phastphish

Great signs both ways, our pitching racking up Ks has been a constant and terriffic sign, but the real eye opener is our hitters cutting down on Ks, and by ALOT. June overall Ks are down almost 50%, and especially the last 7 games. Thats huge, and something to keep an eye on. We've actually been very patient at the plate!

My first reaction to this was that HR handled this badly & should have kept it inside. But on second look it does seem that he let his guard down and, in Spanish, confided his true feelings. HR was trying to express something that has got to be an issue among the players, not just HR. Bet there is no recording of him saying it. I'm sure he felt it was off the record, which is why Fredi blew up at the reporters, asking to hear the tape. Im sure there's a feeling among a few that they're not being protected by Fredi. Also sure we'll never know as its best for all to get beyond it. Curious to see what the 3 beat writers come out with, 'cause we're not hearing it, maybe never will. You can also be sure that other teams have taken notice, wait till we visit the Rays, see if they go after Coughlan knowing there wont be a response.

Almost every team could use BP help (ask the Yankees!), FO will not overpay for help now. Besides we're in first place right now & almost done with tough road schedule, once starters go deeper in games BP wont be as much of an issue.

I don't know what the reality is. I'm not passing judgement. It just seems to me that in the last couple of series more balls than average were getting by. On a few occasions runners advanced, taking off the double play option. I'm not saying I don't like what Baker does for this team offensively. His defense just seems a little shakier lately. Maybe so, still really has not cost us, and if anything, would blame the lack of command on our pitching. I just sense a bias towards his defense since its always been his rep (hard to overcome) , which to me is undeserved judging by what I've seen of him, he's average or better defensively at the very least. And a huge improvement overall to what we've had last couple years. Think about this, we actually have a catcher that can bat 2nd or 3rd!

This seems a bit of an overreach. Pitchers have been wild and its too way early to pass judgement on anything. Dont let your perceptions cloud reality. Baker will be just fine behind the plate.

As much as I hate to say I told you so............................. Btw, he's not injured. The velocity is there already, he just got hit. He gets hit b/c he's flat, and his control isn't great. This isn't some sort of surprise. People need to realize that Lindstrom has never been that good. 5 September saves when the season meant nothing for his team don't mean much. 5 = small sample. And before someone says "well, omgz double standard he has 5 save opps." this year...look at some other stats. He's nothing more than average. Also...there should be a poll. Option #2 should be Hanley Ramirez. If you want to get picky like some...option #3 would be John Baker for calling all fastballs in the 9th inning, again. Although, those people seem to ignore that Lindstrom is a grown man at the age of 29, who can shake off his catcher (hopefully). Safe to say that Leo Nunez...even Kiko have earned a CHANCE to close. Dont disagree Nunez should probably be closer for now, just dont write off Lindstrom yet, take another look at that inning. Slider wasnt working early , so they went fastball, fastball, yet some of them had crazy movement! Never before seen from him, probably shocked both Baker & Lindstrom. Too much movement so then what happens, strikes out Brumblett on beauty slider, then gets squeezed on first pitch to Victorino after walking Rollins. So he dials it back to 94 mph, meatball, no movement, game over. This was a very different, wierd, Lindstrom. In a way , encouraging.

You can never have too much movement. Lindstrom has never really had any. He did tonight, seriously, if you've got it recorded, take a look again (I know, its painful) its the reason he couldnt locate it, I think he shocked himself as well as Baker. This was a very weird outting for him. And yes you can have too much movement if you cant locate. Look again at the homer pitch to Victorino, 94 mph meatball at the letters over the plate, he dialed it back & got burned, no movement there. Its the previous 2 at bats that are interesting and unusual for Lindstrom, in a way its encouraging. To me, the entire inning was fascinating to observe if you can detach yourself from the outcome. By the way, the first pitch to Victorino was a slider that just missed, one pitch that changed the whole outcome. It should have been a strike.

You can never have too much movement. Lindstrom has never really had any. He did tonight, seriously, if you've got it recorded, take a look again (I know, its painful) its the reason he couldnt locate it, I think he shocked himself as well as Baker. This was a very weird outting for him. And yes you can have too much movement if you cant locate.

If by quality stuff you mean a flat fastball and a slider he cant throw effectively...so just a fastball then. Not flat at all. TOO much movement was the problem, he was way too amped, hit 102 mph. Almost glad this happened now. (not really, losing always sucks) Velocity doesn't mean movement. He's always had a relatively straight fastball. It's the reason he doesn't miss many bats with his stuff. It's the reason throwing his slider with consistency is so important (something he has failed to do this year). Not what I meant, there was movement & too much velocity. "He's always had a relatively straight fastball" yes, very true, not tonite, which in a way is promising and frustrating.

If by quality stuff you mean a flat fastball and a slider he cant throw effectively...so just a fastball then. Not flat at all. TOO much movement was the problem, he was way too amped, hit 102 mph. Almost glad this happened now. (not really, losing always sucks)

First post for me, man you guys get crazy over one loss! Lay off Lindstrom a bit, his fastball was as electric as I've ever seen it, too too much so. He's gonna rack up his share of saves. This game was a great lesson for all of the team, lets hope it sinks in. We'll get 'em tomorrow (and beat Moyer next), book it. thanks for reminding me we still have to face Moyer :banghead :banghead :banghead Just wait till we feel how sweet it'll be to beat the crap out him, will more than make up for tonite.

First post for me, man you guys get crazy over one loss! Lay off Lindstrom a bit, his fastball was as electric as I've ever seen it, too too much so. He's gonna rack up his share of saves. This game was a great lesson for all of the team, lets hope it sinks in. We'll get 'em tomorrow (and beat Moyer next), book it.