Cruz had an .876 OPS in July and is currently at .963 in August. The only thing being held back now is some fans' understanding of the game of baseball.
Well... one thing... having Cruz at SS will reduce his value in arbitration by reducing his fielding value... so he will be cheaper going forward the longer he stays at SS. Maybe now I am starting to understand the plan.
Bill James had many theories and observations as expounded in his original writing in the 80s Baseball Abstracts that have stood the test of time. One of them was bad teams (and their fans) have a tendency to focus on the weaknesses of their best players. Cruz is a quintessential example of that.
Pirates win 6-5 over the Reds at PNC having fought hard for a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. The Bucs have lost eight one-run games in August alone and have tumbled out of contention with slim to none hopes of getting back up off the deck. They are in last place, but only three games out of second. They are currently 8 games back of the Wild Card conversation. 34 games remain in the season, meaning they have to go 20-14 to attain 81 wins and avoid a losing season.
*
It appears to da Wabbit that this is yet possible, if improbable. But I called this team a .500 team in pre-season and I’m sticking with it.
*
As I have posited variously around these here confines, I believe the difference between a winless season and, say, the state championship, is the flick of a switch.
I have often been of the variety of thought that a Bryan De La Cruz, an IKF, a bullpen that IS NOT blowing games like an 80 year old’s birthday cake, would be just enough to get us over the edge…. As with anyone moving house and being the target of a team on the verge, it is maybe difficult to settle in straight away and the results have been anticipated yet lacking.
*
Just now, I’m seeing IKF and BDLC and guys like Joey Bart beginning to knock some flares into the outfield and producing runs. Seeing guys like German tossing a nice outing; Nicolas getting stronger as the year rolls on; Ben Heller coming up and actually controlling that nasty velo. I do worry a bit about The Renegade, but he’s a pro and he pulled it out in his typical fashion last night. WOULD like to breathe a bit easier, but he and Chapman are a good back end with more help in sight. I THINK, if the pitching holds, there is enough in this lineup to score 3-4 rpg’s.
*
It SURE seemed like the entire growing season was gonna pass without being able to share my produce. I’d had mouldering bushel-baskets of lentils, peas and arugula. Not to mention that I had to make a deal with the local Pa. DOT shed to use one of their bays to store all of my CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!!
*
@>@>@> THREE (3) for Joey Bart and his 2 for 4 night with two runs and one batted in. It sure as heck seems like Mission Control, we Have Our Catcher.
@>@> TWO (2) tasty treats for BDLC who only went 1-3 but it was a key double that ignited the big comeback.
@> ONE (1) for Dennis Santana for settling this game down for two innings and allowing the Bucs to hold the fort while they chipped away.
Some cool watercress goes out to MAT for some good pinch running and a big helping of romaine lettuce goes out to the Reds’ Espinal for the rare and coveted DOUBLE TOOTBLAN!!! Thanks, Espi, for literally handing us the game. Love ya, buddy. Nice load of strawberries for Ready Rowdy for his 2 for 3 with a run and a base on balls.
Now, we are talking about BC making the case for or against Shelton, and that is the area of his job as GM where I just do not have any faith in his ability to make a decision. Seems to identify talent and use his imagination to get us the best return - but this area of “relieving someone of their duties” is where he has to be a “wartime consigliere”, and I have not seen that side of him. He is facing some serious personnel decisions between now and year-end.
Maybe travis williams is his hired bulldog to handle this part of the job? Mainly because thats the only role i can think of for a career hockey guy hired into a baseball front office
I found this quote by Shelton interesting as there seems to be a bit of making a case for no leadership changes (the best case will be to finish strong in the last five weeks; this past ~week (5-3) has given us something to build on):
"I didn't realize it was his first win because of how well he's pitched,” Shelton said. “ ... Dennis has done a nice job. I think that's one of those ones, it's an organizational credit. You identify a guy, you acquire him and then you get him in your pitching group and you mix up how he's doing. And now, we've seen his slider tick up, and the fastball is up to [97] and [98] at times, and that's just a good job organizationally by us."
I don't disagree but also checked and Santana has also had as good or better stretches in the past. So, still SSS concerns but I am hopeful that he's part of the building blocks for a better pen in '25 along with Nicolas, Stratton, and maybe even Heller for next season. Clearly, though, Holderman's and Bednar's struggles and Borucki's injury are reminders to not take anything for granted. Re-signing Chapman would be a big boost.
Like the way Yorke has come in and is hitting like we hoped he would when we made the trade. What to do, what to do? We need bats, trade for a first round bat who comes in and hits well and, and, . . . . . . !
Exc comeback by the Bucs; BDLC is getting comfortable and Joey Bart is hitting like every draft expert thought he could in 2018!
I guess Nolan Ryan redefined what aging pitchers can do and there are a few other examples, but I continue to marvel at Chapman. If we were in a pennant race, I'm guessing that nearly all of us would be calling for Chapman and Bednar to flip roles but Chapman seems fine just doing what he's been doing. Love to re-sign him.
Seems to have been a night to inspire hope in the system with Johnson, Siani, Gonzales, Yorke, and even one of my favorites, Jack, getting multiple hits.
Likewise, and when I watched the ball leave the bat I was hoping it would only result in a tie. McKinney made a nice play, though Statcast shows that the xBA was only .190 so maybe I shouldn't have been so worried for that fraction of a second :)
This will be first full season of Oneil’s career and he has a good chance to get 4 fWAR.
I could easily see him break out and be a monster next season. The only thing holding O’Neil back is O’Neil.
#EXTEND_ONEIL
Cruz had an .876 OPS in July and is currently at .963 in August. The only thing being held back now is some fans' understanding of the game of baseball.
is he the DH?
That’s the most asinine statement I’ve heard in a long time.
Take one of the very best athletes in the sport and put him at DH.
Of course it is! Just as completely ignoring an entire half of the game he plays.
This is so immature.
We're literally watching Cruz, right now, turn into roughly the player we hoped he'd be and some "fans" can't do anything but complain about him.
Well... one thing... having Cruz at SS will reduce his value in arbitration by reducing his fielding value... so he will be cheaper going forward the longer he stays at SS. Maybe now I am starting to understand the plan.
He's the team's best position player.
By far.
Bill James had many theories and observations as expounded in his original writing in the 80s Baseball Abstracts that have stood the test of time. One of them was bad teams (and their fans) have a tendency to focus on the weaknesses of their best players. Cruz is a quintessential example of that.
Cool to see Bednar slam the door last night
Cool to see Bednar not completely implode last night. I fixed that for you! 😂
Friday, August 24
61 down. 20 to go.
*
Pirates win 6-5 over the Reds at PNC having fought hard for a comeback from a 5-0 deficit. The Bucs have lost eight one-run games in August alone and have tumbled out of contention with slim to none hopes of getting back up off the deck. They are in last place, but only three games out of second. They are currently 8 games back of the Wild Card conversation. 34 games remain in the season, meaning they have to go 20-14 to attain 81 wins and avoid a losing season.
*
It appears to da Wabbit that this is yet possible, if improbable. But I called this team a .500 team in pre-season and I’m sticking with it.
*
As I have posited variously around these here confines, I believe the difference between a winless season and, say, the state championship, is the flick of a switch.
I have often been of the variety of thought that a Bryan De La Cruz, an IKF, a bullpen that IS NOT blowing games like an 80 year old’s birthday cake, would be just enough to get us over the edge…. As with anyone moving house and being the target of a team on the verge, it is maybe difficult to settle in straight away and the results have been anticipated yet lacking.
*
Just now, I’m seeing IKF and BDLC and guys like Joey Bart beginning to knock some flares into the outfield and producing runs. Seeing guys like German tossing a nice outing; Nicolas getting stronger as the year rolls on; Ben Heller coming up and actually controlling that nasty velo. I do worry a bit about The Renegade, but he’s a pro and he pulled it out in his typical fashion last night. WOULD like to breathe a bit easier, but he and Chapman are a good back end with more help in sight. I THINK, if the pitching holds, there is enough in this lineup to score 3-4 rpg’s.
*
It SURE seemed like the entire growing season was gonna pass without being able to share my produce. I’d had mouldering bushel-baskets of lentils, peas and arugula. Not to mention that I had to make a deal with the local Pa. DOT shed to use one of their bays to store all of my CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!!
*
@>@>@> THREE (3) for Joey Bart and his 2 for 4 night with two runs and one batted in. It sure as heck seems like Mission Control, we Have Our Catcher.
@>@> TWO (2) tasty treats for BDLC who only went 1-3 but it was a key double that ignited the big comeback.
@> ONE (1) for Dennis Santana for settling this game down for two innings and allowing the Bucs to hold the fort while they chipped away.
Some cool watercress goes out to MAT for some good pinch running and a big helping of romaine lettuce goes out to the Reds’ Espinal for the rare and coveted DOUBLE TOOTBLAN!!! Thanks, Espi, for literally handing us the game. Love ya, buddy. Nice load of strawberries for Ready Rowdy for his 2 for 3 with a run and a base on balls.
_______________________________
“Dragons is SO stupid.”
-Wabbit
Now, we are talking about BC making the case for or against Shelton, and that is the area of his job as GM where I just do not have any faith in his ability to make a decision. Seems to identify talent and use his imagination to get us the best return - but this area of “relieving someone of their duties” is where he has to be a “wartime consigliere”, and I have not seen that side of him. He is facing some serious personnel decisions between now and year-end.
Maybe travis williams is his hired bulldog to handle this part of the job? Mainly because thats the only role i can think of for a career hockey guy hired into a baseball front office
I found this quote by Shelton interesting as there seems to be a bit of making a case for no leadership changes (the best case will be to finish strong in the last five weeks; this past ~week (5-3) has given us something to build on):
"I didn't realize it was his first win because of how well he's pitched,” Shelton said. “ ... Dennis has done a nice job. I think that's one of those ones, it's an organizational credit. You identify a guy, you acquire him and then you get him in your pitching group and you mix up how he's doing. And now, we've seen his slider tick up, and the fastball is up to [97] and [98] at times, and that's just a good job organizationally by us."
I don't disagree but also checked and Santana has also had as good or better stretches in the past. So, still SSS concerns but I am hopeful that he's part of the building blocks for a better pen in '25 along with Nicolas, Stratton, and maybe even Heller for next season. Clearly, though, Holderman's and Bednar's struggles and Borucki's injury are reminders to not take anything for granted. Re-signing Chapman would be a big boost.
Like the way Yorke has come in and is hitting like we hoped he would when we made the trade. What to do, what to do? We need bats, trade for a first round bat who comes in and hits well and, and, . . . . . . !
Exc comeback by the Bucs; BDLC is getting comfortable and Joey Bart is hitting like every draft expert thought he could in 2018!
Chapman got 7 whiffs in just one inning?
Dude has been a joy to watch post-AS break. Amazing for 36.
I guess Nolan Ryan redefined what aging pitchers can do and there are a few other examples, but I continue to marvel at Chapman. If we were in a pennant race, I'm guessing that nearly all of us would be calling for Chapman and Bednar to flip roles but Chapman seems fine just doing what he's been doing. Love to re-sign him.
Closer. Make him the closer 6-4 since ending the ten game skid. .
Sorry. 5-3 not 6-4.
Closer. Make him the closer.
It really is a no brainer. I cringe every time Bednar takes the mound with a lead in the 9th.
I was about 99% sure EDLC was going to tie it or win it for Reds last night. Glad to be wrong for once. 😎
Of all the good things in the system last night, most enthusiasm for Johnson getting a couple of xbh’s. We need bats. Lots of bats.
Anyone got a stop watch on his HR trot? First dinger since the embarrassing debacle.
Seems to have been a night to inspire hope in the system with Johnson, Siani, Gonzales, Yorke, and even one of my favorites, Jack, getting multiple hits.
Likewise, and when I watched the ball leave the bat I was hoping it would only result in a tie. McKinney made a nice play, though Statcast shows that the xBA was only .190 so maybe I shouldn't have been so worried for that fraction of a second :)