Squirrel

What’s this mean? Who’s garbage here?

Yeah, me too ... it's why whenever someone says we need to trade for a starter, I counter ... no ... BP arms (plural); GOOD BP arms (plural). We might not always like Rocco's usage, but he doesn't have a lot to work with, imo.

That was not the issue in this game, though. Six innings for Ryan was fine.

I like that, might have to use that as my new mantra.

A talented underperforming team … inconsistent bats that too often do not come through when needed. Not sure that’s a spreadsheet problem. And a not talented enough bullpen, imo. I’d call that a FO blame more than a spreadsheet problem, for not stocking the bp with the necessary arms. You have a starter who went 6, he used Pagan and Duran correctly, imo … and we lost. But this time I don’t think it was Rocco and the spreadsheets. I’m not a Rocco fan, but I’m not a dislike, either, I’m meh on him, but this loss is not on Rocco and his spreadsheets, imo

Guess there’s no reason to watch anymore. Season done.

Sept. 1st

Which is why they rested him. Not that I wish anyone ill but I kind of hope he’s not ready

I've had two shoulder impingements one in the late 1990s, a 2nd around 2005 or 6 or so. One from lifting heavy boxes at work, the other from playing softball. And both were debilitating to the point that I couldn't raise my arm up beyond a certain point without pain. I couldn't even lift a pitcher of water off the counter. And I certainly couldn't do any heavy lifting, and I couldn't play tennis or softball. Granted, it didn't take long to recover ... a couple weeks ... but it's not some new or fancy terminology and has been around for a while. I guess maybe only those who have had this would understand, but, for my course of treatment ... anti-inflammatories and rest ... followed by some rehab. It was a couple of weeks. It's a legit thing and not really all that fancy. And it is a bigger deal than just 'he has an ache throw some ice on it, he has an owie.' If not dealt with properly it could cause bigger problems, such as rotator cuff issues ... you want someone to go out for that because you think he could/should play through it with some ice on the owie? It also could be an indicator that something more serious is going on, but, I doubt it. But, rest is a big part of the treatment. IL-ing someone with an impingement is the right thing to do. They won't be available to play for 10days-2 weeks.

What would your list be and who would you be willing to give up to get either of the two starters you mentioned? I think more teams will be ‘in’ on these two and they will go to whoever is willing to give up the most. What’s a reasonable cost is likely not going to get it done. It’s why I think we should focus on relief pitching. And I honestly don’t think Montas is ‘all that’. It will certainly take more to get him than is worth it, imo.

Thanks … fixed it for you ? … it will take some time to get used to

That's why I said offense consistency is a problem, but for right now we are talking about adding a starting pitcher ... yeah, it all relates into one another, but anyway ... I'm not for adding any starters that I don't think that is the problem

I mean, okay ... I get frustrating play, and the inconsistent offense ... and I've been very tempered by the team from the start ... but I think this team has been surprisingly good more times than not over the season so far. I mean ... would you rather have last year's team? (Okay, so that's a low bar, but perspective can help you through.) And the fact that we've had such a decimated roster so far and are still here, and the young players have really been a part of that which speaks to a hopeful future, these are all good things. Yeah, okay, weak division, blah blah blah ... but there are also a lot of good things to watch, too. They aren't going to win every game ... not even close. But they are going to win more than they lose (probably ... although I had them at .500 or not quite to start the season). If everyone can ever be healthy at the same time come September/October and the team adds a couple of good bp arms ... I think we can maybe get past the first round. We aren't the Yankees, never will be the Yankees ... and if that is your bar, well, I'd give up altogether and find another team. Am I happy with getting to the playoffs only to lose? No. I want to win it all, but, tempered expectations and all that. But, I think selling would be a huge mistake. For me, I guess I just don't put that much energy into it. I like to watch the game. I don't like to lose, and you've seen me curse a few times in game threads, and I certainly have opinions on what should/shouldn't be done and have been disappointed with decisions not done and games dropped, and certainly like to read and talk about it all, but in the end, it really does not matter because it's just a game and tomorrow is another day. But that's me and how I work my perspective on it.

Seriously? I can't tell if you are being overly sarcastic for drama's sake or if this is really what you think?

I hope you play the lottery with that kind of vision because you’d win the big jackpot

Yep ... another reason I wouldn't go for Montas

Honestly, I don't think the starting pitching is even the problem, at all. Offensive consistency and the BP are the problems. Not sure what to do with the former, but work to get at least 2 high quality bp arms and not another starter, that Oakland will charge an unreasonable price for, and will not be worth it, imo. If they get at least 2 quality, and I mean, shut 'em down quality, arms, I will be very happy with that.

Eh ... I hardly care by July 1, especially if they are only a game or two out ... I care if they are by Sept. 1, though. If the standings right now would determine which teams were in the playoffs there'd be 3 from the east, 2 from the central and 1 from the west. That's not nothing, imo. That said, I've always been lukewarm about this team ... I've had them in the 80-84 win category ... looks like they might be a bit higher than that when all is said and done, but I'll still stay a bit tempered. However, what they've done with all the injuries and covid, and how decimated their roster has been, and they are still where they are? That, to me, is impressive and is not something to complain about, honestly. It's just not. But, as for yesterday's game ... ugh. They do need better bp help. And the offense needs to find consistency. That's about all I have to say about yesterday's game. It's better than where we were last year, but ... I'll stay tempered. And if we are handing out blame cards, the only one I put this on is the FO.

IKEA?

While funny ... it's a long way to go to the end of the season. If we don't make it, I'm going to haunt you with this jinx-making meme!

They are making sure he is rested and will be ready to go against the Twins

I know that it’s really inconceivable that a starting pitcher goes 8 innings, but it was 8 and not 6. Guess our fingers just don’t know how to type that! ? What an enjoyable game to fo,low (was at work for much of it) then jump in to see the end! Just saying it was way better than the previous night is an understatement.

Thanks for getting us going tonight and leading us through … good job!

Wow, for a high scoring game, less than 3 hrs is good

Heh, was at work tonight. Joined in a bit ago