Series Thread: A's @ M's - April 13 - April 15

[JMR]

I know I got into this debate on another thread but I don't care about the L/R. They are professionals, if they can't hit against a lefty releiver they shouldn't be an everyday starter. Just as lefty releivers who can't get righties out shouldn't be in the big leagues. Lefties get shafted on analytics since teams went with "specialists"

It's not that they "can't" but the point is to maximize the chance for success. It's why you bring lefty PH in against righty pitchers and v/v. There's a reason why every team does it this way.

 

[Duders]

Gonzo going up against Graveman tonight. Graveman is having a terrible start this season. He's 0-2 with a high ERA. Sure hope Seattle is not where he breaks out. Would just be our luck-which actually would not surprise me the way things have gone in the past for us. Gonna be fun to see how our offense stacks up once we get all our guys of the DL and back on board. The Ichiro thing just really bugs me. Why do we have to juggle things around just so we can keep him on the roster? Oh, I know, he is still bringing in the bucks. You just wait, when the fans have finally settled down and get over their nostalgic stuff, the FO will figure out something so they can then turn their efforts toward a winning team......is that even possible?

 

[wazzu31]

I am old school and I like the L/R lineup if all things are equal. There is nothing like having your final inning with 3 lefties due up and they bring their lefty specialist. You can say they should hit still, but stats show since the beginning of baseball that the lowest avg against is lefty on lefty.

I know the stats and all that, I just think throughout history numbers are skewed against the L/L matchup as left handed hitters don't have the great sample size righties do against righties. I'm not saying I'm correct, that is just my firm belief.

 

[MarinersBestFan]

Here is my Kyle Seager praise ... Kudos to him for bringing up the batting avg up to a respectable .262

He has put together a couple nice games in a row mashing the ball and getting knocks w/ RISP and showing some power. has also made a few nice plays the past week defesively and started more than just a couple nice 5-4-3 double plays to bail us out of a few jams.

The club needs him to perform at minimum career avg numbers for us to succeed. Anything better is just a bonus for us as fans - his stats as a player and the ball clubs chance at winning more games

I know the stats and all that, I just think throughout history numbers are skewed against the L/L matchup as left handed hitters don't have the great sample size righties do against righties. I'm not saying I'm correct, that is just my firm belief.

Some hitters are more drastically affected by the matchups and wrong matchups than others.

And some defy baseball logic by batting better against the same side pitcher over a long number of at bats or maybe an entire season.

If a pitcher has a wipe out slider like Chris Sale. Any lefty batter has a hard time keeping his front shoulder in and getting off a good hack at a breaking ball that started out at the ear hole in his helmet. That includes the greatest batters in the game. That is why the mgr plays the matchups

 

[JMR]

Seager has achieved his career numbers (.263 avg) despite typical slow starts. He may have ended up with a measly .249 last year, but I think he hit around .280 from mid-May on. The fact that he's "already" at .262 could set up a really good season at the plate for him. Of course, we are also early enough in the year that a couple bad games in a row can pull that avg right back down.

 

[Anointed One]

Gonzo going up against Graveman tonight. Graveman is having a terrible start this season. He's 0-2 with a high ERA. Sure hope Seattle is not where he breaks out. Would just be our luck-which actually would not surprise me the way things have gone in the past for us. Gonna be fun to see how our offense stacks up once we get all our guys of the DL and back on board. The Ichiro thing just really bugs me. Why do we have to juggle things around just so we can keep him on the roster? Oh, I know, he is still bringing in the bucks. You just wait, when the fans have finally settled down and get over their nostalgic stuff, the FO will figure out something so they can then turn their efforts toward a winning team......is that even possible?

On paper, this should be a high scoring game...

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[Tapey]

Holy shit does that 1-6 get me wet

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[Duders]

I'd sure like our starting line up a bit more if Heredia's name was in place of Ichiro's name. Lefty/Righty, imo, does not justify Ichiro's start.

 

[JMR]

I understand the rationale behind not having Gamel come up with lefty starters both tomorrow and Monday, but I'm bummed it's working out that way. He is that much better than our other LF options that I would rather just have him play if he's ready. At least Nellie back. I guess that will have to tide me over.

 

[Anointed One]

I'd sure like our starting line up a bit more if Heredia's name was in place of Ichiro's name. Lefty/Righty, imo, does not justify Ichiro's start.

Exactly, More Heredia please... Gotta have more Heredia...

I've got a fever... And the only prescription is, more Heredia...

 

[NWinAZ]

I'd sure like our starting line up a bit more if Heredia's name was in place of Ichiro's name. Lefty/Righty, imo, does not justify Ichiro's start.

Agreed. I like the L/R lineup ONLY IF all things are equal. Ichiro at this stage in his life is not equal to anyone else on our roster outside a catcher.

 

[NWinAZ]

Junis (KC) vs us 4/9: 1 hit shutout through 7 innings.

Junis tonight vs Angels: 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings with 3 home runs given up. Done.

 

[JMR]

Junis (KC) vs us 4/9: 1 hit shutout through 7 innings.

Junis tonight vs Angels: 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings with 3 home runs given up. Done.

Just the human aspect of the game. Felix held a potent Cleveland lineup scoreless on opening night and then got shelled the next time out by a much lesser offense. There will be examples of stuff like this all throughout the year for all sorts of different players.

 

[MarinersBestFan]

Junis (KC) vs us 4/9: 1 hit shutout through 7 innings.

Junis tonight vs Angels: 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings with 3 home runs given up. Done.

I just wish the Angels would cool off and start losing some games

Sooner or later they may start believing they are a pretty good ballclub and develop some swag

 

[Duders]

We had a good op to plate some runs on a struggling Graveman but couldn't get it together. Maybe after we bat through the line up--if Graveman is still around?

 

[Duders]

Gonzo is dealing tonight. Good to see his confidence out there on the hill.