tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post8549656520171683335..comments2023-10-10T12:46:47.186-04:00Comments on The Green Weenie: Bucs Stymie Phils 2-0Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-80556613417236515562013-04-24T18:25:34.007-04:002013-04-24T18:25:34.007-04:00Will - I didn't write the article, lol. I agre...Will - I didn't write the article, lol. I agree that the Fort shouldn't be exposed too much; his D is pretty average and last August/September was a warning of what happens if he's overexposed (.195) at the plate.<br /><br />My ire at Inge isn't directed at him so much as at the Bucs FO. The team has no lefties on the bench (when a RHP starts) and two infielders that can't hit as reserves. You know my rants about constructing a club and how the FO doesn't seem to have a care or a clue, and this just feeds into my peeve. <br /><br />Grilli and Melancon are bringing it. I thought they'd be a good duo, tho that little voice never quite shut up. They still have a lot of games to ice, but certainly os far, so good.Ron Ieracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784507810080514099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-54377070769040029142013-04-24T14:44:37.867-04:002013-04-24T14:44:37.867-04:00Re: McKenry getting more PT, I'm not convinced...Re: McKenry getting more PT, I'm not convinced. The backup catcher is like the backup quarterback: they are always everybody's favorite player until they get in there on a regular basis. Then, "familiarity breeds contempt". Or so I have observed. <br /><br /><br />McKenry does have good pop, and I could see him getting a few more appearances than most other number twos, but there's no way---none, zero---he should ever start over Russell Martin unless Martin completely loses it. McKenry is horrible at throwing out baserunners, and yes, I stand by that statement because with the same pitching staff (or nearly the same) as McKenry was working with last year, somehow Martin is keeping enemy baserunners a lot more honest. True, Martin's plunging batting average is cause for concern and definitely brings him back down closer to where McKenry is, but again: with his defense and throwing, even if they are now more or less comparable with the bat (and I still think Martin is better in that dept), you HAVE TO go with Martin as the starter. <br /><br /><br />Of course, prior to Brandon Inge coming up as Pedro's apparent platoon partner at third, having Martin play some games at the hot corner would have been an ideal way to get both Martin and McKenry in games at the same time. If Inge still has anything left in the tank, he will presumably be the platoon 3B, which returns us to the start of the discussion: McKenry's power is interesting and so maybe he gets 250 at bats instead of 175-200 like most number twos. But that's absolutely as far as I go with him, and if he keeps getting abused by enemy basestealers, he'd lose playing time if it were up to me. WilliamJPellashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12774466220683142262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-51993454867065898402013-04-24T14:11:50.817-04:002013-04-24T14:11:50.817-04:00Great to see Grilli getting it done. It bears rep...Great to see Grilli getting it done. It bears repeating that this was not a guarantee coming into this season. Historically, there have been a number of really good setup relievers who for whatever (psychological?) reason(s) just couldn't cut it once they were The Man at the back of the 'pen. Grilli was, I think, a better bet than most to make the transition from elite setup man to closer simply because he's seen it all, and because he's had to fight through so much adversity just to get on the mound at all. His career has nearly ended at least a couple of times due to significant injuries.WilliamJPellashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12774466220683142262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-32468161950418129222013-04-24T08:30:37.838-04:002013-04-24T08:30:37.838-04:00Oooops - thanks; late night happy fingers strike a...Oooops - thanks; late night happy fingers strike again. He has been good, but you're right; that's pushing it a little, lol.Ron Ieracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784507810080514099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-52203502338160893682013-04-24T08:25:26.068-04:002013-04-24T08:25:26.068-04:00I don't think Grilli has 18 saves considering ...I don't think Grilli has 18 saves considering we have only played 20 games and won 11. Would be very impressive but ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com