Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
September 20, 2004
What Did I Miss?

I'm back from my bicycle tour of Cape Cod. Not only did we get to see almost every town on the Cape, we got to experience almost every type of weather the area has to offer; hot and humid, drizzle, rain, delug and wind. It was the most challenging of the five rides I've done, but I survived (at times I thought I wouldn't) and am back home safe and sound.

Congratulations to Barry Bonds who hit hits 700th and 701st HR over the weekend. The Babe Ruth watch starts next. My Tivo kept the game; it wasn't his most impressive HR, an opposite field shot that just got over the fence. But it was nice to see the fans who sit behind him every game get a chance at the valuable ball.

Congratulations also go out to the St. Louis Cardinals, who wrapped up the division over the weekend. They have plenty of time to get injuries rested and their rotation in order for the playoffs. Their four man murders row is going to pose a difficult challenge to any opposing staff.

The Twins can clinch their division tonight with a win against the White Sox. The Twins starting pitching has a strength that works against their other three likely opponents; Twins starters don't issue walks. Since the Yankees, Athletics and Red Sox are all selective teams, it will be difficult for them to use the walk as a weapon against the Twins.

Finally, the Yankees took 2 of 3 from the Red Sox. Game 3 had to especially encouraging to Yankees fans and discouraging to Red Sox fans. The two aces, Mussina and Martinez are going in completely different directions. After struggling all season, Mussina is now 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA in September. His biggest problem, allowing HR, has vanished as he's given up 1 in his last 30 innings. Meanwhile, the HR bug has bitten Pedro. He's allowed five this month in only 24 innings. He's also walked 12 in those 24 innings. That's not Pedro Martinez. It should also be noted that Martinez is now at 204 innings, the first time he's gone over 200 IP since the 2000 season. Could it be that he's been overused? The Red Sox have done their best over the years to make sure the fragile pitcher is not seriously hurt. But maybe he's just not a 200 IP pitcher.

More later!


Posted by David Pinto at 09:35 AM | Baseball | TrackBack (0)