Breeding Grounds

by Jason Collette on Apr 10, 2011 10:19 PM EDT

No, Elijah Dukes, this article is not for you so please go away. I am talking about breeding grounds for success.

Has anyone else noticed how the pitchers that have dominated the Rays so far have done their next time around? Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Tillman, and Zach Britton came in and pitched wonderfully against the Rays opening weekend despite the fact most called them bums and unknowns. This week, Tillman got the Tigers while the other two drew the red-hot Texas Rangers:

Tillman: 4.2 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 BB, 4 Ks on 97 pitches
Guthrie: 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Britton: 7.2 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 3 BB, 2 Ks

Tillman was ineffective but was also not himself in this content as there were reports of his velocity being under 90 for the entire start which was different from the guy the Rays saw on Saturday night. However, Guthrie and Britton were incredibly effective against a Rangers lineup that treated the Red Sox like a pinball machine opening weekend. Admittedly, the Rangers are a different team on the road, but Guthrie, coming off a stay in the hospital, was very effective today and Britton once again impressed.

The only other pitcher to have a second start after facing the Rays this season is Jered Weaver and all he did today was strike out 15 Blue Jays in 7 innings while holding them to a very Rays-like 1 run on four hits. The Rays are no doubt struggling but this is not all on the hitters, Derek Shelton, or the luck dragons. They've faced one "bum" but for the most part, have faced some very good major league stuff from guys like the aforementioned Orioles, Weaver, Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson, and the underrated Gavin Floyd today.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Cy Humber

love it love it love it
i hate one person more than Pap smear—his name is bin laden
by sternfan1 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT

by SRQman on Apr 10, 2011 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

More like Cy Floyd

8 innings on 96 pitches.

@dobbertweets

by blackraven on Apr 10, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Floyd is a damn good pitcher

Doing an article on him for BP on Tuesday and his maturation as a pitcher. He’s doing a lot of things right these days and has cured his gopheritis and problems with baserunners — stuff Niemann still struggles with.

by Jason Collette on Apr 10, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Niemann who gets a free pass

keysmickey Apr 10, 2011 7:04 PM
Take a hike Niemann. You’re not grounded in reality.

DieselRays2410 Apr 10, 2011 7:46 PM
How bout future trade bait? I can’t see him being much better

araysfan001 Apr 10, 2011 7:50 PM
Gee, let’s recap:

Three innings…

5 hits.

5 runs.

Jeff “felt great”.

The other team felt great having you out there, too, Jeff. In fact they probably are pissed that you left early, too.

I now know the problem with this team. At least one of their starting pitchers is delusional.

BradL Apr 10, 2011 7:02 PM
Jeff, you’re starting to sound like James Shields! That’s what happens when you get lit the ●●●● up early in you 2nd straight start. I’m a huge Niemann fan, but pulling him in this case was warranted. Plus, Sonnanstine probably did better than Jeff would have.

love it love it love it
i hate one person more than Pap smear—his name is bin laden
by sternfan1 on Aug 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT

by SRQman on Apr 10, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks for proving my point in the last one

west siiiiyeeed

by Jason Collette on Apr 11, 2011 6:51 AM EDT up reply actions

It seems like your point has morphed into "People are not allowed to make fun of James Shields regardless of their stance on Niemann"

The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "rape trial program substances"

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Apr 11, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

They can do as they please

I’m just amazed at how quickly people turn on Shields after a great run from 07-09 yet Neimann continues to go out there and get his head bashed in and the catcalls are barely audible.

by Jason Collette on Apr 11, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

It's because Niemann goes fishing and sounds southern.

Shields, on the other hand, is clearly a carpetbagger.

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Apr 11, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Niemann's ERA was a point lower then Shields last year

That’s what most fans look at to judge a pitcher.

It’s always has been and always will be a what have you done for me lately league and Shields hasn’t been very good lately.

Also Shields is seen as a face of the franchise a “big name” guy. Expectations are higher for him, fair or not

I'm an F18, Bro

by Sveet on Apr 11, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

His first start was outstanding

He is what he’s always been, generally very good at home, and a mess on the road.
Career Splits
Home 3.59 ERA, .98 HR/9, .255/.297/.406 against, 3.54 FIP, .311 wOBA
Road 5.04 ERA, 1.53 HR/9, .286/.332/.487 against, 4.65 FIP, .387 wOBA

Let’s stop acting surprised when Shields gets rocked on the road by a powerful lineup playing in a great hitters park. I’d expect more of the same against Boston coming up here, and then he’ll magically look great again next time he’s at home. Whether it’s a routine or a park effect thing is difficult to say, but Jamie is going to continue to look two-faced until he can figure it out.

@SandyKazmir Die or Ride, You Decide

by Sandy Kazmir on Apr 11, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions