CollegeKingRex
CTG Regular
I really like this DirecTV K-Zone channel. I was able to see virtually all of the important plays last night in all the games - and with my network of friends who were watching different games, get a good feel about a lot of things...
Notes and observations from Tuesday...
Pitt/STL - Didn't see any of this one but evidently I had the right side. Had these 2 been able to scratch out one more run it woulda been a huge day for me.
SD/CHC - Shorty tells me that this game could have and should have easily been more high-scoring; I believe the Pads left about 17 men on base.
ATL/WASH - Chipper's homer in the 9th gave the Brave RL people the cash but the Senators had plenty of opportunities to get the cash here outright. Soriano has better stuff than anyone on Atlanta's staff, period. He should be the closer - not Wickman - and NOW. Dmitri Young had one of the best at-bats I've seen all year. He took the 13th pitch, another fastball about 96 at the letters, down the left field line before it was hauled in near the foul pole.
This goes to show something else - the scouting in baseball is either much better now than what it was, or players are actually listening. All of these shifts put into effect for certain players are really paying off. THis time, they weren't shifting Young to hit it the opposite way because he does that all the time, though. They were doing it because Soriano throws hard and you're just not gonna pull the ball on him very often.
NYM/PHI - Mets are an explosive bunch with the best 1-7 offense in baseball. This game shoulda went flying over, as men were left all over the bases in every inning. If Philly gets to Glav early, this result might have been far different.
MIL/CIN - A carbon copy, in reverse, of the opening game. THis time it was the Brewers who had all the problems on defense. The center-fielder looked lost - and not at times, but the entire fucking game. Put a tent under that circus out there. My God. If Hamilton plays every day (and he's a five-star player who has had about 20 at-bats, has 3-4 homers, 8 driven in, etc.)... then the Reds become much more dangerous offensively. Freel, Hamm, Dunner back in 3rd where he belongs, Griffey make up a fairly potent start to the lineup, and Conine has been hitting. If the wind is blowing out at GABP and the Reds are facing a righty, OVER is the only way to go - ever...
FLA/HOU - Was fairly lucky to get my Houston/U parlay as I saw Mitre left this one early. My God, can Derrek Lee hit the piss out of the ball. Astro offense, while far from potent, has to heat up at some point. Fish playing fairly disappointing ball the last week. D-Train to save the day tonight just in time, perhaps.
SFO/COL - Matt Cain is easily the most snakebit pitcher in baseball. He handcuffed the Rockies to three hits and no runs through seven. A bizarre eighth-inning rally was capped when Torrealba hit one that Linden (who had PR for Bonds in the eighth) couldn't track down a flyball tailing away from him and the bases emptied. The Giants left seven on base, including four in scoring position, so they had their chances again.
But games like last night's virtually cement my pre-season thoughts that they are headed right for the West cellar. THey are too old and if their bullpen can't hold leads, my God... not like they're going to rally much - once you get past Bonds, there just ain't much there...
Back in a bit with AL update....
:drink:
Notes and observations from Tuesday...
Pitt/STL - Didn't see any of this one but evidently I had the right side. Had these 2 been able to scratch out one more run it woulda been a huge day for me.
SD/CHC - Shorty tells me that this game could have and should have easily been more high-scoring; I believe the Pads left about 17 men on base.
ATL/WASH - Chipper's homer in the 9th gave the Brave RL people the cash but the Senators had plenty of opportunities to get the cash here outright. Soriano has better stuff than anyone on Atlanta's staff, period. He should be the closer - not Wickman - and NOW. Dmitri Young had one of the best at-bats I've seen all year. He took the 13th pitch, another fastball about 96 at the letters, down the left field line before it was hauled in near the foul pole.
This goes to show something else - the scouting in baseball is either much better now than what it was, or players are actually listening. All of these shifts put into effect for certain players are really paying off. THis time, they weren't shifting Young to hit it the opposite way because he does that all the time, though. They were doing it because Soriano throws hard and you're just not gonna pull the ball on him very often.
NYM/PHI - Mets are an explosive bunch with the best 1-7 offense in baseball. This game shoulda went flying over, as men were left all over the bases in every inning. If Philly gets to Glav early, this result might have been far different.
MIL/CIN - A carbon copy, in reverse, of the opening game. THis time it was the Brewers who had all the problems on defense. The center-fielder looked lost - and not at times, but the entire fucking game. Put a tent under that circus out there. My God. If Hamilton plays every day (and he's a five-star player who has had about 20 at-bats, has 3-4 homers, 8 driven in, etc.)... then the Reds become much more dangerous offensively. Freel, Hamm, Dunner back in 3rd where he belongs, Griffey make up a fairly potent start to the lineup, and Conine has been hitting. If the wind is blowing out at GABP and the Reds are facing a righty, OVER is the only way to go - ever...
FLA/HOU - Was fairly lucky to get my Houston/U parlay as I saw Mitre left this one early. My God, can Derrek Lee hit the piss out of the ball. Astro offense, while far from potent, has to heat up at some point. Fish playing fairly disappointing ball the last week. D-Train to save the day tonight just in time, perhaps.
SFO/COL - Matt Cain is easily the most snakebit pitcher in baseball. He handcuffed the Rockies to three hits and no runs through seven. A bizarre eighth-inning rally was capped when Torrealba hit one that Linden (who had PR for Bonds in the eighth) couldn't track down a flyball tailing away from him and the bases emptied. The Giants left seven on base, including four in scoring position, so they had their chances again.
But games like last night's virtually cement my pre-season thoughts that they are headed right for the West cellar. THey are too old and if their bullpen can't hold leads, my God... not like they're going to rally much - once you get past Bonds, there just ain't much there...
Back in a bit with AL update....
:drink: