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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 18:12:55 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Tampa Bay Rays (16-9) @ New York Yankees (16-8)[/shadow]
TB: James Shields (1-3, 3.90) NYY: Ricky Nolasco (3-2, 3.72)Everybody expected the Tampa Bay Rays to be near the top of the AL East standings. Nobody expected the Yankees to be there too. In one of the PBL's feel-good stories (if you're an oil tycoon), the Yankees have upped their payroll, gotten younger, and subsequently started winning. Regardless of the new players though, the team's success has been generated by Alex Rodriguez' return to greatness. After his average dropped to .249 in 2012, and .226 last season, expectations were that Rodriguez would slowly fade into oblivion. However, despite being eased into the lineup, Rodriguez has smashed five home runs and has an OPS of 1.500. Granted his sample size is small---31 at bats---but if he can provide a fraction of the production he's generating, then the Yankees will have the lineup to produce runs throughout the season. As for the other new faces, Brock Kjeldgaard and Justin Upton have combined for 37 RBIs, Buster Posey has thrown out 40 percent of base stealers, and Ben Zobrist has scored 12 runs. This infusion of talent has led to an infusion of wins. James Shields got to see that talent up close on April 30th. Shields shut the Yankees out through six innings, but Posey doubled in two runs in the seventh tying the game at 2-2, before a single, error, and Mark Teixera hit gave the Yankees a lead they wouldn't surrender in the 8th. The game, and the series, which the Yanks took 2-1, served notice that the Yankees could be here to stay. Questions for the GM's. For E.J., Shields was dominant against the Yankees early but really faded late. Would you like to see him perhaps come out earlier this time and around and turn the game over to the bullpen? You gave up a lot to Brent Peterson, but he's really produced. In the series with the Yankees, he hit .333, with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Do you think he can sustain his success? With Rodriguez hitting the way he is, do you pitch to him under the assumption that the law of averages will kick in at some point, or do you tread carefully thinking that A-Rod is back? For Sean, Rodriguez has been amazing, but he only has 31 at bats. Do you plan on giving him more playing time? Are you concerned with Nyjer Morgan's low on base percentage (.306) leading off? So far you've taken series' from the Mariners, the Rays, the Royals and the Rangers twice. With that track record, do you feel that you're the best team in baseball? Again, questions and answers could be supplied by any GM. Let your voice be heard at the PBL Game of the Week!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 18:21:49 GMT -5
Q: Questions for the GM's. For E.J., Shields was dominant against the Yankees early but really faded late. Would you like to see him perhaps come out earlier this time and around and turn the game over to the bullpen?
Shields has proven to be a workhorse for us, and I expect no different every time he's on the mound. Sure, he faded late in his latest attempt against the Yanks, but he still deserved the win with the line he put up. Although our pen is extremely solid again this year, I'd love to see Shields make it through at least 7 or 8 again tonight.
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Q: You gave up a lot to Brent Peterson, but he's really produced. In the series with the Yankees, he hit .333, with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Do you think he can sustain his success?
We sure did give up a lot - Alberto Gonzalez is going to be a superstar in this league, but we love Peterson here in Tampa. With a left-handed heavy lineup, Brent provides that lefty-killing bat that we needed if we were going to be taken serious this year. Obviously I don't think he can sustain his pace of 143 RBI and a .323 average, but there's no reason to think he isn't capable of hitting .290 with 30 HR and 120 RBI. He's really done his job so far, hitting lefties to the tune of .436/.522/.846.
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Q: With Rodriguez hitting the way he is, do you pitch to him under the assumption that the law of averages will kick in at some point, or do you tread carefully thinking that A-Rod is back?
We're definitely going to pitch to A-Rod. He was only 2-9 in our last series, and although he's one of the better power hitters so far this season, we're simply not afraid. He's no Gian Guzman.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 19:47:07 GMT -5
This should be a good one. I'm not sold on Nolasco, and Shields has pitched better than his record. I like Tampa here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 19:59:28 GMT -5
This should be a good one. I'm not sold on Nolasco, and Shields has pitched better than his record. I like Tampa here. Nolasco was sharp in his last start against the Rays, but I don't know if he can shut down that lineup twice in a row. I also think the Rays win comfortably here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 19:59:31 GMT -5
Cheers Erick:
Rodriguez has been amazing, but he only has 31 at bats. Do you plan on giving him more playing time?
Yes, he will be the new everyday 3B. To make room, I've sent my young SS Mier down to AAA, and moved Zobrist to SS and Adams to 2B. I'm also sort of shopping around Adams to a few clubs.
Are you concerned with Nyjer Morgan's low on base percentage (.306) leading off?
uh, yeah. Some guys think avoiding K's is the first stat to consider when choosing a leadoff guy. WRONG! Leadoff guys on my team can strike out, as long as their OBP is high. Look for Justin Upton to leadoff against the Rays this sim, and I'll also plug in Rajai Davis against lefties.
So far you've taken series' from the Mariners, the Rays, the Royals and the Rangers twice. With that track record, do you feel that you're the best team in baseball?
No. I have beaten all of the best teams in the AL (except the Tigers) but my team isn't firing on all cylinders. My hitting is average-at-best, so it's been my pitching to win me games. Once we start putting up 10 runs a game like I expect us to do, we will be the best in baseball.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 20:02:33 GMT -5
Cheers Erick: Rodriguez has been amazing, but he only has 31 at bats. Do you plan on giving him more playing time?Yes, he will be the new everyday 3B. To make room, I've sent my young SS Mier down to AAA, and moved Zobrist to SS and Adams to 2B. I'm also sort of shopping around Adams to a few clubs. Are you concerned with Nyjer Morgan's low on base percentage (.306) leading off?uh, yeah. Some guys think avoiding K's is the first stat to consider when choosing a leadoff guy. WRONG! Leadoff guys on my team can strike out, as long as their OBP is high. Look for Justin Upton to leadoff against the Rays this sim, and I'll also plug in Rajai Davis against lefties. So far you've taken series' from the Mariners, the Rays, the Royals and the Rangers twice. With that track record, do you feel that you're the best team in baseball?No. I have beaten all of the best teams in the AL (except the Tigers) but my team isn't firing on all cylinders. My hitting is average-at-best, so it's been my pitching to win me games. Once we start putting up 10 runs a game like I expect us to do, we will be the best in baseball. Only someone cut from George Stenibrenner's cloth would expect 10 runs a game ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 20:18:57 GMT -5
I think the NYYs are flying high but I wouldn't get used to it.
Their offense is not good enough to carry that terrible staff (and it is quite bad despite the ERAs)
The Yankees are clinging to defense that is keeping their pitching from getting shelled.
They are no doubt better than years past, but still not as good as the record would lead one to believe.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 20:25:58 GMT -5
I think the NYYs are flying high but I wouldn't get used to it. Their offense is not good enough to carry that terrible staff (and it is quite bad despite the ERAs) The Yankees are clinging to defense that is keeping their pitching from getting shelled. They are no doubt better than years past, but still not as good as the record would lead one to believe. In that regard, what do you think of the Yanks then moving A-Rod to third base? Is it too great a risk considering the Yankees' rotation is so average?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 21:04:15 GMT -5
I think the NYYs are flying high but I wouldn't get used to it. Their offense is not good enough to carry that terrible staff (and it is quite bad despite the ERAs) The Yankees are clinging to defense that is keeping their pitching from getting shelled. They are no doubt better than years past, but still not as good as the record would lead one to believe. In that regard, what do you think of the Yanks then moving A-Rod to third base? Is it too great a risk considering the Yankees' rotation is so average? The defense wasn't gonna hold up forever anyway, and there is no way you keep a bat that big outta the lineup for D. I would DH him and but Reyes at 3B. His rookie 1B is cold as ice anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 21:24:27 GMT -5
In that regard, what do you think of the Yanks then moving A-Rod to third base? Is it too great a risk considering the Yankees' rotation is so average? The defense wasn't gonna hold up forever anyway, and there is no way you keep a bat that big outta the lineup for D. I would DH him and but Reyes at 3B. His rookie 1B is cold as ice anyway. I agree. Send Kjelguard down and bring up utility man Nate Spears- at least until Kjel... breaks out of his slump.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 21:47:51 GMT -5
In that regard, what do you think of the Yanks then moving A-Rod to third base? Is it too great a risk considering the Yankees' rotation is so average? The defense wasn't gonna hold up forever anyway, and there is no way you keep a bat that big outta the lineup for D. I would DH him and but Reyes at 3B. His rookie 1B is cold as ice anyway. Best pitching staff in the league guys...WHIP and RUNS AGAINST. The bats will come around. Can't demote Kjeldgaard because of one bad sim. We will give him a day of and then see if he can turn it around.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 21:52:49 GMT -5
The defense wasn't gonna hold up forever anyway, and there is no way you keep a bat that big outta the lineup for D. I would DH him and but Reyes at 3B. His rookie 1B is cold as ice anyway. Best pitching staff in the league guys...WHIP and RUNS AGAINST. The bats will come around. Can't demote Kjeldgaard because of one bad sim. We will give him a day of and then see if he can turn it around. your FIP is awful. you are getting lucky/getting good defense.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 22:20:13 GMT -5
HATERS!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 23:38:23 GMT -5
Postgame Wrapup [shadow=red,left,300] Rays 4 - Yankees 2[/shadow]
Once again James Shields matched up with Ricky Nolasco and shut the Yankees out over 6 innings. Once again, Shields allowed two runs in the seventh to tie the game.
This time, Shields pitched a scoreless eighth, Conor Gillaspie singled in Delmon Young with the go-ahead run in the ninth, and Brian Wilson shut the Yankees down in the 9th to give Tampa Bay the win.
Shields wasn't quite as sharp as he was in an April 30th loss to the Yankees, but he allowed only seven hits and a walk in 8 innings to pick up the win. In the two starts versus Shields, the Yankees are hitting .207 with an OPS of only .534.
Despite the strong outings, Shields has been matched pitch-for-pitch by Ricky Nolasco, who went 7 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. However, up 2-0 in the seventh, Nolasco hung a fastball to Gillaspie who crushed it over the head of Justin Upton for a game-tying two-RBI double.
The inning was only the second time in the game Nolasco faced sever danger. In the sixth, walks to Marvin Webb and Brent Peterson put two on with one out, but Nolasco reared back and struck out Guillermo Pimentel before getting Adam Dunn to roll over on a changeup to first to end the threat.
The seventh inning started off harmless with Nolasco retiring Mark Thomas and Ryan Mount to begin the inning. However, Ruben Tejada and Ryan Westmoreland singled to put two on before Gillaspie's heroics.
Questions for the GM's.
For E.J., Gillaspie has been huge in the two games versus Nolasco. He singled in a run late in the April 30th game, before his late-inning theatrics on Monday. He also had the game winning, extra-innings sac fly to beat Oakland on April 18th and the game winning, extra innings home run to beat the Angels on April 21st. Would you say that Gillaspie is THE premier clutch hitter in the Major Leagues this season?
Right now Shields is averaging less than 2.5 runs of run support per game. Do you try to tweak your lineup at all to get more offense for him?
Finally, your team left nine runners on base. Are you comfortable with how efficient your offense has been to start the season?
For Sean, your hitters have been ineffective against Shields. What's your strategy against him going down the road?
Jesse English had been 1-0 with 2 saves before his breakdown. Is that just a minor bump on the road?
Finally, Rodriguez batted three times with nobody on base, twice leading off an inning. No coincidence he was 0-2 with a hit by pitch in those plate appearances. How important is it to get Rodriguez at the plate with baserunners on the basepaths?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 23:42:23 GMT -5
I'm not going to write up my own games. Anyone want to tackle this week's GOTW?
Also, after this week, the games will be chosen 2 weeks in advance, so records will have a bit more of a factor (except for San Diego, Miami, Toronto, and the Angels...your market ratings are still so low that records won't get fans excited). This means that this week's GotW should be the only one with two sub-.500 teams this year, though me and San Fran are still right there within striking distance of the division!
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