uberschnell

Easy vote tonight, imo. Coming into the season, I thought the bullpen would be the biggest weakness, and I still think it is, but they've been awesome, lately. I'm not taking back what I said on the gamethread, either. I was the one who used the Lindstrom-Gregg comparison. That's not a horrible thing, either. Despite the criticisms, Gregg isn't a terrible reliever. That's what I think of Lindstrom...I think he's average. It's nice to see him get the 1 run save tonight (for the team, itself, and my fantasy team, as well), but I still don't trust him. He was about a foot away from blowing it on Elijah Dukes' shot. He's extremely predictable right now, and while you don't want to get beat on your second pitch when you throw 98...it's always nice to mix it up a bit. He'd be better off if he threw his slider every once in awhile, and he'd be better if he used his splitter against left-handed hitters. I have more confidence in Leo Nunez. Don't take back the comparison because there is none-that's fine. Whether you are average or phenominal it all comes down to getting the job done. A foot from blowing it is still not blowing it. Now, you were predicting him to blow the save tonight and guess what happened, he didn't, so how can he be predictable? Oh, I get it, you mean he is predictable in what pitches he throws, got you. I agree with mixing it up for sure, but you go with what is working. (Don't give me it wasn't working with Dukes, because although it didn't work out with him it worked on everybody else). Yeah Nunez is good in the 8th inning, he'll be good there for the rest of the year right before Lindstrom comes in the game.

I love the Kevin Gregg Matt Lindstrom comparisons in the game threads. These two aren't even close in comparison. Gregg walked everybody and they usually ended up scoring hence his demotion in the Cubs bullpen. Yeah Matt might giv up a couple hits here and there but he usually doesn't walk folks. It's nice to see him reach back and find a couple strikeouts too. He wasn't demoted in the Cub pen. Lou was already warming up Marmol because the Cubs were down but Soriano hit a homer to put them ahead. Marmol was already ready so that's who Lou used. You watched the game? I'm not dissing Gregg at all in fact I think he is a classy guy. I just read something from Lou that Gregg walks too many. Doesn't really matter if Marmol is warmed up IMO, if Gregg is the closer it doesn't take too long to warm him up. Marmol would have been my choice as well. No, I didn't watch the game, but that was the reason reported as to why Gregg didn't close and Lou just said like 4 games ago that he doesn't like to sit guys after he warms them up. I do agree that Marmol is better though. I got you, that makes perfect sense!

I love the Kevin Gregg Matt Lindstrom comparisons in the game threads. These two aren't even close in comparison. Gregg walked everybody and they usually ended up scoring hence his demotion in the Cubs bullpen. Yeah Matt might giv up a couple hits here and there but he usually doesn't walk folks. It's nice to see him reach back and find a couple strikeouts too. He wasn't demoted in the Cub pen. Lou was already warming up Marmol because the Cubs were down but Soriano hit a homer to put them ahead. Marmol was already ready so that's who Lou used. You watched the game? I'm not dissing Gregg at all in fact I think he is a classy guy. I just read something from Lou that Gregg walks too many. Doesn't really matter if Marmol is warmed up IMO, if Gregg is the closer it doesn't take too long to warm him up. Marmol would have been my choice as well.

You don't get beat with your second pitch. If you throw 98 you dominate and take your chances. If he tries to throw a slider and some guy dinks one in, everyone would be wondering why he didn't throw fastballs. If you watched the game, the Nats had no chance on the fastball once Matt got in a rhythm. I say blow fastballs and if they beat you, tip your cap. Don't get beat on your second best pitch. Good way to look at it. :thumbup I didn't see the game live but if they couldn't touch the fastball then why not throw it?

I love the Kevin Gregg Matt Lindstrom comparisons in the game threads. These two aren't even close in comparison. Gregg walked everybody and they usually ended up scoring hence his demotion in the Cubs bullpen. Yeah Matt might giv up a couple hits here and there but he usually doesn't walk folks. It's nice to see him reach back and find a couple strikeouts too.

once he found his control he was pretty strong, but did Lindstrom throw anything other than fastballs? Don't be afraid to mix it up a little Matt... That's all Baker calls. It's easy to catch a fastball. I'd like to see him throw more offspeed but whatever works I guess.

Cody!!!!!!! Hermi also had a big knock. As for Boni he needs to either lear to hit the high stuff or lay off it. Right now hes bonerface to me. Right now hes bonerface to me. To me as well. It is amazing what scouting reports will do. He is starting to show why some of the people on the boards are skeptical about him. I hope he snaps out of it and fast. the dude is still batting over .300, right? law of averages, i say.... Right. I believe in the law of averages as well. The law of averages for Boni is really good against the Nationals.

Cody!!!!!!! Hermi also had a big knock. As for Boni he needs to either lear to hit the high stuff or lay off it. Right now hes bonerface to me. Right now hes bonerface to me. To me as well. It is amazing what scouting reports will do. He is starting to show why some of the people on the boards are skeptical about him. I hope he snaps out of it and fast.

This does suck. I hope he recovers fast and gets back with the team.

Have to be pleased with the way everyone pitched tonight. Nunez has a great change-up and looked very good striking out those two batters. I'm glad Matty got some work tonight-he needed it. A 9 pitch inning is working very effective. Although he didn't strike anybody out at least he was throwing the ball down and even mixed in some off-speed stuff. I know he can throw the fastball but my favorite pitch tonight was the split-change that he threw to Garrett Anderson. It had great movement and G.A. swung right through it. Seeing him throw off-speed over for strikes is very promising and will keep the hitters off-balance. He is a little behind from spring training but he's getting there IMO. Good job overall by those who pitched tonight for the Marlins.

Anyone who calls his secondary stuff mediocre has never seen him throw a slider. Mediocre? No. Extremely inconsistent? Yes. Perhaps it's inconsistent because he rarely throws it? Baker never calls it and Matt never demands it. It has something to do with not getting beat on your second best pitch, which he is scared to do. He has it in his mind that if he is going to get beat it's going to be with his best pitch, which, because he throws hard, he thinks the fastball is his best pitch. IMO his split-change is his best pitch. The slider can be nasty too. Throwing more of them would IMO lead to more consistency. Matty has thrown his slider ~20% of the time in his career, which is a pretty good amount. FB ~75%, SF ~5% Now if he would just start doing it this year I think the outcome would be different? I hope so anyways. He and Baker have fallen in love with the fastball IMO. They need to switch it up and get guys off balance.

Anyone who calls his secondary stuff mediocre has never seen him throw a slider. Mediocre? No. Extremely inconsistent? Yes. Perhaps it's inconsistent because he rarely throws it? Baker never calls it and Matt never demands it. It has something to do with not getting beat on your second best pitch, which he is scared to do. He has it in his mind that if he is going to get beat it's going to be with his best pitch, which, because he throws hard, he thinks the fastball is his best pitch. IMO his split-change is his best pitch. The slider can be nasty too. Throwing more of them would IMO lead to more consistency.

Fair enough, I just dont think he has much upside, especially as a closer. I honestly doubt he will be much different than Gregg was last year. Guys that can throw 98 can throw 87 but guys that throw 87 can't throw 98. You can't teach speed but the offspeed is definitely teachable IMO. Because he has a good faastball, if he can compliment it with above average offspeed he should be really good. IMO the upside is huge, however the confidence in offspeed pitches is what's lacking. Oh and about Gregg. He walked too many and that's what hurt in every outing. Lindstrom doesn't walk many so he is already different than Gregg from last year. He will turn it on "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Lindstrom works hard so I don't fear. I disagree. Lindstrom is already 29 years old, if his secondary stuff is mediocre at best at this point, its doubtful it will ever get much better. His fastball that everyone loves so much is also straight as an arrow alot of the time. I just find Lindstrom to be greatly overrated by some Marlins fans. Disagree? Disagree with what? I've stated all facts here. Who says his secondary stuff is mediocre? His second half stats last year show his era just over 2 and it's because he was throwing his secondary stuff for strikes that complimented the fastball. Oh yeah, since when does 98-100 mph have movement? The only movement is straght, it's got no chance for life. Why can't people understand that? 92-95 yeah o.k. it's called a 2 seam fastball. 100 mph with movement hah. May he prove you and all his antagonists greatly wrong this year!

I called in to 790 to talk about Lindstrom's speed. I noticed that he topped off around 94 and threw mostly around the 91 to 93 range. The game before he topped off at 97 and threw 95 or above consistently. Not much of a difference I know but it looked like he was trying to get his pitch speed up and just couldn't do it. Is he sore from the injury? I was told that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I talked to Matt Lindstrom today and he said that everything was fine in the bullpen except the last five pitches he threw before he went into the game. His forearm tightened up and he never regained his control, hence the fastball that almost hit Carlos Delgado in the head. He said that Baker calls most of the pitches and he just goes with it because he trusts Baker. I told him that until catchers get a Win Loss column in their stats that maybe he should start throwing the pitches he thinks will be effective. I basically told him that he needs to start mixing his pitches up more. Less fastballs and more sliders and split-changeups. As far as the shoulder goes he said that his shoulder is fine and is not hurting. He just wants to start feeling healthy every time out. He was glad that he didn't give up a three spot last night and kept the game within reach. He knows that he has been better and he wants to get back to that form and quickly. Lindstrom has been a lot better than his last two outings in the past. Believe me he isn't trying to suck it up, and he knows the team needs him to be better. Anyways for what it's worth I don't think we have to worry. We are 4-0 and there are 158 more games left to be played. Was this a joke or are you serious? :blink: Come on Erik have I ever lied to you before? I am 100% serious. I would not lead fans away like this especially on such an important topic. I know you aren't a big believer in Lindstrom...yet. I hope he will change your mind when he starts dominating. He hasn't dominated yet but with his situation in spring training and in the WBC he hasn't really been able to prepare like other spring trainings, especially since he got hurt. I'm guessing he figures it out in the next few games-that is if he is healthy. I told him that he needs to throw more offspeed stuff so we will see if he listens to me in his next outing. Do you have a message to relay to him? If so, what do you want to say and I'll get it to him. :thumbup Not a big believer at all, really. (in the dominance...I believe he's an average / above average reliever, nothing wrong with that...we need him) Ask him to light my face! (check the new sig) I'm loving the new sig bro. I hope the next time he pitches he lights your face up. I hope that we can make a believer out of you by the end of the season hahahaha. Like I said in a previous post...guys who throw 98 can throw 87-90 but guys who throw 87-90 can't throw 98. I understand that location is key also and confidence is huge too. IMO if he gets the offspeed and confidence down he will be good, perhaps dominant who knows?

I called in to 790 to talk about Lindstrom's speed. I noticed that he topped off around 94 and threw mostly around the 91 to 93 range. The game before he topped off at 97 and threw 95 or above consistently. Not much of a difference I know but it looked like he was trying to get his pitch speed up and just couldn't do it. Is he sore from the injury? I was told that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I talked to Matt Lindstrom today and he said that everything was fine in the bullpen except the last five pitches he threw before he went into the game. His forearm tightened up and he never regained his control, hence the fastball that almost hit Carlos Delgado in the head. He said that Baker calls most of the pitches and he just goes with it because he trusts Baker. I told him that until catchers get a Win Loss column in their stats that maybe he should start throwing the pitches he thinks will be effective. I basically told him that he needs to start mixing his pitches up more. Less fastballs and more sliders and split-changeups. As far as the shoulder goes he said that his shoulder is fine and is not hurting. He just wants to start feeling healthy every time out. He was glad that he didn't give up a three spot last night and kept the game within reach. He knows that he has been better and he wants to get back to that form and quickly. Lindstrom has been a lot better than his last two outings in the past. Believe me he isn't trying to suck it up, and he knows the team needs him to be better. Anyways for what it's worth I don't think we have to worry. We are 4-0 and there are 158 more games left to be played. Was this a joke or are you serious? :blink: Come on Erik have I ever lied to you before? I am 100% serious. I would not lead fans away like this especially on such an important topic. I know you aren't a big believer in Lindstrom...yet. I hope he will change your mind when he starts dominating. He hasn't dominated yet but with his situation in spring training and in the WBC he hasn't really been able to prepare like other spring trainings, especially since he got hurt. I'm guessing he figures it out in the next few games-that is if he is healthy. I told him that he needs to throw more offspeed stuff so we will see if he listens to me in his next outing. Do you have a message to relay to him? If so, what do you want to say and I'll get it to him. :thumbup Are you Matt Lindstrom's cousin or something? How do you "talk" to him. BTW I am not implying that you don't "talk." I just put talk in quotations because I don't know if you talk or type or text or w/e. Yeah we talk on the phone. We are pretty close, you could say like family.

Fair enough, I just dont think he has much upside, especially as a closer. I honestly doubt he will be much different than Gregg was last year. Guys that can throw 98 can throw 87 but guys that throw 87 can't throw 98. You can't teach speed but the offspeed is definitely teachable IMO. Because he has a good faastball, if he can compliment it with above average offspeed he should be really good. IMO the upside is huge, however the confidence in offspeed pitches is what's lacking. Oh and about Gregg. He walked too many and that's what hurt in every outing. Lindstrom doesn't walk many so he is already different than Gregg from last year. He will turn it on "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Lindstrom works hard so I don't fear.

I called in to 790 to talk about Lindstrom's speed. I noticed that he topped off around 94 and threw mostly around the 91 to 93 range. The game before he topped off at 97 and threw 95 or above consistently. Not much of a difference I know but it looked like he was trying to get his pitch speed up and just couldn't do it. Is he sore from the injury? I was told that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I talked to Matt Lindstrom today and he said that everything was fine in the bullpen except the last five pitches he threw before he went into the game. His forearm tightened up and he never regained his control, hence the fastball that almost hit Carlos Delgado in the head. He said that Baker calls most of the pitches and he just goes with it because he trusts Baker. I told him that until catchers get a Win Loss column in their stats that maybe he should start throwing the pitches he thinks will be effective. I basically told him that he needs to start mixing his pitches up more. Less fastballs and more sliders and split-changeups. As far as the shoulder goes he said that his shoulder is fine and is not hurting. He just wants to start feeling healthy every time out. He was glad that he didn't give up a three spot last night and kept the game within reach. He knows that he has been better and he wants to get back to that form and quickly. Lindstrom has been a lot better than his last two outings in the past. Believe me he isn't trying to suck it up, and he knows the team needs him to be better. Anyways for what it's worth I don't think we have to worry. We are 4-0 and there are 158 more games left to be played. Well when his fastball is going good he should use it alot but when its 93 94 its gonna get hit. Id like to see that splitter used more. Forearm tightness always worrys me. Forearm tightness is surely a worry, but the shoulder is much worse. I'm guessing he'll have the rest of the Mets series off and then be back on again for the Braves. I'll tell him that you'd like to see the splitter used more. I've tried to tell him that now for all of 08 and the 2 games he's pitched in 09. Thanks for your concern.

I called in to 790 to talk about Lindstrom's speed. I noticed that he topped off around 94 and threw mostly around the 91 to 93 range. The game before he topped off at 97 and threw 95 or above consistently. Not much of a difference I know but it looked like he was trying to get his pitch speed up and just couldn't do it. Is he sore from the injury? I was told that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I talked to Matt Lindstrom today and he said that everything was fine in the bullpen except the last five pitches he threw before he went into the game. His forearm tightened up and he never regained his control, hence the fastball that almost hit Carlos Delgado in the head. He said that Baker calls most of the pitches and he just goes with it because he trusts Baker. I told him that until catchers get a Win Loss column in their stats that maybe he should start throwing the pitches he thinks will be effective. I basically told him that he needs to start mixing his pitches up more. Less fastballs and more sliders and split-changeups. As far as the shoulder goes he said that his shoulder is fine and is not hurting. He just wants to start feeling healthy every time out. He was glad that he didn't give up a three spot last night and kept the game within reach. He knows that he has been better and he wants to get back to that form and quickly. Lindstrom has been a lot better than his last two outings in the past. Believe me he isn't trying to suck it up, and he knows the team needs him to be better. Anyways for what it's worth I don't think we have to worry. We are 4-0 and there are 158 more games left to be played. Was this a joke or are you serious? :blink: Come on Erik have I ever lied to you before? I am 100% serious. I would not lead fans away like this especially on such an important topic. I know you aren't a big believer in Lindstrom...yet. I hope he will change your mind when he starts dominating. He hasn't dominated yet but with his situation in spring training and in the WBC he hasn't really been able to prepare like other spring trainings, especially since he got hurt. I'm guessing he figures it out in the next few games-that is if he is healthy. I told him that he needs to throw more offspeed stuff so we will see if he listens to me in his next outing. Do you have a message to relay to him? If so, what do you want to say and I'll get it to him. :thumbup

I called in to 790 to talk about Lindstrom's speed. I noticed that he topped off around 94 and threw mostly around the 91 to 93 range. The game before he topped off at 97 and threw 95 or above consistently. Not much of a difference I know but it looked like he was trying to get his pitch speed up and just couldn't do it. Is he sore from the injury? I was told that it doesn't seem to be a problem. I talked to Matt Lindstrom today and he said that everything was fine in the bullpen except the last five pitches he threw before he went into the game. His forearm tightened up and he never regained his control, hence the fastball that almost hit Carlos Delgado in the head. He said that Baker calls most of the pitches and he just goes with it because he trusts Baker. I told him that until catchers get a Win Loss column in their stats that maybe he should start throwing the pitches he thinks will be effective. I basically told him that he needs to start mixing his pitches up more. Less fastballs and more sliders and split-changeups. As far as the shoulder goes he said that his shoulder is fine and is not hurting. He just wants to start feeling healthy every time out. He was glad that he didn't give up a three spot last night and kept the game within reach. He knows that he has been better and he wants to get back to that form and quickly. Lindstrom has been a lot better than his last two outings in the past. Believe me he isn't trying to suck it up, and he knows the team needs him to be better. Anyways for what it's worth I don't think we have to worry. We are 4-0 and there are 158 more games left to be played.

Now if they can just get the bullpen (closer's spot-I don't think the funk with Lindstrom will last much longer-I'm optomistic) and the bottom of the order working they will be real tuff!!

Scary bullpen outing tonight. Loved Leo Nunez and his work. Is there something wrong with Matty because his velocity is way down, elevating piches, he's looked bad in each outing. Does somebody know what the hell is going on?

Thanks for that video. The last 2 opportunities have hardly looked like that. I hope he gets it going soon because our bullpen doesn't look too good to start the season. Important thing is that they are still winning-the baseball gods are watching out early!

well the Mets, Orioles, and Rangers have a chance to go 3-0 today, but I think overall we've seemed like the more dominating team thus far, except for Matt Lindstroms scare yesterday. Lindstom's outing was indeed scary, but there were a few factors that made it more intense. CB Buckner missed at least 2-3 strikes that made the hitters count way different. Dan Uggla didn't help with the error, and him having only pitched 4 innings in spring training coming back from rotator cuff inflamation; I would say it went rather well and it's only going to get better.

Calero did a very nice job preserving the lead. I thought the last inning was going to be a disaster, however, the players kept their heads after the error by Uggla and then they handled their business. Lindstrom was rusty, however, he got no help from CB Buckner (who IMO is the worst umpire in the league behind the plate) and that definitely didn't help. So, right from the beginning I had the feeling that it was going to be a tough ninth. I don't expect the Matty will stuggle that mightily again. I hope not for the sake of Marlin fans who dealt with that last year. He will get better, mark my words. I love that we scored a lot of runs in this series. The offense was really fun to watch. Bring on the Mutts!!

well hanley sucked when he had hair and the day after he cut it he went yard. Then he needs to cut his hair everyday because he is stinking up spring training.