Frayed Knot

INFIELD C - Mike Zunino � the hot catching prospect of recent vintage, the 23 y/o in his first full season is slugging a lot (29 of his 56 hits for XB incl. 13 HRs) but is barely off the interstate (.201 BA) and makes a lot of outs (.254 OBA) 1B - Justin Smoak � also a one-time hot prospect, drafted 1st round, 2008 - 8 slots ahead of Ike Davis in a draft full of 1B hopefuls not playing up to expectations five years into his career. .210/.280/.358 - 7 HRs. Just recently off the DL 2B � Robinson Cano � not hitting for the power they paid for (7 HRs) -- and who didn't see THAT coming with the swap of stadiums? Sat out Sunday�s game with �a tight hamstring� SS - Brad Miller � the target of much pre-season NYM trade speculation wouldn�t have been an upgrade, not this season anyway: .203/.272/.324 The other half of the Seattle middle infield trade bait, Nick Franklin, is hitting much better [.300/.394/.481] but is doing so in AAA Tacoma and mostly playing 2B 3B - Kyle Seager � Seattle's 3rd round 2009 draft pick is probably the offensive MVP of the team this year [.275/.344/.484 � 15 HRs]. Brothers Corey (18th overall pick - Dodgers 2012) and Justin (12th round pick in 2013 by Seattle) are currently working their way through the minors (AA and Low-A)

I suspect that because we rarely play them and rarely even see them that none of us know the Mariners all that well. I could check on when we last played them but Gregshould be by shortly to tell you off the top of his head when that was and the details from each game. So (looking things up quickly) it turns out that they're above .500 these days [52-46, with a +56 RS/RA] and in 3rd place in the increasingly tough AL West, despite losing twice via walk-offs to the Angels over this past weekend. Still towards the bottom in run scoring although not as God-awful as in recent years. Where they shine is in run prevention, 3.39 RA/G puts them a shade ahead of Oakland for best-in-AL The good news is that it looks like we'll miss their big gun 'King' Felix Hernandez (pitched Saturday) and ex-NYM Chris Young (sparing announcers any possible Chris Young vs Chris Young jokes) who pitched on Sunday, although it seems to be up in the air as to exactly who we will see past tonight. Monday, 10:10 -- Niese vs Roenis Elias 2nd day in a row for Cuban emigre pitchers, Elias, LHP - 25 y/o, was signed by the M's three years ago but just reached the majors this season. 19 starts, 7-8, 4.54, 1.27 And, yes, Niese has been reactivated for this game with Buddy Carlyle being DFA'd (and most likely returned to LV after clearing waivers) Tuesday, 10:10 -- deGrom vs TBD Wednesday, 3:40 -- Colon vs TBD

And I'll give it 1/2 * on premise alone and save myself the trouble of ever seeing it. I actually saw a news piece (CBS's 'Sunday Morning' I believe) on this singer and his backstory a year or so ago, so I'm going to let that 15 minute long version stand as my education on the matter and pass on the full-blown 105 minute production which I presume will be the same story only padded out by a bunch of music I don't like. Even the thought of, JOURNEY: Now with Less Steve Perry is not an enticing enough come-on. Pineda looks about 26, but the timeline seems to suggest he's closer to 40. Wikipedia (so you know it's true) lists him at 46

And what really suxx is that the only walk-off hit cheaper than the one we lost on was the one the Yanx won on ( pop to 2B that four fielders could have caught, but none did).. And while we're at it, how 'bout a big FUCK YOU to the Reds this weekend. Facing the killer Yanx staff of David Phelps, the just-acquired Brandon McCarthy, and Hiroki Kuroda, they managed a combined total of 6 runs on 20 hits. Yeah, they're missing Phillips & Votto, but that challenges the NYM offense of this weekend for pathetic-ness.

Gwreck wrote: We have two open bases. Any other runners don't matter. Why wouldn't we just walk Smith (the Padres' best hitter)? Black vs Grandal or Edgin vs Smith. Pick your poison I suppose. I don't like walking two there because then you bring the game-losing walk into play. Looked like Edgin was trying the 'no fastballs' strategy and didn't mind if he walked him that way.

Too much Sham, not enough Wow!

Pitcher's fielding practice, tomorrow AM Starters are excused.

Zvon wrote: Ugh, Murphy, Murphy. WhatRyaDoing? I think he could have gotten two. Well, he did ge two ... eventually anyway.

Zvon wrote: Lets see Black find his way out of this... Got 2/3 of the way out of it. Now Edgin has to slam the door. Padres are just trying to hand us this game.

I don't blame Bud Black for being PO'd. The call where the umps DON'T allow 1st base when the batter makes no attempt to get out of the way of the pitch is one which should be made more often.

Frayed Knot wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Getting totally out-hit this entire weekend by the Padres who themselves are in the midst of an historically bad offensive season. Finding comparisons to what the SD bats are doing this year requires trips back to the dead-ball era. Also out-homered, out-run, out-fielded, out-walked, out-K'd, and are basically a d'Arnaud seeing-eye single away from being swept. Oh yeah, and the bottom of their lineup is out-hitting the middle of ours.

Frayed Knot wrote: Getting totally out-hit this entire weekend by the Padres who themselves are in the midst of an historically bad offensive season. Finding comparisons to what the SD bats are doing this year requires trips back to the dead-ball era. Also out-homered, out-run, out-fielded, out-walked, out-K'd, and are basically a d'Arnaud seeing-eye single away from being swept.

Getting totally out-hit this entire weekend by the Padres who themselves are in the midst of an historically bad offensive season. Finding comparisons to what the SD bats are doing this year requires trips back to the dead-ball era.

Wheeler once again figuring out how to throw 100 pitches before the 7th inning despite keeping the run total down.

Can we call this pitcher Adele Dazeem just to make things easier?

Basically just one of those nights: not good pitching (Gee's worst start since who knows when), not good hitting, not good fielding. Easy game to say 'Just turn the page', but you only get to say that if you go out and win tomorrow.

Too many balls that hit d'Arnaud's glove still manage to wind up against the backstop.

Eveland - 1.0 Familia - 0.7 Mejia - 0.7 Granderson - 1.5 d'Arnaud - 2.6 Duda - 1.0 Lagares - 1.5 Tejada - 1.0

Gott-Damn!! The four prospects heading to Sandy Eggo are the Angels' #1, #2, #4, and #8 prospects (acc to BA's just updated rankings) and I suspect we may even see #1 guy, 2B Taylor Lindsey (1st round pick 2010), go directly to the big club and into the starting lineup before the weekend is out.

Amarista's in the cornfield against Mejia

Zvon wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Leave in Familia or go to Mejia? I think I'd start the inning w/Jeurys, but I doubt Terry will do so. I think this is what a closer is for. I think it's essentially a toss-up, I just don't like swapping out a pitcher unless I have to. If Mejia should happen to allow them to tie here then you're out BOTH of your top two bullpen guys.

The Angels acquired San Diego closer Huston Street and a prospect for four minor-leaguers on Friday night, potentially ending Los Angeles' search for relievers less than two weeks before the trade deadline. ESPN.com's Jim Bowden and FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported the news via Twitter. Prospects Taylor Lindsey, R.J. Alvarez, Jose Rondon and another Minor Leaguer will head to San Diego while the Angels will also get right-hander Trevor Gott.

Leave in Familia or go to Mejia? I think I'd start the inning w/Jeurys, but I doubt Terry will do so.

Tack some on you big Dutchman!

Td'A is the player TBA as the star of the game!!