Spring Training Open Thread: Pirates at Braves (maybe)
by gondeee on Mar 12, 2010 12:58 PM EST
in Open Threads
91 comments
Rain in Florida is putting the kybosh on many a spring training games today. The Braves-Pirates game has been pushed back to a 1:30 start time. Here is the lineup for Atlanta (notice the big change at the top):
Martin Prado, 2B
Nate McLouth, CF
Chipper Jones, 3B
Troy Glaus, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Jason Heyward, RF
Matt Diaz, LF
Jair Jurrjens, P
This is very likely the lineup we may see on opening day. It will be interesting to watch how long they keep Prado and McLouth switched, and if that works for both of them.
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I'm liking this change.
McLouth doesn’t seem to do well leading off an inning, hopefully Prado is better at it. McLouth definitely has better on-base skills than Prado, but as long as Prado can sustain a high batting average it should be no problem.
The third-base umpire ran into the outfield and retrieved the biggest chunk. "It's a f***in' potato."
by alligatorimpersonator on Mar 12, 2010 1:00 PM EST reply actions
It would be nice...
To see Heyward get some protection. I like this only if a lefty in on the mound (although with a lefty I would think that Matty would bat higher in the order). I mean it’s awesome that Heyward has a great eye, and that he doesn’t swing at a lot of trash pitches, but I don’t want to see him walk because he’s being pitched around. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it now. The 2-hole is where he needs to be right now. Our lead off guys get better pitches to look at and he is protected by Chipper.
Just my opinion of course!
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Mar 12, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
I’d love to see Heyward in the 2-hole. Maybe not right away, but if he looks good lower in the order, I think the 2-spot would work great for him. He’s got great contact, power, and on-base skills that would profile well there. Not to mention some speed, too.
The third-base umpire ran into the outfield and retrieved the biggest chunk. "It's a f***in' potato."
by alligatorimpersonator on Mar 12, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
Heard that!
What manager John Russell thought when Morton hit J-Hey with a pitch, "Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons!"
by I Saw Buzz Beaned on Mar 12, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Further down, I kinda wanna see the order be JHey, McCann, Esco… due to (a) speed of JHey; (b) propensity of Esco to hit into DPs.
If you’re trying to avoid Escobar hitting into DP’s, wouldn’t you want Heyward batting front of him? That way if Heyward’s on first and Escobar is coming to the plate, Heyward could either steal second or get to 2nd base fast enough to break up a double play.
The third-base umpire ran into the outfield and retrieved the biggest chunk. "It's a f***in' potato."
by alligatorimpersonator on Mar 12, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Possibly.. I admit I’m a little torn on that … you could almost say that my suggestion is a ‘surrender’ and assumes that if Brian is on base, he’s gonna get doubled up. In your scenario, JHey might need to be running a lot (which may not be a bad thing). But I fear that in the lineup above, Esco could become a rally killer.
Escobar
is kinda funny, because he’s either a huge rally killer with all his GIDP’s, or he’s the guy driving in all the runs with his awesome OPS with RISP. He may kill a lot of rallies, but he’s still the best we have in hitting with RISP.
The third-base umpire ran into the outfield and retrieved the biggest chunk. "It's a f***in' potato."
by alligatorimpersonator on Mar 12, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Or if not...
he’s big enough to scare the living piss out of anyone making the turn as he tries to break up a double play.
lets go Jair
I presume this is not on MLBN
by nathan rothschild on Mar 12, 2010 1:16 PM EST reply actions
Of course, they are showing the Yanks :(
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
No audio on iPhone MLB at bat 2010 app
This stinks. I have gotten very used to listening to the game at work in the few days I have had this app……
#FAIL
"Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?" - Harris in Major League (1989)
I don't know
why you think this will be the opening day lineup. We will be facing Carlos Zambrano, a RH pitcher, so Nate will lead-off and Melky will be the LF.
Is this one on the radio anywhere?
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backwards in a mirror." ~George Carlin
Wow WTF
No audio?
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 1:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Will you keep us updated?
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
Prado single; McLouth bunt single; E Pitcher – Prado to 3rd.
Chipper to first on FC which claims Prado at the plate.
Glaus batting – McLouth picked off between 2nd and 3rd.
Glaus walks. Chipper to 2nd.
McCann line out to Center. End inning.
ah thanks
sounds like a solid inning…except what’s the deal with McLouth getting picked off? That’s strange for him
The third-base umpire ran into the outfield and retrieved the biggest chunk. "It's a f***in' potato."
by alligatorimpersonator on Mar 12, 2010 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
That is ugly. 5 guys come to the plate. 4 get on base. 0 runs score. 3 outs are made. Ouch.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 12, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
great
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
His velocity can vary
Sometimes 93-94, sometimes 89-90. But movement and location always good and the change is always outstanding.
by nathan rothschild on Mar 12, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Good inning for JJ, that's good news.
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
OMG, I would be running for cover!
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
Must have been a very small window. :(
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
I'm the bad luck guy!
I swear! Last week, the MLBN blacked out the game and as soon as I logged on to the radio broadcast it went out of service. Then, I just got the audio going and they stopped play! Eff me I just want to see/hear the Braves!
I am not optimistic on continuing today
In about 10 more minutes, the rain will taper off significantly, and a very light patch will move in, but it won’t stop raining… maybe not for at least a couple of hours (depends on whether this system is being re-fed from the Gulf).
Yeah, and why risk an injury playing on a wet field.
Weather looks good for the weekend.
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
U know whats really ill about this lineup.
R
L
S
R
L
R
L
R
Very balanced.
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
favorable lineup...
swapping mclouth and diaz/melky makes too much sense and i know it’s been discussed…
vs lhp
diaz- 921 ops
prado
chipper
glaus
mccann
escobar
heyward
mclouth- .711 ops
vs rhp
mclouth- 824 ops
prado
chipper
glaus
mccann
escobar
heyward
melky- 730 ops/ diaz-
imo, melky provides no offensive upgrade over diaz in a platoon role, as i think diaz could outperform his own numbers given the plate appearances vs. righties are not few and far between.
My opinion cant be wrong. It's my opinion. Those who don't like it can piss up a rope.
I’d hit Heyward 6th above Esco when we’re facing a righty.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 2:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
reply fail...
see below
I
V
My opinion cant be wrong. It's my opinion. Those who don't like it can piss up a rope.
yeah...
i do agree with you. i just tried to keep the lineup as steady as possible.
My opinion cant be wrong. It's my opinion. Those who don't like it can piss up a rope.
Game is on!
Heyward at the plate.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 3:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Hey guys. What’s crack-a-lackin?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 12, 2010 3:13 PM EST reply actions
Hello all...
dropping in to say hola….now going to watch my Vols play some basketball in the SEC tourny…all while pretending to work!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I had a dream last night...
…that we traded McLouth for a boat load of cash and picked up Jayson Werth in the offseason….oh! What a glorious dream it was
by thenightstallion on Mar 12, 2010 3:38 PM EST reply actions
And where would he play?
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 3:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And then we’ll just get rid of MattyD?
No thanks on Werth. He’s already 32 and he plays in a hitters paradise. And he’d probably get something close to Jason Bay’s contract.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 3:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No…no contract at all. Just a boat load of cash, a boat, and his own personal stick with fire on the end of it to carry around in his free time. Gotta love that beard!
by thenightstallion on Mar 12, 2010 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
We’re giving him a boat load of cash, plus I assume we’d throw in the boat too, its a dream so I feel like anything is possible, so he’d play Center or Left. Unless he wanted to fight Heyward for right.
by thenightstallion on Mar 12, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Just end it already
None of the players wanna be there anyway.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."
by mvhsbball on Mar 12, 2010 3:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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