A Couple of Links

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 20, 2008 9:08 AM EDT

While I sit in the Philadelphia airport:

-P- John Russell defends his continuing decision to bat Freddy Sanchez second. As you might expect, none of the reasons make any sense, except that of protecting Sanchez's ego.

-P- I missed the game yesterday, but I'm baffled as to how the Bucs can fail to score more than one run on a starter as poor as Jorge de la Rosa. Less baffling is the performance of Yoslan Herrera. Why the Pirates want Herrera to "throw more fastballs" is completely beyond me, since his breaking ball and changeup are pretty good and his fastball is absolutely terrible. I get that he needs to throw it sometimes to set up the other pitches, but a fastball that comes in at 88 MPH and is completely straight just won't work in the majors if you throw it all the time.

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Nuts

Was it too much to hope for Russell to say “well, I’ve looked at his batted-ball types, and he’s really just getting very unlucky. Things’ll turn around, you’ll see”???

by matskralc on Jul 20, 2008 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

I am not contending that his fastball isn't bad,

but I don’t think it is completely straight. To me, actually, it looks like he throws a sinker. The problem seems to be that he can’t throw a low strike. A little sinking movement won’t be effective if the pitch is belt-high.

by DITO on Jul 20, 2008 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

Blah

This has to be the most boring stretch all season. Think about it:

- This team losing, can’t pitch and is uninteresting to boot

- There’s nothing brewing on the trade front

- Our farm system sucks

Let’s hope something happens before now and July 31, if only for our sanity.

by woobie on Jul 20, 2008 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Nothing brewing on the trade front?

Not from where I’m sitting…

by Vlad on Jul 21, 2008 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Dirty Sanchez

Maybe Freddy should make a sacrifice to Jobu!

by rissaldar on Jul 20, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

Well with the Pirates options i understand

I hate Freddy but like the bullpen there is nothing else for him to choose…I understand that if you put him ninth that would be bad…I mean look Batista, Pitcher, Sanchez. that is three outs in a row. through a first half Laroche in there and it gets worse. Oh well maybe we can trade Sanchez for some sweat pants or bottled water

by .500 Please on Jul 20, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions