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Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.
Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).
Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
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Showing posts with label Roy Halladay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roy Halladay. Show all posts
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Halladay, Greinke, Ramon Ortiz shine on mound
The headline for this installment reads like one of Sesame Street’s “One of these things is not like the others.”
Nevertheless, RHP Ramon Ortiz made a strong pitch to return to the majors in the Dodgers’ rotation, putting together a pitching line of 420005 in a 4-0 victory over the Angels. OF prospect Angelo Songco, pretty far down the Bums’ organizational depth chart, hit surprisingly well during their China trip and hit a home run against LA/Anaheim. Put him on your list for the future, probably 2012.
After 2 ½ weeks of exhibition games, statistics are beginning to have some meaning. It doesn’t take stats to know that Phillies RHP Roy Halladay is good, but he lowered his ERA to 0.90 with a line of 531126 in a 5-1 victory over the Pirates. Normally, we’d wonder whether pitching against the Bucs should be included in major league stats, but they have been hitting surprisingly well this spring.
See the above comments and insert “Royals RHP Zack Greinke” for “Phillies RHP Roy Halladay.” Greinke also has an 0.90 ERA after also giving up a run, with a line of 421103 in a 9-1 victory over the White Sox. Chicago LHP Mark Buehrle’s line was a miserable 493312. It could have been worse for the Sox; all Kansas City could muster from 17 hits and seven walks was nine runs and 16 left on base.
OK, Athletics, it’s time to admit it: There’s something seriously wrong with RHP Ben Sheets. Their 13-5 loss to the Reds would still be going if Oakland hadn’t lifted him after 10 batters. His line was virtually impossible to surpass in futility: 0 8 10 910. That’s right; he faced 10 batters and all 10 scored.
In another 13-5 game, with the Diamondbacks defeating the Mariners, Seattle LHP Cliff Lee struggled for 2 2/3 innings, then his game ended when he was ejected for throwing at Arizona C Chris Snyder. Before that, Lee’s line was 2 2/3 64411.
Two Padres prospects, RHP Mat Latos and LHP Wade LeBlanc, combined to give up just five hits and one run in eight innings of a 7-1 victory over the Giants. That’s pitching in the hitter-friendly atmosphere of Arizona. Just imagine what that would translate into in San Diego. Another player to add to your future list: Giants RF prospect Roger Kieschnick. He has played in the minors only at high Class A San Jose, but the last two springs in major league exhibitions he has gone 6-for-12 with six RBI.
RHP Pete Parise was trying for his third save with the Cardinals, but failed when he gave up a game-winning two-run homer to Mets OF Angel Pagan in a 6-5 loss. That ballooned Parise’s ERA to 13.50.
In the Rockies’ 5-2 victory over the Cardinals, Colorado received good relief pitching from RHP Jhoulys Chacin (210012) and LHP Franklin Morales (100001). Chacin is likely to be a starter at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but seems likely to join the major league pitching staff during the season or even to begin the year in the Rockies’ bullpen. Morales and RHP Manuel Corpas could earn some regular-season saves because the closer, RHP Huston Street, is hurting.
The Nationals fell to 0-11 with a 5-2 loss to the Braves. Atlanta RHP Derek Lowe was dominant, with a pitching line of 400006. Or perhaps the meat of Washington’s batting order was submissive. The first five batters in the starting lineup – OF Justin Maxwell, SS Ian Desmond, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Adam Dunn and OF Elijah Dukes – were a combined 0-for-17.
Marlins OF prospect Michael Stanton hit his third homer this spring, this time against Twins LHP Francisco Liriano. Perhaps Liriano was building a case to pitch out of the bullpen as Minnesota’s closer because he wasn’t effective as the starter in the Twinkies’ 5-4 loss. His pitching line was 343306.
I caught some of the Rangers’ game against the Giants, enough to come up with several observations. Texas C Jarrod Saltalamacchia was back in the lineup after missing time because of a buildup of scar tissue in the area under his right armpit where he underwent surgery. The Rangers talk about Salty’s prospects for this season with smiley faces, but in the background they have to be looking for catching help just in case. 2B Ian Kinsler didn’t play, and will be out about a week, because of an ankle injury. LF Josh Hamilton’s in-and-out spring continued when he left the game after being hit on the right hand by a pitch from San Francisco LHP Madison Bumgarner. Also, Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval went 0-for-4, but one of the outs was on a diving catch by Rangers CF Julio Borbon. That event said that Sandoval’s still hitting line drives and that Texas might not have to worry much about Borbon’s defense.
Sample Scouting Report:
Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 205 B: R Age: 20
{2010} Stanton is considered one of baseball’s best power prospects. Between high Class A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville last year, he hit 28 home runs and drove in 92 runs. His batting average dropped 61 points at the higher level, and his strikeout/walk ratio grew from less than 2:1 to slightly above 3:1. For that reason, you should expect him to begin this season back in Double-A with a likely in-season promotion to Triple-A and a possible major league debut in September. Stanton has played some center field, but was exclusively a right fielder at Jacksonville. He has the arm to play that position in the majors. Born: Nov. 8, 1989, Los Angeles, Calif.
Projection
AB: 110 BA: .245 HR: 6 RBI: 19 SB: 1 R: 13 Value: $2
Nevertheless, RHP Ramon Ortiz made a strong pitch to return to the majors in the Dodgers’ rotation, putting together a pitching line of 420005 in a 4-0 victory over the Angels. OF prospect Angelo Songco, pretty far down the Bums’ organizational depth chart, hit surprisingly well during their China trip and hit a home run against LA/Anaheim. Put him on your list for the future, probably 2012.
After 2 ½ weeks of exhibition games, statistics are beginning to have some meaning. It doesn’t take stats to know that Phillies RHP Roy Halladay is good, but he lowered his ERA to 0.90 with a line of 531126 in a 5-1 victory over the Pirates. Normally, we’d wonder whether pitching against the Bucs should be included in major league stats, but they have been hitting surprisingly well this spring.
See the above comments and insert “Royals RHP Zack Greinke” for “Phillies RHP Roy Halladay.” Greinke also has an 0.90 ERA after also giving up a run, with a line of 421103 in a 9-1 victory over the White Sox. Chicago LHP Mark Buehrle’s line was a miserable 493312. It could have been worse for the Sox; all Kansas City could muster from 17 hits and seven walks was nine runs and 16 left on base.
OK, Athletics, it’s time to admit it: There’s something seriously wrong with RHP Ben Sheets. Their 13-5 loss to the Reds would still be going if Oakland hadn’t lifted him after 10 batters. His line was virtually impossible to surpass in futility: 0 8 10 910. That’s right; he faced 10 batters and all 10 scored.
In another 13-5 game, with the Diamondbacks defeating the Mariners, Seattle LHP Cliff Lee struggled for 2 2/3 innings, then his game ended when he was ejected for throwing at Arizona C Chris Snyder. Before that, Lee’s line was 2 2/3 64411.
Two Padres prospects, RHP Mat Latos and LHP Wade LeBlanc, combined to give up just five hits and one run in eight innings of a 7-1 victory over the Giants. That’s pitching in the hitter-friendly atmosphere of Arizona. Just imagine what that would translate into in San Diego. Another player to add to your future list: Giants RF prospect Roger Kieschnick. He has played in the minors only at high Class A San Jose, but the last two springs in major league exhibitions he has gone 6-for-12 with six RBI.
RHP Pete Parise was trying for his third save with the Cardinals, but failed when he gave up a game-winning two-run homer to Mets OF Angel Pagan in a 6-5 loss. That ballooned Parise’s ERA to 13.50.
In the Rockies’ 5-2 victory over the Cardinals, Colorado received good relief pitching from RHP Jhoulys Chacin (210012) and LHP Franklin Morales (100001). Chacin is likely to be a starter at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but seems likely to join the major league pitching staff during the season or even to begin the year in the Rockies’ bullpen. Morales and RHP Manuel Corpas could earn some regular-season saves because the closer, RHP Huston Street, is hurting.
The Nationals fell to 0-11 with a 5-2 loss to the Braves. Atlanta RHP Derek Lowe was dominant, with a pitching line of 400006. Or perhaps the meat of Washington’s batting order was submissive. The first five batters in the starting lineup – OF Justin Maxwell, SS Ian Desmond, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Adam Dunn and OF Elijah Dukes – were a combined 0-for-17.
Marlins OF prospect Michael Stanton hit his third homer this spring, this time against Twins LHP Francisco Liriano. Perhaps Liriano was building a case to pitch out of the bullpen as Minnesota’s closer because he wasn’t effective as the starter in the Twinkies’ 5-4 loss. His pitching line was 343306.
I caught some of the Rangers’ game against the Giants, enough to come up with several observations. Texas C Jarrod Saltalamacchia was back in the lineup after missing time because of a buildup of scar tissue in the area under his right armpit where he underwent surgery. The Rangers talk about Salty’s prospects for this season with smiley faces, but in the background they have to be looking for catching help just in case. 2B Ian Kinsler didn’t play, and will be out about a week, because of an ankle injury. LF Josh Hamilton’s in-and-out spring continued when he left the game after being hit on the right hand by a pitch from San Francisco LHP Madison Bumgarner. Also, Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval went 0-for-4, but one of the outs was on a diving catch by Rangers CF Julio Borbon. That event said that Sandoval’s still hitting line drives and that Texas might not have to worry much about Borbon’s defense.
Sample Scouting Report:
Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 205 B: R Age: 20
{2010} Stanton is considered one of baseball’s best power prospects. Between high Class A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville last year, he hit 28 home runs and drove in 92 runs. His batting average dropped 61 points at the higher level, and his strikeout/walk ratio grew from less than 2:1 to slightly above 3:1. For that reason, you should expect him to begin this season back in Double-A with a likely in-season promotion to Triple-A and a possible major league debut in September. Stanton has played some center field, but was exclusively a right fielder at Jacksonville. He has the arm to play that position in the majors. Born: Nov. 8, 1989, Los Angeles, Calif.
Projection
AB: 110 BA: .245 HR: 6 RBI: 19 SB: 1 R: 13 Value: $2
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Spring rotations shaping up: C.C. vs. Doc Thursday
It’s too early to know for sure, but we’ll be getting some clues as to how teams will set their rotations for the regular season from what they do for their initial exhibition games. Those begin as early as Tuesday.
Some teams already have announced their Opening Day starter. In some cases, but probably not many, that pitcher also would be the first to pitch in exhibitions. We won’t really know for sure about some teams’ ace and rotation until mid-March, or maybe even March 20 in this season that begins later than in most recent years.
At that point, it would merely be an exercise in counting backwards five days at a time to find the likely starter for the opener.
Your team’s first regular-season game is scheduled for April 5? OK, five days back from that is March 31, another five days March 26 and another five would be March 21. So even if the manager is holding some suspense. You could figure that the March 21 starter would be the Opening Day pitcher. In spring training, off days on the major league team’s schedule don’t really count, because split-squad games, minor league games and even simulated games can allow two pitchers to go on the same day or a major leaguer starter to pitch when the rest of his team is off.
A couple of high-profile teams have announced their plans for the first few days of exhibition games, and set up a likely two-inning matchup between two pitchers that would be a battle of behemoths in October. In March, though, it’s just a time for Phillies RHP Roy “Doc” Halladay and Yankees LHP C.C. Sabathia to work up a sweat and maybe work on another pitch.
That will happen Thursday afternoon in Clearwater, Fla. Though both pitchers are prohibitive favorites to start on the real Opening Day, neither is starting his team’s first exhibition.
Philadelphia’s initial rotation goes like this: LHP A.J. Happ Wednesday night against Florida State, Sabathia Thursday, LHP Cole Hamels Friday vs. the Blue Jays in Dunedin, RHP Joe Blanton Saturday against the Pirates in Bradenton and Happ again Sunday against the Rays. That’s just four starters, but you can expect RHP Kyle Kendrick to fit into one of those games in relief before getting some starts himself, and for LHP Jamie Moyer to pitch when he’s physically able.
For the Yankees, RHP Chad Gaudin will start Wednesday’s opener against the Pirates, which isn’t a lot different from pitching against Florida State. After Sabathia Thursday, RHPs Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain will pitch Friday in some order against the Rays. On Saturday, RHP A.J. Burnett will start vs. the Blue Jays. Sunday’s pitchers will be Gaudin and RHP Sergio Mitre in some combination.
Sabathia, whose current throwing day was pushed back to Sunday because of bad weather today, and Burnett are the only givens in the equation from among those pitchers. LHP Andy Pettitte also will be in the rotation, but his first start isn’t scheduled until Friday, March 12, against the Nationals at Space Ghost Stadium in Viera.
For now at least, Hughes and Chamberlain will be pitching on the same day. The better pitcher would go into the rotation, with the other taking a bullpen role. There’s a similar battle among Gaudin, Mitre and RHP Alfredo Aceves for the fifth starter’s job. All three are scheduled to pitch Wednesday.
The White Sox also have named the starter for their exhibition opener against the Angels in Tempe, Ariz.: LHP John Danks.
What they’re working on:
Hamels and the Phillies believe that National League batters caught up with him because he had just two effective pitches, a fastball and a changeup. For that reason, he’s working on a curve and a cut fastball, with whichever one works better likely to expand his arsenal.
Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija spent much of the off-season rising early for 6 a.m. workouts with RHP Ryan Dempster and LHP Tom Gorzelanny. He also has worked on adding a curve. Because he doesn’t come over the top, he won’t be throwing a curve that breaks much vertically but more of a slurve.
Pitching futures:
Rookie RHP Stephen Strasburg, the closest thing the Nationals have ever had to a rock star, threw 35 pitches in 12 minutes during a batting-practice session when his teammates didn’t swing a bat but merely stood in and tracked the pitches.
Lining up:
New Indians manager Manny Acta is planning to move CF Grady Sizemore from leadoff to second in the batting order, with SS Asdrubal Cabrera moving up from ninth to first. Behind them would be LF Shin-soo Choo and DH Travis Hafner. There could be a huge positive domino effect if Hafner could return to his production of 3-4 years ago. If he’s a threat, pitchers would have to throw more fastballs to Choo, which would benefit him. In fact, mark him down as a breakout possibility. Choo’s presence and a base-stealing threat from Cabrera, the only Cleveland player likely to steal many bases, would give Sizemore many more fastballs and help him improve last year’s woeful average. Cabrera would steal more bases and score more runs than in 2009 for our 5X5 friends.
Speaking of speed:
The Athletics are planning to run more this year, using the speed of OFs Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp (if he isn’t hurt again). Rickey Henderson is helping as a special instructor in spring training. That approach could have Billy Beane, who dissed the effectiveness of base stealing as the “Moneyball” GM, turning over in his box seat.
Position battle:
For the Cardinals, David Freese or Joe Mather could be the starting third baseman. If neither impresses, newly signed 2B Felipe Lopez also could be a possibility at third.
For Mark Prior fans, an injury report:
The Mets’ bullpen will be slow in developing. They sent RHP Francisco Rodriguez, their closer, home from workouts because they didn’t want him spreading his pink eye through the clubhouse. RHP Kelvim Escobar, whom they’re hoping could be their setup man even though he has pitched only once during the last two major league seasons, is having more shoulder problems and isn’t expected to be ready for Opening Day. That could leave RHPs Bobby Parnell, Sean Green, Fernando Nieve and 30-year-old rookie Ryota Igarashi battling for the setup job. The Mets also are negotiating with LHP Joe Beimel, who would seem to be a last resort.
Also, the New Yorkers were encouraged by LHP Oliver Perez in his first two throwing sessions. He’s back from surgery on his right knee. Best case, he could be the Mets’ number two starter. Worst case, he’d be the same inconsistent Oliver Perez who has frustrated his employers and fans.
Diamondbacks LF Conor Jackson missed most of last season because of a case of the Southwest’s own valley fever, seems on track to be productive after a successful winter season in the Dominican Republic.
Tigers 3B Brandon Inge had off-season surgery on both knees, which could slow him down in the field and curtail his style of diving after grounders.
C Rob Johnson has the Mariners’ starting job clearly in his sights. The question is whether he has healed from off-season operations on both hips and a broken right wrist to be able to withstand the demands of catching regularly. Behind him is only rookie prospect Adam Moore, who might not be ready for the majors this year.
All present and accounted for:
Infielders and outfielders for the Twins in Florida and the Brewers in Arizona had their first official workouts today, meaning that every player under contract to every team should be in camp.
Bring on the games!
Some teams already have announced their Opening Day starter. In some cases, but probably not many, that pitcher also would be the first to pitch in exhibitions. We won’t really know for sure about some teams’ ace and rotation until mid-March, or maybe even March 20 in this season that begins later than in most recent years.
At that point, it would merely be an exercise in counting backwards five days at a time to find the likely starter for the opener.
Your team’s first regular-season game is scheduled for April 5? OK, five days back from that is March 31, another five days March 26 and another five would be March 21. So even if the manager is holding some suspense. You could figure that the March 21 starter would be the Opening Day pitcher. In spring training, off days on the major league team’s schedule don’t really count, because split-squad games, minor league games and even simulated games can allow two pitchers to go on the same day or a major leaguer starter to pitch when the rest of his team is off.
A couple of high-profile teams have announced their plans for the first few days of exhibition games, and set up a likely two-inning matchup between two pitchers that would be a battle of behemoths in October. In March, though, it’s just a time for Phillies RHP Roy “Doc” Halladay and Yankees LHP C.C. Sabathia to work up a sweat and maybe work on another pitch.
That will happen Thursday afternoon in Clearwater, Fla. Though both pitchers are prohibitive favorites to start on the real Opening Day, neither is starting his team’s first exhibition.
Philadelphia’s initial rotation goes like this: LHP A.J. Happ Wednesday night against Florida State, Sabathia Thursday, LHP Cole Hamels Friday vs. the Blue Jays in Dunedin, RHP Joe Blanton Saturday against the Pirates in Bradenton and Happ again Sunday against the Rays. That’s just four starters, but you can expect RHP Kyle Kendrick to fit into one of those games in relief before getting some starts himself, and for LHP Jamie Moyer to pitch when he’s physically able.
For the Yankees, RHP Chad Gaudin will start Wednesday’s opener against the Pirates, which isn’t a lot different from pitching against Florida State. After Sabathia Thursday, RHPs Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain will pitch Friday in some order against the Rays. On Saturday, RHP A.J. Burnett will start vs. the Blue Jays. Sunday’s pitchers will be Gaudin and RHP Sergio Mitre in some combination.
Sabathia, whose current throwing day was pushed back to Sunday because of bad weather today, and Burnett are the only givens in the equation from among those pitchers. LHP Andy Pettitte also will be in the rotation, but his first start isn’t scheduled until Friday, March 12, against the Nationals at Space Ghost Stadium in Viera.
For now at least, Hughes and Chamberlain will be pitching on the same day. The better pitcher would go into the rotation, with the other taking a bullpen role. There’s a similar battle among Gaudin, Mitre and RHP Alfredo Aceves for the fifth starter’s job. All three are scheduled to pitch Wednesday.
The White Sox also have named the starter for their exhibition opener against the Angels in Tempe, Ariz.: LHP John Danks.
What they’re working on:
Hamels and the Phillies believe that National League batters caught up with him because he had just two effective pitches, a fastball and a changeup. For that reason, he’s working on a curve and a cut fastball, with whichever one works better likely to expand his arsenal.
Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija spent much of the off-season rising early for 6 a.m. workouts with RHP Ryan Dempster and LHP Tom Gorzelanny. He also has worked on adding a curve. Because he doesn’t come over the top, he won’t be throwing a curve that breaks much vertically but more of a slurve.
Pitching futures:
Rookie RHP Stephen Strasburg, the closest thing the Nationals have ever had to a rock star, threw 35 pitches in 12 minutes during a batting-practice session when his teammates didn’t swing a bat but merely stood in and tracked the pitches.
Lining up:
New Indians manager Manny Acta is planning to move CF Grady Sizemore from leadoff to second in the batting order, with SS Asdrubal Cabrera moving up from ninth to first. Behind them would be LF Shin-soo Choo and DH Travis Hafner. There could be a huge positive domino effect if Hafner could return to his production of 3-4 years ago. If he’s a threat, pitchers would have to throw more fastballs to Choo, which would benefit him. In fact, mark him down as a breakout possibility. Choo’s presence and a base-stealing threat from Cabrera, the only Cleveland player likely to steal many bases, would give Sizemore many more fastballs and help him improve last year’s woeful average. Cabrera would steal more bases and score more runs than in 2009 for our 5X5 friends.
Speaking of speed:
The Athletics are planning to run more this year, using the speed of OFs Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp (if he isn’t hurt again). Rickey Henderson is helping as a special instructor in spring training. That approach could have Billy Beane, who dissed the effectiveness of base stealing as the “Moneyball” GM, turning over in his box seat.
Position battle:
For the Cardinals, David Freese or Joe Mather could be the starting third baseman. If neither impresses, newly signed 2B Felipe Lopez also could be a possibility at third.
For Mark Prior fans, an injury report:
The Mets’ bullpen will be slow in developing. They sent RHP Francisco Rodriguez, their closer, home from workouts because they didn’t want him spreading his pink eye through the clubhouse. RHP Kelvim Escobar, whom they’re hoping could be their setup man even though he has pitched only once during the last two major league seasons, is having more shoulder problems and isn’t expected to be ready for Opening Day. That could leave RHPs Bobby Parnell, Sean Green, Fernando Nieve and 30-year-old rookie Ryota Igarashi battling for the setup job. The Mets also are negotiating with LHP Joe Beimel, who would seem to be a last resort.
Also, the New Yorkers were encouraged by LHP Oliver Perez in his first two throwing sessions. He’s back from surgery on his right knee. Best case, he could be the Mets’ number two starter. Worst case, he’d be the same inconsistent Oliver Perez who has frustrated his employers and fans.
Diamondbacks LF Conor Jackson missed most of last season because of a case of the Southwest’s own valley fever, seems on track to be productive after a successful winter season in the Dominican Republic.
Tigers 3B Brandon Inge had off-season surgery on both knees, which could slow him down in the field and curtail his style of diving after grounders.
C Rob Johnson has the Mariners’ starting job clearly in his sights. The question is whether he has healed from off-season operations on both hips and a broken right wrist to be able to withstand the demands of catching regularly. Behind him is only rookie prospect Adam Moore, who might not be ready for the majors this year.
All present and accounted for:
Infielders and outfielders for the Twins in Florida and the Brewers in Arizona had their first official workouts today, meaning that every player under contract to every team should be in camp.
Bring on the games!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Schedule Notes: Halladay is the one Jay to play
There will be some significant differences in playing time for some teams this week.
One team in each league, the Blue Jays and the Cardinals, are scheduled for just five games. Five American League teams – Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Athletics and Rangers – and seven in the National League – Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Mets, Pirates, Padres and Nationals – would play seven. That’s 40 per cent more than Toronto and St. Louis, meaning that you’re at a disadvantage if you have hitters and relief pitchers from those teams in your lineup.
Making things even worse for the Cardinals is that all five of their games would be on the road. The effect shouldn’t be quite as bad for the Blue Jays hitters or team, because they’ll be at home all week – with RHP Roy Halladay on hand and scheduled to start twice.
There shouldn’t be pronounced differences in hitting or pitching levels in the two leagues. If anything, hitters should have a slight advantage in the AL and pitchers would have a bitter of an upper hand in the NL.
The only AL park that would be in use for seven games is at Detroit (Orioles four games, Twins three), where hitters have had a slight advantage. At one of the majors’ best parks, the White Sox would play all six of their games (Angels and Indians). Toronto has a pretty good pitchers’ park, but it would be in use for just five games (Yankees two, Orioles three).
In the NL, one of the majors’ best pitchers’ parks would be in use for seven games, at San Diego (Braves three, Mets four). Pitchers also usually have an advantage at Houston (Giants and Brewers three each) and Dodger Stadium, where LA would host seven games (Brewers three, Braves four). That also should mean a bad week for Brewers batters and even worse for those from the Braves. In other words, don’t expect one of streaky 1B Adam LaRoche’s big weeks.
Two NL parks that slightly favor hitters would be in use all week – for seven games at Washington (Pirates one, Marlins and Diamondbacks three each), and six at Philadelphia (Rockies and Marlins).
Pitchers scheduled to start at home twice this week are RHPs Halladay, Jose Contreras, Justin Verlander, Luke Hochevar, Hiroki Kuroda, Mat Latos, Tim Stauffer, Garrett Mock and J.D. Martin, and LHPs Jarrod Washburn, Mike Hampton, Clayton Kershaw, Jamie Moyer and Zach Duke. Our highest recommendations are Halladay, Verlander and Kershaw. Live longshots are Hochevar, Latos and Duke. They’re not highest recommendations because all three pitch for bad teams.
One team in each league, the Blue Jays and the Cardinals, are scheduled for just five games. Five American League teams – Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Athletics and Rangers – and seven in the National League – Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Mets, Pirates, Padres and Nationals – would play seven. That’s 40 per cent more than Toronto and St. Louis, meaning that you’re at a disadvantage if you have hitters and relief pitchers from those teams in your lineup.
Making things even worse for the Cardinals is that all five of their games would be on the road. The effect shouldn’t be quite as bad for the Blue Jays hitters or team, because they’ll be at home all week – with RHP Roy Halladay on hand and scheduled to start twice.
There shouldn’t be pronounced differences in hitting or pitching levels in the two leagues. If anything, hitters should have a slight advantage in the AL and pitchers would have a bitter of an upper hand in the NL.
The only AL park that would be in use for seven games is at Detroit (Orioles four games, Twins three), where hitters have had a slight advantage. At one of the majors’ best parks, the White Sox would play all six of their games (Angels and Indians). Toronto has a pretty good pitchers’ park, but it would be in use for just five games (Yankees two, Orioles three).
In the NL, one of the majors’ best pitchers’ parks would be in use for seven games, at San Diego (Braves three, Mets four). Pitchers also usually have an advantage at Houston (Giants and Brewers three each) and Dodger Stadium, where LA would host seven games (Brewers three, Braves four). That also should mean a bad week for Brewers batters and even worse for those from the Braves. In other words, don’t expect one of streaky 1B Adam LaRoche’s big weeks.
Two NL parks that slightly favor hitters would be in use all week – for seven games at Washington (Pirates one, Marlins and Diamondbacks three each), and six at Philadelphia (Rockies and Marlins).
Pitchers scheduled to start at home twice this week are RHPs Halladay, Jose Contreras, Justin Verlander, Luke Hochevar, Hiroki Kuroda, Mat Latos, Tim Stauffer, Garrett Mock and J.D. Martin, and LHPs Jarrod Washburn, Mike Hampton, Clayton Kershaw, Jamie Moyer and Zach Duke. Our highest recommendations are Halladay, Verlander and Kershaw. Live longshots are Hochevar, Latos and Duke. They’re not highest recommendations because all three pitch for bad teams.
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