Apathetic, very late series thread - Jays/Angels

Post #1 » by **Schad** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 4:03 am

No one else made one, so I will. 7-5 win in the second game after an 8-2 defeat, and Rios has been the story...3-5, 2 RBI and 3 stolen bases in this one as he has taken advantage of the Napoli/Mathis tandem every time he has reached base. An underwhelming season, to be sure, but having a player in an extended slump who is still putting up roughly league-average OPS (and top-10 in steals) isn't the worst thing in the world.

Halladay improves to 10-6 with another stellar outing...the one blemish was a pitch well out of the strike zone that Vlady golfed to straightaway centre. BJ Ryan sucked in a non-save situation, giving up a walk and three hits before clawing his way to the victory.

Something to keep an eye on: Halladay is cruising toward a second season of 250 IP or more. Only Halladay in 2003 and the rubber-armed Livan Hernandez in 2004 have tossed that many innings in the previous five seasons. If he accomplishes the feat, it's another talking point when Halladay enters into Hall of Fame consideration in 2020...he'll be hard-pressed to get there, but cheering on an unlikely event a decade or more away is the best thing about the Jays these days.

Peteros · Post #2 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 4:41 am

This team confuses the heck out of me. They beat up on a good pitcher in Lackey (# W-L 6-1
# ERA 1.44 before the game started.), and can't put enough runs on the board to beat a team like Seattle!?! I just wish this team was more consistent. Any bets on what team will show up tomorrow?

I like Inglett leading off with Scutaro batting second. Rios showed up tonight. He's the key. If he has a big game along with Wells, chances are the Jays have a very good chance of putting up runs, and winning a game.

Good thing we were up by 4 when BJ came in to close the game. If he recorded a BS, I would have gone postal on his ass! He has struggled this season.

Post #3 » by **arrpy** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 2:56 pm

I never have the time anymore to make game threads...

Peteros · Post #4 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 5:12 pm

Off topic but anyone here still not comfortable with the new look and design of the forums?? I prefer the original. Just something about the new design that doesn't do it for me.

Peteros · Post #5 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 5:13 pm

arrpy wrote:I never have the time anymore to make game threads...

What happened to rkid? Is he still around? Haven't seen him post in the Jays forum in quite some time.

Post #6 » by **arrpy** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 5:49 pm

A couple poster that used to post here haven't been around since the transition...

evilRyu · Post #7 » by **evilRyu** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 6:14 pm

maybe it's the combination of the new board, and this terrible team....

evilRyu · Post #8 » by **evilRyu** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 6:15 pm

but with regards to the game, i was quite surprised on how we attacked Lackey.. this is the first time he allowed more than 3 earned runs, and our horrible offense was the one who did it! Very strange...

Peteros · Post #9 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 7:56 pm

Great start for Litch today. Already gives up 2 runs in the 1st inning. I predict a blowout today folks!

Peteros · Post #10 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 8:04 pm

Jays strand another runner at third after the Wells double. Ahhh **** me!

I'm so frustrated with Overbay's play this year. What a disappointment he has been. I'd like to see someone else play 1B next season.

Post #11 » by **Schad** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 8:23 pm

Reading The Hardball Times, I came across this second-hand quote, referencing Randy Velarde:

At some point, guys like Velarde hurt teams more by blocking the development of young players more than they help by providing some versatility and production. It's not Velarde's fault — he is what he is, a good utility man who can best help a team by coming off the bench and filling it at a number of positions. It's just that the presence of a guy like that gives a timid front office an excuse for not taking a chance on younger, untested players with bigger upsides.

I disagree with it's application to Velarde (who was probably the best semi-regular in the league during the 1990s, and a guy whose bat belonged in the line-up up until 2000), but seeing Scutaro out there for the sixth time in seven games (near the top of the order, no less) I can't help but feel that the quip about a 'timid front office' applies to the Jays more than most teams.

To be sure, they don't really have an uber-prospects coming down the pike, but Ricciardi has always seemed more comfortable riding marginal players rather than rolling the dice on the kids...his considered promotion of Snider notwithstanding. Scott Campbell definitely needs to work on his defense, but would a two- or three-week stint in the bigs while Hill recovers destroy his progress? Doubtful. Would it help to answer questions about whether Campbell is a legitimate prospect or a future AAAA guy? Possibly. Would he have a better than 50/50 chance of duplicating or exceeding Scutaro's production? Definitely.

Peteros · Post #12 » by **Peteros** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 8:38 pm

How much longer can we go with this team's inability to move runners and score runs and win games??

I had planned to go watch the Jays this year, I did this past summer, but now I don't have the desire. How long will this continue?? Will the fans walk away? They must be fed up by now. We have suffered from mediocrity for so many years now. Enough is enough!! :evil:

evilRyu · Post #13 » by **evilRyu** » Sun Jul 6, 2008 8:53 pm

lol i had plans to attend also, but i'm definitely re-thinking spending my money on this team.