...1) We threw our 3 SEC caliber pitchers on Saturday, and basically sold out to get the win. I think most've us would've taken 1 win going into the weekend, so I guess it worked. At the game, it felt like we pulled Routt a little early. Had there been anyway to preserve Pollerena until Sunday, it would've felt like we had a chance then.
2) I don't get anybody defending Stratton at this point. He has an SEC ERA of 7.75. He's averaging an ERA of over 11 in his last three starts (if Brad Locke is to be trusted). He's a Sunday guy at best. He always seems to give up that gopher ball that kills you with people on base. Devin Jones has better overall numbers at this point.
3) I hope Graveman starts on Sunday. I think he deserves a chance.
4) I think the frustrating thing is that we are trying to be a "small ball" team, but we can't quite get there. We are doing some things well. Even though we are 9th in hitting in the league, we're fifth in on base percentage, sixth in runs scored and rbis, first in walks, and third in HBP's. We simply have no power. The other side of a small ball team is playing elite defense and having elite pitching. We're 7th in ERA, and 4th in fielding percentage, so we are ok in the field despite Ogden's very timely missteps.
5) My interpretation of the statistics, is that we still do not have the pitching to compete in this league, especially when we are trying to be a small ball team and have no power. I don't think that going that route is necessarily a bad way to go with our park and all, but we've got to get some really good pitching in here. Otherwise, Cohen needs to recruit some power and bring in the fences.
6) As of right now, Routt, Pollorena, and Reed are the only guys that give me any level of comfort on an SEC weekend, and that's not near enough. I hope that our offense comes around enough to hide some of that over the next 4 weeks. I guess we'll see.
2) I don't get anybody defending Stratton at this point. He has an SEC ERA of 7.75. He's averaging an ERA of over 11 in his last three starts (if Brad Locke is to be trusted). He's a Sunday guy at best. He always seems to give up that gopher ball that kills you with people on base. Devin Jones has better overall numbers at this point.
3) I hope Graveman starts on Sunday. I think he deserves a chance.
4) I think the frustrating thing is that we are trying to be a "small ball" team, but we can't quite get there. We are doing some things well. Even though we are 9th in hitting in the league, we're fifth in on base percentage, sixth in runs scored and rbis, first in walks, and third in HBP's. We simply have no power. The other side of a small ball team is playing elite defense and having elite pitching. We're 7th in ERA, and 4th in fielding percentage, so we are ok in the field despite Ogden's very timely missteps.
5) My interpretation of the statistics, is that we still do not have the pitching to compete in this league, especially when we are trying to be a small ball team and have no power. I don't think that going that route is necessarily a bad way to go with our park and all, but we've got to get some really good pitching in here. Otherwise, Cohen needs to recruit some power and bring in the fences.
6) As of right now, Routt, Pollorena, and Reed are the only guys that give me any level of comfort on an SEC weekend, and that's not near enough. I hope that our offense comes around enough to hide some of that over the next 4 weeks. I guess we'll see.