If you saw Ted Lilly pitch last night you saw a very inconsistent young major league pitcher.

Keep in mind that Ted Lilly’s delivery had been reworked by A’s pitching coach Rick Peterson, just this past winter and spring.

At times, Lilly has the correct release point which propels his pitches to the exact point of the strike zone intended. At other times, Lilly can’t find his release point causing his breaking stuff to hang directly over the hitting zone (5 homers versus Atlanta).

Lilly has been tagged for many critical homers, then he turns around and strikes out five in a row. A frustrating pattern for all involved.

What to do?

The first option is that Lilly should work out of the bullpen until he can throw with the consistency necessary to be a major factor on this pitching staff. It is no disgrace to work out of the pen when one is struggling.

The second option, the A’s send Lilly to AAA to give him a chance to really learn his new delivery without the pressure of a pennant chase.

Rick Peterson is a very technical pitching coach, insisting on sessions in the videoroom, countless discussions about pitching, and studying computer enhanced images of ones delivery. Perhaps Lilly isn’t suited for Peterson’s methods. A trade in his future?

In any case when Lilly gets in trouble his mechanics are out of whack because he isn’t comfortable with his new delivery, baseball is muscle memory, acts repeated countless times, Lilly’s muscle memory only goes back to March, not a very long time in baseball.

He needs to work it out somewhere before his confidence is completely shot.

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The White Sox believe. They believe they can catch the Twins and the Royals and have put their money where their mouth is to bring back an old expression.

With the acquisitions of Roberto Alomar and Carl Everett, the Sox now have two things. One, some speed on the bases and two, lefthanded hitting to go with those big slow righthanded batters, Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Lee.

More importantly they didn’t give up anything from their major league roster and now can chase the division leaders with Bartolo Colon, Esteban Loaiza, Mark Buehrle, Dan Wright, and Jon Garland.

If you follow the Daily Dish, I’ve opined that Chicago has had great potential in this race because of its starting rotation. Now, let’s see if they can get it done with Sox catcher Sandy Alomar’s little brother, Robby and Carl Everett, a handful to deal with, but a very talented player.

I like the moves.

Terrence Long adds to the A’s bench. Funny but one scribe called the following move Ken Macha’s finest of the season, the A’s manager called upon Terrence Long to pinch hit for Adam Piatt when Jeff Nelson came into the game in the eleventh inning. It was a basic move that every manager in the game makes, lifting a platoon right handed hitter for a platoon lefthanded hitter to face a tough righty pitcher. Long came through and tied the score with his single. This is the way the game is played and Long is an excellent player off the bench. Key word is bench.

More on the game below.

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Marty: You mention Yankees bench. They picked up Sierra and have him hitting cleanup with his .300 average and big hits. Wouldn’t the Giants like to have him, even with his personality problems? The word is that he is much better these days in that department. As you point out, tonight is a tough one for the Giants, with Brower going. The bullpen is rested and they will undoubtedly need all of them. The Moss fallout! I am looking forward to the next few starts by Williams. Is it possible that this kid is the Giants pitching saviour? They sure need someone to go along with Schmidt. The present rotation inspires small confidence. Other than Schmidt, and, it is to be hoped, Williams, there is no one on the team who can be counted on to give them six good innings. Where is Ortiz, now that we need him? Did someone say Atlanta? I read this morning that Aurilia is getting healthy and due back in the lineup, possibly tonight. I don’t know if that is good news. I like the looks of the Giants, with Perez playing shortstop and hitting second. far more than any lineup with Aurilia. Ed

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It came as no surprise when Jason Schmidt knocked off the Cardinals Monday night 5-1 with another complete game victory. The guy is good, great right now. I had him as a guest on Right Off The Bat last Friday night and he couldn’t have been more gracious.

Tonight things get dicier for the Giants as Jim Brower, a seldom used reliever gets the start with his predecessor in the rotation Damian Moss slated for long relief.

St. Louis counters with Woody Williams one of the better seven inning pitchers in the league. What this means of course is the game will be in the hands of Felix Rodriguez, Jeff Fassero, Cal Eldred, Tim Worrell, and Jason Isringhausen when Albert Pujols or Barry Bonds decide things late in the game.

Arizona keeps plugging along. Luis Gonzalez is quietly putting together another fabulous season. He too is one of the most generous players with the media, what is this good guy week in baseball?

The scary thing for the Giants and the punchless Dodgers is Curt and Randy aren’t around, but they will be back shortly.

Seattle beat the A’s 3-1 and the game had many subplots which I will touch on below. [Read more →]