GDT(2/3): New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays - Pineda vs. Dickey - 1:07 PM ET

[pickoff22]

Love Santos. So nasty.

[Gen.Disarray]

Lol Zaun "you hangy, they bangy"

[G-Snarls]

Awesome start from Dickey

 

All is not lost!!

[Dick_Pole]

So far after 6 games this team lives or dies on the starting pitching.

 

3 starts with no runs given up, 3 wins.

3 starts with brutal pitching, 3 losses.

 

Offense has been consistently mediocre in all 6 games.

 

I don't think anyone would have guessed that in the first week. The Jays overdue for a nice 10-8 win (or loss).

[Flamingweazel]

Lol Zaun "you hangy, they bangy"

 

Insert dirty comment about big chested women here.

[admin]

So far after 6 games this team lives or dies on the starting pitching.

 

3 starts with no runs given up, 3 wins.

3 starts with brutal pitching, 3 losses.

 

Offense has been consistently mediocre in all 6 games.

 

I don't think anyone would have guessed that in the first week. The Jays overdue for a nice 10-8 win (or loss).

 

That's the problem, same as last year, inconsistent and we don't know who will show up each day.

Mentally for players that's probably the worst feeling, not knowing if your good or bad pitcher shows up the day of the game.

[Dick_Pole]

Also I'm loving the run differential for this team right now. Maybe they can pull a 2012 Orioles and the regulars will rag the team the whole season on getting lucky.

[Flamingweazel]

If this team wants any chance to be in it this year, the Offense needs more from Rasmus, Lawrie, those 2 look lost at the late.

[Dick_Pole]

That's the problem, same as last year, inconsistent and we don't know who will show up each day.

Mentally for players that's probably the worst feeling, not knowing if your good or bad pitcher shows up the day of the game.

 

Well, at least it looks like the players will know by the third inning. I think most people aren't too upset with 3-3, 6 games against the two biggest thorns in the side for this team this century, 4 of them having been on the road. Let's hope for a W tomorrow!

[G-Snarls]

If this team wants any chance to be in it this year, the Offense needs more from Rasmus, Lawrie, those 2 look lost at the late.

 

Was just thinking the same

 

It's early though, cold starts but hopefully they come around

[G-Snarls]

Well, at least it looks like the players will know by the third inning. I think most people aren't too upset with 3-3, 6 games against the two biggest thorns in the side for this team this century, 4 of them having been on the road.

 

Good way of looking at it, you're right

[Doc]

Damn I never knew this Boras s*** went full blown an interview with lovely Hazel May.

[IBTrini]

I don't get how people can't understand that giving to most PA to your best hitter possible is ideal.

Not trying to find fault with this concept but what are you really basing this evaluation on? Is he the strongest/best player based on his ability to get on base and as such will be more effective as lead-off cuz others behind him (big hitters) will have a better opportunity to drive in more runs since he all be on base? Or, is he the strongest/best player based on his ability (big hitter) to drive in more runs with others on base before his turn at the plate? If so, having the 7th, 8th, and 9th hitters (weak players who will most probably never be walked and as such most probably never be on base when its his turn at the plate) coming before him every at-bat except the 1st inning seems inefficient. Or am I over-thinking this?

[Caper]

So far after 6 games this team lives or dies on the starting pitching.

 

3 starts with no runs given up, 3 wins.

3 starts with brutal pitching, 3 losses.

 

Offense has been consistently mediocre in all 6 games.

 

I don't think anyone would have guessed that in the first week. The Jays overdue for a nice 10-8 win (or loss).

 

 

f***... we are due for a laugher.

[jayswin11]

Need a big win tomorrow to keep the season alive.

[Jimcanuck]

If this team wants any chance to be in it this year, the Offense needs more from Rasmus, Lawrie, those 2 look lost at the late.

 

Not worried about those two at all. They are hitting the ball fine, the hits will come.

 

Its EE I'm worried about.... even during his slow start last year he was hitting the ball well but it seemed right at people. Not this time.... something doesn't look right with him

[Flamingweazel]

Not worried about those two at all. They are hitting the ball fine, the hits will come.

 

Its EE I'm worried about.... even during his slow start last year he was hitting the ball well but it seemed right at people. Not this time.... something doesn't look right with him

 

REally? He nearly hit a HR yesterday, had 2 hits and hit another one on the nose today, I am not sure about lawrie he has never looked good at the plate, seems he cannot turn on the ball very well.

[Jimcanuck]

REally? He nearly hit a HR yesterday, had 2 hits and hit another one on the nose today, I am not sure about lawrie he has never looked good at the plate, seems he cannot turn on the ball very well.

 

9 K's in 24 ABs for a guy that is supposed to be a tough K.... and he's gone into lengthy funks in the past

 

lets seen what happens

[IBTrini]

Overthinking really. Just best all around hitter coupled with best OBP. I'll have an article coming out sometime with further explanation, but the most important thing is volume, the difference between 1st and third is actually quite a difference in amount of PA. The difference is much larger than hitters before him mattering. Lineup spot actually matters more than the players in front too in terms of leverage situations. 3rd spot in the order always has the lowest leverage per plate appearance because it comes up with two out and none on the most out of any spot regardless of players. It just has to do with where the lineup starts.

Thanks for the civil response. I understand what you are getting at but I think it is being used in a strictly isolated perspective. Shouldn't your strongest/best big bopper be utilized to his best advantage (having others on base when he comes up)? If you have other high OBP players who are not as effective big hitters what's the reason for not moving that person to the lead-off? Since the lineup is not filled with big hitters it doesn't make sense to just slide him out of that effective position because you are then using your best big bat in a less effective position. OBP specialist (for want of a better phrase) are not normally suited for the big hits and are less effective in making big game-changing hits, that's more in the big hitters play-room. Anyway, I understand you have a different view so I will give your article a read when it comes out to see what else of value I can pick up. Thanks.

 

Edit: I got side-tracked before responding to all points. In my initial post I mentioned about Bautista coming up with weaker players before him every at bat after the first inning so he could very well be totally excluded from having others on base at the time of his at-bat. I also understand what you are saying about the 3 spot with 2-outs but that doesn't make sense cuz it should only happen in the 1st inning if the lead-off an second spot do not do their job in the first inning. It is hardly likely that neither of the 2 hitters before the #3 spot will not be on base after the first inning cuz that means they are not successful at what they are supposed to be achieving. Maybe I am not putting this down properly so I will leave it alone till I read your perspective on it in its entirety.

Edited April 5, 2014 by IBTrini
Did not finish my line of thinking

[BallsDeep]

If this team wants any chance to be in it this year, the Offense needs more from Rasmus, Lawrie, those 2 look lost at the late.

 

Its very very early, but yeah. Both streaky.

[Convo]

Its very very early, but yeah. Both streaky.

 

Any player can have a bad week. People should not even be passing judgement at this point. Stop looking at one week's worth of stats, means nothing.

[fireballW]

Rasmus can't really hit a baseball very well. Anyone who expects him to hit over .250 should give their heads a shake. Guys like Arencibia swing at everything and can't take a walk, but Colby just plain misses the baseball all the time. Even if it is right down the middle of the plate.

 

He's still a useful player, but last years average was a pretty big fluke. Plus the way he holds his arms out in his batting stance is ridiculous.

[Caper]

WHo is available out of the pen Sunday? It will be hard to win if Hutch can only go 5 or 6.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Yanks sucked a whole bunch of farts yesterday. Hopefully this can continue today.

[ElNik2013]

For whatever it's worth, I think the team has made 3 errors so far, 2 by pitchers and 1 by Bautista. Rasmus already threw out 2 at the dish, last year I think he only had 1 OF assist, could be wrong though, it's been known to happen.

 

Offense has struggled, but they've faced some really tough pitchers. On the other hand, that's part of what makes this division tough so they'll have to do better and I think they've missed some pitches and they can improve.

 

A win today would be nice.

[flafson]

Who do you guys think will play SS and 2B today? They have a lefty pitcher but at the same time all their lineup is full with lefties so you need good defense from 2B.

[Angrioter]

Melky CF

Lawrie 3B

Bautista RF

Encarnacion 1B

Navarro DH

Sierra LF

Kratz C

Izturis 2B

Diaz SS

 

Today lineup

 

Melky Cabrera CF

Maicer Izturis 2B

Jose Bautista RF

Edwin Encarnacion 1B

Dioner Navarro DH

Erik Kratz C

Brett Lawrie 3B

Moises Sierra LF

Jonathan Diaz SS

[G-Snarls]

Gibby really shaking things up

[o2cui2i]

Today lineup

 

Melky Cabrera CF

Maicer Izturis 2B

Jose Bautista RF

Edwin Encarnacion 1B

Dioner Navarro DH

Erik Kratz C

Brett Lawrie 3B

Moises Sierra LF

Jonathan Diaz SS

 

great to NOT see Goins going against CC.

 

I hope that Hutch can progress on the very good start he had Tuesday.

 

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS !!!

[o2cui2i]

For whatever it's worth, I think the team has made 3 errors so far, 2 by pitchers and 1 by Bautista. Rasmus already threw out 2 at the dish, last year I think he only had 1 OF assist, could be wrong though, it's been known to happen.

 

Offense has struggled, but they've faced some really tough pitchers. On the other hand, that's part of what makes this division tough so they'll have to do better and I think they've missed some pitches and they can improve.

 

A win today would be nice.

 

one at home and one at third I think, yes he had just 1 all last year.