Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 16:44:46 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Miami Marlins (72-59) @ Atlanta Braves (79-52) [/shadow]
MIA: Dana Eveland (8-7, 4.62 ERA) ATL: Jose Ortegano (11-4, 2.75 ERA)
It's been a dream season for the Marlins as the team finds itself a game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for the Wild Card after taking three of four from them last weekend. To make the season truly special with a playoff berth, the Marlins will have to get past Atlanta as the two teams have six games between them the next two weeks.
The Marlins have only gone 5-7 against the Braves this season, and turn to a struggling pitcher in Dana Eveland to turn things around. Eveland has only gone more than three innings once over his past four starts, though each of those starts came at home. On the road, Eveland's ERA is a full run better than it is at home.
The Marlins also have only the 12th best bullpen in the National League, something that wasn't addressed at the trade deadline. Ramon Ramirez has been a shot in the arm since being claimed off waivers, but there are concerns as to whether the team can get the job done late in games. To do so, young stud closer Quasimodo Lopez will have to grow up in a hurry. He has phenomenal stuff and 28 saves, but also has seven blown saves.
However, if the Marlins won't be sending out elite pitchers tonight, the Braves offense has been hit-or-miss. Grady Sizemore had four hits in Saturday's game, representing the hit part of the equation, though chronic abdominal injuries have robbed his power this season.
For the miss part, Chris Iannetta is hitting only .193 since coming over from Boston.
On the other side of the equation, Jose Ortegano has been stellar this year. On August 12th, he worked into the 8th and only allowed one run to a potent Marlins offense. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start since May and his ERA is third in the NL.
He'll have to deal with a Marlins lineup packed with young power. Julio Morban, Logan Morrison, Mike Stanton, and Joshua Leyland form the most exciting young foursome in baseball. In only 60 games, Leyland already has 16 home runs, while Morban is hitting .326 in 181 at bats. Each will have a say in the Rookie of the Year voting. But can the duo break Jose Ortegano's streak of good pitching?
Questions for the GM's. For Billy the Squid, with Eveland's recent struggles, and your bullpen's inconsistencies, how confident are you in your pitching staff for tonight's game?
Joshua Leyland has been amazing this season, as has Julio Morban. Do you feel that either of them should win Rookie of the Year?
Jose Ortegano has been exceptional this season, and the last few months in particular. How do you approach him tonight?
For Anthony Valentine, do you feel that Grady Sizemore can have a productive final month from a power standpoint or is he more of a singles hitter now?
You're facing a powerful Marlins lineup. How do you attack the lineup and where do you want to pitch carefully?
Chris Iannetta has struggled in Atlanta on offense. Any thoughts on how to turn him around?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 18:16:17 GMT -5
are the games of the week being decided by ESPN?! (East Coast bias)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 18:26:34 GMT -5
are the games of the week being decided by ESPN?! (East Coast bias) You'll almost certainly have the 22nd with Texas. You're hurt by the fact that Boston has six games so I can't your game with them on the 8th. Plus your division is bad and you never seem to play on Mondays. Finally, you're two games over .500 and have been straddling .500 most of the year.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 18:43:44 GMT -5
I want to see the Dodgers and Giants more! New teams potentially starting eras of NL West domination - exciting to watch!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 18:48:40 GMT -5
I'm gonna go with honest answers instead of pretend Manager PC answers
With Eveland's recent struggles, and your bullpen's inconsistencies, how confident are you in your pitching staff for tonight's game?
To be honest? Not very. My rotation has been very strong this year *cough*defense*cough* with the exception of Eveland. I don't have high hopes to hold down a strong ATL. The game plan is what it always has been this year - try and get em to hit it on the ground and play strong defense. Playing in ATL should actually help Eveland as it is a little easier to keep the ball in the park than at the Marlins new stadium.
Joshua Leyland has been amazing this season, as has Julio Morban. Do you feel that either of them should win Rookie of the Year?
Both of them are extremely strong candidates. Leyland is no OBP master, but he does what he's asked in the 5 hole, and thats mash big bombs. Morban on the other hand has been an extremely well rounded offensive force in front of Morrison. If I had to pick one currently, I would say Morban should run away with it. But if he wasn't going to win it, Leyland should.
Jose Ortegano has been exceptional this season, and the last few months in particular. How do you approach him tonight?
Three things here:
1. Ortegano has been slightly lucky as balls seem to be finding mitts out there in the field with a .263 BABIP (well below his career average)
2. He has been allowing the ball to get in the air more as a result of leaving the ball up in the zone. So far it hasn't caught up to him, but with that fly ball percentage where its at, my boys will be swinging for the fences.
3. Finally, some lineup changes. Castro who has been hitting lefties well will move into the leadoff spot, while Cameron Maybin will man CF in place of Tyson Gillies in order to favor the platoon effect. I don't lose any defense out there, and hopefully the favorable matchup will bring good results.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 19:03:36 GMT -5
I'm gonna go with honest answers instead of pretend Manager PC answersWith Eveland's recent struggles, and your bullpen's inconsistencies, how confident are you in your pitching staff for tonight's game?To be honest? Not very. My rotation has been very strong this year *cough*defense*cough* with the exception of Eveland. I don't have high hopes to hold down a strong ATL. The game plan is what it always has been this year - try and get em to hit it on the ground and play strong defense. Playing in ATL should actually help Eveland as it is a little easier to keep the ball in the park than at the Marlins new stadium. Joshua Leyland has been amazing this season, as has Julio Morban. Do you feel that either of them should win Rookie of the Year?Both of them are extremely strong candidates. Leyland is no OBP master, but he does what he's asked in the 5 hole, and thats mash big bombs. Morban on the other hand has been an extremely well rounded offensive force in front of Morrison. If I had to pick one currently, I would say Morban should run away with it. But if he wasn't going to win it, Leyland should. Jose Ortegano has been exceptional this season, and the last few months in particular. How do you approach him tonight?Three things here: 1. Ortegano has been slightly lucky as balls seem to be finding mitts out there in the field with a .263 BABIP (well below his career average) 2. He has been allowing the ball to get in the air more as a result of leaving the ball up in the zone. So far it hasn't caught up to him, but with that fly ball percentage where its at, my boys will be swinging for the fences. 3. Finally, some lineup changes. Castro who has been hitting lefties well will move into the leadoff spot, while Cameron Maybin will man CF in place of Tyson Gillies in order to favor the platoon effect. I don't lose any defense out there, and hopefully the favorable matchup will bring good results. lol, Thank God! Good stuff!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 19:10:21 GMT -5
Are you concerned that with Atlanta being a pitcher's park and with the Braves trotting out one good defensive outfielder and one great one, many of those attempted bombs will find outfield gloves?
Especially with the one right handed super slugger in your lineup, who can pull the ball to poor-fielding Jacoby Ellsbury, suffering from blister problems?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 19:50:52 GMT -5
Are you concerned that with Atlanta being a pitcher's park and with the Braves trotting out one good defensive outfielder and one great one, many of those attempted bombs will find outfield gloves? Especially with the one right handed super slugger in your lineup, who can pull the ball to poor-fielding Jacoby Ellsbury, suffering from blister problems? Haha I'm just gonna have to hope they find gaps instead of gloves if they don't go out. Morrison and Leyland are pull hitters, but Morban and Stanton can find those gaps baby. And despite a reoccurring finger blister for Stanton, he'll be in there as we need some RH power.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 19:53:24 GMT -5
Are you concerned that with Atlanta being a pitcher's park and with the Braves trotting out one good defensive outfielder and one great one, many of those attempted bombs will find outfield gloves? Especially with the one right handed super slugger in your lineup, who can pull the ball to poor-fielding Jacoby Ellsbury, suffering from blister problems? Haha I'm just gonna have to hope they find gaps instead of gloves if they don't go out. Morrison and Leyland are pull hitters, but Morban and Stanton can find those gaps baby. And despite a reoccurring finger blister for Stanton, he'll be in there as we need some RH power. One final question. If Stanton has a bad sim and it causes you to miss the playoffs, will you be giving OOTP's injury system... ...the finger?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 19:56:28 GMT -5
Haha I'm just gonna have to hope they find gaps instead of gloves if they don't go out. Morrison and Leyland are pull hitters, but Morban and Stanton can find those gaps baby. And despite a reoccurring finger blister for Stanton, he'll be in there as we need some RH power. One final question. If Stanton has a bad sim and it causes you to miss the playoffs, will you be giving OOTP's injury system... ...the finger? haha, I've been given that bad boy the finger for a long time now.
|
|
|
Post by Dustin Ackley on Jun 27, 2011 20:32:05 GMT -5
For Anthony Valentine, do you feel that Grady Sizemore can have a productive final month from a power standpoint or is he more of a singles hitter now?
Grady started to bounce back after some time off. In 24 games, he went 24 of 76 (.316) with 15 RBI's and 15 Walks. An improvement over the numbers he had been putting up. With the acquisitions of Ellsbury, and Werth and the season long production of Melky Cabrera, it has taken some pressure off of Sizemore to produce, but I expect his numbers to be there in September. We will give him every chance to show that he can produce as we head towards October.
You're facing a powerful Marlins lineup. How do you attack the lineup and where do you want to pitch carefully?
Ortegano is going to do what he does, and pitch to contact. We put a good defensive lineup out behind him. He keeps the ball in the yard, and he will make the aggressive Marlins lineup go after his pitch.
Chris Iannetta has struggled in Atlanta on offense. Any thoughts on how to turn him around?
I have no answer on how to turn his season around. Maybe I should completely wear him down like he was in Boston. Maybe I should demote my back-up catcher to AAA and make him the only catcher on the Major League Roster! He seemed to produce in that setting!!!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 20:47:01 GMT -5
For Anthony Valentine, do you feel that Grady Sizemore can have a productive final month from a power standpoint or is he more of a singles hitter now?Grady started to bounce back after some time off. In 24 games, he went 24 of 76 (.316) with 15 RBI's and 15 Walks. An improvement over the numbers he had been putting up. With the acquisitions of Ellsbury, and Werth and the season long production of Melky Cabrera, it has taken some pressure off of Sizemore to produce, but I expect his numbers to be there in September. We will give him every chance to show that he can produce as we head towards October. You're facing a powerful Marlins lineup. How do you attack the lineup and where do you want to pitch carefully?Ortegano is going to do what he does, and pitch to contact. We put a good defensive lineup out behind him. He keeps the ball in the yard, and he will make the aggressive Marlins lineup go after his pitch. Chris Iannetta has struggled in Atlanta on offense. Any thoughts on how to turn him around? I have no answer on how to turn his season around. Maybe I should completely wear him down like he was in Boston. Maybe I should demote my back-up catcher to AAA and make him the only catcher on the Major League Roster! He seemed to produce in that setting!!!! lol, the way OOTP handles catchers, I've read that you could put a generic player with a zero catching rating and he'd be respectable behind the plate. I read somewhere that somebody put Jason Giambi as a full time catcher and Giambi would throw out 10-15% of baserunners and wouldn't have the four wild pitch/passed balls an inning like would happen in real life. This isn't realistic at all and doesn't punish teams enough for not carrying backup backstops.
|
|
|
Post by Derek _ Red Sox on Jun 27, 2011 21:57:47 GMT -5
Your wrong in the way we handled iannetta. We carried a backup catcher most of the season and when we didn't we sent down our catcher who had options for a week when we had an off day during the middle of the week to allow some rest to allow us to carry an extra pitcher we knew wouldn't pass waivers and now we traded nieve we still carry 2.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2011 23:34:14 GMT -5
Woo! Called it. My boys teed off in the 8th.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2011 3:27:26 GMT -5
Postgame Wrap
Marlins 7 - Braves 5
The Miami Marlins' impoverished bullpen once again blew open a tie game. This time, the Atlanta Braves were feeling just as generous.
After Jose Ceda allowed three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Marlins sent 10 men to the plate in the top of the eighth inning. The first five batters reached with Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton leading off with back-to-back homers off Pat Neshek.
Eric O'Flaherty allowed a triple to Joshua Leyland, Cory Gearrin walked Cameron Maybin, and Dustin Dickerson tied the game with a single off Bobby Jenks. Tyson Gillies' fly ball brought home Maybin, and Julio Morban capped the scoring with an RBI single to complete the comeback.
Ramon Ramirez and Carlos Lopez worked scoreless innings to close the game out.
Each starting pitcher had a credible start. Dana Eveland worked 6 innings allowing two runs on five hits. Jose Ortegano also allowed two runs, working 6.1 innings and issuing eight hits.
The Braves took an early lead on Dustin Ackley's first home run of the game, and could have expanded their lead in the sixth. However, with the bases loaded, Chris Iannetta hit a harmless fly ball to center to end the threat.
Dustin Dickerson tied the game in the seventh, but Scott Hairston hit a solo home run to break the tie, before Dustin Ackley followed with his second shot of the game, a two run blast to give the Braves a three-run cushion that their pen wouldn't hold.
Questions for the GM's. For William Nemo, Mike Stanton performed well with three hits and a home run despite the blister. Describe Stanton's ability to play through injury.
Jose Ortegano was okay, but it looked like your lineup was really able to wear him down and force him to an early exit. You forced eight three-ball counts. Is that something your team does regularly, and tried to do against Ortegano?
Another day, another poor bullpen performance. How are you possibly going to get outs late in games to close this season out?
For Anthony Valentine, Chris Iannetta came up in a crucial spot in the sixth inning and struck out. It seemed like your team really lost momentum. What happened there?
Dustin Ackley had a great day, but you struggled to get to Dana Eveland. How did things go wrong against him?
Describe the bullpen implosion in the eighth. Where did things slip away?
|
|