Thursday, April 02, 2009

Spring Wrap-Up Notes

I'm going to post some quick final spring-related thoughts today, then tomorrow I'll post predictions for division winners and awards, then it's the weekend and then Opening Day. We're so close!

* Yesterday's game received a lot of hype since R.A. Dickey and Philip Humber, two relievers vying for one of two remaining spots on the pitching staff (or perhaps competing for one spot if you believe that Brian Duensing has a lock on a bullpen spot as a second lefty), were both scheduled to pitch. Dickey got the start and tossed four scoreless frames, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three. Humber relieved him and struggled in his three-inning appearance, surrendering two runs -- including a homer -- on five hits. He did fan three batters without allowing a walk.

From a numbers standpoint, Dickey has certainly made the better case for a roster spot this spring, posting a 2.04 ERA and 18-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing 13 hits over 17 2/3 innings. For his part, Humber has posted a 5.14 ERA and 8-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing 15 hits over 14 innings. Yet regardless of the numbers, the Twins should certainly opt for Humber, who is out of options and would surely be lost on waivers if he was cut. Humber has shown enough glimpses of hope during the second half of last year and during this spring that he's worth keeping around as a long reliever. If he continues to struggle early in the season, Dickey will be available in Rochester.

* With Jose Morales behind the plate yesterday, the Rays went 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts. Now, those steals all came with Humber on the mound, so it's possible that the Rays runners saw something in his delivery that allowed them to get big jumps. But if getting run on like this becomes a habit for Morales, he's going to have a tough time serving as the Twins' part-time catcher early in the season.

* Denard Span posted another 0-fer yesterday, going hitless in four at-bats to drop his spring average to .158. Boy, has he had a tough time in Ft. Myers.

* The Tigers scare me a little more after announcing that Fernando Rodney will be their Opening Day closer and Rick Porcello will open the season in their rotation. Plus, they parted ways with Gary Sheffield.

* The forecast for Minneapolis on Monday is a high of 38 degrees with scattered snow showers. I can honestly say I'd still rather be watching the season opener outdoors than in the Metrodome.

* If you're interested, be sure to check out the baseball page at Rotoworld.com tomorrow for my "The Week Ahead" column. I'll be writing it for every Friday during the baseball season. Speaking of fantasy baseball, I've got a lot invested in Grady Sizemore this year -- he was my first-round pick in three of the four leagues in which I participate. In the Twins Blogger League, I somehow managed to get Sizemore and Miguel Cabrera. Other players I'll be leaning on this year include Joba Chamberlain, who I selected in three leagues, and Jason Kubel, who I own in every league. Surprisingly, I resisted the urge to nab Joe Crede in the late rounds of each draft.

* Finally, I'll note that some relatively big changes for this blog are on the way. They'll be announced on Monday. It's not anything that will really change the content or anything like that, but it's something.

8 comments:

Dwade said...

Only four of the steals came off of Humber, Iwamura's came off of Dickey. Surprising really, considering how slow the knuckleball can be.

I agree with you that should it come down to one or the other, Humber should get the nod because of his status. I don't think Duensing has a spot locked up yet, but I do think he should come north with the team.

Beau said...

I was watching the game the other day, and Hbrosky was commenting on how Dickey's knuckler isn't really slow like Wakefield's or anyone else's. It's not a floater, but rather just (hopefully) drops near the end.

Nick: I'm one of the few who's with you on the temperature thing. Twins managed to play for 16 years in this weather and still got fans to come to the park. It'd be nice to have a roof for the 40 degree days, but it would annoy me to all end if they closed the roof because it was 55 and there was a minor threat of rain. Maybe I'm just young.

Kris said...

I went to a game in KC in April last year and the weather was mid 40s and windy. I think you'd change your opinion about 2 innings into the game :-)

I agree with your sentiment though, a week or two of possibly cold weather is an acceptable trade-off for being able to play outdoors the rest of the summer.

Anonymous said...

My guess is a blog name change.

freefun0616 said...

酒店經紀人,
菲梵酒店經紀,
酒店經紀,
禮服酒店上班,
酒店小姐兼職,
便服酒店經紀,
酒店打工經紀,
制服酒店工作,
專業酒店經紀,
合法酒店經紀,
酒店暑假打工,
酒店寒假打工,
酒店經紀人,
菲梵酒店經紀,
酒店經紀,
禮服酒店上班,
酒店經紀人,
菲梵酒店經紀,
酒店經紀,
禮服酒店上班,
酒店小姐兼職,
便服酒店工作,
酒店打工經紀,
制服酒店經紀,
專業酒店經紀,
合法酒店經紀,
酒店暑假打工,
酒店寒假打工,
酒店經紀人,
菲梵酒店經紀,
酒店經紀,
禮服酒店上班,
酒店小姐兼職,
便服酒店工作,
酒店打工經紀,
制服酒店經紀,
酒店經紀,

,

VUONG said...

スポーツバー 東京
伊丹市賃貸
新聞折込チラシ
出会いパーティー
サイト売買
エステ 名古屋
大規模修繕工事
ゴルフコンパニオン
バーチャルオフィス東京
結婚相談所 東京
ドコモ データカード
オフィス家具
英文 書き方
ビーズアクセサリー キット
グルコサミン
プラセンタ サプリメント
美容ドリンク
ED治療薬
スピード矯正
酵母 効果
糖尿病 改善
green river community college
のれんわけ 飲食
子宮筋腫 漢方
上野毛 不動産
白金高輪 賃貸
子宮内膜症 不妊
新築 賃貸
都筑区 マンション
武蔵小山 アパート
会社再建

VUONG said...

婚活 東京
ウェディングドレス
募金
インプラント
カラコン
ボイストレーニング
債務整理
民事再生
自己破産
過払い金
任意整理
リサイクルショップ
オフィス家具
店舗デザイン
債務整理
過払い
新宿 マッサージ
タイ古式マッサージ
広島 不動産
婚活
お見合いパーティー
マカ
格安航空券 国内
バイク便
税理士 東京
青梅市 不動産
サーバー 移転
新宿 賃貸
バッグ 通販
賃貸 新築
レコメンデーション

be said...

酒店經紀,
酒店工作,
酒店上班,
酒店打工,
禮服酒店,
禮服公關,
酒店領檯,
華麗幻想,
夢世界,
酒店經紀,
酒店工作,
酒店上班,
酒店打工,
禮服酒店,
禮服公關,
酒店領檯,
華麗幻想,
夢世界,
酒店經紀,
酒店工作,
酒店上班,
酒店打工,
禮服酒店,
禮服公關,
酒店領檯,
華麗幻想,
夢世界,