Il BuonO

Velocity is an important component, but Greinke has such a varied arsenal it’s less a factor. Very few guys develop other pitches as velocity is diminished to stay effective. Greinke doesn’t need to rely on velocity alone to be successful.

He’s currently at 60.7 rWAR. Through the life of the contract if he averages 3 WAR I’d say he’s definitely in the conversation.

Greinke knows how to pitch so I wouldn’t rule out there being positive value at the end of the deal. But I think he’s an exception to the rule that players rapidly decline with age. There will be decline but his ability to adjust his arsenal based on his ability is impressive.

Greinke deal with the Dodgers was good. Not many people here thought he was worth it. He totaled 17.5 rWAR over three seasons.

Very interesting because the plan worked. Did anyone notice what was mentioned during the broadcast about the analytics department relaying information to the coaching staff? The Astros organization has done a great job of putting people in positions to assist in the on-the-field product. And it’s no small thing that the coaching staff is open-minded enough to implement the information they receive.

Great win for the people of that city, they really needed it. Sports can be a wonderful distraction.

Nor was I, but it would be a nice benefit of him getting a little more seasoning at Norfolk. Bringing in cheap experienced help in the OF until Hays is ready is prudent thinking.

Really not the point. He should be polished/have a little more experience. Guys at AAA have experience and it would benefit him. And there's the service time to consider. They've made due with Trumbo out there for a while under the guise of putting the best defensive team in the field, another month or two won't kill them.

He's had enough for me to know he's better than Trumbo. I know, low bar. But he's agile, fields well (error notwithstanding) and runs well.

There's never again a reason to watch Trumbo play RF.

There are different scenarios depending on from where the player has come. This is not Frankie Rodriguez or Gerardo Parra. It's probably likely Buck had as much to do with Hays' call up as Dan did. It's up to Buck how he's used once he's there, or if he's used at all.

Sure it does. Rickard has been on the team longer.

Buck could see garbage ABs from now until the apocalypse and he'd still be loyal to his veterans.

We've crossed into the baseball twilight zone when one of the best pitchers on the staff isn't carrying a majority of the innings available as a starter in favor of Jimenez. Tillman has history with the club, so lengthening the leash is understandable, if not entirely frustrating to watch at times. But there is absolutely no way Castro should be left out of the rotation at this point. And please don't tell me about a long man. Tonight was a rare occurrence when the starter actually performed well and key members of the bullpen did not. Castro is usually the guy in relief of both Tillman and Jimenez when either has an abbreviated outing. Jimenez has very little left on an expiring contract, cut bait already. Asher or Wright can be called back to be the long man. It's not as a vital a spot as number two starter.

Ordinarily, I'd complain about defensive alignment, but an OF in the gap of a scoreless tie is exactly where he should be. The Orioles pinching the gaps is my pet peeve. That didn't happen on the HR in this game. As you say, a split second or five years ago for Grandy, may have made the difference.

The juggernaut that is the Dodgers can't score on a night when their pitcher throws eight perfect innings and has a no hitter through 9 IP. Tough one.

Great effort by Granderson.

Redemption

Come on, Hill.

No doubt. Kicking himself.

That sucks. I like Forsythe, too.

Wow

Just an incredible play by Utley, especially at this stage of his career and that point in the game. Sheer will to make an outstanding play. Love it!

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