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IdahoPilgrim

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Everything posted by IdahoPilgrim

  1. IdahoPilgrim
    I'm not going to offer an opinion on whether Gardenhire was right or wrong to leave KC in, or whether the bullpen should have been warming up because I wasn't watching the game, but I wonder if looking ahead was a part of that decision, good or bad as it may be? We've got Pelfrey going on Wednesday, and that just about guarantees we'll need 3+ innings, if not 4, from the bullpen, and during an afternoon game to boot. I wonder if that factored into his thinking.
  2. IdahoPilgrim
    What I take away from this analysis is that there is no magic formula here for how to pitch effectively. Some have made the case that the game has changed and that hard-throwing pitchers that cause bats to miss are the gold-standard that all teams should be chasing. While that's not a bad thing, by itself it doesn't guarantee success. Hard-throwers with high K/9 rates can still make mistakes with the rest of their pitches and give up hits (and thus runs and thus losses). While that is one way to pitch effectively, one can also pitch effectively with less electric stuff when it is used smartly and with good location control, with an effective mix of pitches. Bottom line - there is no bottom line. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and whatever works for any individual pitcher to help him be effective is what that pitcher should emphasize and rely upon, and if an organization finds someone who is effective they should stick with him, regardless of how he does it.
  3. IdahoPilgrim
    Reading through last night’s game thread, reading the post-game quotes, and thinking back on discussions we have had on this topic in the past, both this season and last season, I find myself genuinely curious as to what the standard should be for how deep starters are allowed to go in the game. Do pitch counts matter? Does it matter that it is a close game or tied? I can recall situations when the starter has been pitching effectively and then been pulled at 90-something pitches and the bullpen then blew the lead, leaving the manager open to criticism. I can also recall situations when the starter was left in too long, blowing the lead and leaving the manager open to criticism. Obviously, hindsight is 20-20, but clearly we can’t require prescience; this is always a judgment call, and like all judgment calls sometimes you get it wrong. What should the guideline be? Should it be standard operating practice to have the bullpen warming up in close games whenever the starter reaches 90+ pitches, regardless of how he is pitching? Do you automatically pull them after seven innings and put your trust in a bullpen that has been, for the most part, effective this year? I can remember when 100 pitches was considered the unofficial “minimum” to be desired from the starter, and the complete game was something to be sought – has that now changed? Obviously, every game situation is different, and there is no hard and fast rule, but are there guidelines which should be followed and aren’t?
  4. IdahoPilgrim
    Is that, like, when we were kids and we divided into two teams and the captains took turns picking and when there were only two left you were glad they picked you since it meant you weren't last? Or, did that not happen to anybody else.
  5. IdahoPilgrim
    We need to make sure those prospects actually do turn into quality starters, but, yeah! I can get down with that!
  6. IdahoPilgrim
    I think his numbers this year, at least at this point in the season, are immaterial. He is here to get experience, and to improve, so that he can be a regular contributor in the years ahead. I think it is all about the intangibles - if it looked like he was getting discouraged and losing confidence, then absolutely you send him to Rochester. If it looks like he has a positive attitude and is seeking to improve, you keep him up here. Right now the later seems to be the case. Also, it was good to see Gardenhire recognize the performance in the post-game - that's the kind of stuff you want to hear the manager saying (and be able to say with a straight face:)).
  7. IdahoPilgrim
    With respect, I don't think the discussion of sending him down indicated any panic from anyone. He started abysmally, and it was a legitimate possibility to raise up. That being said, I'm glad he's starting to respond, and let's give credit to the Twins who did keep him up.
  8. IdahoPilgrim
    Well, a triple-meat pizza with extra cheese comes close, but OK, I'll give that one to you.
  9. IdahoPilgrim
    Cool!!
  10. IdahoPilgrim
    Don't fool yourself - every kid on the field knows what the score is, whether it is kept "officially" or not.
  11. IdahoPilgrim
    I'm not watching it live, and I'm no expert on proper technique, but... Up by 3, bottom of 7th, Plouffe coming up...I'm OK with not trying to run aggressively there. I'd rather have Plouffe hitting with runners on 2nd and 3rd than leading off with bases empty the next inning if Mauer gets thrown out at the plate.
  12. IdahoPilgrim
    I'm sorry, but your mind will have to be wiped. Look into my eyes...you are getting very sleepy...
  13. IdahoPilgrim
    Don't look now, but Hernandez is putting together a decent game after that first inning.
  14. IdahoPilgrim
    They actually have had a decent year.
  15. IdahoPilgrim
    Yes, that's the idea. Whether it works or not, well...
  16. IdahoPilgrim
    This reminds me of the alphabet soup my mother used to make me as a kid. Does this translate, in everyday language, to "He's going to cool down a bit in the future, but he's driving the ball better. He needs to work more walks and reduce the strikeouts, but at least he is hitting for more power this year."? If so, I concur.
  17. IdahoPilgrim
    I agree that is a misuse of the statistic. Another misuse is to read more into a statistic than is actually there. Bottom line - WAR, like all other statistics, is a quantitative tool which, by itself, is incapable of truly showing a players value or contribution. It can be a part of the final analysis, but is never the final analysis itself. Unfortunately, too many people use that particular metric as the final analysis, which is the point I think the original poster was trying to make.
  18. IdahoPilgrim
    Key point to remember about statistics: Correlation does not equal causation. You look at the numbers for Worley, Pelfrey & Correia and see a common trend. Thus, "logically", the common factor they have (moving to Minnesota and working with the Twins pitching staff) must have caused the common change. It merits further investigation, but by itself it does not show/prove that the Twins pitching philosophy is responsible.
  19. IdahoPilgrim
    Morneau is past his prime, and while he may still be MLB-calibre, he is no longer an all-star and never will be again. Time to either sign him to a radically reduced contract, or shop him. As far as paying him, that's what we did in his last contract - that was his payday. He's not getting a better one in the future, either from us or from anybody else. Your basic premise of payroll equals success is fundamentally flawed. Stating it over and over does not change that. Nor does being critical of other fans. Just because others don't agree with you does not mean you are right and they are wrong, nor does it mean that they have sick thinking. I don't expect you to listen, though, so this will be the last time I add to a thread you start.
  20. IdahoPilgrim
    Party at my place. Head west to Salt Lake City, then take a right.
  21. IdahoPilgrim
    I actually haven't had anything tonight, but I think this call for breaking out the single-malt scotch.
  22. IdahoPilgrim
  23. IdahoPilgrim
    So, is there an side-bet going on whether Gardy mentions Plouffe's defensive lapse in the post-game conference?
  24. IdahoPilgrim
    Ah, how sweet it is! It wasn't pretty, but dang it still feels good!
  25. IdahoPilgrim
    Let me guess - $1.91? Maybe we can have a bake sale.
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