Wade Davis Dominates Detroit In Major League Debut; 7 IP, 9 K's
by Tommy Rancel on Sep 6, 2009 4:45 PM EDT
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PrintAt this point of the season the results of the game do not to matter. We're not catching Boston (or Texas for that matter). Joe Maddon's bullpen usage makes no sense. No lead is safe and it's gone from bad to worse very quickly. With that being said, here's the more important part of today's game.
As a Wade Davis fan, I've waited for his debut for quite sometime now. While Davis is just now making his way to the Majors he's been on the lips and minds of Rays fans for a few seasons now. His name, more than any other Rays prospect, has come up in multiple trade rumors as well as thoughts of the future. I tried to keep my expectations of his first start low and very cliche. Just keep it simple. Eat up some innings. Keep your team in the game. Well today Wade Davis did all that and then some. Wade Da 5'8 threw 104 pitches in seven innings of one run ball allowing just three hits, one walk while striking out nine and earning his first Major League win. Welcome to the bigs Wade Davis, signed your bullpen.
We've heard ad nauseum about what a competitior Davis is and how much mound presence he has. While all cliche, it was very true today as Davis did not show any signs that he was a pitcher making his Major League debut. He struckout six of the first seven batters he faced and made just one mistake all day; a solo home run to Aubrey Huff. After striking out the side in the first two innings, Davis decided to actually use his fielders and that worked also. In addition to his nine strikeouts, he induced four groundballs and eight flyballs, several of which were infield flies.
Stuff wise, we've heard about Davis's low to mid 90s fastball as well as his curveball. We saw both today and both got results. Davis threw 71 fastballs today with 48 of them going for strikes. The gun on Fox Sports had Davis anywhere between 89 and 95 mph on the day. According to pitch F/X, he averaged 92 mph on the heater and maxed out at 94.4. He had nearly 15 miles per hour of separation between the fastball and his hammer curve which was thrown 13 times. He threw his slider nine times and threw more of a show me change up, which is just fine. We always mention that swinging strikes are a good indicator of how well a pitcher's stuff was on a given day and Wade got 12 swinging strikes; very good.
Here is a visual of the different pitches
If it wasn't the best debut for a Rays pitcher ever, it certainly ranks among the best. Going forward, I expect to see some bumps along the road from Davis, however, if today was any indication of what we're going to get...oh my; Mid 90's heater, plus curveball, nice slider and a good enough change up to keep hitters honest. And did I mention good control off all four? A few days ago I asked if Wade Davis was ready for the Rays rotation. Davis seemed to answer that question today and raise the question, is the American League ready for Wade Davis?
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and thats with 2 starters going at least 7, can't recall how long Shields lasted
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Price pitched 5.1
Meaning that the SP pitched 37 of the 54 Innings, that means the average reliever got about.5 outs an appearance
I didn't claim overuse, though Howell has been taxed with all the innings last year, the postseason, and the WBC
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i can't use that as an excuse--and i sure hope Maddon doesn't
he’s been a SP all his career
You don't use any excuses ever
Fact is JP was absolutely dominant this year after being great last year. Then he fell off a cliff late. How do you explain it?
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Location, location, location
when you throw mid 80’s you need to get ahead and locate, he hasn’t doone either
Guys like him are too flukey for me—i want guys with stuff
Whatever
He’s had great command for the past two years. He also has avoided longballs until this stretch. This is a poor argument
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1st of all its 7 in 62.7
What about the 2 in 47.1 before this awful stretch beginning in August? or the .6 per 9 innings in 2008
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i need to chill a while--take care RJ
did i say chill—ouch
He has stuff.
He has one of the lowest contact rates in the majors. You can claim the degree of those rates is a fluke, but not that he’s incapable of producing whiffs.
by R.J. Anderson on Sep 6, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I belive he is requesting stuff built on power pitches
as opposed to junk balls. Not saying that I agree with that, but just clarifying.
Any correlation to him (and/or Sonny) being hit harder in "off" appearances since they don't throw as hard.
Grasping at straws I guess
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Cormier is our freshest arm and was pitching very well.
Its time to get back to the basics and do away with some of Madon’s excessive bullpen toys
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Absolutely
Choate has been a complete flop, yet he keeps trying to match-up
Today's theme: Abfsgscggfsxcyftsxcsyrc yw!!!!
2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
Be a TRUE Seminole: http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aab.html
To Grant and JP
it’s tough to walka Tiger
http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&lg=al&stats=bat&type=0&season=2009&month=0
Bravo to Wade Davis
Hope he tells Maddon and the pen to go screw themselves
I hope not.
I’d rather not see him go the way of Delmon.
by R.J. Anderson on Sep 6, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I would've expected you to have lowered expecations at this point more than anyone.
I’m not happy we lost, but I’m not going to lie when I say the results don’t matter to me a ton anymore.
by R.J. Anderson on Sep 6, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
If the starter wasn't lights out I would agree
While wins are a meaningless stat when evaluating the quality of a pitcher, I’m sure Wade would have appreciated a W for that performance.
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The W would be nice, I'm sure.
But he has absolutely no reason to feel anything less than god-like right now.
by R.J. Anderson on Sep 6, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure he feels great about his performance, and annoyed he didn't get the W
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my prediction this morning?
i had him going 6 giving up 2—so yea with him i’m happy
I absolutely HATE Grant Balfour
Your prediction wasn't far off
Davis 6 IP 2 R 4 H 4 BB 6 K
Leaves with a 4-2 lead and then the fun begins
by sternfan1 on Sep 6, 2009 11:12 PM EDT
I wish I were in control of FG hires.
That would mean I’d be banking.
by R.J. Anderson on Sep 6, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
and red sox just won
www.draysbay.com
by Tommy Rancel on Sep 6, 2009 5:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Can there be negative %?
2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
Be a TRUE Seminole: http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aab.html
by JMB on Sep 6, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Maddon's theory of getting on the horse that threw you (Balfour and Howell)
needs to end
This team needs a win to feel good again
Don't worry guys, Davis hasn't been around the Hickster long enough yet
Hickey will whip him into shape soon enough.
If hickey is still in the org next season I will be most unhappy
maddon deserves another year. His moves have been odd lately, but Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I agree
Outiside of the bizarro Ring of Fire Maddon, he has largely been good. He seems to be pressing. Outside of a strong history of pitcher health, there are few positives under the Hickster as has been pointed out numerous times.
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This is one of the LOLest rotoworld summaries I've seen
Wade Davis was denied a victory after yielding just one run in seven innings and striking out nine Tigers in his major league debut Sunday.
Davis left with a two-run lead, but manager Joe Maddon opted to keep trying different relievers until he found one who could blow it. Lance Cormier pitched a scoreless eighth and then struck out Carlos Guillen to start the ninth, but he was pulled after 17 pitches. Grant Balfour took over, walked Miguel Cabrera and was pulled. J.P. Howell came in, walked pinch-hitter Marcus Thames and was pulled. That left Russ Springer, and it was finally mission accomplished. He allowed a single, a grand slam and a triple before being removed, and the Rays ended up losing 5-3. Davis will surely stick in the rotation after this, and he needs to be owned in every AL-only league.
by Transplanted on Sep 6, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
HAHAHA...hahaha...;_;
2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
Be a TRUE Seminole: http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aab.html
by JMB on Sep 6, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
'08 Balfour deserved a raise. '09 Balfour deserves a nut-punch
2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
Be a TRUE Seminole: http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aab.html
by JMB on Sep 6, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe he's actually arb 3
an FA after next year. Still likely for a raise, perhaps well upwards of 2 MM.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Sep 6, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not saying it's deserved, just the system
Any chance the Rays non-tender him? I’d expect he’d do fine anyway. Lots of teams want a live arm like that, and won’t forget 2008.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Sep 6, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Rays offer arb
2 mil isn’t that much. We payed Nelson and Should combined more than that.
I think you pay him.
This year is a bit of an aberration; just as last year was. His true talent lies somewhere in-between. I think it’s a little bit difficult to find a high-velocity fastball reliever who is any good, and is probably worth the $2M. Teams fall in love with guys like him so hard that they pay ridiculous money to sign guys like Balfour. This is always why there are so many dirt-cheap ‘junkballers’ on the market despite the fact that a good number of them are pretty good.
I view a high-velocity strikeout specialist in the same way as I do an expensive LOOGY, and that’s what Balfour is. You need a guy who can give you a K when you need it. More often then not, Balf was that guy last year. He really hasn’t been that guy this year but I’d rather have him then someone like Winston Abreu, who we know that when he finally does figure it out, it’ll probably be for one year only, then he’ll lose it again. Otherwise, he’d be in the majors by now.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
I agree with R.J. and Tommy that wins and losses aren't a big deal anymmore
Nevertheless, “fucktarded” is the word that keeps coming up when I try to describe the way Maddon uses his bullpen late in games. “Inane” is another one that keeps connecting. I don’t know, I’m brainstorming. Maybe there are other words.
You know how the President signs bills with a different pen for each letter so they can be used as souvenirs? I feel like Maddon may write like this all the time, depending on the grain at one end of the paper or the other, or maybe the lighting in the room, etc. He just likes the way one ballpoint pen matches up with the paper for each particular letter.
But as stated above, who cares anymore anyway? Davis pitched well so that’s encouraging.
He uses a dartboard
Duh
2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
Be a TRUE Seminole: http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aab.html
by JMB on Sep 6, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Davis
First time I’ve seen him pitch, and one outing doesn’t necessarily mean 9Ks every time, but WOW!
I just had to laugh when the grand slam was hit. It was so predictable. Funny and sad at the same time.
Gary Williams for President!
Put Rose in the Hall of Fame
It's almost like 2007 just with better pitchers.
Sad, but at the same time it’s not really the true talent level of some like J.P.
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by Tommy Rancel on Sep 6, 2009 6:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
JP and the BP
I really like JP, and have faith he will be very good again, but I would like to see some of the other retreds in the BP gone next year. I know they have a budget, but maybe they need to look at bringing up some young arms sooner, rather than sticking with Shouse, or Springer.
It is hard to tell why the BP has dropped off so badly. Could be Hicky, could be Maddon’s timing, could be bad mojo. I’m sure they would do something about it if they knew. I am a firm believer in mechanics, and wonder if JP’s delivery has changed at all. If you are pressing sometimes a pitcher will overthrow, and a batter will alter their swing. Hopefully, they are looking into that possibility.
Gary Williams for President!
Put Rose in the Hall of Fame
It just sucks that this poor managing has taken place over the past month
If we’ve had the wins that we should have gotten before maddon lost his mind then we’d be in the thick of it playing meaningful baseball. Instead our games matter less than the 05 drays. At least back in those days losing meant a great draft pick. Speaking of which at least this giant fail of lately is gonna improve our draft slot.
Can we get robots for umpires and a computer to make in game strategy decisions? I'm sick of inconsistently bad umpiring and Joe's pitiful in game management. Oh and Navi (and BJ) need some PED's. BenZo, Bartlett, and Pena do not.
by matthan on Sep 6, 2009 7:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Since we got the kaz
salary off our books, screw this. Let’s go sign some relievers- some hard throwing righties or lefties.
WHOO, LUKE! LUKE! LUKE!
ALSO! NOW THE HEAD OF THE PUFFY-ROD BANDWAGON.
so good news, I started Davis on my fantasy team today
bad news I really needed a win.
so Fuck you Joe. My theory of AF telling Joe to use his pen more after the Niemann/Balfour debacle in Detroit a week ago and Joe telling AF to fuck himself is looking better and better as Joe seems more and more determined to use as many bullpen arms as possible per game.
Jennings, Hellickson, Davis, Brignac, Beckham, Moore > Your top 3
We would have to suck hard for the rest of the season....
Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz
we will prolly destroy the good teams on our schedule
Boston, NYY, Texas and blow games against Baltimore and end up losing the WC by 2 games
Jennings, Hellickson, Davis, Brignac, Beckham, Moore > Your top 3
unlike Papa Joe
I try to do my best
Jennings, Hellickson, Davis, Brignac, Beckham, Moore > Your top 3
The two things that pissed me off the most about this game:
- - Rays good starter syndrome
- - Who got the win. Granted, I’m suprised that nobody here posted anything yet (after posting this, anybody who makes any mention of this = instaban), but I fully expect the heater to be lit up with comments about revenge and told-you-so’s and whatever other whatnot nonsense those retards can imagine up.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
The opposing starting pitcher had 0 to do with the outcome of the game
Whether he left in the 7th, 3rd, or pitched a CG, he was completely irrelevant in the way the game broke down. If you bullpen continuously melts downs, especially in the 9th, then the opposing SP was not your issue. Besides, that could’ve been a larger inning when the Bases were loaded with 0 outs, but a bad break went our way again. Still had done enough to win.
by Transplanted on Sep 7, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Davis' mechanics
His pitching delivery is so smooth, which should bode well for consistent control, and arm durability. I know some on DRB have scoffed at some of my mechanics posts, but IMO smooth, easy to repeat mechanics are a big factor in consistent outcomes. If a guy has a strange delivery, or a lot of odd moving parts at bat or pitching, it may be hard to replicate for an entire year, or if his emotions get the better of them during the game it could affect his concentration on all the moving parts. Longo has beautifully easy to replicate mechanics at bat. Although he has had his rough patches this year he will likely be a very consistent big bat in the future, whereas Upton’s timing mechanism has to be right on all the time for him to be consistent. He certainly could be fantastic throughout his career, but he will have to make sure that his toe tap is properly executed each time every day for the whole season.
Gary Williams for President!
Put Rose in the Hall of Fame
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