meanwhile all JA Happ has done is pitch a 2 hitter his last start and allow more than 2 runs in just 2 of his last 7 outings (and in one of them he only allowed 3) .. not to mention he is averaging giving up just about 2 runs (15 in 7 starts) per start .. .. not a bad replacement
In addition to Myers' consistent praise of Arnsberg, Pence had some good things to say about him as well. He basically said that Arnsberg spends a lot of time going over the tendencies of opposing hitters. Myers always talks about how Arnsberg makes things so easy for him by putting together a game plan, allowing him to simply worry about execution. If this team is to surprise in 2011, I think it will be on the back of our pitching, both the starters and the bullpen.
Happ's been great, overall. Not that you were saying I was doing so but when I talk about Oswalt, it has nothing to do with regret over losing him. I think it was a good move for him and the Astros. I'm just pulling for him to do well with the Phillies, at least for this season.
I am surprised that figgy isnt being talked about more for the starting rotation next year .. if he continues doing what he has done (and build up his pitch count) . he woudl make a solid number 5 .. and we already seem set at top 3 with myers, wandy and happ... norris shows promise as done paulino
If Figueroa is back next season, I imagine he'd start out of the pen if Paulino is healthy. Because of his versatility, he can slide into the starting rotation if there is an injury or poor performance. It would be nice if he could basically do what Moehler did for us but do it a little better or as good as Moehler did at his best.
I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do with the extra payroll flexibility we have next year. The free agent market looks somewhat weak. Maybe a few cheap acquisitions could help, but i'm all for saving the $ for draft signings.
I say do NOTHING, truth be told we are playing so well that its killing our draft position and should limit us on who we could sign without risking draft picks. Bring back the team you have and develop from within at this point BUT if they do want to make somewhat of a splash then I say go after Brandon Webb. Webb's agent has said they're going to ask for 7.5 million per year but most have already laughed that off as agent speak. I say do a similar deal to what Myers(pre-extension) got and see if the guy can stay healthy for a full season.
I'd be interested in seeing a breakdown of our projected payroll for next season, including what we're paying Oswalt and good guesses of what all the arb-eligible players will get.
Interesting line for Oswalt: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 6 BB, 6 SO, 115 pitches That has to be near the most walks he's every allowed in a game yet he's pitching a shutout. Romero takes over with Theriot on 1st (Roy's 6 BB).
Interesting side note I just came across... Guy isn't bad on the tube but he has some wild observations and that last one about SS cost him his job.
Yea he walked James Loney 3 consecutive times, maybe he really was pitching around and going for the No-No. He probably will never get a perfect game or no-hitter because he's always pitching in the strike zone and playing very aggressive.
From what I caught, that SS should have sucked it up and continued pitching, basically calling him out for not being tough enough. I believe that was the brunt of it but there might have been more to it. Of course, everyone in the right mind thought he was nuts and then when it came out he needed TJ surgery Rob was made to look even more foolish. He apparently has a big mouth and isn't the 1st time he has said something wild so I guess the Nats had enough.
Interestingly, JD suggested something similar when Strasburg came off the mound that day. He was more alluding to the coach and manager being too cautious with him, saying that it may lead to him not learning how to pitch through minor discomfort which all pitchers have to go through. As it turns out, it was more serious than a lot of people thought at the time.
Roy finally gets his 10th win. He looked to have it last time out after outdueling Latos but Lidge couldn't hold the 1-run lead. Overall, Lidge has actually pitched well over the past month or so.
I skimmed over all of Oswalt's career game logs and I only saw one other time that he gave up as many as 6 walks. Coincidentally, it was against the Phillies back in 2007. He also gave up 7 H and 6 ER over 5 IP. It's probably pretty rare to walk that many batters and not give up a run even though Edwin Jackson walked 8 in his no-hitter earlier this season.
AJ Burnett gave up a bunch of walks in his no-hitter. I think it was 9 guys. Seems like it was forever ago.
