Dude, don't be so craptastic all the time. Of course I was talking about right now. Mauer is just coming in to his own. Albert's got about 4 seasons on him, in terms of experience. But so far this season, here is how they compare: Mauer: .417; 14 HR; 42 RBI; .485 OBP; .744 SLG Pujols: .319; 24 HR; 62 RBI; .442 OBP; .690 SLG And Mauer is doing that from the catcher position. So when I said "best hitter in the game TODAY," that's exactly what I meant. As for Ichiro...he HAS been the best hitter for average. But not so far this season. We'll see if he catches Joe, but he's about .062 points behind. He's also roughly 10 years older than Joe.
not being craptastic, i'm just saying 45 games into joe mauer's 2009 season doesn't erase pujols and ichiro's past 8 years of other-worldly production (not to mention that they are performing near their peak this year too).
The last 2 years that Mauer has qualified for the AL batting title, he has won it, so "out-averaging" Ichiro is nothing new for him.
I remember hearing some comments about Mauer during a game on TV last season. I don't remember what game was on or who said what but I did hear them say something about a former player praising Mauer's swing as one of the best of all-time. Up until this season, about the only thing you couldn't say was that Mauer was an elite slugger. If he keeps hitting for this kind of power, he very well could start being discussed in the same breath as Pujols.
Was anybody aware that Oswalt has been pitching with tendonitis in his right wrist? I had no idea. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6490264.html
didn't know. seems like throwing 130 pitches wouldn't be the best remedy for that, but what do i know. also bothers the hell out of me (but i cant say i'm surprised) that pitching 4 innings and giving up "only" 3 runs is good enough to make Backe the #1 candidate for the next needed start.
Norris again pitched 8 shutout innings for round rock last night. He struck out 10 and only gave up 3 hits (this is after an 8in 0er 2h perfromance last time out). His era on the year is now 2.11
Yea, I hear you about Backe. I guess it's just a matter of nobody having locked down that 5th spot in the rotation. From that same link above, it looks like Paulino is recovering so he could be back in the mix shortly. Oswalt Rodriguez Hampton Moehler Paulino/Backe/Bazardo?/Norris?
And more Michael Bourn... A bunt single to lead off the game, then a steal and a run just like that. He's batting over .300 now.
That is what I am talking about. Bourne can be devasting at the top of the lineup. Hopefully we can put up a crooked number right here. Wandy traditionally works well with a lead.
Do you think bourne is off to a hot start or this is really what he is capable of? Because a batting average of 300 and 50 + steals a year would make him one of the stop lead-offs, or so I would think.
Shoot, I don't know. I'm just a typical fan. Like Pence, it does seem like he's made some real improvements though. He's walking a lot more and just seems to have improved his plate discipline. I've still seen him vulnerable on the inside of the plate but hey, hard to complain right now.
This first inning is going to the key for Wandy. I would love to see him just get through this inning 1, 2, 3. It will be very important for his confidence.
Agreed. Get off to a good start then stay strong in the middle innings where he's seemed to hit a wall at times over his career.
