Pens at Thrash...It don't matta GDT

[Darkstone42]

I'm watching the Pirates game on GameCast in my lab. Ever since that extended outing for the bullpen on Friday, they can't throw strikes. The bullpen's walked 4 batters already and they're not even through 2 innings. In fact, they've only gotten three outs. Crotta came in and walked the only three batters he faced. He walked a run home, for crying out loud.

This team is so frustrating.

 

[Darkstone42]

To be fair, though, McCutchen was excellent in relief of Crotta. Pity Crotta was so bad and gave up the lead, and put the Bucs behind. Hopefully a bat other than Tabata's shows life in the last two innings.

 

[Darkstone42]

I see Letang's minutes are low, about pace for 15 minutes. Good.

And I hope TK hasn't priced himself out of Pittsburgh. He finally learned a little bit about how to play hockey.

 

[pixburgher66]

Super Duper is heating up. I like that!

 

[Darkstone42]

Dupuis remembered how to play hockey. Good timing.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm watching the Pirates game on GameCast in my lab. Ever since that extended outing for the bullpen on Friday, they can't throw strikes. The bullpen's walked 4 batters already and they're not even through 2 innings. In fact, they've only gotten three outs. Crotta came in and walked the only three batters he faced. He walked a run home, for crying out loud.

This team is so frustrating.

Gotta give Crotta a bit of a break being a rookie, but that was a pitiful inning. BB, SB, 1B, BB, BB. Ew. Krdo has to start making contact, but the pitching is losing this one so far.

 

[Darkstone42]

Gotta give Crotta a bit of a break being a rookie, but that was a pitiful inning. BB, SB, 1B, BB, BB. Ew. Krdo has to start making contact, but the pitching is losing this one so far.

I'm not concerned about Alvarez. He has a pretty consistent trend: suck at the start of the season, start heating up, mash for the rest of forever.

He'll start heating up at the end of April and he'll be mashing by mid June. That's how his numbers have looked every season at every level.

As for Crotta, I like him, but you've got to throw strikes, no matter how many or few years you've been in the league. You can't get guys out by working outside of the zone.

 

[Darkstone42]

Also, Joel Hanrahan is a man. I love his stuff and the aggressive, confident way he pitches.

 

[pixburgher66]

It's an eRUPPtion. Man is he playing great hockey.

 

[Darkstone42]

It doesn't seem to matter who's on the ice for this team. They just produce. It's incredible.

EDIT: And Godard with the assist, no less.

 

[Darkstone42]

Oh look, Letestu scored.

 

[pixburgher66]

Oh come on Atlanta. Don't toss garbage. Bad call, yes, but you're down 3 and basically the team may not even be in the city next year.

 

[pixburgher66]

Buccos got screwed on a lot of pitch calls today. 2 Ks in the bottom of the 9th had a lot of outside pitches.

 

[Darkstone42]

Buccos got screwed on a lot of pitch calls today. 2 Ks in the bottom of the 9th had a lot of outside pitches.

On the gamecast, it showed all of those pitches right on the corner, and Pearce even got a couple gifts there. But earlier in the game, Pirates pitchers were getting balls called on pitches they threw in the center box, so I don't know how accurate the gamecast is.

 

[pixburgher66]

Kane absolutely ran Letang in that period. Both arms up and about 4 seconds after the puck was passed.

 

[Darkstone42]

Letang's over 12 minutes. Too many. He should be at 10 right now.

He better only see the ice for 5 or fewer minutes in the third. I'd prefer 3 or fewer.

 

[pixburgher66]

On the gamecast, it showed all of those pitches right on the corner, and Pearce even got a couple gifts there. But earlier in the game, Pirates pitchers were getting balls called on pitches they threw in the center box, so I don't know how accurate the gamecast is.

It was during the Crotta meltdown that he had 3 straight balls that were in the box. They were breaking pitches though, but still...all three in the box.

 

[pixburgher66]

Letang's over 12 minutes. Too many. He should be at 10 right now.

He better only see the ice for 5 or fewer minutes in the third. I'd prefer 3 or fewer.

It's because of the PP minutes, don't worry. Haven't been "hard" minutes this period, other than him getting cheapshotted.

 

[Darkstone42]

It was during the Crotta meltdown that he had 3 straight balls that were in the box. They were breaking pitches though, but still...all three in the box.

I honestly don't mind it when umpires make bad ball and strike calls, because it's hard to judge, but you've got to be consistent with it, and in the Pearce at bat, for example, there were three pitches in the exact same location; the first one was called a ball and the next two were called strikes. That's not consistency, and it's unfair to the hitter to change your strike zone within an at bat.

 

[Darkstone42]

It's because of the PP minutes, don't worry. Haven't been "hard" minutes this period, other than him getting cheapshotted.

Then the Thrashers best not take any more penalties. =)