Pujolsless Cardinals

Well the Phillies are currently tied in the top of the 8th against the Cardinals.  Polanco was just hit in the hand, which scored a run.  Hopefully nothing is seriously wrong with his hand.  I'm not sure I could stand Valdez at 3rd for an extended period of time.  Ibanez is up now with the bases loaded.  This is one way to win back the Phillies fans.....and he struck out.  Not good! He has to start coming through on those types of at bats.  Here comes the kid (Brown).  Hey look at that!  Brown Francisco comes through with a single and the Phils take the lead. 

On a minor league note, we have been waiting for Singleton to start hitting the way he was last year.  If tonight is any indication, maybe he is about to go on a roll.  3-4, 2B, HR and 6 RBIs!  The only question I have is why is he playing first instead of out there patrolling LF.  On the pitching side, it wasn't a great outing for Cosart.  Maybe it was the extended break.

I'm still upset about the Mariner's game, so I'm choosing to not look at the box score or the recap until tomorrow.

Depression!

After winning a great series against the Phillies, the Mariners come out swinging against the Nats.  And by swinging, I mean clumping together a couple singles with a few FCs to score 5 runs.  Regardless, they scored 5 runs, which is a lot by Seattle standards.  Fister goes 8 and was destined to get his first win since May and everyone was happy.  Until.... the 9th.  League started to have one of those innings and then I haven't seen the replay, but it sounds like he was hurt on a come backer.  So then Pauley comes in.  The man with the great ERA, but no one really knows how he is doing it.  The result.  5 runs scored in the bottom of the ninth, with the last 3 coming on a 3 run shot by Ramos, to end the game. 

I mean it is tough to go back, but why couldn't Fister come back out to try to finish the game.  I think he was only at about 100 pitches.  If he gets in any trouble you have League ready. 

It is just depressing, a waste of a great outing by Fister and a nice output by the offense. 

First Game

Nice win for the M's over the Phils.  Pineda pitched well and it was too bad he got a little shaky in the 6th.  He probably could have gone another inning.  Ichiro also had another nice game since having his day off.  That is great. 

The obvious story is Ackley.  A nice base hit off of Oswalt in his first AB and then a nice double play turned.  It was also awesome to see a nice big crowd at Safeco.  Those are few and far between right now.  Hopefully they continue at least through the weekend.

Happy Dustin Ackley Callup Day!!

This is very exciting, especially with the Phillies coming to town this weekend.  Here is hoping he is batting 2nd.  Just throw him in the fire. 

Potential Lineup vs the Phillies Next Week

If it isn't obvious, I'm excited about next week's series with the M's playing the Phils in Seattle.  Obviously, the name of this blog gives it away.  I was born and raised in Seattle and then moved to Philadelphia.  I have my west coast team and I have my east coast team.  I have my AL team and my NL team.  In the end, who do I cheer for?  In next week's series, who will I cheer for?  I hope this answer is obvious.  The Mariners are my team and it doesn't matter where I move to.

Next weeks series.  I'm a little disappointed because I thought the Saturday matchup was going to be Felix versus either Hamels or Oswalt.  It turns out it my be Worley or Kendrick.  What a let down!!

Here is hoping for this lineup next weekend
1. Ichiro - RF
2. Ackley - 2B
3. Smoak - 1B
4. Cust - DH
5. Olivo - C
6. Gutierrez - CF
7. Carp - LF
8. Ryan - SS
9. Figgins - 3B

Hopefully, I will more to say about this as the week goes along.

DRAFT!!

Over the last year I've been caring much more about the minor league teams for both the M's and Phils.  I don't know if it is just because it allows me to pay attention to more games and look at more stats, or if I'm trying to have a better understanding of the big picture.  Either way, this interest in the minors makes the draft so much more exciting.  The problem is that I haven't extended my level to caring to college or high school, so unless the people drafted are already highly talked about, I don't really know anything about them. 

M's 1st Pick - Danny Hultzen - Virginia
This pick surprised almost everyone.  I was thinking like most people about Rendon, but that is not to say I'm disappointed with this pick (mostly due to my aforementioned lack of knowledge).  I like what Jack and Tom have done so far, so I will trust them.  He's a lefty which is exciting and I guess draws some comps to Cliff Lee (we will see).  The next lefty taken was at #15, so that show how much better a lefty Hultzen was compared to the next one. 

M's 2nd Pick - Bradley Miller - Clemson
This is an interesting pick.  Obviously it is someone who is closer to the majors, but doesn't really have a high ceiling from what I can tell.  TRUST IN JACK!

Phils 1st Pick - Larry Greene - Berrien County HS
So a big thumping OF.  I guess the Phils are a little concerned about their offense 5 years down the road.  Hopefully this guys doesn't decide to go off to college, because it sounds like he has a great approach.

Phils 2nd Pick - Roman Quinn
Looks like the Phils are trying to draft their next Jimmy.  A slick fielding, quick SS.  I'm excited to watch this guy come up through the ranks.  Guys with real speed are fun to watch because they can do so much to change a game. 

Day 2 is now over.
I guess I look forward to when I can start seeing these guys play in the minors.

Who can close?

That is four straight horrible outings for League.  Should Wedge just keeping running him out there and just wait for him to figure it out?  It is not like he has lost his stuff, so what is the difference?  All I know is that if we have a decent closer, we win 3 of those 4 games and we are still talking about how the M's are on a roll.

What is even worse is that we hit two home runs in this game and they were wasted!

So who can pick up the slack, if Wedge demotes League from the closer role?
Cortes, Lueke, Wright, Laffey, Pauley?
There really isn't a good answer.  No one has the ability to miss bats and come up with groundballs the way that League can, so what to do we do.

I think it has to be a pitcher that can miss bats, so that removes Wright, Laffey and Pauley.  This leaves two rookies.  That is just insane.  But why not give it a shot for the next week.  I would say give it to Lueke over Cortes and let League get his stuff back.  Unless Lueke just dominates, then I'm find putting League back in there.  But lets get back on a roll first.