IMO they are not playing below average. They are what they are. Dan Haren is pitching a gem. And it just goes to show what good pitching can do for you. Those 2004 and 2005 teams had a superior pitching staff and had some good offensive pieces, where this team really doesn't have either. The offense is playing well, but they are not driving in runs.
If you could pick any pitcher in baseball to be your ace, who would it be? Santana, Halladay, Sabathia, Lincecum, Haren, Peavy, Greinke, Oswalt, etc... ?
I would pick Halladay pretty easily. He is facing some of the toughest offenses day in, day out in the AL East.
Cubs lose again, 2-0. Nathan gave up a hit and a walk to start the bottom of the 9th then went into lockdown mode. He is a stud closer but doesn't get quite as much hype as the likes of Rivera, Papelbon, Lidge, K-Rod, etc... I didn't realize he was born in Houston.
Backe's historically bad start (for an Astros relief pitcher): http://blogs.chron.com/unofficialscorer/2009/06/backes_historically_bad_start.html
He's been awesome, but he's already pitched an ass-load of innings. If I could have anyone on that list it would be Lincecum for what he's already shown at a VERY young age.
Fernando Nieve is starting for the Mets today in place of the injured John Maine. He's going against Pettite. He just got the Yankees out in order in the bottom of the 1st. Edit: Nieve is pitching a heck of a game, giving up only 2 hits through 6.
It would have to be either Santana or Halladay. They are the best LHP & RHP in baseball and are innings eaters at the same time. Haren is having a very underated season, and may be the best pitcher in the NL so far. I'm really glad the Cards traded him for Mulder.
Man, we're making Garland look like Haren. No patience against a guy who has walked more batters than he's struck out this season.
Second outfield blunder of the game. One for Lee and one for Erstad. Erstad should've called Kata off sooner if he was going to make a play on it. And he should have caught it either way. Meanwhile, our offense is anemic and impatient tonight. We're making Garland look like he's pitching far better than he actually is. Oswalt has pitched better than his already pretty good line has looked. Lee's blunder early in the game made 1 inning tougher on Roy than it should have been and the D'backs have only hit 2 balls cleanly. 1 of Roy's walks was a smart approach to get to the pitcher. Ugly game...
Carlos Lee is injured... left the game early. No idea what happened to him. Edit: Lee had some kind of leg cramp, apparently. Blum (hamstring) and Kepp (back) were both out of the lineup tonight.
How bout that? Tejada gets his 2000th hit and 2 batters later, Puma gets his 300th HR! Finally, we expose Garland a little bit.
Oswalt beasting out there now. Killed em in the 6th. He would've been able to go 7 or 8 tonight easily if not for some bloop hits and outfield errors.
They bring Roy back in the 7th with his pitch count well over 100. No problem. Roy takes em down in order. On a side note, Pudge is 5 for his last 34 and hasn't walked in almost a month.
