I noticed an interesting split just now. For his career, Tommy Manzella has an elite .937 OPS against LHP and a pitcher-like .391 OPS against RHP. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=manzeto01&year=Career&t=b#plato The sample size against LHP is small but as of now, he appears to have an extreme case of Keppinger-itis. RHB usually have worse numbers against RHP but both Manzella and Keppinger have extreme splits, with Manzella's being incredibly extreme. Unfortunately, most pitchers are RH so this kind of situation can make or break a position player's career, at least in terms of being starting-caliber vs. bench material. Carlos Lee, another RHB, actually has a slightly better career OPS against RHP than LHP (.842 to .830). Pence is slight worse vs RHP (.811 to .856). I'd say two things about Manzella's already slim chances at having any kind of real success at this level, neither of which is rocket science, rather just observations: a) Hopefully his small sample size against LHP is somewhat legit. b) He must improve dramatically against RHP.
It would be nice if we could get jalapeno (Paulino) a win tonite. Jalapeno needs to fire up his teammates cause, right now, they have a losing team mentality tied to whenever his start in the rotation comes round. And, now we gotta deal with the "most self-admiring man in the world", Mr. Zambone-ya (Zambrano). He better not pull that no hit **** again. We need to burn him with the jalaPaulino. Let's get this 0-7 in the past and win peenerboy one. Damn it! Dad gammit! Dammit!
Among teams that Paulino has faced for 10+ IP, he's only been worse against the Giants and Brewers. Hopefully he reverses that trend tonight.
Pujols is worse for sure and there are a lot of others. I don't think Berkman is good but there are a lot of other bad ones out there, including some faster players. And what a lousy swing there by Feliz. 2-1 count, bases loaded, 2 outs and he swings at a ball around his neck.
We could see a complete reversal of trends tonight. That's 2 quick innings for Paulino and Zambrano is struggling early, not only in this game but this season.
In 2 IP, Zambrano has thrown 51 pitches and given up 4 H and 2 BB but we've only managed to score a single run.
say what you want about the guy, but his recent tweets and his drayton-bashing in general is f'ing hilarious. and i can't believe i'm willing to give the schmuck that much credit, but i can't help it: http://twitter.com/richardjustice
He seems to have regressed as a runner over the years, but perhaps he has lost what little speed he had with age, injuries, and no longer running around in the OF.
I don't like Justice as a whole but some of his stuff (not just tweets which I've never seen until now) does make me laugh.
Next step: Take advantage of a struggling Zambrano. I'd love to see him get yanked around the 4th inning.
Head east and when you smell manure, you're in Oklahoma. Turn right, and when you step in it, thats Texas. Somehow that came from discussing whether Arlington or Houston is "deeper in the heart of Texas" since both teams play that song. Edit: I'll add that I'm watching WGN, so of course I'm listening to Cubs broadcasters.
That was a pretty nasty pitch by Paulino to induce the ***-u-do-me groundout. And another nasty pitch to strike out the most overpaid clown in baseball. And again, this time to "Pass the pipe" Soto. Awesome inning for Paulino.
