 15 pitches in 1.2 innings, so lets not start freaking out about his shoulder yet.

Yeah, but it's not like you can expect him to average only 3 pitches per batter (yet). The more often he comes in for two innings, the more likely it is he's up in the 25-30 pitch range, which is too many. I just want him around all season, that's all. But last night's outing was no cause for alarm.

Irksome baseball note, and it's not just you, everyone does it- by what measure does two batters = one fifth of an inning? It's not that hard to designate an out as .33 of an inning, not one tenth of an inning- and it has the added benefit of making sense.

[slim]

Irksome baseball note, and it's not just you, everyone does it- by what measure does two batters = one fifth of an inning? It's not that hard to designate an out as .33 of an inning, not one tenth of an inning- and it has the added benefit of making sense.

It's not just everyone... it's the way official scorers designate partial innings. If it shows up in the box score I think it's okay to show up elsewhere.

[Steven S. Dallas]

I know that, but I think it's retarded. Official scorers make shit up as the need arises and it catches on; I just wish that particular notation was different.

And yes, I am in a fairly unpleasant mood right now. The redeye from the West Coast home --> straight to work will do that to you.

[Long Duck Dong]

I hear ya SSD, but the way things were going, Tito had to go to paps or else we were going to lose the game right there. So, if he had needed 16 pitches to get out of the inning, my guess is that someone else would have closed. But seeing how he needed 5. . .

No one is going to be more worried about his innings than Francona.

[Steven S. Dallas]

I hear ya SSD, but the way things were going, Tito had to go to paps or else we were going to lose the game right there. So, if he had needed 16 pitches to get out of the inning, my guess is that someone else would have closed.

Who? Tito doesn't trust anyone else out there, otherwise Papelbon would be in the rotation.

Agreed that all's well that ends well. But last night really underscored the need for Timlin's healthy return.

[The AD]

I know that, but I think it's retarded. Official scorers make shit up as the need arises and it catches on

Hey, they're just using a base three system to denote partial innings. What are you, a math retard?

How about the entire Cleveland/Seattle series getting snowed out in Cleveland? Now MLB is moving the Angels vs. Indians series to Milwaukee! Gee, the Angels were at home Sunday. How about just let them stay there and have the Indians fly to LA? Oh, right, that would spoil the hom/road balance.

I don't know how the hell the Indians and Mariners are going to make up that series. I think both teams can kiss a couple of their travel days good bye this summer.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Hey, they're just using a base three system to denote partial innings. What are you, a math retard?

But... there are four bases.

[The AD]

But... there are four bases.

No, three bases and one plate.

[irul&ublo]

In case you're interested, he hit another one today.

[MassLiberal]

In case you're interested, he hit another one today.

I'm glad to see you telling Yankees fans to fuck off. This is a huge step for you.

[Brock Landers]

Who? Tito doesn't trust anyone else out there, otherwise Papelbon would be in the rotation.

Agreed that all's well that ends well. But last night really underscored the need for Timlin's healthy return.

I dont trust anyone else out there either. Papelbon will be fine, last year was his first full year as a major leaguer and a major league closer (working every close 9th inning or more). Granted I dont want to take any chances, but the guy hadnt pitched in 3 days and had an off day the next night. If Pineiro could throw a fucking strike this wouldnt be a topic. Donnelly had worked the night before, so apparently he was out for that game.

Home opener today, Im thinking Beckett goes 7 innings, 3 hits, 9 K's, 1 run (home run obviously) and hits 107 on the gun. Papelbon comes in in the 9th and throws 10 pitches, with 3 K's and he drills Richie Sexson in the stomach.

[smmokan]

Speaking of 107 on the gun... during the last spring training game, ESPN said that Zumaya hit 107 against the Yankees. That's the worst case of artificial inflation since gas prices rose two years ago. 101 I believe, but 107???

As for Beckett.... 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 BBs, 2 K's.

[MassLiberal]

Stoked for the game today. Managed to get some nosebleed grandstand tix. Should be a good time. Any other Boston Maggots gonna be there??

[Brock Landers]

Speaking of 107 on the gun... during the last spring training game, ESPN said that Zumaya hit 107 against the Yankees. That's the worst case of artificial inflation since gas prices rose two years ago. 101 I believe, but 107???

As for Beckett.... 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 BBs, 2 K's.

The ESPN guns are always inflated. 107 is pretty ridiculous though.

Your second point...is just pure pure poppycock. Beckett has turned the corner! He will be in the top 5 for Cy Young voting. As will Daisuke and Paps.

[smmokan]

I'll put money on Beckett... no way is he in the top 5.

[Brock Landers]

I'll put money on Beckett... no way is he in the top 5.

I know- its defintley a stretch. I meant his ERA will be under 5. I hope.