-So does the acquisition of Billy Wagner mean that the Red Sox can see what the trade market brings for Jonathan Papelbon? How could they ever take that chance with a pitcher coming back from major surgery? Sure, Wagner wants to close games, but we don't always get what we want. He may have to look for a team truly in need of a closer. He may have to review his asking price if and when he meets the open market as a free agent.
-David Ortiz hit .400 with 3 home runs during the week of August 17th. He hit two tonight (Wednesday). He's playing like a guy who has something to prove. With Victor Martinez now in the same lineup, the Red Sox might just have enough hitting to hold on for the Wild Card in the American League. And the pitching? Tim Wakefield came back just at the right time.
-Where would the Yankees be without Burnett and Sabathia? They'd be right where they were last year. Looking up at everyone else. Those two guys have more than saved the rotation. I love Joba's stuff but I liked him much more in the pen. That's exactly how I feel about the Diamondbacks Max Scherzer. Scherzer could be lights out as a set-up guy or closer. Ditto Joba. I know, I know. Who else would start? Mitre? He already is. Hughes? Doing a great job setting up. So things stay as they are. For now.
-As if the Giants weren't offensively challenged enough, along comes an injury for their best hitter, Pablo Sandoval. Is there a pitch that guy won't
swing at? He hit last year, he hit this spring and he's hit all season long. No fluke that Sandoval.
-Don't look now but Maglio Ordonez is heating up. That's bad news for the White Sox. When he and Miguel Cabrera are hot together they are some kind of dangerous. Especially against left-handed pitching. Don't forget Carlos Guillen, either. The Tigers defense has to be among the most improved in baseball. They can thank Brandon Inge and Adam Everett for shoring up the left side of that infield. Santiago too, of course.
-Who knew Scott Feldman could pitch like he has? When a pitcher flirts with an ERA around 3 and wins in double figures in Texas, that's saying something. What it says to me is that Nolan Ryan and Mike Maddux have done wonders with that pitching staff. What was once primarily a hitting team has become a balanced team. Mike Maddux and Dave Duncan are simply the best!
-After a torrid start, The Diamondbacks Trent Oeltjen has cooled off considerably. That happens when clubs learn how to pitch to hitters new to a team or league. He has to make similar adjustments to them. The cat and mouse game continues throughout entire careers. It's a game of adjustments and streaks and more adjustments. That's what makes it so great.
-Have you seen Kevin Jepsen pitch out of the pen for the Angels? If you haven?t, you sure want to. Don't blink, you won't see the pitch.
-I'm trying to figure out how Jason Giambi helps the Rockies. They already have a ton of lefty hitters with Helton, Gonzalez, Hawpe, Stewart, Quintanilla, and Seth Smith. Giambi's great in the clubhouse, but where do the at-bats come from?
-What if the Dodgers would have gotten Cliff Lee like they had hoped? Could their nose dive have been avoided? It's probable that things would be much different in the NL West standings. Talk about a melt down. And it's clear that Manny isn't being Manny. He looks more like Manny being Alfonso.
-Nope, Johan hasn't had his best season. Pitchers don't often talk about their injuries until they can't comb their hair. And even then somebody has to see them leave the clubhouse with the old wet hair look for proof. Maybe now we can put some reason behind the lack of velocity and the low K's. If he has been hurt, what a battler! If you can get the ball from the mound to the plate, call the Mets. They need some starting pitching. Now!
-Prince Fielder's success? He cut down on his swing. He could always hit the ball to all parts of the bleachers, but just that adjustment in his swing has done wonders. What a year he is having. Can't say that for the Brewers pitching staff now, can we?
-Help me here. How can anyone other than the Yankees beat the Phillies in a short series? Lee, Blanton, Hamels and maybe Happ vs. Burnett, Sabathia, Pettitte and maybe Chamberlain. I'm getting ahead of myself, but what a WS that would be. Where does Pedro fit? Just asking.
No Red Sox nation, I'm not counting you out. Not by any means. But your rotation---???. If the Red Sox do get in, Beckett will be lights out again, right?
Give me a team with a few guys like Sam Fuld. Is he fun to watch, or what? I know. I've said it before, but I just had to say it again.
-Do you think we'll ever see those tools people rave about with B. J. Upton? When?