BJs (29-25) vs Trashtros (31-24) - June 4-6

[PowerPlant1]

So Matz isn't on today. Sure would be nice if we'd let Stripling go 6 or 7 yesterday with a 6 run lead, but instead we had to burn Thornton.

This game may become unreachable soon if Matz isn't replaced. problem is, with who? likely no long relief options.

[JaysRule15]

Vlad got absolutely hosed on that strike call. Forced him to chase the next pitch out of the zone as well.

[JaysRule15]

That Tellez at-bat was probably the worst I've seen all season. Takes fastballs right down the middle only to swing at an off-speed pitch about two feet inside lol.

[johanliebert]

Garbage strike 3 call on grichuk.

[johanliebert]

That’s the 2nd time there’s been miscommunication between semien/grichuk and I’m not including gurriel fly all.

[SharoneWright]

1 out of 3! “S’all good!”

[Natural11]

1 out of 3! “S’all good!”

Well, we had a chance to hit a home run a couple of times there, and 1 of 3 isn't too bad when you consider that a couple of calls could have gone either way, so ice cream for everybody!

If we're going to contend for real this year, FO will need to be make some tough calls come trade deadline. It can't just be Ryu and a bunch of 4-5 starters.

We could also use a MLB caliber bench player other than Panik. Tellez and Davis aren't good options right now.

[Randle McMurphy]

Didn't see the game but it looks like Matz didn't have it. That Houston team honestly might be the best in the AL this year and offensively they're pretty much firing on all cylinders at the moment. Glad we don't have to play them again.

[Lateral Quicks]

We could also use a MLB caliber bench player other than Panik. Tellez and Davis aren't good options right now.

Panik is the least of our problems, but Davis and catcher are major black holes offensively right now. Tellez is in a major slump, but I still think he may be a major league player.

The upgrades later this year should be massive:

Davis -> Springer (AAA player to MVP-calibre player)
Jansen/McGuire -> Kirk (no offense to probably league average offense)
Espinal -> Biggio (good defend/no hit to probably league average hitter/suspect defense)

By then, Davis, Espinaql, and one of Jansen/McGuire will be off the roster entirely, and the bottom third of the order will go from Panik/Tellez/Jansen (for example) to Grichuk/Kirk/Biggio.

The question is will the team be able to hang in there to be within striking distance of a playoff spot by the time these guys get back. We need another big gun in the rotation, and the team won't trade for one at the deadline if the team isn't in the playoff hunt.

[Randle McMurphy]

We could also use a MLB caliber bench player other than Panik. Tellez and Davis aren't good options right now.

Panik is the least of our problems, but Davis and catcher are major black holes offensively right now. Tellez is in a major slump, but I still think he may be a major league player.

The upgrades later this year should be massive:

Davis -> Springer (AAA player to MVP-calibre player)
Jansen/McGuire -> Kirk (no offense to probably league average offense)
Espinal -> Biggio (good defend/no hit to probably league average hitter/suspect defense)

By then, Davis, Espinaql, and one of Jansen/McGuire will be off the roster entirely, and the bottom third of the order will go from Panik/Tellez/Jansen (for example) to Grichuk/Kirk/Biggio.

The question is will the team be able to hang in there to be within striking distance of a playoff spot by the time these guys get back. We need another big gun in the rotation, and the team won't trade for one at the deadline if the team isn't in the playoff hunt.

It sounds like Biggio will be back this week and Springer may be back possibly in a week or two based on the running he's been doing. Riley Adams is also likely going to be an upgrade on Jansen offensively for now (assuming he has to be IL'd) and when Kirk comes back in July, he will certainly be.

As long as they stay around .500 over the next 10 games (CHW, BOS, NYY), the easier schedule is coming and they'll likely be well positioned in the 2nd half.

[johanliebert]

We could also use a MLB caliber bench player other than Panik. Tellez and Davis aren't good options right now.

Panik is the least of our problems, but Davis and catcher are major black holes offensively right now. Tellez is in a major slump, but I still think he may be a major league player.

The upgrades later this year should be massive:

Davis -> Springer (AAA player to MVP-calibre player)
Jansen/McGuire -> Kirk (no offense to probably league average offense)
Espinal -> Biggio (good defend/no hit to probably league average hitter/suspect defense)

By then, Davis, Espinaql, and one of Jansen/McGuire will be off the roster entirely, and the bottom third of the order will go from Panik/Tellez/Jansen (for example) to Grichuk/Kirk/Biggio.

The question is will the team be able to hang in there to be within striking distance of a playoff spot by the time these guys get back. We need another big gun in the rotation, and the team won't trade for one at the deadline if the team isn't in the playoff hunt.

Tellez will be the odd man out if he doesn’t get it going. If he hits they’ll find space if not he’s traded imo.

[Randle McMurphy]

We could also use a MLB caliber bench player other than Panik. Tellez and Davis aren't good options right now.

Panik is the least of our problems, but Davis and catcher are major black holes offensively right now. Tellez is in a major slump, but I still think he may be a major league player.

The upgrades later this year should be massive:

Davis -> Springer (AAA player to MVP-calibre player)
Jansen/McGuire -> Kirk (no offense to probably league average offense)
Espinal -> Biggio (good defend/no hit to probably league average hitter/suspect defense)

By then, Davis, Espinaql, and one of Jansen/McGuire will be off the roster entirely, and the bottom third of the order will go from Panik/Tellez/Jansen (for example) to Grichuk/Kirk/Biggio.

The question is will the team be able to hang in there to be within striking distance of a playoff spot by the time these guys get back. We need another big gun in the rotation, and the team won't trade for one at the deadline if the team isn't in the playoff hunt.

Tellez will be the odd man out if he doesn’t get it going. If he hits they’ll find space if not he’s traded imo.

Trade him for what? A guy without a position who can't hit has no value. They'll just send him down.