Matt Harrison vs. Livan
If Livan was any other pitcher on the staff, I'd point to his 5.44 ERA, 4.62 xFIP, and .346 BABIP and I would conclude that he's been some combination of unlucky on balls in play and poor defensive support. So that's exactly what I'm going to tell you--Livan's been some combination of unlucky on balls in play and poor defensive support.
I still don't think he was a good deal at $5-7M, but that doesn't mean the man can't be unlucky. And yes, I realize that there's a good chance this could seem silly after the game, given the way that Texas can mash, but that's my story and I'm stickin' with it--Livan's ERA and hits total have been inflated by some combination of luck and poor defense. That doesn't make him great, but he has deserved better so far.
Harrison was projected by PECOTA to be about a replacement level pitcher with a ~5.50 ERA. In particular, he's not too good at missing bats.
Tonight's going to be that high scoring game I was threatening last night.
Im enjoying my free week of MLB extra innings on directv. Do you guys think the Livan is feeling any heat with Liriano's run in AAA and his agent making noise?
I had a friend in middle school named Matt Harrison. He moved to Upstate New York and I bumped into him a couple of times while I was in DC.
I'm almost done, Will. Just proofing/tweaking one last time before I send you what should essentially be the final draft.
Finished draft in your inbox now.
evening folks.
Good afternoon, meat.
Did this guy have some sort of problems as a youth??
I dunno. I don't ever remember hearing about him throwing a bat at an umpire. How bad could his problems have been?
no, the other guy. Jay Hamilton? John Madison? Alexander Jay?
[ed: err, right. what you said, ubes]
Hey, meat! Wave "hi" to Mrs S and the Girl tonight. They'll be flying in to your city, on their way to Santa Fe.
bS, I think they need to stop in at the Marble brewery for the IPA challenge- 9 breweries with wild IPAs- I have had my fill.
I wish. The Mrs. approves of beer breath (whew!) but doesn't have any taste for the stuff herself.
Oh yeah- the Museum of Fine Art in Santa Fe has a great glass art show up. Some really great stuff- worth the trip for sure, then the cowgirl hall of fame for lunch- I think I know what I'm doing tomorrow.
That Hamilton guy has a great story.
Livan with the early K. Good sign? I think so.
Gomez 4-pitch walk??? I think Gordo and Jack are trying to play a trick on me.
I have to make the airport run in 2-3 minutes, so it would be nice if jeebus would deliver a miracle here.
D'oh, boo.
We was robbed of our robbery!
W00T Mauer Pauer!
D'oh, that stolen base attempt blows. Thank god for his son.
I dunno. I'm okay with the attempt. It wasn't like Casilla was thrown out by a mile (Jack Morris thought the replay showed he was clearly safe, actually), and Mauer doesn't hit for that much power. Get Casilla to second there and a single from Mauer or Morneau scores a run. 'Twas unfortunate that Casilla got caught, but as they say, no risk, no reward.
Casilla was actually on his way up from his slide into second when the tag was made. Replays clearly show he was safe.
I'm not opposed to the stolen base attempt in that situation, my comment should have read something closer to: "as an arm chair quarterback I wish I could take that SB attempt back". I still thank god for his son.Now that Chris Davis has hit a HR it blows even more. SBG's prediction may just come true.
With Livan pitching, a high scoring game is less prediction than extrapolation.
If we lose this game 2-1 I think that my head may explode.
It was a clutch CS. It put Harrison back in the windup which gave Mauer a better look at that pitch.
In fact, I credit Casilla with at least half that HR. Good job, kid.
Two things. CB Bucknor sucks at umpiring. Joe Mauer is a stud.
What a name. I always get him confused with a real estate brokerage.
Wow, 5 of 6 HRs now vs. lefties for Mauer. Strange split.
He hit two real deep into CF last night. Hit to left or right those would have been HR or XBH. ON Gameday it looked like this one took the same trajectory.
JOOOOOOOOEEE MAUUUUUEEERRRR
Livan
Livan
Mmmm, walk and a homer, that's a recipe for defense-independent runs if I ever saw one.
Perkins was flirting with trouble yesterday--3 BB, just 1 K, and 8 fly balls over six innings. It got a lot of people excited, but I'm voting fluctuation rather than concrete step forward. (It was a fun fluctuation, though.)
I agree. Didn't seem like the control was there - though apparently he's trying out this new slider, so probably he's just a genius.
The idea of Perkins throwing a slider intrigues me. It could be a pitch that gets him more swings-and-misses or more groundballs. But I'll wait 'til he starts getting results with it before I'll believe that it's actually going to be a good pitch.
How many runs will it take to move Livan and make room for Liriano?
I don't think the Twins will treat a 4-run, 6IP start any differently than they would treat a 7-run, 2.1IP start.
I think it will have to get pretty bad. I'm convinced the FO sees Liriano as insurance right now, and his agent as a pain in the ass.
So... catch me up. What does everyone think the best deal is for the Twins to make this deadline? Beltre? Blake? Atkins? South Beach? (Just kidding)
Atkins is probably completely unavailable, Beltre is essentially unobtainable, and Blake has two strikes against him (Twins already gave up on him once and would have to trade within the division.) I'm thinking no deal.
(I saw a dreamer post a Livan for Wilson Betemit rumor. That would be amazing if the Twins could pull that off.)
Did you guys know, that Hamilton guy has a great story.
I have a bookcase full of great stories. What's the big deal?
I heard that Hamilton has a library of great stories. In fact, I heard that only Yankee Stadium has more great stories than Josh Hamilton.
This guy wrote a great story, didn't live one. That's the difference.
You should read a biography of Tolkien. He actually did live a great story. He just wasn't a drug addict.
touche, but the drugs make the story.
Geoff, glad you reminded me about the free Extra Innings week. I was watching via MLB.tv -- nice to get the better quality for a change.
Fun with endpoints! Span is 1-15 going back to July 11th.
I like this, If you go not far enough back Span is like
0-11-2 tonight.that was a nice 8 pitch inning for Livan.
Livan with the six-pitch inning. Sign him to an extension!
Delmon has his OPS+ up to 100 now.
Monroe. I'll take the RBI, but if would have run out of the box instead of admiring his near home run he'd have been safe at second.
Dyoung comes through with some soft placement.
Monroe with a blessing and a curse, and then Delmon follows with an RBI.
You wrote it before I could, Twayn. Monroe keeps pissing me off.
Tony O in the booth. That guy is great.
Livan dealing right now. I suppose that this isn't good for Liriano's agent.
Tony O just called GoGo a very smart player. At least I think that's what he said.
My roommate on John Gordon's interview with Tony O: "They can't even find good questions to ask about getting old."
And, I feel like I must have heard this wrong--but did Tony Oliva really say that Gomez is a really smart player?
The Mountie!
Walk did haunt. Attaboy Morneau!
Amazing prediction on Morneau's double
Terrible play by play by Gordo, but MOUNTIE! Is he man, or ANIMAL???
Why, he's both, of course.
Pretty sure Burroughs never won a home run contest, either.
Board Game not fast enough to take advantage of Morneau's bobble.
We got the good Livan today?
Dread-Pirate!
Delmonate!
Holy crap Deluge just clobbered that ball!
D young! Some huge placement there.
I love it when it's placed over the fence.
Where's the Hell freezing over graphic?
Delmonstrative.
Oh boy, beating up on Texas pitchers is fun.
not getting beat upon by Texas hitters is also fun.
Delmon?
Okay so he has four homeruns... can I call him Del Tha Funkee Homerun-sapien yet? I reallly reallly want to.
I would have gone with Del the Funkee Homer-sapien for brevity.
Plus then you've got the Homer-sexual reference, which is nice.
Have you seen that Hieroglyphics is coming to town in August? I haven't seen them and hear they are awesome live.
Delmon might even crack 10 VORP by the end of the series.
excellent place for gomez to break out of a slump.
Manimal!
M&M with 8 RBI today. Earning their keep!
The juggernaut rolls on.
Canadian Club!
Twins hitting >>>>>> Rangers pitching
Okay, now the Twins need to save some runs for tomorrow.
One more hit by DYoung and the Twins will have 6 regulars batting .300+ in the lineup. Not bad.
I'm feeling pretty secure about Livan with this 10-run cushion.
Holy crap! Someone busted out the whoopin' stick. Well, if any team can come back here, it's the Rangers, but I must be off anyway. Hold down the lead, folks.
Don't look now, KC 3 over CWS 1. Can Gil Meche get through the 7th? Can KC relievers hold the lead?
In that game so far, KC 4 hits and Meche is pitching a two-hitter.
Livan sitting at 80 pitches now. Efficiency.
Liriano's agent dropping f-bombs about now.
Meche gets through 7 complete, Royals 3-Sox 1. Palehose better watch out for the underachieving ninjas.
Deluge just keeps pouring on the hits.
Huh. Looks like the HR Derby screwed up Justin's swing again. All he can hit are XBHs.
And the hits just keep on comin'!
Damn you and your 20 second advantage, sir.
Looks like one minute twenty seconds to me.
Man, the site is slower than LeCroy going from first to third.
And the hit parade goes on.
Give that man a beer.
KC scores 2 in the 8th, 5-1.
Gomez really delmonated that ball.
Harris the only pansy without a hit, only a pathetic walk. Loser.
The post game radio show owes you 5 bucks for pointing this out early.
Bring on the pocket fisherman
Bass lights 'em up.
It would seem that this is the game to bring bass in, not a fragile lead in Boston. Oh well, live and learn.
Hey fellas, I rented a car with XM radio, so I managed to tune in right as the Twins were heading from 3-2 to 12-2. That's right, I'm taking credit for this one.
The red-dpg working the count here. I like it.
Maybe its a ploy to tire out the bullpen for tomorrow's game.
Red Dog is getting his money's worth from this AB.
you bet'cha
Black Jack likes the idea of spankin' the yankees. Hrm.
No big deal or anything, but the Royals are beating the Sox 9-1.
It was just 3-1 not that long ago when I looked. Go Royalty!
Twins to Rangers:
So was that a productive out from Mike Lamb, or just continued sucking?
Could be both. If it gets him released one day sooner, it was a productive out.
Gordo: "Check swing by Lamb"
Me: "I know he sucks John, but he isn't batting right now".
A series win! I love it. Light 'em up boys!
Don't look now, but Delmon's BA touched .300 for a few minutes there tonight.
Hmmm, too late to change my vote to SERIES SWEEP but my man Baker is on the mound tomorrow, so that's where I think things are headed.
Looks like KC is gonna pull it off - we are the champions (of being .5 games out).
KC wins! .5 games back. Woot!
Excellent game thread work, kids. Almost as good as listening to the game. Almost.
MAN that was a fun game to be at
Sadly, I missed out on a Delmon Bobblehead (THANKS CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE! Twin Cities folks, i dont know how you can deal with that everyday) But I saw Delmon demolish a ball and Justin destory one and the Good Livan and fun was had by my group
lets get the sweep tommorrow!