The Rays Bullpen: Don't Panic Yet
by Erik Hahmann on Apr 13, 2010 1:30 PM EDT
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PrintSo far in this young season it seems as though whenever the Rays do something well it automatically gets compared against the 2008 World Series year. Case in point, the walk off hit on opening day caused many to get nostalgic about the magic that was 2008. The comparisons aren't necessarily fair, but that's not going to stop people from making them. The biggest topic of comparison has seemingly been the bullpen. What was such a strength in '08 turned into a liability in '09. The pen obviously needs to be better in 2010 if the Rays are going to contend for anything of significance. That being said, there has been far too much criticism of the bullpen during these first seven games.
To calm a few nerves, lets look at some of the antics of the '08 pen through it's first 10 games:
April 2nd, 2008:The second game of the season saw Gary Glover, Dan Wheeler, Al Reyes and Scott Dohmann come into the game in relief of Matt Garza against Baltimore. Reyes would give up the lead in the 8th inning, taking the loss in the process. His final line: 0.2IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 0K
April 5th: Trevor Miller allows two runs in 0.2IP, but the Rays beat the Yankees 6-3
April 7th:Scott Dohmann and Gary Glover pitch in relief of Jason Hammel. Dohmann allows two runs in his one inning of work.
April 8th:In a game that is very similar to the one started last Thursday by Jeff Niemann when he lasted just 1.1IP, Matt Garza goes just 2.2 IP and is pulled from the game due to an injury concern. Again, Scott Dohmann andGary Glover rear their ugly heads, combining with Dan Wheeler, Al Reyes, and Troy Percival to finish out the contest. Dohmann worked 1.1IP andallowed one run while Glover was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs and two walks in 1.2 IP.
April 9th: J.P. Howell allows two earned runs in 1.2IP in a 7-1 loss to Seattle.
As you can see, that's not close to the best work the pen would turn during the season. In fact, many of those players involved didn't even last the whole season with the team. So what if players like Randy Choate, Mike Ekstrometc are struggling at the moment? It's likely that one or more of them will not be with the team for the duration of the season. The point that I'm trying to convey is you shouldn't react in a negative manner just yet, it's far too early. I grabbed an extremely small sample size from 2008, and that's exactly what we have so far this season. So loosen up, be positive, and enjoy watching one of the best teams in baseball.
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Gary Glover brings back bad memories
Please refrain from mentioning him again. I would also prefer to never hear about Shawn Camp, Casey Fossom, or Brian Stokes as all give me nightmares. Thank you in advance.
Early last year, we went into NYS and beat those goons up. Everyone was all, "TEXEIRA'S A BUST" and "A-ROD IS HURT" and blah blah
Clearly, April results are a tremendous forecaster.
JoBen and Peez will be here soon enough, lads.
I was there last night. Haven't been able to sit down today.
Is she actually out of town? Because if so, I think there’s a Sporters-sponsored pole dancing competition with your name written all over it.
You two ever been to Four Green Fields?
Seems like you guys would love that spot.
Who's that peaking through my window? POW. Nobody now.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Apr 13, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Negative, are you hitting on us?
WHAT’LL YA HAVE
I’LL HAVE A PINT
I’LL HAVE A PINT WITH YOU, SIR
AHHHH IF WANNA YOU DON’T ORDER QUICK WILL KICK YOU OUT THE BOOZER
It's a great place. You should check it out sometime.
Who's that peaking through my window? POW. Nobody now.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Apr 13, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
For the sake of being a Nazi
that quick 2 game series was in the first week of May.
And this was literally the last series the Yankees played before ARod returned.
by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 13, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
With no context this entry seems fitting
From Dohmans fanclub site-
Scott had a rough outing against his former team, giving up 4 runs and 4 hits to the Rockies.
Scott is scheduled to throw again Friday in Taiwan.
by CubFanRaysaddict on Apr 13, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair
The bullpen got jacked up due to Niemann’s injury. Stuff like that takes a few days to recover from.
2010 Rays Baseball: Shut up, Mr. Rosenthal. We're not giving up.
2009 FSU Football: Thanks for the memories, Bobby Bowden
I was about 10 feet away from our bullpen as they were warming up yesterday in the OF
Sonnanstine and Cormier are tiny….much skinnier in person than I’d thought. And Choate was just standing around the whole time doing nothing.
And oo, the memories from that early 2008 pen. I’d forgotten how Dohmann, Percy, Reyes, and Glover were all in that pen at once. Scary.
I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.
by Steve Slowinski on Apr 13, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions
Some rest will do them some good, I think.
A Garza-like performance from Niemann should get the pen rested up and ready to work again. Game 3 just put everything on a bad foot.
Lulz
Mike Snow on April 13th, 2010 12:08 pm
So if you expect to find confirmation bias, and when you look you discover a confirmation bias, is the confirmation bias real or is it a confirmation bias?
joemaddonsucks.com?
Leave me alone, I'm watching monsterjam.
by mrichardkent on Apr 13, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
so I guess S-Rod and Zobrist drew the start today
unless he is letting Reid play against a LHP….
I wanted a game with Briggy, Rodriguez and Zobrist
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Bartlett ss,
Rodriguez 2b,
Zobrist rf,
Longoria 3b,
Pena 1b,
Upton cf,
Aybar DH,
Navarro c,
Kapler lf,
Niemann p
lol they finally realize PTB sucks against lefties but CC should play
I want Aybar at DH, BenZo at RF, Briggy at 2B and I guess S-Rod at LF if CC has to be benched
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
for some reason
and your guess is as good as mine…Navi seems to be the starter
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Day game tomorrow
Shopp will play then, but I would have reversed them
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Also thanks for putting my guess on par with yours
I was feeling a little inadequate in the guess department
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no problem
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Aybar to 1b, Shop to DH, POW to the wankatorium
by PlayOnWords on Apr 13, 2010 4:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
eh even though neither has great defense
Not smart to start both catchers, if Navi gets hurt then Shopp goes to C and Niemann enters the lineup
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
He should learn C
I bet he could too
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Sonny is good
and Choate would be good if it was only lefties but Maddon lost his 2nd lefty
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Which brings me to a question
How serious is the RJ Swindle injury? Is he already back?
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
I still can't figure out for the life of me
why Maddon brought in Choate on Sunday to face Posada prior to Granderson.
It only made sense to bring in Choate to face Curtis, not to face a turned-around Posada prior to that.
by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 13, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
58% ground ball rate vs RHB, lowest home run rate vs RHB on the team
Wanted to pull Shields, but didn’t want to waste a pitcher for one batter prior to Choate/Grandy
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Since he's a lefty specialist
I’ll take a slighty dangerous assumption and say that’s probably in a very limited sample size.
by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 13, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Dangerous would be correct
he’s faced more righties than lefties in his career
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Yeah, but...
Those numbers are well and good, but the fact is he sucks against righties. I would much prefer Shields, who had just gotten Arod out 2 batters earlier, then Choate.
Based on what other than low strikeouts?
Outside of that, what are you basing this on? Choate’s opposing slash line for his career vs RHB is .276/.387(inflated for IBB)/.402. Cormier is .304/.363/.491. The Choate bashing is over the top.
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I saw him give up a homer WITH MY EYES
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Apr 13, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Sigh....people are going to make me a bigger Randy Choate fan than I really care to be
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I dunno, CC can hit lefties better than Pena
Why not Aybar at 1B, Rodriguez in LF, BenZo in RF, Brignac at 2B and um CC at DH (half day off)
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
BALFOUR SUCKS
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
when you score runs like the Yankees, not a big deal
God i’d love to have Johnson and Swisher
The Yankee bullpen
in April last year was pretty damn leaky. Cost them games even with their offense (and they averaged 5.5 runs per game even without ARod).
by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 13, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I figured 4
before the season began.
Then again, I have the Yanks, Sox, and Rays combining for 291 wins.
by FloridaownsFSU on Apr 13, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
3 games out and I think they take the WC
Would really have to step it up in the playoffs vs CC, AJ and Pettitte
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Yuppers
CC scares me, Burny and Petite not so much.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Apr 13, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Want Swisher in RF over Zobrist, 1B over Pena?
I would take Nick Johnson’s at DH over PTB though
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Brignac at 2B works for me
and Puffy is just off to a slow start, will be fine IMO
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
You've been following his career that long?
It’s dumb for anyone here to say they know what The Rod is going to do, outside of striking out and providing good defense all over the diamond, that is.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Apr 13, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Leslie Anderson has finally showed up
What level you think?
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
AA
Durham has a ton of 1B types already
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Apr 13, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
What
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Apr 13, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Wheres NEVIN ASHLEY
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Bloody hell.
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by Jamie DeVriend on Apr 13, 2010 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
My hopes for Navi and PtB are about the same...
When they play I don’t expect anything great just work the count, get a few singles and walk more then last year.
Well, Jaso has a great eye at least
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
He will prob get like 1 hit during his stay
but he will get some walks
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Maybe Jaso can hit the Orioles tomorrow
but will he ever play good D?
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
I would've paired him with Niemann
Since they’re going to be running on Niemann anyway
Vroom vroom party starter
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by Imperialism32 on Apr 13, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't want to see him blocking Niemann's curve
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Not like Navi is much better at blocking
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Apr 13, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Jaso is a lefty
Navarro hits lefties. I do think Jaso is pretty even-splitted
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
BTW, Brian Roberts is on the DL for the Orioles
/probably old
Vroom vroom party starter
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