Braves Are the Real Deal, Astros Highlight Yankee Problems
I haven’t seen the Red Sox or the Blue Jays live yet this season, but I have seen the Atlanta Braves and let me tell you they are the best hitting team I’ve witnessed this season.
Bobby Cox doesn’t have the arms he is used to either in the starting rotation or in middle relief, but man does he have the bats.
Ted Lilly gave up five hits in the first four innings he pitched last night against the Braves, only trouble was they were all tape measure home runs. Sprinkle in a walk and Lilly left the game trailing 7-1. When I see a major league pitcher get hit that hard, the first thing that comes to my mind is that he is experiencing arm trouble.
Keep in mind Lilly has pitched about 340 innings in his entire major league career, the A’s have him in the regular rotation (he has suffered arm miseries other times in past seasons), this year he already has thrown 77.3 frames. Lilly has given up 13 homers and if you look at his pitching lines the homers and walks are hurting him. A 3-5 record isn’t going to cut it for Oakland’s fourth starter.
Lilly’s situation bears close scrutiny from here on out.
My only question is why did it take so long to yank Lilly from the game last night?
Speaking of the Yankees, how about a no hitter in the Bronx thrown by six Houston pitchers. We all know Lidge, Dotel, and Wagner are the best combination of seventh, eighth, and ninth inning relievers in the game today, but a no hitter by Oswalt (a groin injury again), Saarloos, and Munro against the vaunted New Yorkers is too much to imagine.
As I’ve discussed many times, there is trouble brewing in New York.
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The Wild Card this morning:
AL
New York…
Oakland 1/2
Toronto 1
Angels 2 1/2
Royals 4
NL
Montreal
Houston 2
Dodgers 2 1/2
St. Louis 4
Phillies 5
Colorado 6 1/2
Cincinnati 6 1/2
Montreal knocked off Seattle again Wednesday night. Even without Glad Vlad in the lineup, the Expos shut down the Mariners who were due to cool off. Seattle didn’t help themselves going 0-18 over the last two losses with runners in scoring position, plus Mike cameron’s homer Wednesday night was Seattle’s first in five games. Kaz Sasaki is back on the DL ( believe it or not he fell on the stairs while carrying a suitcase Sunday and bruised his ribs) which places a strain on the Seattle bullpen. Placing Arthur Rhodes, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, and Nelson in roles that don’t suit them (all of a sudden Matt White is in the lefthanded late inning equation) may give the other teams in the West a small opening to gain some ground on Seattle.
In any case, the Expos come to Oakland this weekend and will face Mulder, Harang, and Hudson so it will be a good test for both teams.
Don’t bet against Montreal tonight with the enigmatic Claudio Vargas against Ryan Franklin on the hill.
Can major league baseball allow their subsidiary, the Expos to get into the playoffs?
The big time moguls will probably make the GM Omer Minaya shed more payroll or send them on an unexpected three week road trip if they get too close at the end of the season.
David Wells has pitched well in Yankee Stadium all year and he faces Jeriome Robertson who actually has settled down as a starter (at least in his last game). I just wonder how long this Houston bullpen can last pitching three or four times per game?
If Barry Zito gets rocked today I’ll be surprised.Successful pitchers keep hitters off balance, Zito is one of the best with his curve ball. If his hook isn’t working Atlanta can tee off again because Zito doesn’t have the heater to shut them down, but if it is on, then this will be one helluva game to watch.
Frank Menechino is hitting .237, Jason Giambi is hitting .232.
Now Sean Casey is leading off for Cincinnati. Adam Dunn, Casey, who’s next Ken Griffey, Jr. They ought to see if Mickey Rivers can get in shape or trade for Jeremy Giambi.
Don’t look now, but Cleveland is getting closer to the White Sox. Jody Gerut can play baseball and is now starting to get noticed at least by me, in the Cleveland outfield.
I had a feeling that there would be a no hitter last night, but I thought it would be in Detroit (check yesterday’s Dish), today the Tigers might get the bats going against Kas Ishii and you never know when Jeremy Bonderman will throw a nice game.
Shea Hillenbrand strained a muscle and is out of the Arizona lineup. What is next for the snakes who are truly snake bitten this season.
The A’s made a number of physical as well as mental errors last night. I can’t remember a stretch of poor play like they have had over the last thirty games since the 98 season.
Montreal’s Orlando Cabrera and Jose Vidro are turning into the best second base shortstop combo in the league.
Bartolo Colon against Kirk Reuter, two completely different pitchers, I say it is an even game because Reuter is one tough customer.
The Braves can rake, let’s see if Shane Reynolds can keep them in the game.
Good baseball today.
0 comments
In my mind,Ted Lilly has been a bust. I feel the
A’s need another right hand pitcher to balance
the staff. I don’t thing Harang is the guy.Maybe
Rich Harden deserves a shot. The drop-off after
the big 3 is quite noticeable and if the a’s want
to make the playoffs they have to make a move. But what GM wants to deal with Billy Beane now ?
Hey Marty,
The A’s were/are expecting way too much from Lilly as the fourth starter. Like you mentioned, he has had arm problems in the past. Plus, he has to learn how to be a starter pitcher. He has good enough stuff to be a starter. But he seems to lack the mental toughness and knowledge needed to be successful. Lilly should be the #5 starter this year and the A’s should have kept Lidle as their #4. Beane should have found a way to free up or spend the 5 million to keep him. Oh well…lets hope Harang can provide some help.
-Mike
I agree with you Marty as well as both prior posters.
Ted Lilly is overmatched right now. I read where the A’s think he just hasn’t had the opportunity to build up arm strength yadda yadda yadda. He could turn out to be a lefthanded Lidle (good enough until the going gets tough). I thought ridding ourselves of Lidle’s salary was a good move but Lilly and Halama are not the answer in 4 and 5.
Here’s to Harang and Harden or the forgotten man, Hiligus, instead.
Reno Bill
Absolutely, Marty –once again you’re saying the things that need to be said–albeit while working right in the thick of things. Lilly has been a bust and I do think a shake-up is in order–re-Ron Gant–LOSE PIATT!!– Bill Gibson and I (staunch A’s fans) have decided -the jury is back–HE was Bread in ol’ Kentucky–but He’s just a crumb up here!!” To paraphrase the old song—Piatt was–WHAT?? The Triple Crown Winner in the minors??– Sorry Adam–You ain’t cuttin’ it up here–See “Eric Burnes”-story of hurt every day player–finally gets his opportunity–and HELLO!!- Shows us what He’s GOT!!–Piatt has had ALL the opportunities and like I say the jury is finally back—GET RID OF HIM!! I’d rather see Billy Mc Millon given the same chance.
By the way Marty, that was me Dave Tolmie on that last post–seriously Marty–Your legs(when you’re wearing shorts) are no thrill to sit next to–during a game(unlike Betty Howe’s) but once again I have to applaud your REAL insights into our team. I only hope the A’s brass are reading this column on a continuing basis. First of all–change the web site’s name—too long—get Marty Lurie.com–or something like that. Your astute observations should NOT be missed—Dave Tolmie
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