What happened to Betances? Last year, nobody could hit him.. now it looks like he's turned back into the pitcher he was in the minors with poor control.
Very impressed with the bottom of the order there. If we can at least have a decent 7-8-9, this team is going to wear down a lot of pitchers..
Only real negative in tonight's game was the high strikeouts (12).. but that Yanks bullpen can be quite nasty. It's the main reason Girardi's kept his team above water. We'll see what happens Wednesday vs. Pineda.
And what's your bet Tanaka is eventually going to need TJS? He looked off today..
Drabek's line:
1.1IP, 6H, 2ER, 1K, 1 HR(Rios). Expect him to be DFAd once the White Sox get Sale and/or Petricka back. Drabek shouldn't be pitching on any MLB club, and I think AA knew it when Hynes, Castro and Osuna made the team over him.
Actually, looking at it again.. apparently most of the major ESPN people in the MLB broadcasts are not convinced with the Red Sox. Most pick the O's and/or Jays out of the East. And BTW, Olney's an idiot.. why is he picking the Yankees for a wild card?
http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview15/story/_/id/12588378/expert-team-predictions-2015-mlb-season
AL East
Red Sox (36 picks), O's (30), Jays (17)
Note to ESPN: enough with the Red Sox hype! We went through this last year.. and they finished last in the AL East. More likely it's either the Jays or Orioles out of the East.. I have huge doubts about the offense being as strong as hyped, plus the rotation and bullpen look weak.. and of course, their manager is one of the worst in the AL East (we have no clue on Kevin Cash, as he is a rookie), especially when Showalter and Girardi are far superior to him.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/fantasy-baseball-today/25134565/mlb-divisional-and-playoff-predictions
Most pick the O's to win the East..but I am so sick of media types kissing the Sox's butt. With that pitching staff, I can see Boston being a huge disappointment, especially if their overhyped offense disappoints like last season.
Favorable for the Jays, but it's such a crapshoot for the AL East this season:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/mlb-predictions-2015--standings--playoffs--awards-and-more-043325435.html
With Vazquez out for the year due to a likely Tommy John surgery, Boston no longer has the chips for Hamels, as Philly wants Swihart in any deal, and Swihart will likely be the starter by May or June(if not Opening Day). Its likely Hamels ends up in Texas or San Diego. So basically, they`ll sink or swim with their current staff and hope their prospects pan out and are not repeats of their 2014 callups who started(Webster, De La Rosa, Ranaudo).
And no true backup infielder. Holt is not the answer.. he was a below average defensive infielder at 2B and 3B last year by defensive metrics, and is lacking in range. If injury hits in the INF, the Sox are going to be in trouble. The team needs to trade one of their excess OFs..
They'll have Betts getting on base.. but unless Pedroia and Ortiz are healthy and producing, it won't matter. And I don't feel that good about HanRam(health) and Sandoval(declining numbers every year since 2011).. Napoli is showing some age too, and unless Victorino is dealt, Castillo will be in AAA. And they need a real backup infielder on that roster.. Holt isn't going to cut it.
But, keep in mind these numbers are projections. There's no taking into account regression, injury, etc. BTW, Vazquez may not be ready for Opening Day. And they really need him.. who knows what Swihart will give them defensively and with pitch framing? And it's more likely Spring or Quintero get called up if Vazquez goes on the DL, as Swihart needs AAA seasoning.
Bad Buchholz showed up against the Braves:
5.0+ IP, 12H, 4ER, 1BB, 6Ks.. I know he might be working on something, but that is not a good line, especially against a bad Braves team, especially one of backups and AAA bats..
JP Arencibia:
2-17, 7Ks, 4 passed balls! And with Wieters not expected to be ready, the O's are scrambling for a backup catcher..
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-spring-training-0324-20150323-story.html#page=1