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Not a Bad Idea? Lopez as closer

wildcard

By wildcard
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Sanfran327 Hangout Grand Counsel

Sanfran327

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I guess he got lit up in his bad outing, but I saw him pitch yesterday and I guess you could say he's the guy that deserves an extended look at closer. Great velocity, good movement, and just enough of a change and a breaking ball to play off of that velo. He seemed to really confuse some A's hitters, but he was facing the bottom half of the order in the 9th. 

Might as well give him the job until he plays himself out of it.

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emmett16
emmett16

I watched him with my son warm up in the pen before a game last year and remember posting that he just didn't seem to be focused and looked like he was going through the motions.  His stuff was always

wildcard
wildcard

Games.

Tony-OH
Tony-OH

Its too early to ditch the Lopez for closer idea. He stunk last night, no doubt, and a clean inning for Lopez usually includes at least one base runner, but let's face it, this is what we need to find

Moose Milligan Hangout Grand Counsel

Moose Milligan

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5 minutes ago, Sanfran327 said:

 

Might as well give him the job until he plays himself out of it.

This is where I'm at.  One could argue (and I'm not necessarily arguing this, it's still too early) that other pieces in the bullpen are settling into their roles.  I'm not sure if I'd be switching guys in and out of the closer role at the moment.  Lopez looks pretty good.

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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59 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Glad he's found his magic hat and wand since he seemed to have lost it all of last year.  Maybe they were in a clubhouse couch cushion or something.

Never heard why he left the team for over a month last year. Something was obvious happening.

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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39 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

This is where I'm at.  One could argue (and I'm not necessarily arguing this, it's still too early) that other pieces in the bullpen are settling into their roles.  I'm not sure if I'd be switching guys in and out of the closer role at the moment.  Lopez looks pretty good.

I need to see more.   Against a weak offense, in front of 2300 fans.   The real test is in Toronto and Boston vs a full house with  one run lead.

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Moose Milligan Hangout Grand Counsel

Moose Milligan

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Just now, wildcard said:

I need to see more.   Against a weak offense, in front of 2300 fans.   The real test is in Toronto and Boston vs a full house with  one run lead.

Well, it looks like it's Opposite Day on the OH.  The king of small sample sizes is arguing for bigger sample sizes.

WC, I agree.  I think we all agree that we need to see more.  But there's some things to like here.  

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wildcard Hangout Grand Counsel

wildcard

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2 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Well, it looks like it's Opposite Day on the OH.  The king of small sample sizes is arguing for bigger sample sizes.

WC, I agree.  I think we all agree that we need to see more.  But there's some things to like here.  

Oh, I like to see him pitch well.  I just need to see more.

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bobmc Hangout Grand Counsel

bobmc

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Just now, Moose Milligan said:

I agree, I think we all do. 

If he can be a guy that Elias and Sig and Co. turned around, that would be quite a success story.  Dude's got an electric arm, just a matter of harnessing it.  

Yep - for that small sample and his previous outing, we have seen pitching we haven't seen in quite a while.  Good for them.

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Il BuonO Hangout Grand Counsel

Il BuonO

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My earlier post hasn’t aged well, but I’ve always liked his stuff.

The team was awful last year, so there was no reason not to try him as a starter. He had the same stuff then, but the 4th or 5th innings seemed to be roadblocks he couldn’t get past. So, to me, the problem has been between his ears. In all fairness, the personal issue may have distracted him, but he just seems better suited to relief and late game pressure doesn’t seem to be an issue….yet. 

All I know is he was lights out last night.

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Jammer7 Hangout Veteran Council

Jammer7

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3 hours ago, wildcard said:

Never heard why he left the team for over a month last year. Something was obvious happening.

Lopez’ toddler son had a very serious illness, and had to undergo a scary procedure. He pitched most of the year with that on his mind. I do not recall the details, but it could have been a fatal situation. 

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cboemmeljr Hangout Grand Counsel

cboemmeljr

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35 minutes ago, Jammer7 said:

Lopez’ toddler son had a very serious illness, and had to undergo a scary procedure. He pitched most of the year with that on his mind. I do not recall the details, but it could have been a fatal situation. 

IIRC, his son had cancer.  That's why he was gone as well as the reason he shaved his head last year, to support his son.

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