I can't say it better than Spencer Fordin did. Stop if you've heard this one before: When the Blue Jays and Expos play this weekend, it could well be the final time two Canadian teams square off against each other on Canadian soil. This time, though, it looks like it might be for keeps: the Expos will have a new home next year, and for reasons known only to Selig & Co., the Jays-Expos rematch next weekend takes place in Puerto Rico, not La Belle Province. Nice. Anyway, let's save the eulogies for the funeral. Talented young righty Zach Day goes for Montreal, opposed by Josh Towers. We were talking about sad four-word phrases the other day, and here's another one: "Leadoff DH Howie Clark." And yes, Josh Phelps once again is watching from the bench. It's already been a looong summer.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=240625114
COMN for lineups.
COMN for lineups.
I just noticed now, but why has Reed Johnson been playing center field instead of Rios? Do the Jays not think he is good enough to play CF at the major league level?
I'd assume that since the Jays already have a 'decent' CF the position is sewn up for the forseeable future. Since Rios' future lies in RF it makes sense to get him acclimated there.
Why is Phelps on the bench yet again? Snappy is sad.
You know, at the beginning of the season I never thought I'd see Woodward and Gomez in the game at the same time.
Then again, I didn't think I'd see Dave Berg in LF field either, stupid injuries.
Then again, I didn't think I'd see Dave Berg in LF field either, stupid injuries.
So when does JP decide to give the kids from Syracuse a try to see if they can play? Sure, Rios has been up and hasn't looked out of place for a kid, but is there any chance they'll give Adams or Gross a chance before the September callup?
I'm sorry, even with injuries, there's no reason to play Berg. He can't field, he can't hit and he's old. Tosca just loves his hustle or some other BS like that. He's waste of a roster space.
Is anybody up to speed on Justin Miller's status ? This "15 day" DL has turned into a black hole. How bad can it be ? Justin, bad hammmy and all, probably produces better results than sending Mr. Hentgen out there every fifth day !!
Incidentally, in 12 June games, Berg's gone .333/.381/.410. I like beating on Berg as much as anyone, but I wouldn't say he's a waste of roster space. He can play enough positions (albeit not all that well) to make it worth having a guy like him on the bench.
Given Berg's hot streak, I think Howie Clark is the odd man out. Like Berg, he's just not very valuable if he's not playing middle infield.
Next question... what do you do with Josh Towers? He's either really good or really bad. Do you keep him and hope he becomes more consistent, or dump him again because his margin of error is so low?
Next question... what do you do with Josh Towers? He's either really good or really bad. Do you keep him and hope he becomes more consistent, or dump him again because his margin of error is so low?
Gabe Gross can't play the outfield this season because of the injury. There's no point in having him up here before September. Adams could be a different story, however.
Where do you play Adams, though? Woodward is hitting alright, well enough that I doubt Adams would do better. Hudson is hitting well and playing fantastic defence, and Hinske, well, he has a long term contract: that pretty much locks him into place on this team. I'd wait for another middle-infield injury before calling him up (which is bound to happen sooner rather than later on this cursed team), I would rather have him playing regularly in Syracuse than part time up here for now.
Agreed, and I'm kind of expecting Woodward to hurt himself again.
Gabe Gross can't play the outfield this season because of the injury. There's no point in having him up here before September.
Although if the Jays are resigned to not playing Phelps, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. I think I might consider:
DL Catalanotto, promote Gross;
Drop Clark, add Actual Outfielder, whomever it may be.
Although if the Jays are resigned to not playing Phelps, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. I think I might consider:
DL Catalanotto, promote Gross;
Drop Clark, add Actual Outfielder, whomever it may be.
So whaddaya think... Long-term contract for the O-Dog this offseason?
I say keep Towers - when he pitches well, he's as good as any on the staff and he had a couple of gutsy performances of the last couple of seasons. Although I wish I didn't have to say this, I think he's a better pick for the rotation right now than Hentgen.
Brazelton has a no-hitter through 7 for the D-Rays, although he has walked 6.
Thanks, Ryan.
Every time that some hack falls ass-backwards into a no-hitter, a little part of Dave Steib dies.
Just doing my part.
Every time that some hack falls ass-backwards into a no-hitter, a little part of Dave Steib dies.
Just doing my part.
Come on Frasor!
I remember before the season started there was much discussion over who the closer would be. It was basically between Lopez, Ligtenberg, Speier and Adams, with one of those guys being the closer and another one being the "setup" guy.
Who knew that the closer would be Jason Frasor and the setup guy Vinnie Chulk. I'm not complaining; I just think it's kinda neat.
I remember before the season started there was much discussion over who the closer would be. It was basically between Lopez, Ligtenberg, Speier and Adams, with one of those guys being the closer and another one being the "setup" guy.
Who knew that the closer would be Jason Frasor and the setup guy Vinnie Chulk. I'm not complaining; I just think it's kinda neat.
I like Adams as much as anyone in the Jays system, but I'd like to see him spend a full year at AAA. He's moved quickly through the minors, and has done extremely well, but he did struggle for a couple of months at both AA and AAA when he first arrived. When I see players like Rios, Adams, and Hill, I always think of Vernon Wells. I think the extra year at AAA helped Wells immensely. (Maybe this could have helped Phelps too.) When Wells arrived in the bigs, he was pretty much a complete player.
See, we keep it down to three runs and we're fine...
Every time that some hack falls ass-backwards into a no-hitter, a little part of Dave Stieb dies.
Just doing my part.
LOL, Leigh, literally. That was fun.
Just doing my part.
LOL, Leigh, literally. That was fun.
I heard on the radio broadcast that they are working on Phelps' swing and until they think he's back to the way he was before he won't play. Apparently he was started forward too early and then had to reload when a pitch was thrown. Essentially hitting off his front foot and beating the ball into the ground. Anyways that's the theory.
If that's the case, I'd send him to the minors until he fixes his swing. He could probably concentrate on it more down there, rather than having to watch all his teammates all the time up here.
Maybe they can get Dave Berg to show Phelps how to hit.
I thought someone said they can't send him down without waivers.
THEY CANNOT SEND PHELPS DOWN TO THE MINORS. HE WILL BE CLAIMED (please refrain from making this suggestion, thank you).
Why not just "injure" Phelps and give him a rehab assignment?
Are they being all Canadian? (Read: Honest and Naive?)
Are they being all Canadian? (Read: Honest and Naive?)