Based on my observation, it seems like Bonifacio(ut) and the bullpen are going to be the X-factors for this team. Can't say I'm surprised with the pen, but I'm not so sure how confident I feel with Bonifacio being an X-factor. Don't really have much confidence in him, but you gotta admit, when he gets on base, the offense is much better.

Based on my observation, it seems like Bonifacio(ut) and the bullpen are going to be the X-factors for this team. Can't say I'm surprised with the pen, but I'm not so sure how confident I feel with Bonifacio being an X-factor. Don't really have much confidence in him, but you gotta admit, when he gets on base, the offense is much better.

 

That, and I really like him at third base...the corner defense with him at third and Cantu at 1st is phenomenal. How many third basemen have you seen throw out Reyes by a mile on a good bunt?

 

Really, just gotta get him to settle down...take all of those 3 ball counts and turn them into walks.

I just hate how he ecksteins every single throw. Looks like he has to put everything he has behind it just to get a decent throw over.

Based on my observation, it seems like Bonifacio(ut) and the bullpen are going to be the X-factors for this team. Can't say I'm surprised with the pen, but I'm not so sure how confident I feel with Bonifacio being an X-factor. Don't really have much confidence in him, but you gotta admit, when he gets on base, the offense is much better.

 

You forget we only have two ML-ready outfielders.

Through 20 games:

 

2009 = 12-8

2008 = 12-8

2007 = 9-11

2006 = 6-14

2005 = 12-8

 

Seems like 12-8 is a popular start for our team. I am happy with our record, just not the nature of how we have achieved it, too much inconsistency. One of the keys I think is improving our 1st inning performances. Trailing by a couple of runs after the 1st puts a lot of pressure on the team to rebound, so it would be nice to be leading early on for a change.

I just hate how he ecksteins every single throw. Looks like he has to put everything he has behind it just to get a decent throw over.

 

hey, as long as it's on target that's fine.

 

 

 

I wouldn't agree that he's an "X-factor" though, I'd take that term to mean you don't know what you're going to get out of the guy, and I think we do at this point.

 

 

I'd say someone more like Hermida is an X-factor, a guy who could be really really good or just meh.

I just hate how he ecksteins every single throw. Looks like he has to put everything he has behind it just to get a decent throw over.

 

 

They were talking last night about how Shawon Dunston used to wind up before every throw from short and how Mark Grace, at first base, had to where a pad in his glove. Cracked me up. But Dunston said it was so he wouldn't sail the throw.

Through 20 games:

 

2009 = 12-8

2008 = 12-8

2007 = 9-11

2006 = 6-14

2005 = 12-8

 

Seems like 12-8 is a popular start for our team. I am happy with our record, just not the nature of how we have achieved it, too much inconsistency. One of the keys I think is improving our 1st inning performances. Trailing by a couple of runs after the 1st puts a lot of pressure on the team to rebound, so it would be nice to be leading early on for a change.

 

That's what has me worried, inconsistancy and first inning troubles. Hopefully both are corrected soon.

Id say the x factors are maybin and boner. If either of them can get going our offense will be so much better. but right now i have zero confidence in both. At least they both play d.

I don't think Boni is an x factor. From the position players Hermida is the biggest x factor. Boni will be bad for a 3B so it's just a matter of the degree of badness. If he's bad enough he'll be replaced soon enough and the damage will be limited and if he's "good" he'll still be bad. Hermida is an x factor because noone would be surprised if he OPSes anywhere from the low .700s to the high .800s... big gap there.

Plenty of people would be surprised if he did anything but struck out every at bat.

Personally I think when HANLEY starts to play like the All-Star he is we will be much better offensively. Defensively HANLEY is also the key because he is the WEAKEST link in our infield right now.

During the recent losing streak the offense has gone to sleep. The offense will come around IMO. When we were winning, both of them looked great. However, consistency from both the offense and pitching is what concerns me. I guess that's why baseball is a game of momentum. If one is doing well then the other seems to be doing the same. If not, then one or the other has to step it up.

I don't think Boni is an x factor. From the position players Hermida is the biggest x factor. Boni will be bad for a 3B so it's just a matter of the degree of badness. If he's bad enough he'll be replaced soon enough and the damage will be limited and if he's "good" he'll still be bad. Hermida is an x factor because noone would be surprised if he OPSes anywhere from the low .700s to the high .800s... big gap there.

 

I more or less agree with thi, plus I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't starting in a few months with Gaby Sanchez breathing down his neck.

 

I'd certainly put Maybin far above Bonifacio, because we don't really have a back up plan in the OF. Plus Cody, plus Hermida. Cody's back to a mid-.600 OPS and Hermida has struggled since the WSH series though I'm not worried about it.

I'm not worried about anything except the pitching and it staying healthy. We got enough parts to mix and match like La Russa does with STL to generate enough offense to win ballgames. The X-factor is still the Defense and the bullpen finding roles for people with all the options available to us. Hermida's gonna have a good year its just that we're expecting too much from Maybin and Boni. We should use Amezaga and Helms more to ease those two guys burden and reduce their PA's.

Personally I think when HANLEY starts to play like the All-Star he is we will be much better offensively. Defensively HANLEY is also the key because he is the WEAKEST link in our infield right now.

 

 

I tend to agree wit this assesment.