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Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta, 3 AprilĀ 2008

Pittsburgh @ Atlanta


Zach Duke vs. Mike Hampton, 7:00 on FSNP and WPGB.

Hampton is making his first start since 2005; good for him.

Amazingly, Hampton's still on that massive $121 million contract the Rockies signed him to after the 2000 season. He got a $20 million signing bonus after that deal, he's making $15 million this year and he's got a no-brainer $6 million buyout coming on his $20 million 2009 club option before he even throws a pitch next year. (And let's be honest, he probably won't. Throw a pitch next year, that is.) Three teams (the Rockies, the Braves, and the Marlins, who took on a bunch of money before sending Hampton to Atlanta without his throwing a pitch for them) have paid at least $20 million of that contract. Since signing the contract, Hampton has just 53 wins and two full seasons with an ERA below league average.

Most teams are understandably unwilling to hand out eight-year contracts for pitchers now, but the big problem with a lot of these big contracts for pitchers is that teams just aren't picking the right pitchers. Three of the worst and most expensive contracts ever given to pitchers - Hampton's, Barry Zito's, and Chan Ho Park's - were given to guys who allowed more than 90 walks in the season before the contract. If you're going to give a huge contract to a pitcher, give it to Johan Santana, not the guy with the Kip Wells-like walk totals. Some of these contracts probably could have been avoided if teams had understood DIPS better at the time.

Anyway, I should be in the comments for a good portion of this one. Here's the box.

 

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Hampton--Not so much

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 7:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Jeff Bennett.

I like our chances.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 7:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

freddy

wow. that was the worst swing i've seen out of him in a while

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Paulino

any reason for Ronnie starting or just rotation?

by Chester J Lampwick on Apr 3, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

why the heck

is turner field unbelievably empty? weathers bad but still

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 7:26 PM EDT   0 recs

They said

they were going to rotate Paulino and Doumit based on matchups. I'm guessing they liked him against Hampton.

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 7:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Good news

I picked up Y Escobar for my fantasy team today, so he's guaranteed not to hurt us.

by 19maz60 on Apr 3, 2008 7:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Well...

Paulino still stinks

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

...

Ronnie Ballgame really knows how to look at a third strike.

by matskralc on Apr 3, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Russell's restraint

You just know he wanted to pinch hit with Doumit even in the second.

by TPenaRules on Apr 3, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

I actually get to WATCH the Pirates

As a displaced Pirates fan I usually follow the Bucs via XM radio. Thanks to a free preview of MLB Extra Innings on my cable system, I am actually getting to WATCH the Pirates tonight. Unfortunately it the Atlanta (Sports South) telecast... the announcers are horrible.

by Deaner on Apr 3, 2008 7:55 PM EDT   0 recs

McLouth

That's pretty similar to the double he had yesterday. Hopefully we'll see a lot of those.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 7:56 PM EDT   0 recs

That's our Jack

First pitch swinging!

by matskralc on Apr 3, 2008 7:56 PM EDT   0 recs

I know I'm not alone in this opinion,

but I have to say one more time that McLouth looks like he is going to have a really good year.

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 7:57 PM EDT   0 recs

McLouth scores

on a groundout by Sanchez. 1-0.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 7:58 PM EDT   0 recs

And we're on the board!

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 7:59 PM EDT   0 recs

I hate to jinx this,

but Zach Duke actually doesn't look terrible out there.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:03 PM EDT   0 recs

Duke's numbers

I think my TV has a glitch. I keep seeing 9's instead of 8's as the first digit on the radar gun when Duke's pitching.

by TPenaRules on Apr 3, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

GRRR...

C'mon, we've all been thinking the exact same thing, but nobody was actually going to SAY it...

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Yeah

not only is he spotting his fastball well, it has a little bit of...well..umph

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

CHARLIE!

that infield single is your fault

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:07 PM EDT   0 recs

Yunel Escobar absolutely owns the Buccos. It's kinda sad.
Getting him out a couple of times would be nice.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:07 PM EDT   0 recs

What DITO said

McClouth can play a little, can't he?

by TPenaRules on Apr 3, 2008 8:09 PM EDT   0 recs

WOW!

Nyjer Morgan, eat your heart out!

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Holy crap

he was on his horse the whole way and he caught it while still on the run. That was a great play.

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh man

His read on that ball was just great. He was moving as soon as the ball came off the bat. There's no way Morgan could have made that play. Maybe Duffy could have.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Laced.

Nice hit by Bautista.

This game has been pretty fun to watch so far.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Nice at bat by Bautista there.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:15 PM EDT   0 recs

I think he just did.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Damn

I had flipped to the Yankees Blue Jays game, what was Bautista's hit?

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Ronny Ballgame!

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 8:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Yankees-Blue Jays??

It's not June yet - you can still be a Pirates fan!

by TPenaRules on Apr 3, 2008 8:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Well

it was a commercial and I have McGowan on a fantasy team

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:25 PM EDT   0 recs

I have Hughes on mine.

A pox on both your houses!

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I avoided the Yankees & Jays, both!

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bennett's done

Boyer in.
Bennett goes 4 innings, gives up 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned) while K'ing 3 and walking 2.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:28 PM EDT   0 recs

I thought

Bennett looked like a pretty decent pitcher. I had never watched him before.

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:30 PM EDT   0 recs

Bay strikes out

That's how you get him, down and away. Good pitch by Boyer.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:34 PM EDT   0 recs

Josh Willingham

is my fourth outfielder in a 12 team H2H league...should I drop him in favor of McLouth?

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:36 PM EDT   0 recs

yes.

i think so, at least.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a tough call.

I don't know. I'm not a Willingham fan - there isn't a lot of upside there. But he has a better track record than McLouth. I'd probably do it, just so I could root for McLouth.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Corky Miller...

is starting?

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Yeah.

He's still playing baseball?

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't you remember him?

He was the last out in the marathon that took place on Monday.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Assumed as much, tried to return the favor.
Unfortunately, sarcasm doesn't travel well online.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 4, 2008 12:00 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

duke being effective yet that was his first K?

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Martin Prado

Man, he's just killing us.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Escobar

was just retired. For the 2nd time in the game. Amazing.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Rivas?

whats up with fred?

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 8:53 PM EDT   0 recs

McGowan

just loaded the bases for A Rod

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 8:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh man, c'mon.

What's Ugly-Shoes Rivas doing in there?

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Seriously, though.

Is Freddy OK? I was watching with the sound off and assumed it was a standard double switch, until I saw that Duke was still in the game.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

announcers are suspicous

because he is in the dugout, just sitting, not getting any type of medical attention

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 8:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

A trade?

Or is Luis really a better defensive player?

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If I had to guess

I'd say they're just being extra careful about Freddy's shoulder. But I dunno. It's weird.

by EmmaOMG on Apr 3, 2008 9:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

chipper

is hitting everything

You're a Pirates fan?

by thegetupkids on Apr 3, 2008 8:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Great hit by Francoeur.

I'd probably take Duke out of there - he's not throwing strikes anymore.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 8:59 PM EDT   0 recs

Link

Sorry to be off message but Bucco Blog posted a good interview with Kyle Stark today. Here's the link. Charlie I thought you might want to link it on the main page.

http://pittsburghpirates.buccoblog.com/ten-questions-with-pittsburgh-pirates-director-of-player-development-kyle-stark/

by dtoddwin on Apr 3, 2008 9:01 PM EDT   0 recs

How

is he over 100 pitches with 0 bb and 1 k?

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:01 PM EDT   0 recs

Take. Duke. Out.

Matt Diaz is a good hitter. Ugh.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Dang.

Lead cut in half.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 9:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Kotsay the lefty

this should be his last hitter.

by bolton on Apr 3, 2008 9:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Jack?

why no throw?

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:03 PM EDT   0 recs

That's not clear to me either.

Good slide by Diaz, though.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gets Kotsay

But he started 2-0 against the batter for about the 18th consecutive time. He's lucky he can't hit.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT   0 recs

I guess

it was a slow roller, I didn't see where the runner was

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT   0 recs

No, I think you were right.

He still could have made the throw, IMO.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Big AB

cmon duke

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT   0 recs

Freddy

Freddy made that lollipop throw in the third inning. I was worried at the time that the shoulder was hurt. But he made one routine play after that.

by dtoddwin on Apr 3, 2008 9:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Come on

Osoria had been up for a little while...why wasn't he brought in against the right handed hitter?

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Ugh.

Corky Miller beating us. Duke should have been out of there several batters ago. I don't understand what Russell's thinking.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Corky Miller...

just tied the game up.

Corky Miller.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 9:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Scary thought:

maybe he is already afraid to go to the pen

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:07 PM EDT   0 recs

he needs this out...bad

and why is Marte warming up and osoria sitting down

http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com

by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 9:07 PM EDT   0 recs

Jack Wilson

Well, that was uncharacteristic.

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Man, he is still in there!

Did Russell fall asleep? What is going on?!

by Charlie on Apr 3, 2008 9:08 PM EDT   0 recs

New manager.
Same crap.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 9:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh man

now he just stared down the ump after going down 3-0 and threw a fourth pitch fastball at the eyes...

by DITO on Apr 3, 2008 9:09 PM EDT   0 recs

It's past time

Does it even matter?
The lead is gone. The offense is, well... the Pirates offense.
And we've seen the bullpen this year.

Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...

by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 9:11 PM EDT to parent up