If there is one thing that I love about Spring Training (or maybe I really despise it, I can never tell) it's all of the optimism that floats around.
The oft-injured starter that hasn't played a full season since the Padres last made the World Series? "I'm in the best shape of my life."
The struggling slugger who had career lows in BA, HR, RBI, etc. but wasn't injured? "I've been working out all offseason and have put on 15 pounds of muscle."
The perpetual minor leaguer hoping this year is the year he finally cracks the big league lineup? "I've lost 10 pounds so I am more lean and mean."
But regardless of the canned line of optimism, the truth is this - the slate is wiped clean, everyone is optimistic their team is ready to win it all this year (except maybe Pirates fans, sorry Pittsburgh) and until the first pitch is thrown we have no idea how out of shape the team's fatty is this go around.
Happy spring everyone.
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Pirates. Show all posts
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
How the West is being won
It's been a week since my last post and the first thing I wanted to say is that I am still here. As I have been scurrying through the week trying to get things done for my real job, I have been reflecting on my blogging journey so far this year.
When I started blogging I wanted to try and post at least once a day and while I have had stretches where I have posted day after day, I have also gone a couple of days between posts too. It's amazing how simple something as writing a couple of sentences every day about the Padres can seem until you actually sit down to do it. It just makes me admire the guys who actually post multiple times a day even more.
I have had other struggles along the way too and as I sit and think about this I can't help but think about how similar my path has been to the Padres. There have been ups-and-downs for both of us all year and hopefully when the end of the regular season comes, we will both be preparing for the postseason.
Speaking of the Pads, once again they are closing in on the NL West title. Just when you think we have to settle for the wild card the Padres sweep the Giants and get right back into things.
At this moment the Padres are trying to close out a second straight win against the Pirates and it doesn't help but remind me of how the Pads have been playing lately. When they face the best competition, they play at the top of their game but when they get the "easy" games, they seem to fall flat on their faces. They have done better in September, but with only a handful of games left, you have to beat the teams you are supposed to beat.
This is the time of year when we see the true character of a team and depending on how the Padres make the playoffs should tell us a lot about what to expect when they get there.
When I started blogging I wanted to try and post at least once a day and while I have had stretches where I have posted day after day, I have also gone a couple of days between posts too. It's amazing how simple something as writing a couple of sentences every day about the Padres can seem until you actually sit down to do it. It just makes me admire the guys who actually post multiple times a day even more.
I have had other struggles along the way too and as I sit and think about this I can't help but think about how similar my path has been to the Padres. There have been ups-and-downs for both of us all year and hopefully when the end of the regular season comes, we will both be preparing for the postseason.
Speaking of the Pads, once again they are closing in on the NL West title. Just when you think we have to settle for the wild card the Padres sweep the Giants and get right back into things.
At this moment the Padres are trying to close out a second straight win against the Pirates and it doesn't help but remind me of how the Pads have been playing lately. When they face the best competition, they play at the top of their game but when they get the "easy" games, they seem to fall flat on their faces. They have done better in September, but with only a handful of games left, you have to beat the teams you are supposed to beat.
This is the time of year when we see the true character of a team and depending on how the Padres make the playoffs should tell us a lot about what to expect when they get there.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Welcome to Washington
I'm stoked that the Padres won Thursday in extra innings, especially since it was on back-to-back HR's by Mike Cameron and Josh Bard in the 11th, but what is even more exciting is the fact that I get to finally see the Padres in person this year.
And what makes this even more exciting is that Jake Peavy's start got moved up and now I will get to see him pitch instead of Justin Germano Friday. Peavy and the Padres should be able to easily dispose of the Nats and Matt Chico, who has been thrashed in the local media here, as well as most of Washington's pitching.
So hopefully we will get our second series sweep of the season this weekend and stay in first place in the NL West.
And what makes this even more exciting is that Jake Peavy's start got moved up and now I will get to see him pitch instead of Justin Germano Friday. Peavy and the Padres should be able to easily dispose of the Nats and Matt Chico, who has been thrashed in the local media here, as well as most of Washington's pitching.
So hopefully we will get our second series sweep of the season this weekend and stay in first place in the NL West.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
It's Super Young
Look on the mound ... It's bird, it's a plane, it's Chris Young.
The month of May has been good for Young. Before Wednesday's seven inning, seven K, four hit, one walk win against the Pirates, Young's numbers have been superb. He has given up no more than two runs in his six May starts, giving up 24 hits and 13 walks while striking out 39.
Between Young and Jake Peavy, the Padres have a very solid one-two tandem and they could be one of the best by season's end.
The month of May has been good for Young. Before Wednesday's seven inning, seven K, four hit, one walk win against the Pirates, Young's numbers have been superb. He has given up no more than two runs in his six May starts, giving up 24 hits and 13 walks while striking out 39.
Between Young and Jake Peavy, the Padres have a very solid one-two tandem and they could be one of the best by season's end.
Shipwrecked
The problem with David Wells' performance wasn't the fact that he gave up two runs - it was the fact he lasted only five innings while putting nine runners on base and making only 67 pitches.
I know I have mentioned this before but I will again mention it again - Wells is valuable as a teacher for the younger guys on staff, but he may no longer be starting material. And with Kevin Towers dead set on keeping more pitchers than he needs on his roster, a solution needs to be found for when Clay Hensley comes off the DL. Justin Germano is not going anywhere and it makes no sense that if Hensley is being developed as a starter to send him back to the pen, so the solution seems to be sending down Justin Hampson or Kevin Cameron and finding a spot for Hensley.
Again, I propose the solution of moving Wells to the pen and making him the No.1 option for if or when Hensley or Germano gets in trouble and needs to come out early. It keeps Wells on staff in a position that he can still tutor the younglings, it keeps the younglings in the starting rotation and it gets one of our unused relievers some playing time, even if it is at a lower level.
It also seems to give the Friars the best chance to win. The Padres have lost 4 of the last 6 Wells has started and they can't afford to lose games to the lowly Bucs, especially when the Los Angeles Dodgers are in front in the NL West.
I know I have mentioned this before but I will again mention it again - Wells is valuable as a teacher for the younger guys on staff, but he may no longer be starting material. And with Kevin Towers dead set on keeping more pitchers than he needs on his roster, a solution needs to be found for when Clay Hensley comes off the DL. Justin Germano is not going anywhere and it makes no sense that if Hensley is being developed as a starter to send him back to the pen, so the solution seems to be sending down Justin Hampson or Kevin Cameron and finding a spot for Hensley.
Again, I propose the solution of moving Wells to the pen and making him the No.1 option for if or when Hensley or Germano gets in trouble and needs to come out early. It keeps Wells on staff in a position that he can still tutor the younglings, it keeps the younglings in the starting rotation and it gets one of our unused relievers some playing time, even if it is at a lower level.
It also seems to give the Friars the best chance to win. The Padres have lost 4 of the last 6 Wells has started and they can't afford to lose games to the lowly Bucs, especially when the Los Angeles Dodgers are in front in the NL West.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
How sweep it is
They finally did it, the Padres picked up their first series sweep of the season ... and they did it against one of the hottest teams in the early going.
As Padres fans it's got to make us feel good that this team has what it takes to derail a hot Brewers team that has now lost five in a row. And now the Padres are tied for the second best record in the NL and have a share of the NL West lead.
The best part of Sunday's win had to be another masterful performance by Jake Peavy. And while it is still really early in the season, each start like this is helping Peavy build his case for the Cy Young. But what is even more impressive is Peavy's batting stats this year. He's now got a .231 average, better than four of his teammates in the starting lineup. Too bad they don't offer a hitting crown for pitchers because Peavy could win that too.
After a day off the Padres travel to Pittsburgh before heading to my neck of the woods this weekend, meaning I will finally get a chance to see them up close. Let's hope they can keep this streak going and pick up another series sweep.
As Padres fans it's got to make us feel good that this team has what it takes to derail a hot Brewers team that has now lost five in a row. And now the Padres are tied for the second best record in the NL and have a share of the NL West lead.
The best part of Sunday's win had to be another masterful performance by Jake Peavy. And while it is still really early in the season, each start like this is helping Peavy build his case for the Cy Young. But what is even more impressive is Peavy's batting stats this year. He's now got a .231 average, better than four of his teammates in the starting lineup. Too bad they don't offer a hitting crown for pitchers because Peavy could win that too.
After a day off the Padres travel to Pittsburgh before heading to my neck of the woods this weekend, meaning I will finally get a chance to see them up close. Let's hope they can keep this streak going and pick up another series sweep.
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