Javier Vazquez vs. Jake Peavy
by gondeee on Mar 14, 2009 11:23 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
38 comments
Tonight's World Baseball Classic game, that pitted the United States against Puerto Rico, had strong undertones of the Atlanta Braves off-season. The two starting pitchers were Jake Peavy for the U.S., the pitcher the Braves were rumored to be trying to acquire for over a month, and Javier Vazquez for Puerto Rico, the pitcher the Braves did acquire. Peavy was supposed to be the big game ace pitcher, and Javier Vazquez was the guy who couldn't pitch in the big games.
Tonight that all changed (or maybe it was never true to begin with).
Jake Peavy was not sharp with his command and didn't seem to have his best stuff. This led to him surrendering six runs in two innings, putting the U.S. team in a hole they could not dig themselves out of, especially against the strong work of Javier Vazquez, who was a big game pitcher tonight, allowing one run on four hits through five strong innings.
It may be only be mid-March, and it may have been an exhibition-style game, but both of these teams were treating it like a must-win playoff game, and the Puerto Rican pitcher, the one who will wear an Atlanta Braves jersey this year, came through when it counted.
At least today, it looks like the Braves made the right choice when they passed on Peavy and dealt for Vazquez.
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Javier Vasquez vs Jake Peavy
The news article says “It may be only be mid-March, and it may have been an exhibition-style game, but both of these team were treating it like a must-win playoff game, and the Venezuelan pitcher, the one who will wear an Atlanta Braves jersey this year, came through when it counted.” What? Venezuelan pitcher? His uniform says Puerto Rico!!! not Venezuela.
BTW, shouldn’t MLB World Series be renamed MLB Championship Series given the record of the USA against teams from all over the World? Just a thought.
by burquefan on Mar 15, 2009 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No
The WBC set-up is a joke.
One game doesn’t mean a fucking thing.
by get swoll yunel on Mar 15, 2009 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
give the guy a break...
he obviously knows who he;s talking about…
i have been disappointed with Peavy’s preseason so far overall. he is not really hitting his spots, but at least his velocity it still up. the command thing will come the more your pitch so I dont think the Braves should be judging this trade already. But at least Vazquez proved something with big game thing.
and burquefan, I actually like your idea for the World Series name change. so far the WBC is really proving that name to be inaccurate for just the MLB.
by MIZIKE on Mar 15, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oops
I guess I had Venezuela on the brain for some reason. I was watching their game today too.
I say we shouldn’t rename the world series. This tournament is at the beginning of the year, pitchers can’t go more than 60-pitches, there are too many rules and constraints to call it a “real” competition.
by gondeee on Mar 15, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vazquez
Vazquez was really a fantastic pitcher in the NL and I think he’s a very underrated acquisition this offseason. Back in the NL, I see him as a number two pitcher with even higher upside.
by was385 on Mar 15, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vazquez
could be that one underrated acquisition that really propels us this year. Nice fail on the “Venezuelan pitcher” with the Puerto Rico jersey right underneath
by acie4mvp on Mar 15, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he's just really focused on the battle for CF and is secretly rooting for Blanco
by RehabReject on Mar 15, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, yes, rub it in. But this is why you folks are here, to edit me.
By the way, you live in south Florida, don’t you? Did you make it to the game?
by gondeee on Mar 15, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
I haven’t been able to make it to any games, ATL or USA.
by RehabReject on Mar 15, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll lift you up ... and smash your heart to pieces
Of course i hope this isn’t true. But the dude is known for impressing, then collapsing into a miserable piece of crap.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
by FrankyWren on Mar 15, 2009 3:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vazquez was taking fucking names
I love watching dude pitch
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Mar 15, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
re: Peavy vs. Vazquez
This piece on Peavy vs. Vazquez is the kind of thing that would not impress an experienced baseball fan. I’m glad Vazquez pitched well, but it’s an exhibition game in mid-March. FWIW, I was never in favor of giving up a package of elite prospects for Jake Peavy. But anyone who actually contends Vazquez is a better pitcher than Peavy might want to take a look at Peavy’s Cy Young trophy case.
The thing about all of this is that Peavy missed a string of starts last June with elbow pain, while Vazquez never misses starts. I wouldn’t cough up elite prospects in return for a pitcher with recurrung elbow pain. But when Peavy is sharp, no one is better.
by Messenger on Mar 15, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe he meant Vazquez was the better of the two pitchers last night and he was.
BravesGirlBlog.com - Braves blogging by a Braves girl.
by mccannfan on Mar 15, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Context
This is not the first time Javier Vazquez has pitched a good game, and it won’t be the last either. But it’s mid-March.
If Vazquez pitches like this consistently in July, August, and September, then we will have something to talk about
by Messenger on Mar 15, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Peavy is sharp
He is good, no doubt, but I can think of 3 or 4 pitchers right now who, when on their game, are better:
1. CC
2. Burnette
3. Webb
4. Lincecum
5. Sheets
just to name a few, who when on, are just as good/better than Peavy.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 15, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ummmmm...
on their game?
burnette is NOT #2.
Yu Darvish has got to be up there. Felix Hernandez does as well. When they’re on…
Where’s Smoltz in that Discussion?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Mar 15, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and yes...
i know that Darvish is not in the MLB…but i’ve seen him pitch (last summer i went to Japan and the Giants were playing Hokkaido and the kid’s silly good.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Mar 15, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This wasnt a list in any particular order
the only order intended by the #s is the order that they popped into my head. And yes, there are other pitchers too, not just these, hence why i said “just to name a few”.
Geez, you guys are so analytical and literal around here.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 15, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well duh
we’re all baseball freaks :)
by chance13ga on Mar 15, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roy. Halladay.
"OBP is not a production number, and should not be used as something he achieved."
by VictorW on Mar 15, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have a winner!
I’d say Peavy, when on his game, is no better than Halladay, Santana, Sheets, Lincecum, or Smoltz. And good lord Doc Halladay is good.
by FineHamAbounds on Mar 15, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree on Sheets, and he really doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to be on top of his game right now, so its a moot point.
by soup du jour on Mar 15, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once again, Doc Halladay doesn’t get any love.
by Smoltz's Beard on Mar 16, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude, it wasnt meant to be
an all-inclusive list. I love me some Halliday, he just slipped my mind when I was making that post.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 16, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s kind of my point, that he constantly is left off of these types of on-the-fly lists. I’m not damning you by any means, just pointing out that he slips alot of people’s minds.
by Smoltz's Beard on Mar 17, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is every so rarely...
on his game (i.e. healthy) but when he is, Rich Harden belongs at or near the top of that list. 96 H and 181K’s in 148 innings last year to go along with a 2.07 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. That my friends, is blowing people away. Its a shame he contracted the athletic equivalent of aids from Mr. Hampton.
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism,
but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism,
until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism." --Nikita Khrushchev
by jeg on Mar 16, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Liriano is also a guy who ranks right up there when healthy.
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism,
but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism,
until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism." --Nikita Khrushchev
by jeg on Mar 16, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vazquez
I was also encouraged by his line from last night…..
I did not get to see the game (the only market the carries MLB Network in the SE Tenn area is ATlanta????), but i do like how effective he was to get through five innings on 60 pitches. If Javy can do this more often, he can go later into games and get those big k’s in the 6th and 7th to get to our bullpen. That would be a big boost to our team, and what the hell, that was our plan in the beginning when we got him. Heh, it would actually be good for a off-season plan of ours to work and not be derailed by injuries.
by bravesbeast1985 on Mar 15, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Isn’t this basically spring training for the Latin players too? I’m tired of hearing excuses from team USA. There’s no excuse for showing up rusty after last year.
That said, almost nobody from the current US pitching staff belongs in this competition. But even an American B-team shouldn’t get mercy-ruled. This team would win over 100 games if it played a full season.
by TradeAndruw on Mar 15, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i agree w/ what adam dunn said it was just embarrasing
by chance13ga on Mar 15, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doc and Oswalt
dont belong?
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 15, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oswalt? Not really. Who is Doc? I assume you don’t mean Gooden.
by TradeAndruw on Mar 16, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oops!
I was referring to Holliday, but didn’t realize that he wasnt on the roster.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 16, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Japan vs Cuba....
Steve Philips said he would throw “billions” at the young Cuban starter. And then said it again for emphasis. No wonder the Mets fired him!
Your source for blind optimism.
by 10-4 on Mar 15, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chipper scratched again with oblique strain
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Mar 15, 2009 6:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
jv vs jp
Jake Peavey has never been the pitcher Vazquez has, and probably never will be. I remember Vazquez when he pitched for the now defunked Montreal Expos, He was the only pitcher they had on that staff. I expect him to do a good job for the Braves as well. Can Glavine he should be in the retirement home. Glad to see Smoltz gone he was looseing it as well.
robert warren
by bobbywarren95 on Mar 17, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
HUH?
“Can Glavine he should be in the retirement home”
I am confused…are you asking if Glavine can do something, or making a statement?
“Glad to see Smoltz gone he was looseing it as well.”
I have had to loosen some things too…like my belt and my watch – being “grown up” sucks because it means I don’t have time to play sports everyday and I gain weight.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Mar 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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