Open Thread

We are facing two minor-league callups the first two days, according to Bucs Dugout referencing a story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

FRIDAY: Scott Kazmir vs. Jimmy Barthmaier (James Barthmaier on B-R.com)
Barthmaier was terrible the past two years in AA, and was part of the Shawn Chacon trade this past offseason. It seems he’s doing better with a promotion to AAA this year. In 5 starts, he’s put up pretty decent numbers, with an 0.92 WHIP and a 29/6 K/BB ratio. He has given up 2 HR. Will we see AA Jimmy, or AAA Jimmy? Will it even matter, with Scott Kazmir on the mound?

SATURDAY: Edwin Jackson vs. Ty Taubenheim
Taubenheim’s numbers in AAA aren’t quite as nice, but he’s been in Indy all year, and his numbers are half-way decent. He has a 4.6 ERA and has given up 8 HR in 16 starts, but his WHIP is 1.3, and his K/BB is 61/32. This may be a tough match-up for Edwin Jackson.

SUNDAY: Andy Sonnanstine vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Gorzelanny sucks. He has the mark-of-the-beast numbers (6-6, 6.43 ERA). He has a lopsided K/BB ratio (.745). His WHIP is pushing 2. If our hitters decide to be patient, this will be a very bad day for the Buccos.

4-5 4.04 ERA between AA and AAA. 78 IP, 65 hits, 35 ER, 5 HR, 27 BB, 69 K’s, .226 OppBA. He has a 1.65 G/F ratio.

Astros let him go after an awful 2007 due to some nerve irritation in his elbow and an even worse time in the AFL. At one point, he was their top pitching prospect, but that isn’t saying much because the Astros farm system is as barren as a cornfield in Ethiopia.. My fear is he has a repertoire similar to Ricky Nolasco’s and we all saw how he dominated us a couple weeks ago.

It should play to our advantage that POS Park is the most pitcher-friendly park in MLB since the Trop is #2. Should be some nail-biters as it will most likely take some small-ball to bang out 3 wins. We should win this series, but I felt the same way about the Astros.

i was amazed by the stat last week that of the 71 games we have played 60 had been against teams above .500. next closest team was Mariners with 50 games, and they have been getting killed. we finally get a chance against some of cellar teams before the break with the Red Sux in between. a chance at 50+ wins before the break, amazing. not many thought this would happen this soon. i cant believe st. pete wont build the stadium.

He’ll start serving on Saturday. Coco had his reduced by two games to five. What a crock of shit.

Where I can get the picture of Raymond where he appears to be giving the finger to the camera (or pointing at his crotch). I’ve seen people post it on this site, and was looking to use it in a photoshop creation for next week’s Boston series.

Garza’s starts:

W/Navarro 10 starts .259 BAA, .329 Opponents OBP, .731 Opponents OPS

W/Riggans 4 starts .157 BAA, .227 Opponents OBP, .474 Opponents OPS

Wont miss games until tomorrow. If he does start it tonight, I’d prefer Aybar to hit down in the order as he has been pretty useless as a LH batter. Bring Navi up to the 2 hole to hit behind Upton and put on a lot of hit and runs.

Matt Garza’s flirtation with a no-hitter came almost exactly four years to the day of Dewon Brazelton’s near no-hitter (June 25, 2004), both against the Florida Marlins. Brazelton gave up a ground-rule double to Mike Lowell with 2 outs in the 8th inning before leaving the game after 125 pitches and leg cramps. AJ Burnett took the CG loss for the defending World Series champs.

Garza was dominating, striking out 10 batters and walking only one for the CG while Brazelton as always struggled with control: 5 K, 6 BB, 1 HBP.

The only player to play in both games: Carl Crawford

Mark Hendrickson and Trever Miller were the only other players on either roster at both games. Hendrickson, a member of the 2004 D’Rays starting rotation, would start the game following Brazelton’s outing, going 4 innings and allowing 4 runs in a 6-4 D’Rays win. The win put the D’Rays one game above .500. At the time, it was the latest in the season the D’Rays had ever carried a winning record.

did either get their suspensions cut down at all?

pirate announcers are putting me to sleep

And in HD, no less.

Unless you have Bright House Orlando. ;)