At least with Cody leading off, he can screw up at the beginning of an inning instead of ending the inning

Awesome game & good step for Miller. This division's looking really tough, if we didn't already know it. Only 1 team with a losing record and even they've won 8 of 10.

It was cool seeing him get the better of a future Hall of Famer but if he doesn't have a similar game his next time out against Washington, who are only hitting .239, he's gotta go.

 

Even if he has a rough outing against Washington, he won't be sent down. They don't demote people just like that, especially after they have gone out and shown they can be solid which is what Miller did in his last start. The fact that he was a center piece of the deal with Detroit also helps.

 

I think getting through 6 innings was huge for Andrew. Just the fact that he has done it will give him confidence in the back of his mind and the knowledge that he can do it again. My prediction is that Nolasco will be in the bullpen within 3 weeks and Miller will have his ERA under 6 by that time.

Awesome game & good step for Miller. This division's looking really tough, if we didn't already know it. Only 1 team with a losing record and even they've won 8 of 10.

It was cool seeing him get the better of a future Hall of Famer but if he doesn't have a similar game his next time out against Washington, who are only hitting .239, he's gotta go.

 

Even if he has a rough outing against Washington, he won't be sent down. They don't demote people just like that, especially after they have gone out and shown they can be solid which is what Miller did in his last start. The fact that he was a center piece of the deal with Detroit also helps.

 

I think getting through 6 innings was huge for Andrew. Just the fact that he has done it will give him confidence in the back of his mind and the knowledge that he can do it again. My prediction is that Nolasco will be in the bullpen within 3 weeks and Miller will have his ERA under 6 by that time.

Miller will have his ERA under 6 in three weeks? Sig bet?

 

Anyways, the Padres are the worst hitting team in the league. It's not like he went out and beat a team full of sluggers. The only consistently good bat in that lineup is Adrian Gonzalez and he homered. A two run outing, while it is encouraging, is not enough to warrant him a spot on this team after he allowed 26 runs in his first 6 starts, none of which were longer than 5 innings. If he gets roughed up (again) in Washington, he should be sent down, Nelson should be brought up and Waechter should join the rotation.

Considering how much Andrew Miller is getting paid (over a mil, right?), he aint gonna be paid that much money to be throwing in AA. I'd still give Andrew another shot since he is showing improvement regardless of the team he faced. I would rather put Nolasco in the pen right now. He can't seem to go more than a few innings without getting into some jams.

What's a sig bet?

What's a sig bet?

Loser puts the winner's choice of words in their sig. It's the less ballsy version of a ban bet.

Awesome game & good step for Miller. This division's looking really tough, if we didn't already know it. Only 1 team with a losing record and even they've won 8 of 10.

It was cool seeing him get the better of a future Hall of Famer but if he doesn't have a similar game his next time out against Washington, who are only hitting .239, he's gotta go.

 

Even if he has a rough outing against Washington, he won't be sent down. They don't demote people just like that, especially after they have gone out and shown they can be solid which is what Miller did in his last start. The fact that he was a center piece of the deal with Detroit also helps.

 

I think getting through 6 innings was huge for Andrew. Just the fact that he has done it will give him confidence in the back of his mind and the knowledge that he can do it again. My prediction is that Nolasco will be in the bullpen within 3 weeks and Miller will have his ERA under 6 by that time.

Miller will have his ERA under 6 in three weeks? Sig bet?

 

Anyways, the Padres are the worst hitting team in the league. It's not like he went out and beat a team full of sluggers. The only consistently good bat in that lineup is Adrian Gonzalez and he homered. A two run outing, while it is encouraging, is not enough to warrant him a spot on this team after he allowed 26 runs in his first 6 starts, none of which were longer than 5 innings. If he gets roughed up (again) in Washington, he should be sent down, Nelson should be brought up and Waechter should join the rotation.

 

Not sure what a sig bet is, but I'll stand by my prediction. The odds are against me and it might not be within 3 weeks, more like 5 or 6 starts. Forgot to include the fact that he started today which means he'll only get 4 starts over the next 3 weeks.

 

As far as him being sent down (assuming he gets roughed up in Washington), it's in the organiztion's hands, not ours. And based on the patience they have shown with him so far, I doubt they will send him down after 1 more bad start, especially after he had his best outing of the season so recently.

 

It also depends how you define "roughed up". I consider it an outing of 5 or less innings pitched and 5+ runs allowed.

Awesome game & good step for Miller. This division's looking really tough, if we didn't already know it. Only 1 team with a losing record and even they've won 8 of 10.

It was cool seeing him get the better of a future Hall of Famer but if he doesn't have a similar game his next time out against Washington, who are only hitting .239, he's gotta go.

 

Even if he has a rough outing against Washington, he won't be sent down. They don't demote people just like that, especially after they have gone out and shown they can be solid which is what Miller did in his last start. The fact that he was a center piece of the deal with Detroit also helps.

 

I think getting through 6 innings was huge for Andrew. Just the fact that he has done it will give him confidence in the back of his mind and the knowledge that he can do it again. My prediction is that Nolasco will be in the bullpen within 3 weeks and Miller will have his ERA under 6 by that time.

Miller will have his ERA under 6 in three weeks? Sig bet?

 

Anyways, the Padres are the worst hitting team in the league. It's not like he went out and beat a team full of sluggers. The only consistently good bat in that lineup is Adrian Gonzalez and he homered. A two run outing, while it is encouraging, is not enough to warrant him a spot on this team after he allowed 26 runs in his first 6 starts, none of which were longer than 5 innings. If he gets roughed up (again) in Washington, he should be sent down, Nelson should be brought up and Waechter should join the rotation.

 

Not sure what a sig bet is, but I'll stand by my prediction. The odds are against me and it might not be within 3 weeks, more like 5 or 6 starts. Forgot to include the fact that he started today which means he'll only get 4 starts over the next 3 weeks.

 

As far as him being sent down (assuming he gets roughed up in Washington), it's in the organiztion's hands, not ours. And based on the patience they have shown with him so far, I doubt they will send him down after 1 more bad start, especially after he had his best outing of the season so recently.

 

It also depends how you define "roughed up". I consider it an outing of 5 or less innings pitched and 5+ runs allowed.

 

Edit: Ok, just read about the sig bet. I accept, but are you taking the 3 weeks or the 5 starts? :mis2

 

Double Edit: Don't kno what happened here, but for some reason I quoted instead of edited my last post...sorry.

Awesome game & good step for Miller. This division's looking really tough, if we didn't already know it. Only 1 team with a losing record and even they've won 8 of 10.

It was cool seeing him get the better of a future Hall of Famer but if he doesn't have a similar game his next time out against Washington, who are only hitting .239, he's gotta go.

 

Even if he has a rough outing against Washington, he won't be sent down. They don't demote people just like that, especially after they have gone out and shown they can be solid which is what Miller did in his last start. The fact that he was a center piece of the deal with Detroit also helps.

 

I think getting through 6 innings was huge for Andrew. Just the fact that he has done it will give him confidence in the back of his mind and the knowledge that he can do it again. My prediction is that Nolasco will be in the bullpen within 3 weeks and Miller will have his ERA under 6 by that time.

Miller will have his ERA under 6 in three weeks? Sig bet?

 

Anyways, the Padres are the worst hitting team in the league. It's not like he went out and beat a team full of sluggers. The only consistently good bat in that lineup is Adrian Gonzalez and he homered. A two run outing, while it is encouraging, is not enough to warrant him a spot on this team after he allowed 26 runs in his first 6 starts, none of which were longer than 5 innings. If he gets roughed up (again) in Washington, he should be sent down, Nelson should be brought up and Waechter should join the rotation.

 

Not sure what a sig bet is, but I'll stand by my prediction. The odds are against me and it might not be within 3 weeks, more like 5 or 6 starts. Forgot to include the fact that he started today which means he'll only get 4 starts over the next 3 weeks.

 

As far as him being sent down (assuming he gets roughed up in Washington), it's in the organiztion's hands, not ours. And based on the patience they have shown with him so far, I doubt they will send him down after 1 more bad start, especially after he had his best outing of the season so recently.

 

It also depends how you define "roughed up". I consider it an outing of 5 or less innings pitched and 5+ runs allowed.

 

Edit: Ok, just read about the sig bet. I accept, but are you taking the 3 weeks or the 5 starts? :mis2

 

Double Edit: Don't kno what happened here, but for some reason I quoted instead of edited my last post...sorry.

Three weeks. He should get Washington, Cincinnati, Arizona and San Francisco. If he gets sent down before the bet's over, we'll call it a draw.

 

By the way, earlier this year, Miller gave up 6 runs in 3.1 innings to the same Nationals he's facing in his next start. Only now they've won 8 of their last 10 games.

Deal.

 

I never could resist a bet, even when the odds are against me. I see a gambling problem in my future....once I'm old enough to gamble.

 

*shudders at the thought of future sig*

I don't know, Hanley was in a bit of a slump before he moved to the 3 hole. I think he probably came out of it today. Judging his performance there from three games is dubious.

 

That's a point most are missing. Looks like he could be working out of this slump.

 

Walking into the ball park my wife commented she thought we were going to get killed in this game because of Andrew vs Maddux. I told her I thought we would win if we got fair umpiring. Giving Andrew a Maddux stike zone would benefit him. Giving Maddux a legitimate strike zone hurts him. A win/win situation, IMO. IF we got fair umpiring.

 

What the heck happened with the ejection? Evidently someone from the dugout was complaining about something before Black came out to argue. My guess was that Maddux was throwing one of his hissy fits. "It's not my fault I sucked. I'm a future HOFer. You sucked not giving me my strikes." sorta thing. By the time I got the binoculars and looked into their dugout Maddux was no where to be seen. So if I am right, he stirred the pot then left. Nothing uncommon there and another reason I really don't like the guy, but still wouldn't miss an opportunity to watch a future HOFer ply his trade. BTW, I still think he looks dorky.

I don't know, Hanley was in a bit of a slump before he moved to the 3 hole. I think he probably came out of it today. Judging his performance there from three games is dubious.

 

That's a point most are missing. Looks like he could be working out of this slump.

 

Walking into the ball park my wife commented she thought we were going to get killed in this game because of Andrew vs Maddux. I told her I thought we would win if we got fair umpiring. Giving Andrew a Maddux stike zone would benefit him. Giving Maddux a legitimate strike zone hurts him. A win/win situation, IMO. IF we got fair umpiring.

 

What the heck happened with the ejection? Evidently someone from the dugout was complaining about something before Black came out to argue. My guess was that Maddux was throwing one of his hissy fits. "It's not my fault I sucked. I'm a future HOFer. You sucked not giving me my strikes." sorta thing. By the time I got the binoculars and looked into their dugout Maddux was no where to be seen. So if I am right, he stirred the pot then left. Nothing uncommon there and another reason I really don't like the guy, but still wouldn't miss an opportunity to watch a future HOFer ply his trade. BTW, I still think he looks dorky.

 

According to reports, Maddux never stopped in the dugout after he was pulled from the game. He simply walked off the field, straight into the tunnel, and then into the clubhouse.

 

I was there yesterday and my buddy and I were amazed by Maddux's "pre-game" routine. The guy stretched his shoulder a total of two times, then did one jog and one walk, took a few long tosses and went into the bullpen. We were sitting in our new "acquired" seats (Sec. 106, Row 1, Seats 7-10) and watched him warm-up. He threw four pitches and turned to the pitching coach and said, "I'm warmed up!" He continued to toss some after that. It was the first time I have seen Maddux that up close.

 

EDIT: Hey, check it out, I finally hit post 707!

I know you don't fix something that isn't broke, and Uggla is on fire in the 6 hole, but the only change I would make is swapping Cantu with Uggla so he's in the meat of the order and has more opportunities to drive in runs.

 

As far as Amezega and Cody leading off, we have no choice because they are the best options right now. Bringing Hanley down into the 3 hole brought balance to the lineup and really strengthened the bottom of the order. If we have to deal with a sub .310 OBP coming from the leadoff spot in order to improve the production of the rest of the lineup, then so be it. Not to mention that with the return of Willingham, assuming Fredi sticks with Hanley in the 3 hole, Cantu/Uggla become your number 7 hitter which means even better production out of the bottom of the order.

I don't think Hanley has hit as well #3 and obviously no one else can be close to as good a leadoff hitter. I HOPE that when Hammer comes back they put him #3 and Hanley #1 (keep Hermida #2, Jake #4, and flip-flop Cantu & Uggla #5 & #6 however you like). I'm not saying I expect it to happen, but I think it would make sense and hope they do it.

 

I don't know, Hanley was in a bit of a slump before he moved to the 3 hole. I think he probably came out of it today. Judging his performance there from three games is dubious.

Hanley's numbers dipped last year as well when he batted #3 as well. And more than anything, I just think that

#1 - Hanley is an exceptional leadoff hitter. Far better than the next best alternative.

#2 - Hammer makes a fine #3 hitter. At least give him a shot at that spot with Hanley leading off and Hermida between them.

Hanley's numbers dipped last year as well when he batted #3 as well. And more than anything, I just think that

#1 - Hanley is an exceptional leadoff hitter. Far better than the next best alternative.

#2 - Hammer makes a fine #3 hitter. At least give him a shot at that spot with Hanley leading off and Hermida between them.

 

The team won more with Hanley batting 3rd - and it doesn't matter because he didn't do it enough.

 

I do happen to think that Hammer makes for a good 3 hitter also, but Hanley is not used well behind the pitcher spot.

Hanley is a good hitter. He can adjust.

Hanley's numbers dipped last year as well when he batted #3 as well. And more than anything, I just think that

#1 - Hanley is an exceptional leadoff hitter. Far better than the next best alternative.

#2 - Hammer makes a fine #3 hitter. At least give him a shot at that spot with Hanley leading off and Hermida between them.

 

The team won more with Hanley batting 3rd - and it doesn't matter because he didn't do it enough.

 

I do happen to think that Hammer makes for a good 3 hitter also, but Hanley is not used well behind the pitcher spot.

Let me put it a different way then:

 

Even if you think Hanley is a better #3 than Hammer, I think the difference between Hanley leading off vs Amezaga/Cody leading off is a lot bigger and more significant than the difference between Hanley and Hammer batting #3. I don't think Amezaga or Cody should be at the top of the order when we can bat

Ramirez

Hermida

Willingham

Jacobs

Uggla

Cantu

as our top 6.

At least not unless Cody starts putting up numbers like he did last season.

Hanley's numbers dipped last year as well when he batted #3 as well. And more than anything, I just think that

#1 - Hanley is an exceptional leadoff hitter. Far better than the next best alternative.

#2 - Hammer makes a fine #3 hitter. At least give him a shot at that spot with Hanley leading off and Hermida between them.

 

The team won more with Hanley batting 3rd - and it doesn't matter because he didn't do it enough.

 

I do happen to think that Hammer makes for a good 3 hitter also, but Hanley is not used well behind the pitcher spot.

Let me put it a different way then:

 

Even if you think Hanley is a better #3 than Hammer, I think the difference between Hanley leading off vs Amezaga/Cody leading off is a lot bigger and more significant than the difference between Hanley and Hammer batting #3. I don't think Amezaga or Cody should be at the top of the order when we can bat

Ramirez

Hermida

Willingham

Jacobs

Uggla

Cantu

as our top 6.

At least not unless Cody starts putting up numbers like he did last season.

 

Keep in mind that the only reason the lineup changed was because of Willingham's injury which left a huge hole in the middle of the order. Fredi will go with what wins. If the Marlins go 10-5 or something like that by the time Willingham returns, they will stick with Hanley in the 3 hole regardless if he's hitting .330 there or .270. If Hanley in the 3 hole is a winning formula, then there will be no reason to change things. If the fish struggle with Hanley in the 3 hole and he's hitting .270 out of there (won't happen, just hypothetically), then they will probably revert to the original lineup upon the return of Willingham.

 

It all depends on what leads to more wins. Also, Ross/Amezega at the top of the lineup is a temporary thing. The're not going to be there the whole year with De Aza working his way back and the possibility of Maybin getting the call. The only positive with those 2 (Ross and Amezega) is that Alfredo is getting the majority of the starts and is posting a .344 OBP (and this is after he's been struggling) while being tied for second on the team in walks. For now, that will do.

I think De Aza has the potential to hit .300, and steal 30-35 bags if he stayed healthy a full year.

He's done great often times when healthy, and at times, he even shows off some extra base hit power.

 

Face it, if not Hanley, the leadoff hitter will be the CF'er.

Hermida is the perfect 2 hole hitter. Patient, left-handed, and decent speed.

Hanley is the best hitter on the team...that's generally your 3rd hitter.

 

If you're asking me to pick between Fredo, Cody, and De Aza (when he gets healthy), I'm taking De Aza.

What has De Aza proved? His walk ratio was abysmal at the MLB level. His only decent showing was at high A. Other than that and spring training (meaningless) he was shown nothing to warrant consideration at lead off.

 

In the immediate future, assuming that Ramirez settles into the third role, the likely lead off candidates are Hermida and maybe Maybin.

 

De Aza has no future as a starting outfielder for the Marlins.

 

Hitting .300 and stealing 30 bases is mostly irrelevant for a lead off hitter. He needs to learn how to walk and improve the K/BB ratio.

What has De Aza proved? His walk ratio was abysmal at the MLB level. His only decent showing was at high A. Other than that and spring training (meaningless) he was shown nothing to warrant consideration at lead off.

 

In the immediate future, assuming that Ramirez settles into the third role, the likely lead off candidates are Hermida and maybe Maybin.

 

De Aza has no future as a starting outfielder for the Marlins.

 

Hitting .300 and stealing 30 bases is mostly irrelevant for a lead off hitter. He needs to learn how to walk and improve the K/BB ratio.

 

I agree that De Aza has no future with this organization, however as for the immediate, he might turn out to be useful for this season. At the least, he should get a shot.

 

Unless Maybin all of a sudden stops striking out in AA and begins to produce consistently, De Aza will be with this team sooner than Maybin considering his recovery time (6 weeks?). Amezega will hold down the leadoff spot until then along with Ross. You would figure that he will be given a shot to prove what he can do based on his ST numbers which, though they might be meaningless, would have earned him the CF split with Ross in the beginning of the season had he not been injured. People seem to forget that the only reason Amezega is getting starts is because of de Aza's injury.

 

You give him 5-8 games batting leadoff once he returns and see what happens. If he can't put up an OBP higher than Amezega's, then no harm done. You just give it back to Alfredo if de Aza stinks it up. If he puts up some decent numbers then I have no problem letting him hold down the leadoff spot until Maybin is ready, however long that might take. Having him as another option doesn't hurt considering the type of numbers we'll be getting from Amezega/Ross and the low-risk involved. All I'm saying is it can't hurt to give him a shot to see what he can do once he's healthy. His value is that he provides more depth and options, which in turn helps keep Hanley in his rightful place in the lineup.

I don't know, Hanley was in a bit of a slump before he moved to the 3 hole. I think he probably came out of it today. Judging his performance there from three games is dubious.

 

That's a point most are missing. Looks like he could be working out of this slump.

 

Walking into the ball park my wife commented she thought we were going to get killed in this game because of Andrew vs Maddux. I told her I thought we would win if we got fair umpiring. Giving Andrew a Maddux stike zone would benefit him. Giving Maddux a legitimate strike zone hurts him. A win/win situation, IMO. IF we got fair umpiring.

 

What the heck happened with the ejection? Evidently someone from the dugout was complaining about something before Black came out to argue. My guess was that Maddux was throwing one of his hissy fits. "It's not my fault I sucked. I'm a future HOFer. You sucked not giving me my strikes." sorta thing. By the time I got the binoculars and looked into their dugout Maddux was no where to be seen. So if I am right, he stirred the pot then left. Nothing uncommon there and another reason I really don't like the guy, but still wouldn't miss an opportunity to watch a future HOFer ply his trade. BTW, I still think he looks dorky.

 

According to reports, Maddux never stopped in the dugout after he was pulled from the game. He simply walked off the field, straight into the tunnel, and then into the clubhouse.

 

I was there yesterday and my buddy and I were amazed by Maddux's "pre-game" routine. The guy stretched his shoulder a total of two times, then did one jog and one walk, took a few long tosses and went into the bullpen. We were sitting in our new "acquired" seats (Sec. 106, Row 1, Seats 7-10) and watched him warm-up. He threw four pitches and turned to the pitching coach and said, "I'm warmed up!" He continued to toss some after that. It was the first time I have seen Maddux that up close.

 

EDIT: Hey, check it out, I finally hit post 707!

 

 

 

Okay. So what the heck happened over there? Who was the mouth in the dug out and what the heck were they complaining about?? I didn't see anything close to argumentative during that half inning. And I really didn't see anything they could have been complaining about in the previous innings.

 

I'm not a big Maddux fan. But I do admire his abilities and smartness. He will ply the corners to see how much off the plate the ump will give him then just stay within those parameters. But when he gets the correct strike zone...well we saw what happens Sunday. At most times he handles himself very professionally and always says to the media the PC thing. BUT I have seen him completely lose it before in the dug out after being yanked. And like I said...The guy is a future HOFer and it is a priveledge to watch him ply his trade.

 

BTW Your review of Maddux warming up reminds me of a quote from the days Dragon Slayer was our closer. "He wakes up in the morning, runs his hand through his hair, as is warmed up."

BTW Your review of Maddux warming up reminds me of a quote from the days Dragon Slayer was our closer. "He wakes up in the morning, runs his hand through his hair, as is warmed up."

Haha, I had never heard that one about El Pulpo. I remember that he didn't have the warm up for crap, but that's pretty funny.