MLB: August

[Asimovian]

@Jas09

Personally I think 120 is safe enough. Had Grienke had any particularly long innings? 90-something through 8 seems to imply he hadn’t. I think the latest research seems to point to the number of “max effort” pitches more than the overall number of pitches - although it still seems that any pitches over 135 or so are dangerous.

It’ll be interesting to see what Grienke looks like next time out.

I don’t recall him having any particularly strenuous innings other than the 9th. I think I’m just concerned about the kinds of freak injuries that occur in baseball, and would rather not have a key starting pitcher out there any longer than he needs to be during a potential playoff run. Probably overly conservative on my part.

In other news, Houston is on the verge of being the first team mathematically eliminated from a pennant race. Their E# is 1, and they’re playing the White Sox today, while Texas takes on Seattle. Meanwhile, their wildcard E# is only 4, so they are still quite likely to get bounced completely before August is over. Too bad — I was really hoping they’d manage to finish above the Angels, somehow.

[Asimovian]

In partial answer to my own question, here’s what Greinke and Mattingly had to say about last night:

@Yahoo! News article

Zack Greinke had been badgering manager Don Mattingly for a month to let him pitch deeper into games.

Mattingly finally obliged, even getting booed by Los Angeles Dodgers fans when he made a mound visit to Greinke late in the game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

‘‘Then I don’t do the job,’’ Greinke said after coming within one strike of his fifth career shutout in the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory that ended their two-game skid.

---

‘‘I knew he really wanted to stay in the game,’’ Mattingly said of Greinke. ‘‘I’m a little torn with it, honestly. I wanted to keep him at 115 (pitches, Greinke threw 122), but he’s earned the right to go for it.’’

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

@Jas09

Not a bad start to a critical run of NL Central games for the Cardinals. Reds, Pirates, Reds, Pirates over the next 12. I know there is no such thing as momentum in baseball (especially with Latos going tonight) but it’s good to win one late and ensure that no matter what the Reds will leave STL behind the Cards.

Remember about 4 or 5 threads ago when I mentioned how much I loved that the Reds decided to keep Chapman in the bullpen? So far this season he has pitched a total of 4 innings against the Cards.

God I hate losing to the Cardinals, especially like last night. Solid outing by Leake, Cards starter chased after five, decent lead…then the bullpen blows it apart and gives up a GS homer. Ugh that was BRUTAL! Gotta take the next two, Reds!

[Jas09]

@FoieGrasIsEvil

Gotta take the next two, Reds!

Maybe the next one?

[Happy_Lendervedder]

Justin Verlander continues to be the least reliable pitcher in the Tigers’ starting rotation.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

@Jas09

Maybe the next one?

With the way Bailey has pitched against the Cardinals, it’s not likely…

And I just read somewhere that the Reds have lost 25 of the last 29 series against the Cardinals. That’s…not good.

[Tom_Scud]

They’re due!

[Asimovian]

Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-0 this afternoon behind yet another strong effort from Ricky Nolasco. He’s looking like a great acquisition, and having four solid starters is a great way to head into the postseason if we get there.

Now if the Tribe can have a good comeback against the Braves today…

[Thudlow_Boink]

@MentalGuy

Apparently the Bob Castellini (the Reds owner) thinks Dusty is a good manager. A lot of casual fans think he is fine. But to almost all the more knowledgeable fans, the moves he makes during the game and his lineup construction just drives us nuts. Unlike FoieGras, I don’t mind him playing Cozart since I don’t think he has any other option and Cozart is a decent fielder, but he was having him bat second in the lineup for a good part of the season, which was just insanity. I bet Joey Votto has led off the inning more than any number 3 hitter in baseball. Of course, then Dusty gripes about him not having more RBI’s. I know there is more to being a manager than just making out the lineup and in game managing, but we should surely be able to find someone that could do things as well as Dusty.

Also, a Redleg Nation blogger pointed out the following quotes from Saturday’s Cincinnati Enquirer:

From Mike Matheny: “I take full responsibility. I think that’s one of the qualities of a very good team is when everybody’s looking at themselves first. Losing teams typically are quick to point out who isn’t doing it. For me, it’s not so much second guessing as it is an opportunity to learn. Every decision, was I prepared? Did I miss anything along the way that would have helped me make a better decision?”

From Dusty Baker: “You can reinforce them, but they’re making decisions on their own. Everyone wants to blame the staff or whatever it is, but sometimes you have to put the blame on the pupil.”

Also, Reds beat reporters seem afraid to ask him tough questions. If they did, he would likely just cut off their access, which would jeopardize their jobs. The only times any tough questions get asked is when there happens to be a nationally televised game, and you get the national press questioning him.

I was reminded of this post today when I ran across the following Dusty Baker quote in the write-up of last night’s game:

“We’ve just got to play better baseball,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “I’m really getting kind of tired of answering these questions every day for everything that happens and everybody. Sometimes a guy has to be held accountable for their actions. They’re all big boys. They’re all getting paid here. [The Cardinals] are beating us pretty good. We’ve got to change that.”

[Ulf_the_Unwashed]

@Jas09

Maybe the next one?

9-0 Reds in the 2nd–sure looks that way!

[Jas09]

Yup, the Reds jumped all over Wainwright (who looked as bad as I’ve ever seen him in person, even when he was hurt) and made it a laugher. Hot night in STL so I did something I very very rarely do - left early to beat traffic.

[Club_33]

@Asimovian

Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-0 this afternoon behind yet another strong effort from Ricky Nolasco. He’s looking like a great acquisition, and having four solid starters is a great way to head into the postseason if we get there.

How do you feel about the possible acquisition of Edinson Volquez, whom I assume would replace Capuano in the rotation? I’m a little puzzled considering the Padres just released him and his numbers weren’t impressive.

(Some bloggers are claiming the Dodgers have already signed him, but I’ve yet to hear an official confirmation.)

[NAF1138]

I don’t understand the Volquez signing at all. It’s almost free but he hasn’t been better that Capuano or Fife and it’s almost September when they can call up Fife and use him regularly. Seems like a move for the sake of making a move.

[etv78]

The Pirates have to play .101 ball the rest of the season to avoid a non-losing season. I think they can swing that.

[ElvisL1ves]

@NAF1138

I don’t understand the Volquez signing at all. It’s almost free but he hasn’t been better that Capuano or Fife and it’s almost September when they can call up Fife and use him regularly. Seems like a move for the sake of making a move.

Adding someone to the 40-man before September 1 makes him playoff-eligible.

[NAF1138]

@ElvisL1ves

Adding someone to the 40-man before September 1 makes him playoff-eligible.

Yeah, I suppose if they are worried about injury that makes sense, but their starting 4 have a collective ERA of about 2.5 this season. They should be alright if they are all healthy. Hey, free is free and you can’t have too much pitching, it’s just weird.

[silenus]

The Dodgers have always been prone to self-destruct due to injuries. This is just a cheap way of acquiring a spare.

Asimovian, I must take you to task for one of your previous statements. You said * I’d rather see him come out with the 90-some-odd pitches he’d thrown through eight, and let someone like Marmol, Wilson or League (people who need the work) finish the game out.* I fail to see how League could have gotten work at Dodger Stadium. They already have a full staff of janitors and food-service people.

[Truman_Burbank]

@NAF1138

I don’t understand the Volquez signing at all. It’s almost free but he hasn’t been better that Capuano or Fife and it’s almost September when they can call up Fife and use him regularly. Seems like a move for the sake of making a move.

I understand Fife’s shoulder is still bothering him, so he may not be ready until Spring training. I understand Volquez is sound physically, his problems are mechanical - mostly getting into games and overthrowing. If we don’t overspend too much I think it might be a good move, Honeycutt seems to be a really good pitching coach who might turn it around for Volquez.
You could, of course, make the argument that the Dodgers don’t have much to gain by fretting about their #5 spot, in the postseason it will be a non-issue, and frankly I’m getting pretty comfortable with idea that AZ isn’t gonna catch us this year. I think Nolasco is our #3 starter at this point, what a great game he threw last night. Can’t wait to see what Ryu does next…

[Asimovian]

@Truman_Burbank

You could, of course, make the argument that the Dodgers don’t have much to gain by fretting about their #5 spot, in the postseason it will be a non-issue, and frankly I’m getting pretty comfortable with idea that AZ isn’t gonna catch us this year. I think Nolasco is our #3 starter at this point, what a great game he threw last night. Can’t wait to see what Ryu does next…

I’m going to agree that the #5 spot shouldn’t be an issue, but I certainly don’t mind having cheap insurance. On the other hand, I’d much rather see Fife fill that role. Volquez’s limited playoff experience doesn’t make me think he’d have any particular edge there.

@silenus

Asimovian, I must take you to task for one of your previous statements. You said * I’d rather see him come out with the 90-some-odd pitches he’d thrown through eight, and let someone like Marmol, Wilson or League (people who need the work) finish the game out.* I fail to see how League could have gotten work at Dodger Stadium. They already have a full staff of janitors and food-service people.

I’m not exactly League’s biggest fan, either. But given that I sat through Broxton’s implosion in 2008 and 2009, I just can’t get worked up about anyone else. If League is largely relegated to a mop-up role or eating an inning or two when we’ve got a big lead, I’m not going to sweat it. We’ve got the right guys in place for crunch time.

[BetsQ]

@Jas09

Yup, the Reds jumped all over Wainwright (who looked as bad as I’ve ever seen him in person, even when he was hurt) and made it a laugher. Hot night in STL so I did something I very very rarely do - left early to beat traffic.

That was awful. I was in a terrible mood already and was hoping that listening to the game would cheer me up. Instead, I got Rick Ankiel flashbacks.