David HK

I'd like to think that future is now. And he can bring his pal Astudillo along with him.

That was a great and gritty performance from Berrios. He was just as advertised- what an arm, and now getting to understand how to "pitch," as well. He's an ace for a long time to come. Trouble is, every starter now has to live up to those kind of stats if they want a chance to come away with a win. Pitchers will amp up the pressure on themselves not to give anything up, because they know this offence has no chance against anyone of even mediocre quality.

No, that's just Bobby rumbling down to first.

God, what we could be doing with this year's starting pitching, and last year's offense... ...and next year's manager....

No.

There is still time, and we can thank the baseball gods for us being in the Central. But our MoY has given away so many winnable games in this first half, I don't see us threatening Cleveland without a dugout sweep-out. Case in point: "And we've gotta give some props to Matt Magill, the rarely-used last man in the bullpen who continues to step up when called upon." While we were watching RPE and ARE give away game after game, sometimes on their own, sometimes in tandem, Magill sat rotting in the BP for 10 days. Finally, he relieves Romero and shuts Cleveland down for 3 innings. MoY's take? "You're not sure what you're going to get after 10 days off." Well, WHY were there 10 days off? Especially when the only 2 guys you ever use in leveraged situations are blowing each and every game they're in? Why would you not even have anyone warming while ARE is getting tagged 0-2 again and again? Why would you leave the Robbie Grossman Experience in the field in a tight, late-inning game? The Twinks have already given up more than a handful of winnable games, while waiting for the cavalry to arrive- waiting for Polanco and Santana, for Joe to return,for Bux and Sano to find their a** with both hands. Lynn has responded well after a terrible start. Morrison hasn't. Dozier has been in a slumber all year, but until recently, was still hitting in the 1 spot, or other crucial places. This team has needed a hand on the tiller who's not afraid to shake things up and try new combos to get it done. I'm probably beating the same dead horse here, but I don't see us in the same position with someone like, oh, say... Ozzie Guillen in the dugout. We've needed to stay close to the Indians while we wait for reinforcements, and for guys to figure stuff out. Giving away winnable games, especially against our Central neighbors, is a crime.

I concur. While ARE's usage stats are in line with previous seasons, he is a year older every year-- the body simply needs more recovery time as it ages. Couple that with the fact that not only are ARE and RPE being overused in the same spots again and again, blowing leads again and again, there seems to be no recognition on the part of the MoY that maybe we should try something different this game, or the next. Same script, same results, same string of losses to whom we previously considered inferior teams. Especially so when the offense is as offensive as it has been, those late innings are unfortunately crucial nearly every time out these days. So what if we have to bounce Duff, Curtiss, Busenitz, et.al. back and forth a few times? It gives them a taste, too, and gives those other guys the break they need here and there. Plenty of other teams do it. Get the hot hand in Roch up in the Cities. If he fries some late innings, well, bump him back down, and he knows what he needs to work on going forward. At least if we're giving away games, let's do it with some potential benefit. I'm just speculating, but Ozzie Guillen would probably do it that way.

An encouraging last couple of days, after a discouraging last week and a half or so... And we've got reinforcements coming in soon- Polanco is nearing a return, Gordon is on the horizon (hopefully), Joe is back already and who's to say Bux and Sano don't get straightened out somewhat in the next month or so? Which is exactly why you need a manager who isn't giving away winnable games, burning out pitchers, and and keeping the team as close as possible in the pennant chase. O-Z! O-Z! O-Z!

Good. About time for a move like this. Ft Meyers, tho? I was surprised by that. Now, when is MoY going to be optioned, like back to roving baserunning instructor or something? Ozzie can still save this team.

I can echo Doc's comment above- why in the world ain't we operating the Rochester Shuttle for the 'pen, like we did for the rotation last year? Duff has been up and down, and that's good. But my God, Busenitz, Curtiss, Anderson, even Moya, tho' our lefties have been fine. Get 'em up, give RPE and ARE a rest, fer cryin' out loud! Can it really be worse, than just giving away winnable games in predictable fashion, and burning 2 guys out in the process? If we're going to go ahead and lose anyway, why not do it with guys who are part of the future instead of the past? Didn't even have anybody warming up when ARE started giving it all away. And Grossman in RF late in the game???? When either Cave or Kep are right there on the bench? Oh, forgot, Kep was so sorely needed for that 2-out-nobody-on pinch hitting appearance in the bottom of the 9th. MoY needs to go, yesterday. Ozzie needs to get his hands on the wheel and drive this bus home.

I don't think there are enough dilithium crystals out there to fix this team. But put me down in the Change-in-the-Dugout (on the bridge?) category.

Hee hee...! The snark is strong with this one!

Good win. Chicken for all. Sux we're chasing the Tigers at this point, tho... Ah, well, I'll take it.

I always had that same question back when he was a Twin...

Well, at least they've got Blaine Boyer warming up. We still have a chance to add on.

My God, you've got the biggest body on the team. Get that bulk in front of that ball.

Oh, for heaven's sake. Just back from class, and the FRE has already started in earnest. I should have brought my BP monitor to work today.

Oh, goodness gracious me... Burch Smith? Isn't he of the Hamptons Smith's, the boy who went to Exeter Academy with RFK's grandson? Another member of the KC chapter of theOmegas- along with Whit Merrifield, Cheslor Cuthbert, and I suppose we could add Hunter Dozier....

OK, Lance. There's your 2 runs for the day. Make 'em stand up. That is all.

Well, they ate a lot of money, but at least not the max. I'm glad for the club, and for Phil, for having a place to get a fresh start. Good luck to him, and the Pad's.

I want all 3 of these dang games. Let's beat their brains in.