# MLB: September **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 1, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714 "2013-09-01T05:33:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/101 "2013-09-13T01:47:15Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > So who is our ace? Liriano? Every other start he gets lit up. Pitches a 2 hit shutout one start and then gives up 11 run in 3 1/3 his next. Our bullpen is shaky (er than it was) now, and Grilli doesn’t seem to have his stuff. Locke imploded > > Our pitching needs either a rest or a foot in the ass. Other than that, Let’s Go Bucs! Fine questions. I would say Liriano is our ace for now. Certainly, he has pitched some major clunkers, but he does have 16 wins now, so he’s pitched well, too. I thought Locke was going to be the surprise find, and at the all-star break he looked great. Then something happened, and he has been less than average. He’s pitching against the Cubs tonight, and so far, he’s shut them down. Burnett implodes just about every outing, for at least one if not two innings. It’s amazing how bad he has been, and yet they still talk about him as if he is at the head of the rotation. Maybe he is, but I don’t see it. His record is terrible, and he gave up 5 runs to a Texas team that was all but dead for 5 innings. 1 hit. Then, before you know it, it is 6-5, and all of his runners came in. 5 earned runs in 2 innings. That’s not good! I think our bullpen is in good shape, since Melancon has stepped Ito the closer role very nicely. I don’t know if Grill will get his job back if he doesn’t stop giving up 1 or 2 runs in the 7th and 8th innings. I think Cole has had just as many good starts as Burnett has had since the All Star break. Maybe if we can get 5-6 innings out of the starters, we should go immediately to the bullpen. These guys are tired, but so is everyone else. This is their one chance to get into the post-season, so its time to suck it up! Lets go Bucs indeed! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/102 "2013-09-13T04:20:16Z")
I hope Liriano pitches every game against the Reds. We have lit him up each time. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/103 "2013-09-13T15:01:52Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > I leave Dre in center, he’s doing a more than credible job, and keep Kemp in left to save wear and tear on his wheels. However, I admit I pay next to no attention to contracts. Ethier has played a fine center field, without question. But Kemp’s got a solid glove, a VERY strong arm (stronger than Ethier’s), and covers a lot more ground than Ethier because of his glove, despite getting the occasional bad jump on a ball off the bat. And, as has been said, both Kemp and Crawford have weighty contracts, so I think Ethier, much as I like him, winds up being the obvious choice if someone’s gotta go. Speaking of the Dodgers, did you guys catch how fired up A-Gon was after hitting that walk-off last night? Think he’s ready for some post-season baseball? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/104 "2013-09-13T15:59:00Z")
We really do have an embarrassment of riches in the outfield right now. Hell, you could put Puig back in center, Dre in left, and Kemp in right. Remember, Kemp had his growing pains in center when he was starting, and I do think the Kid is trainable. God knows he’s fast enough and has a cannon. Magic # is 5! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/105 "2013-09-13T16:01:53Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > …and covers a lot more ground than Ethier because of his **glove** , despite getting the occasional bad jump on a ball off the bat. His glove??? Because, you know, he uses one of those enormous inflatable gloves out there. :smack: Speed, people. I meant speed. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/106 "2013-09-13T17:48:33Z")
The question is, how long is Hanley going to be nursing that hammy. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/107 "2013-09-13T18:02:38Z")
> [@Club\_33](#): > > The question is, how long is Hanley going to be nursing that hammy. Hopefully until the post season. Get him healthy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/108 "2013-09-13T21:41:22Z")
Let Kemp ride the bench, then trade his sorry ass. I don’t care how weighty his contract is, you play with the ones who brung you. His contribution to the Dodgers getting to the post-season has been non-existent, therefore he should sit them out. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/109 "2013-09-13T22:40:33Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Let Kemp ride the bench, then trade his sorry ass. I don’t care how weighty his contract is, you play with the ones who brung you. His contribution to the Dodgers getting to the post-season has been non-existent, therefore he should sit them out. That’s true. Unlike the magical beings on other teams, Kemp has done nothing while on the DL to win games. DAMN HIM. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/110 "2013-09-14T02:12:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Let Kemp ride the bench, then trade his sorry ass. Why on earth would you trade him when his value is lowest? That’s crazy. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/111 "2013-09-14T02:40:57Z")
Ah yes, Reds! Melt down against shitty teams when it matters most! Good job! Don’t look behind you, the Nationals are right fucking there! Dolts! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/112 "2013-09-14T04:29:00Z")
After going 1-3 against the Yankees over the last four days, the Orioles are fading from the hunt for the last wild card spot. They beat the Blue Jays tonight, helped out by a diabolical piece of fielding in right field by Moises Sierra, who managed to turn what should have been the third out of the inning into a two-run double that tied the game. Sierra looked like a combination of Manny Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano out there. Chris Davis picked up his 50th homer of the year, and became only the third person in MLB history with 50 homers and 40 doubles in a season. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/113 "2013-09-14T12:49:01Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Ah yes, Reds! Melt down against shitty teams when it matters most! Good job! Don’t look behind you, the Nationals are right fucking there! Dolts! I was thinking all like “Geez, Washington’s a mile behind” but holy moly, they’re just 4.5 out. That’s a pretty big gap still, but weren’t they ten behind? ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/114 "2013-09-14T17:39:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Let Kemp ride the bench, then trade his sorry ass. I don’t care how weighty his contract is, you play with the ones who brung you. His contribution to the Dodgers getting to the post-season has been non-existent, therefore he should sit them out. I would rather see Crawford go. He hasn’t exactly “brung us” either. Almost twice as many games as Kemp, same home run totals, and Crawford has no arm. And as a lead off hitter, he just isn’t getting it done, nor is he in the #2 spot. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/115 "2013-09-14T20:48:25Z")
Neither has any real trade value, and LA will have to pick up most of the contract with either one anyway. If there’s any hope they’ll be productive again, they might as well keep them. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/116 "2013-09-14T21:01:29Z")
Exactly, which is why Ethier is going to leave in the offseason. There isn’t really any way around it. He’s worth something and is cheap, they are really not. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/117 "2013-09-15T09:06:04Z")
In the words of the immortal Warren Zevon, “I don’t wanna talk about it”. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/118 "2013-09-15T11:17:35Z")
Well, now we know that Puig in center is a bad idea. I am also a bit sad that Nolasco has turned back into a pumpkin…but not that sad since this will probably keep him from being offered some kind of crazy 5 year contract. Just another record setting night in Los Angeles. No one has ever scored that many runs at Dodger Stadium.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/119 "2013-09-15T22:18:29Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I was thinking all like “Geez, Washington’s a mile behind” but holy moly, they’re just 4.5 out. That’s a pretty big gap still, but weren’t they ten behind? They’ve been on fire lately. I think Wilson Ramos coming back, and Suzuki going to Oakland, make the pitching staff entirely different. Party’s over, though. Tomorrow they host Atlanta (who have DC’s number this year) for a 3 game set, while Cincinnati goes to Houston. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714/120 "2013-09-16T00:17:52Z")
Mattingly is going to do his best to manage us out of the post-season. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september/667714.md?page=7)