Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta, 3 April 2008
by Charlie
on Apr 3, 2008 3:25 PM EDT
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
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
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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
Hard to argue with that.
Paulino does hit lefties hard.
by Charlie on
Apr 3, 2008 7:46 PM EDT
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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
...
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
Liveblog of this game
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com/2008/04/pirates-at-braves-game-3-live.html
I'll be around here, too
http://raisethejollyroger21.blogspot.com
by Raise the Jolly Roger on Apr 3, 2008 7:51 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
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
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
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
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
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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 avoided the Yankees & Jays, both!
Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...
by UtesFan89 on
Apr 3, 2008 8:27 PM EDT
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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
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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
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Corky Miller...
is starting?
Biased Fan
A disillusioned Pirates fan in Utah...
by UtesFan89 on Apr 3, 2008 8:39 PM EDT 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
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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
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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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
by dtoddwin on Apr 3, 2008 9:01 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
That's not clear to me either.
Good slide by Diaz, though.
by Charlie on
Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT
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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
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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
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
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...