Edgar Martinez, Mariano Rivera, My Uncle Bob, and the Baseball Hall of Fame
In the days that followed Mariano Rivera’s season ending knee injury there was a lot of speculation that he’d played his last game. We’ve learned that he plans on playing next year, which is good for all baseball fans, not just Yankees fan, but it also brought to the forefront, at least in my family, Rivera’s Hall of Fame candidacy. My Uncle Bob sent me some angry facebook messages last Friday saying that if Edgar Martinez isn’t in the hall, then Rivera should be left out also:
(This is what you get for sending me crazy messages in the middle of the day Uncle Bob)
Uncle Bob: If the HOF lets Rivera in… Continue reading | 5 Comments
Seattle Mariners Series No. 11: @ New York Yankees
The Mariners come in playing pretty good ball. Jesus Montero and John Jaso have covered for Miguel Olivo very well, and Kyle Seager has been playing out of his mind. Justin Smoak’s head is being called for like the Mariners fanbase is collectively the queen of diamonds from Alice in Wonderland, and Felix Hernandez is well, Felix Hernandez.
The Mariners face a Yankees team that is probably better than their record indicates, but also in something of a state of disarray. Michael Pineda, who was traded to the Mariners for Jesus Montero is on the shelf for the season with a shoulder injury, and the team has taken former Mariner Freddy Garcia out of their rotation, and essentially replaced him with former baseball player, now current… Continue reading
Mariners Win Series Against Tigers as Jason Vargas is in Early-Season Form
Two hours and six minutes. I love you Jason Vargas. Jason Vargas had my employers in mind tonight as he allowed me to go to sleep basically an hour earlier than I have in the past several nights.
And John Jaso. Leadoff hitter John Jaso! Jaso should never be a leadoff hitter. That’s a bad tactical move on the part of Eric Wedge. However, he’s a good hitter and should be in the lineup. He’s earned the game winning RBI in two of the past three games, and the last two Mariner wins. John Jaso is a really good catcher. He’s not great defensively, but he’s well above average for the position offensively. Keep playing John Jaso.
How about that Vargas guy? He struck out six, walked none… Continue reading | 2 Comments
Seattle Mariners Game 33: vs. Detroit Tigers
In some ways tonight’s matchup is much easier than last night’s for the Mariners. I mean, Justin Verlander can’t pitch for four more days, which makes this game almost inherently easier. Smyly has been good so far this year though, and the Mariners don’t match up well against lefties.
Starting Pitchers
LHP Jason Vargas (4.00 xFIP in 43.2 IP) vs. LHP Drew Smyly (3.11 xFIP in 28.0 IP)
Lineups
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson – R – CF
2. Brennan Boesch – L – RF
3. Miguel Cabrera – R – 3B
4. Prince Fielder – L – 1B
5. Delmon Young – R – DH
6. Ryan Raburn – R – DH
7. Jhonny Peralta – R – SS… Continue reading
Neither Jesus Montero or John Jaso Win Today’s Game
Justin Verlander gave the Mariners a show today. He neared triple digits on the radar gun, and at one point in the bottom of the third inning, after his second near-perfect 98 MPH backdoor fastball on the inside corner, he got Jim Leyland, and nearly himself kicked out of the game. I’d have been pissed. I remember when I played little league and I was pitching and the umpire was clearly scared of the ball, he turned his head every time a pitch got to the plate, and it made getting a called strike harder than Sean Kramer and myself getting a marriage license in North Carolina.
But I didn’t get kicked out, and neither did Verlander. I didn’t need my first and third baseman to move their… Continue reading | 6 Comments
Seattle Mariners Game 32: vs. Detroit Tigers
Justin Verlander is really, really good. Kevin Millwood is much less good.
Starting Pitchers
RHP Kevin Millwood (4.19 xFIP in 28.2 IP) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (3.27 xFIP in 45.1 IP
Lineups
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson – R – CF
2. Andy Dirks – L – LF
3. Miguel Cabrera – R – 3B
4. Prince Fielder – L – 1B
5. Delmon Young – R – DH
6. Ryan Raburn – R – 2B
7. Jhonny Peralta – R – SS
8. Brennan Boesch – L – RF
9. Gerald Laird – R – C
Mariners
1. Dustin Ackley – L – 2B
2.Brendan Ryan – R – SS
3. Ichiro Suzuki – L… Continue reading
Jesus (and Jaso) Deliver Victory Unto the Mariners and Their Followers, Twitter Followers
Maybe I’m the only one that thought that this game was kind of boring for eight and a half innings. Doug Fister Doug-Fistered his way to seven innings with no runs allowed. He’s not an exciting pitcher. He was very effective today, but he’s not exciting. Blake Beavan is boring too, so is Hisashi Iwakuma.
It shouldn’t have been that boring. Iwakuma struck out 5 hitters in three innings, and the Mariners struck out nine tonight. Nobody hit any home runs. I’m not one of those guys that only likes the long ball, but there were 20 groundball outs.
Ichiro’s first inning double was a ball that was kind of in the gap. It didn’t make it through the gap, but it was kind of in the gap… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Seattle Mariners Game 31: vs. Detroit Tigers
The Mariners take on Doug Fister tonight. Everyone in the world remembers that Doug Fister used to be a good pitcher for the Mariners, a lot less people remember that Fister has league average peripherals. He plays in a pitcher-friendly park, but I still predict a big regression for him this year. He’s coming off an injury, so of course, even if he struggles today he’s got about 18 built in excuses. Kyle Seager is mashing. That’s it.
Starting Pitchers
RHP Blake Beavan (5.17 xFIP in 30.1 IP) vs. RHP Doug Fister (2.51 xFIP in 3.2 IP)
Lineups
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson – R – CF
2. Andy Dirks – L – LF
3. Miguel Cabrera – R – 3B
4. Prince… Continue reading
Seattle Mariners Series No. 10: vs. Detroit Tigers
The Mariners welcome back the Detroit Tigers who they swept the last time they faced them (in Detroit), though they’ll have a much tougher pitching matchup. They’ll see the return of Doug Fister from the disabled list in game one, and see Justin Verlander for the first time this season in game two. They’ll face Drew Smyly in game three, and not to talk trash about Jake Smyly, but he is the easiest matchup of the group. He also didn’t pitch against the Mariners last time around though, and may be a matchup issue because he’s left-handed.
Game 1
RHP Blake Beavan (5.17 xFIP in 30.1 IP) vs. RHP Doug Fister (2.51 xFIP in 3.2 IP)
Game 2
RHP Kevin Millwood (4.19 xFIP in 28.2 IP)… Continue reading
Mariners Win Series Against Twins, Young Guys Keep Hitting
From before the beginning of the Mariners game today I was an enormous ball of mucus. I don’t know what is in the air, assuredly some kind of pollen, but I was totally miserable. I’m lucky to have a girlfriend at a time like this for a lot of reasons. She took care of me, and fed me, and drove everywhere we needed to go today, and if the cocktail of allergy medication I took today decides to boil over, she’ll be there to call 911! Yay!
But I feel a lot better now, and after a road trip that ended with the Mariners losing six straight, and then another loss at home, my battle with spring allergies today was an acceptable metaphor for the Mariners season so far… Continue reading | 1 Comment
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Seriously, though, national media. Please go away and stop hyping Keith Price. He is supposed to be our dirty little secret.5 hours ago
Ichiro and Mariners Contemplate Self-Inflicted Face Punches in Cleveland http://t.co/9cvbimM85 hours ago
Ichiro and Mariners Contemplate Self-Inflicted Face Punches in Cleveland http://t.co/5hR0Nc2i5 hours ago
RT @Mr10K: Currently turning Northgate into NeemaLand. All the cool kids here talkin bout eighty4Fly. He's the landlord.6 hours ago
RT @Lockedonsports: On Jan 29th #Spurs went to 12-9 since then 43-7 (70 wins pace) , only 3 of those losses had Parker, Duncan and Manu playing in the game6 hours ago
Oh. Because Steve Sarkisian is one of the best quarterbacks coaches in the World. Makes sense. Two heisman winners, 4 first round picks.6 hours ago
It is starting to look like Keith Price is certainly not going to go under the radar. What the hell is it with Sarkisian QBs and NFL hype?6 hours ago
Rather have them follow VN. “@PhotoZach6040: not sure if you all know about this yet but now you can follow vandals with the govandals app"12 hours ago