Spring Training Poll - NL West

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 19, 2008, 4:58 am

Maddox is a good pickup. He is old as dirt as far as pitchers go these days (non-roided pitchers, you goofy Clemens fans). However, the guy still has his moments. I like what the Dodgers are doing here. However, if I see Piazza, Karros or Hundley, I am laughing at you all. Well, Mikey could do a mean PERT commercial.....

Seriously though, if they had Penny back, it would be a one team race in the W.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 19, 2008, 5:16 am

Maddox was awesome in his prime but he gets rocked these days.

Best ball location pitcher ever.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 19, 2008, 9:14 am

Winnow wrote:Maddox was awesome in his prime but he gets rocked these days.

If he is getting rocked, then Randy Johnson is getting totally shelled. Maddux is having a better season then he is with a 3.99era and 1.22 WHip in 153ip. His record is a result of the potent Padre lineup. Looking at the Dbacks, he would be your 3rd best pitcher.....which unfortunately equates to the Dodger ace

Should continue to be a great race until Webb gets hurt at 19wins, then we roll past

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 19, 2008, 9:16 am

Canelek wrote:However, if I see Piazza, Karros or Hundley, I am laughing at you all. Well, Mikey could do a mean PERT commercial.....

Well I did see Gagne back here a few games ago, so anything is possible!

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 19, 2008, 3:37 pm

Good news for Dbacks fans and Dodger haters, Andrew hit 2 HR in AAA yesturday so there is a great chance Torre will bench someone good who is helping us win Ethier/Kemp to see if Jones will be 'inspired' by Manny

Fuck that would piss me off, I already have mixed feelings on Torre and this move would be seriously stupid. I know they want to try to make Jones tradeable, but they should cut their losses at this point.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 19, 2008, 3:58 pm

The next 15 game stretch favors the D'Backs. AZ has 6 games vs SD and hosts LA while LA has to go on the road to Philly and somewhere else without a day off before coming to AZ.

If AZ is going to pull ahead, this is the time to do it.

If Webb takes both games he pitches vs SD, he'll have 20 wins before the month of September. Something to shoot for! It's not like it will be easy as he'll be matched up against Lincecum.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 19, 2008, 4:45 pm

I'm thinking Webb is a shoe-in for the Cy Young, barring major setback.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 21, 2008, 3:47 am

ouch

LA drops 2 to Colorado while the D'Backs win 2 vs SD.

Haren got win #14 but gave up 4 runs in the first. Peavy got rocked for 6 runs in first 2 innings. (another Dunn homer)

Webb pitches tomorrow.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 21, 2008, 7:09 pm

yeah, LA can beat everyone outside the West it seems. At least we got one today but I doubt Webb will lose to SD so we will still be 2 back

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 22, 2008, 1:33 am

You would think a guy that is supposed to win the CY this year he would last more then 7 against the Pads

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 22, 2008, 2:28 am

Trek wrote:You would think a guy that is supposed to win the CY this year he would last more then 7 against the Pads

Are you kidding me? He pitched seven scoreless innings (giving up only 3 hits) and was hit by line drives twice. I'd take him out after 7 as well just in case his arm/wrist needed looking at after that.

Padres 1
D'Backs 4

Webb wins #19 in dominating fashion.

How is 7 scoreless innings and 3 hits not dominating? Amazing you're whining about his number of innings pitched. The guy is second in the entire league in innings pitched over the past three years. He got tagged by balls twice tonight. Jeeze. Anything to bring the guy down. That's a pretty sad attempt.

---------
So, Webb's last few games:

Tonight Won 4-1
Won 12-2
Won 6-1
Won 3-1
Won 2-1
----------
Webb gave up more than one run in only one game over the past five games. *

*but he sucks and Peavy (rocked for 6 runs in 2 innings) and Lincecum are better.

Webb has a chance to win 20 games before September (hasn't been done in over a decade)*

*but he sucks and Peavy (rocked for 6 runs in 2 innings) and Lincecum are better.

He must be winning these games due to run support because he's getting rocked for a little over one run a game...can't be Webb that's responsible for these wins...not giving up all those runs and all. (the closer have up the single run tonight)

PHOENIX (AP) -- It was a career night all around for Brandon Webb -- the most victories he's ever racked up in a season, plus the hardest shot he's ever absorbed in the majors.

Webb pitched seven shutout innings for his career-high and major league-leading 19th victory Thursday night in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres.

He was also hit by a sharp comebacker from Kevin Kouzmanoff in the sixth. The ball ricocheted off Webb's chest but he picked it up and flipped it to Tony Clark to end the inning.

"This is the worst one, for sure," Webb said, describing the discomfort. "It got me pretty square, then I had to go toward first base but I had to get the out. As bad as it hurt, I just went after it and was able to make the play."

Adam Dunn, who leads the league with 34 homers, was intentionally walked in the fifth and drew another one in the eighth, boosting his major league lead to 94. He had seven walks, two home runs and five RBIs in the series for Arizona.

Dunn leads in HRs and Walks. Amazing what his patience at the plate has done for the rest of the team.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 22, 2008, 7:57 am

yoink

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 22, 2008, 1:29 pm

Speaks volumes when the lead league in dongs is 34. I like it! It is a nice rollback to when only a few asshats were doping.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 23, 2008, 2:53 am

How'd Maddux' first start work out for the Dodgers tonight? Was his ERA for the game beyond calculation?

Randy Johnson notched 13 Ks tonight. Not bad for a 44 year old.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 23, 2008, 10:20 am

Yeah he didnt look good. 13k's is pretty good tho it doesnt = a W. LA looks to be ready to fall apart, someone needs to step up and get them excited again

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 24, 2008, 1:14 pm

Dear LA,

Please beat the fucking Phillies tonight.

Thanks,

NY

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 24, 2008, 3:15 pm

Not looking good, LA is back to uninspired baseball I am used to seeing, kind of like seeing 9 Andrew Jones out there going "oh well at least I get my check"

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 24, 2008, 8:06 pm

D'Backs closer Brandon Lyon sucks ass. They need to put Jon Rauch in the closer spot.

Lyon has been getting rocked for a month. He gets boo'd by his own team fans. Can't have a pitcher that gets boo'd as the closer.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 24, 2008, 8:11 pm

Have the same problem in LA, half our pen is on the DL. Broxton could be a decent closer at some point but not right now, he doesnt have the head for it.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 25, 2008, 12:47 am

These guys are pathetic, cant close a game, cant get a run with bases loaded no-outs. Thats pretty much been Dodger baseball over the last 20 years

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 25, 2008, 2:49 pm

You can have Heilman and Feliciano. In exchange, the Mets request a 3-way combo plate from Dr. Hoggly Woggly Tyler Texas BBQ in Panorama City.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 28, 2008, 2:02 am

Timmy moving closer to a chance at the Cy Young, 7 2/3 with 1 run for the win combined with Webb imploding... this kid is silly good.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 28, 2008, 12:39 pm

Pherr the Dorf wrote:Timmy moving closer to a chance at the Cy Young, 7 2/3 with 1 run for the win combined with Webb imploding... this kid is silly good.

Webb had one bad game. Lets not go overboard.

More importantly

The Dodgers, losers of six in a row vs The D'Backs, losers of five in a row...tonight!

Lose five and they still have a 3 game lead. There's no stopping the D'Backs!

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 28, 2008, 5:19 pm

It'll be hard to give it to either guy at this point, Webb has the W's and the division, Timmy has the K's and ERA, truely both players are pitching out of theiur minds.

Webb had a bad game but now he can't have another and get the Cy in my opinion, Lincecum still has a mulligan like that disaster the other night by Webb

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 28, 2008, 7:40 pm

Since Kent started that shit with Vin this team has sucked. You would think at this point in his career he would have like another shot at a title, instead of being known as the guy that talks his team into losing

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 30, 2008, 8:51 am

LA's going to have to eventually win a game sometime if they hope to stay in the race.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 30, 2008, 10:50 am

Winnow wrote:LA's going to have to eventually win a game sometime if they hope to stay in the race.

Yeah, thats normally how you take a division. Unfortunately LA is done, they have been for over a week, you can see it in their play. They dont care, are not excited and have no remorse for loosing.

Good news tho, they lose a shit load of payroll this year:

Penny - 9 mil (hope they dont pick up his option)
Lowe - 10
Maddux - 10
Loaiza - 7
Blake - 6
Furcal - 16
Nomor - 10
Kent - 11 (hope they dont pick up his option)
Bennett - 2
Sweeney - 1
Manny 20(doesnt count since he was paid up)
Saito - 2 (give him another shot)
Biemel - 2 (would like him back)
Proctor - 1 (would like him back)
Park - 500k
Brazoban - 500k

Thats 90million in freed up money if they are smart and let them all go. I hope they send a big offer to Sabathia intead of Manny, even tho if he signed in LA he would be hurt for the duration of the contract. I am pretty skeptical that LA will gut this team like they need to. They need to go after a few guys that really want to play and win and bring up a few young guys to fill in some other spots.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 31, 2008, 10:31 pm

Wow, that's the worst game Webb could have pitched tonight. He picked a bad night to suck with it being the Sunday Night Baseball Game on ESPN.

May have cost him the Cy Young.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » August 31, 2008, 10:42 pm

Winnow wrote:Wow, that's the worst game Webb could have pitched tonight. He picked a bad night to suck with it being the Sunday Night Baseball Game on ESPN.

May have cost him the Cy Young.

It is Lincecum's to lose at this point, I was shocked by his performance and actually cheering for them, only because I hate the ducking fodgers.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 31, 2008, 11:42 pm

To be honest I thought Webb would get his 20th against LA just to add insult to me loosing the 20 win bet. I guess he can still do that in 5 days when they play in LA.

Why the Snakes cant put LA away is beyond me, its not like they are trying to catch Az

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » September 1, 2008, 1:38 pm

Pherr the Dorf wrote:
Winnow wrote:Wow, that's the worst game Webb could have pitched tonight. He picked a bad night to suck with it being the Sunday Night Baseball Game on ESPN.

May have cost him the Cy Young.
It is Lincecum's to lose at this point, I was shocked by his performance and actually cheering for them, only because I hate the ducking fodgers.

I'd agree that the Cy Young is Lincecum's to lose. He's been incredible, especially given the year the Giants have had and this being his first full year in the rotation. My only concern is that we won't see much of him in the coming years. His delivery generates a lot of torque, and he'll probably be prone to injury. Webb may have the most wins, but wins are not the best indicator of a pitchers effectiveness. Rich Harden and CC Sabathia could enter the picture, but since they both pitched in the AL for more than half the season it hurts their chances.

I could care less who wins the West, unless the Rockies mount another comeback. According to ESPN, there's a 3.9% chance of that happening, so who knows?!

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » September 4, 2008, 5:05 am

That 5 spot did not help, he needs to be lights out these last 5 or it will go to Sabathia at this point and if he wins out it might be him anyways... what is he 10-1 since coming over?

Webb and Dempster are the tier 2 guys going into the last 4-5 starts for them all.

Also everyone so far that studies Lincecums delivery says it should add zero strain to his body... damn if I don't hope they are right.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » September 4, 2008, 1:06 pm

I was at the game on Tuesday, and Lincecum was not hitting his spots like he normally does. He had a few pitches in the dirt which resulted in some steals by a few heads-up plays by the guys on first. Both of those wild pitches came in the 5-run 4th. He also had a ball sail over Holliday's head and hit his bat for a 'foul'. He was a bit wilder than he usually is and thought if he came up to bat he would be facing some chin music after a fair number of high and inside fastballs.

I'd still be surprised to see CC get they CY. He pitched 2/3 of the season in the AL, which is going to be tough to overcome the voters with. I think he got robbed on the no-hitter, but I'm guessing the CY is coming out of the West... Webb, Haren, or Lincecum. I agree, it would be tough for Lincecum to win considering he's on a losing team. Pedro was the last to win the CY on a losing team in 1997. Voters are easily swayed as well by total wins. Consider this for a moment; the Giants bullpen has blown 5 Lincecum wins to Webb having one blown save, they have almost the same number of wins at this point (20).

Wins to a pitcher is like RBIs to a hitter. They're stats that are dependent upon your teammates doing their jobs.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 4, 2008, 1:14 pm

If Webb can manage another win or two and end up with 20-22 wins, he'll get the Cy Young...unless he keeps giving up 5-6 runs a game.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 5, 2008, 11:52 pm

Its awesome that Kent got hurt, I have really grown to hate him over the last month. Since he has been out of the clubhouse LA is having fun and are now winners of 5 in a row and are doing pretty good against Haren. This is what they need, even if they bring that POS Jones back to the bench, Kent has always been a cancer everywhere he's played. He is a great ballplayer but cant stop his mouth from bringing his team down.

Very important fwe games here being back 1.5, I wonder if we can actually take the division lead for a night or 2!

Go Dodgers!

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » September 6, 2008, 12:00 pm

Dodgers are a half game back with Webb going for number 20 tonight. Third time is the charm (?).

Colorado is 5 games out! Go Rockies!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2008, 3:37 pm

D'Backs look like the Dodgers did the last few weeks. This D'Bacls/Dodgers series should be a playoff atmosphere but the D'Backs look out of it.

Haren looked like he lost the game before he even started pitching last night.

I hope Bob Melvin emphasizes to his team that this series is basically a playoff series before tonight's game. If Webb has snother bad games things could start looking grim! (plus the D'Backs will have lost the lead in the NL West for the first time since April)

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 6, 2008, 7:43 pm

Looking like LA is going to be in 1st! I still have hope(tho not much) that Webb doesnt get 20 wins! At least he wont get it vs LA

GO DODGERS!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2008, 8:20 pm

Looks like the D'Backs are done. I saw no enthusiasm these past two games with the season on the line.

The schedule favors the Dodgers over the next ten games. Arizona might finish closer to Colorado than LA.
That was quite a stretch in first! 4+ months!

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » September 7, 2008, 6:57 am

so is Webb's Cy Young

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » September 8, 2008, 1:25 am

Winnow wrote:Looks like the D'Backs are done. I saw no enthusiasm these past two games with the season on the line.

The schedule favors the Dodgers over the next ten games. Arizona might finish closer to Colorado than LA.
That was quite a stretch in first! 4+ months!

You call yourself a fan? That's fucking pathetic! There are 14 games left and you're throwing in the towel. They're only 1.5 games out of first. Gratz for showing your fair-weather fan colors.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 8, 2008, 2:34 am

Hint: Football

Don't really give a shit about baseball except when there's no football to watch!

As I said, they look as pathetic as the Dodgers did a few weeks ago. Of course I'll pull for them to win games but they appear done in their current state. Thee straight games of unenthusiastic play doesn't exactly win over fans. I expect full effort out of these players in return for attention.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 8, 2008, 8:02 pm

8-0 since Kent went away, unfortunately Torre wont see the connection and Kent will be back to ruin our shot. So dont give up hope there Winnow, it wont take much to overtake LA if Kent comes back. Plus I think LA plays SF 9 games or so which to some might = easy wins for LA unless you follow that rivalry, these two have been knocking each other out of the postseason for decades no matter how bad the other team sucks.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 8, 2008, 8:14 pm

Trek wrote:8-0 since Kent went away, unfortunately Torre wont see the connection and Kent will be back to ruin our shot. So dont give up hope there Winnow, it wont take much to overtake LA if Kent comes back. Plus I think LA plays SF 9 games or so which to some might = easy wins for LA unless you follow that rivalry, these two have been knocking each other out of the postseason for decades no matter how bad the other team sucks.

This is the matchup for Arizona's game tonight so it won't be easy:

ARI: Petit (3-4, 3.44 ERA)
SFO: Lincecum (15-3, 2.60 ERA)

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 8, 2008, 8:25 pm

It would be the time for Webbs teammates to help him out a bit, not that I want them to ( I of course want Az to lose right now) but he carried them for awhile they can try to knock Tim around. I still think Lincecum (pronounced Licsumcum since he plays for the gaybay

) is one of the best pitchers out there this year. I am not sure if he could keep this up at his size for an entire career, but if I was building a club I would take a shot on him.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 9, 2008, 1:17 am

Well, Tim has 9k's in 7 IP so far and the snakes havent scored a run again. Making a pretty strong case for CY

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » September 11, 2008, 3:04 am

God that felt good.

Barring a Collapse Timmy is Cy, Sandoval, Lewis, Burriss and Velez are all players (Velez is a 5th or 6th infeilder but still a player imo), Sheirholtz damn well looks like one too (I want to see 250 AB's still), the Giants are really not that far away with the pitching they have in the majors and stocked super deep in the minors.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » September 11, 2008, 1:42 pm

I haven't been this excited since FERNANDOMANIA.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 13, 2008, 12:25 am

Webb up 1-0 in 7th, not looking good for me

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 13, 2008, 1:24 am

I win!

D'backs relief pitchers almost blew it for Webb though.

Who will win the NL West?