Painful
Notice the gruesome TJ scar on Litsch's arm? Frankenpitcher.
I may be considered soft, but I think people shouldn't boo their own team. I find it obnoxious. The only time I think it is acceptable to boo one of your own is if they aren't making an effort. And no time last night did I think Edwin Encarnacion wasn't trying his damn heart out. Jayson Nix, who made a great play at third in the first inning, is clearly the better defender. But wouldn't you know it, every single ball gravitated towards EE, who clearly felt awful. He made some good plays at first last night, but they were lost because of the miscues. It's almost as if Encarnacion is trying too hard. Settle down, big guy.
That was the worst I have ever seen Jesse Litsch. He had no command and no composure. Litsch just wasn't himself. And usually the tone of the defensive game radiates from the mound. If a guy is working fast, throwing strikes and not nibbling, and is getting crisp ground balls or fly outs, the guys around the field usually respond in kind. One of the toughest things to do out in the field is to stay focused and if the pitcher is dithering or throwing a lot of pitches or walking guys, focus can waver or guys can tighten up because they want to pick up their pitcher. It's why I think walks are the most damaging to a pitcher, because they just are a waste of energy and they just drag the momentum down.
It's a miracle that the Jays climbed back into this. It made me feel less depressed about the game. I sort of figured it was going to be a heart breaker, but bringing the winning run to the plate after being down 6-0 is nothing to be down about.
As for the outrage of one over Davis stealing third during Nix's at bat in the ninth. Farnsworth gave him the base and it came in as a run which pulls the score closer to a tie, which is far more advantageous to the home team. And blowing a six run lead is disheartening to a team. Nix did have to take a pitch, but the likelihood that Nix was going to score Davis from second was not a huge likelihood. Running sometimes gets the batter a fastball, which Nix could probably use. Had it been Bautista or Lind been at the plate, I would probably have been more outraged. I might suggest that Davis be more selective or be more aware of the count, so Nix can take a strike and still have some room to work.
My theory on Drabek's missing curve ball. Drabek had TJ in 2007. There is some debate as to whether a curve ball is harder on the arm, so perhaps in the interest of preserving the young stud's arm, they have decided to develop something else off speed. Roy Halladay talked about easing off his curve to reduce arm stress. AJ Burnett has a history of arm issues (amongst other issues) despite having pretty smooth and easy mechanics. And his trademark pitch is the knuckle curve. New York Magazine wrote about the reemergence of "Bad" AJ. What did they expect? It is May, after all.
Bruce Walton is a changeup advocate and the change is my favourite pitch. Yes, I have a favourite pitch. Pitching is incredibly hard on the body. It's a completely unnatural thing to do. And I don't really care what Drabek pitches as long as it's strikes and he gets outs.
Eric Thames got a walk and a hit in his MLB debut. He is also very nice looking. Nice teeth.
I may be considered soft, but I think people shouldn't boo their own team. I find it obnoxious. The only time I think it is acceptable to boo one of your own is if they aren't making an effort. And no time last night did I think Edwin Encarnacion wasn't trying his damn heart out. Jayson Nix, who made a great play at third in the first inning, is clearly the better defender. But wouldn't you know it, every single ball gravitated towards EE, who clearly felt awful. He made some good plays at first last night, but they were lost because of the miscues. It's almost as if Encarnacion is trying too hard. Settle down, big guy.
That was the worst I have ever seen Jesse Litsch. He had no command and no composure. Litsch just wasn't himself. And usually the tone of the defensive game radiates from the mound. If a guy is working fast, throwing strikes and not nibbling, and is getting crisp ground balls or fly outs, the guys around the field usually respond in kind. One of the toughest things to do out in the field is to stay focused and if the pitcher is dithering or throwing a lot of pitches or walking guys, focus can waver or guys can tighten up because they want to pick up their pitcher. It's why I think walks are the most damaging to a pitcher, because they just are a waste of energy and they just drag the momentum down.
It's a miracle that the Jays climbed back into this. It made me feel less depressed about the game. I sort of figured it was going to be a heart breaker, but bringing the winning run to the plate after being down 6-0 is nothing to be down about.
As for the outrage of one over Davis stealing third during Nix's at bat in the ninth. Farnsworth gave him the base and it came in as a run which pulls the score closer to a tie, which is far more advantageous to the home team. And blowing a six run lead is disheartening to a team. Nix did have to take a pitch, but the likelihood that Nix was going to score Davis from second was not a huge likelihood. Running sometimes gets the batter a fastball, which Nix could probably use. Had it been Bautista or Lind been at the plate, I would probably have been more outraged. I might suggest that Davis be more selective or be more aware of the count, so Nix can take a strike and still have some room to work.
My theory on Drabek's missing curve ball. Drabek had TJ in 2007. There is some debate as to whether a curve ball is harder on the arm, so perhaps in the interest of preserving the young stud's arm, they have decided to develop something else off speed. Roy Halladay talked about easing off his curve to reduce arm stress. AJ Burnett has a history of arm issues (amongst other issues) despite having pretty smooth and easy mechanics. And his trademark pitch is the knuckle curve. New York Magazine wrote about the reemergence of "Bad" AJ. What did they expect? It is May, after all.
Bruce Walton is a changeup advocate and the change is my favourite pitch. Yes, I have a favourite pitch. Pitching is incredibly hard on the body. It's a completely unnatural thing to do. And I don't really care what Drabek pitches as long as it's strikes and he gets outs.
Eric Thames got a walk and a hit in his MLB debut. He is also very nice looking. Nice teeth.