Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 11, 2008
Air Wong

Chien-Ming Wang is pitching one of the most efficient games I've seen in a while. He's thrown 79 pitches through eight innings, 52 for strikes. Greg Maddux would be proud.

The Red Sox are actually putting quite a few balls in the air. I count twelve of the balls in play against him in the air out of twenty two.

Update: Alberto Gonzalez is one for two with a walk, and just doubled. Let's stipulate that AG is a better defensive shortstop than Jeter. Is it time to move Derek? Maybe move Jeter to first, because despite the home run, Giambi looks terrible at the plate. Or move him to left and try to deal Matsui and/or Damon? If Gonzalez is going to hit decently, his defense would certainly be an asset behind Wang and Pettitte.

Update: Wang completes the game, throwing just 93 pitches. The Yankees move ahead of the Red Sox by a game in the AL East. Ortiz's slump continues as he goes 0 for 3 with a K and a GDP. He's hitting .077. Either he's not feeling well, or there's going to be hell to pay when he breaks out of this slump.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:44 PM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Interestingly enough, if you were watching the Braves/Nationals game you would have seen a similar result. Matt Chico, of all people, threw 91 through 8, 61 for strikes, allowing 1R (solo HR by Diaz) and 4H. Only 3K, but only 1BB as well. Not as good as Wang of course, but for Matt Chico? Amazing.

Of course, the Nationals still ended up losing 3-0 (Rauch allowed 2 in the 9th). Chico deserved a lot better. And lord knows it was an uncharacteristic performance from him.

It's gonna be another long year in Washington. Go Caps!

Posted by: Jeff B. at April 11, 2008 10:01 PM

Jeter will be moved by year end, just needs to be done gracefully.

Posted by: abe at April 11, 2008 10:03 PM

Abe - I'd be taking the over on that one. Wang pitched great - could have gone another couple of innings if he had to.

Posted by: bandit at April 11, 2008 10:13 PM

If Jeter won't move over for ARod he ain't moving for Alberto Gonzalez.

Posted by: Hei Lun Chan at April 11, 2008 10:34 PM

Abe, if you have any money left after covering Bandit, I want some of that action too.

David, I think you're suffering from small-n-itis. The Attorney General really isn't a good hitter, and Giambi is just in a slump. Look at what you wrote about Ortiz, and apply that attitude to Giambi and Gonzales...

Posted by: James at April 11, 2008 10:58 PM

What would suggest that Gonzales, the 25-year old (on Friday) with a .662 OPS at AAA last year, is going to hit at an acceptable level?

Posted by: Vegas Watch at April 12, 2008 11:31 AM

He hit well at AA. Plus the fact that at 25 he's approaching his athletic peak. Last season the average AL shortstop had a .322 OBA with a .391 slugging percentage. If Gonzalez puts up .330 and .380, he'll be fine as long as he does a much better job of catching the ball. Not every player on the Yankees has to be the greatest hitter at his position.

Posted by: David Pinto at April 12, 2008 01:57 PM

Concession, I spoke rashly. Could happen this year if he is injury prone, time will tell. James/Bandit, do either of you expect he can maintain a Ripkin like hold on the position given the fact that Cashman, Girardi, and the Baby Steins want to win asap? That he will win games in the lineup, but weaken the team at SS is conceded by all watchers. I overstated the odds over him moving in 2008, but he will move. He is a good ballplayer, but a liability at his current position.

Posted by: abe at April 12, 2008 08:55 PM

My guess is when Jeter moves it will be to 1B - 200 H a year, every year is pretty hard to replace.

Posted by: bandit at April 13, 2008 07:37 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?