Game 18 – To Swing or Not to Swing

Much better start from McGowan this time around. The strikeouts weren’t there, but he only had 2 jams. Both were of the same variety: leadoff single, then double setting up 2nd and 3rd none out, and both times McGowan managed to get the 1st guy w/o giving up a run and got the 2nd guy but with the run scoring.

Why don’t more pitchers catch infield pop ups? It is not like these guys can’t catch. Now, I realize part of it is b/c they have to get off the mound and you don’t want them stumbling but pitchers do it all the time to field bunts and cover 1st base and don’t have a problem. Granted w/a popup they have to look up and watch the ball so they can’t necessarily see the ground. My point is sometimes they almost seem afraid to call for a popup, but as happened in this game sometimes the pitcher is the one who should be calling it. Luckily for the Jays Eckstein managed to dive and catch it.

Ryan hasn’t been making his saves look easy, but he is getting the job done. At least his delivery looks ok and he doesn’t appear to be experiencing any unusual soreness after throwing. I just hope the Jays don’t try to rush getting him in back-to-back games.

I don’t have a problem w/certain players swinging 3-0, they just better hit it hard. Now there are some cases where you don’t want them swinging like if the pitcher has really been struggling with his control or one of your weaker hitters is up. But if one of your power bats is up there why not look for a pitch in a specific area and if the pitch is in that spot swing away, otherwise just leave it he still has to throw you 2 more. So even though Stairs got out today on a 3-0, I didn’t mind seeing him swing and he certainly hit the ball hard it just happened to be right at Guillen (at least within his jumping range).

On with the stats: Not a good day for the hitters trying to execute the advance.
NAdv: C. Thomas, Renteria, Inglett (2), Rios (5), Barajas (2)
P-NAdv: Bonderman 2, Rapada, McGowan 2 (6)
WG: Guillen, Eckstein (2), Scutaro (4)