That's part of the equation... but it doesn't explain everything. I just think these teams know who they have to compete against (ie- Yankees, Red Sox), thus they keep that in mind when they are building their teams with whatever talent is available. Also, having a DH doesn't explain why AL teams are also dominating the NL teams when they play in the NL stadium. In the end, these teams play tougher lineups every night, they face more challenging/higher scoring games every night... in the end, they're just more seasoned to higher-stakes competition. These things run in cycles... the NL won't always be this decrepit.
Wow... Willy is in the lineup, but he's NOT hitting #1 or #2.... what a shocker!!!! Seriously... why was Willy at the top of the lineup yesterday, or every other time he's started since being demoted. Is having a lineup of Burke-Lamb-Berkman really all that bad when Biggio is resting???? Not that scoring runs was that big of a problem yesterday, but its just frustrating when we do things that seem to be by the book at some times, but then do stuff that's totally based on "feel, and inklings" for the other times.
Oswalt cannot afford to throw any hanging curveballs... not to this lineup (or any AL team, for that matter). That's one of the reasons why he doesn't throw it as much as he used to (batters look for it, and if its a strike, they can nail it). Willy with a great throw... definitely justfying him getting some playing time (he's always had a great arm).
Oswalt has been great thus far, and has only given up 3 hits with 1 ER... but he's thrown close to 60 pitches after just 3 innings pitched... indicating the true nature of these AL teams, and most AL games. They're battles of attrition... they take all the bad pitches, and foul off anything that's close/borderline. Meanwhile, if we're playing the Pirates, Brewers, or Cubs... this game is likely in the 5th inning by now.
maybe we'll finally beat these guys. Just don't bring in qualls. Boy, Lance is really having a monster season. Were almost halfway done and he is on pace to hit .315 with about 45 HR and 130 RBI, thats bigtime stuff. Anybody notice that Preston has himself to .285. Not bad. Can't wait till this team hits their stride. we might be back to the Southside come mid october.
nice to see we're leading in this one; and the Cardinals getting swept out of Detroit after Chicago...wow
Willy with an extra base hit! Even better, it was from the bottom of the lineup (better for him, and better for the team).
Wow...if Taveras can knock shots into the power alleys like that he may be of some use That'd be a double for anyone else on the team.
And I think he can focus more on doing that when he bats at the bottom of the lineup. When you're batting leadoff, or #2, there are too many other responsibilities that you have to worry about: make the pitcher throw pitches, get on base any way possible, move the runner into scoring position by sacrafice bunts or hitting behind the runner, don't give away an out. If you're the 8th (or 9) hitter, anything you do out there is a bonus... you don't think. You see the ball, you hit it... and anything you do productive is gravy.
Funny you should say that. There was a huge discussion on the boards at Orangewhoopass the other day. A poster claimed he had inside information from a source within the organization, saying that the "sole reason" Willy was benched was because he was "killing" the team with his poor defense. Obviously it's nice that we can put Willy's solid defense in CF out there in these interleague games.
Seriously... I think Willy's defense is his best strength at this point. He's definitely running better routes to the ball and he has a great arm. The guy just needs to learn how to consistently hit.
