20 Observations After 20 Games

at Boston.

I still don’t think this is a 90-win club without Lackey and Escobar pitching tandem and healthy.

Matthews batting second and GA batting clean up.

We’d have won a 105 games that year. There are all kinds of places this season can go, and we’re looking pretty good at the 20 game mark, despite the injuries so far. That’s enough for the moment. Personally, I like the feel of this team. We still haven’t really kicked into high gear and yet we’re this good. We’ve shown in a number of games that we don’t quit, even if we’re down by over ten in the 9th. That’s a cool feeling to have.

His defense at first has been unbelievable and his clutch hits have been something else. I only wish he would get a bit more time batting against lefty starters, never the less, I am satisfied with the first 20 and hopefully Big John and Howie can make it back soon.

And goddamn this series nearly gave me a heart attack. Made it to all three and aside from the second game there was some very entertaining baseball. What a rollercoaster Friday night was, Torii Hunter showed in this series that he is well worth his contract (And Dodger fans raved about their Andruw Jones signing and look where they both are now). I was sitting behind the M’s dugout that night and that last shot by Sexson looked gone, Hunter made an awesome catch, right when I saw him measuring it up I just though ‘Oh shit..’ Saunders (for the most part) and Santana both pitched lights out, didn’t expect that from Santana. The Angels piss me off, I dont know if they always do this or just step it up against us, but it just seems like they get runs across. No matter what it takes, 2 out singles, stolen bases, etc. I have much respect for the team. Im definitely jealous of the way your ballclub is put together with all that speed throughout the order. Well at this point the series is at 3-3. Im sure there will be more good baseball played beween our teams. Although we lost 2 of 3, it was a great series and I had a great time at the games. The Big A is really a great place to watch baseball (and I gotta say the fans were very hospitable which makes it nice when rooting for the visitors, unlike when at Dodger Stadium). Heres to a great pennant race.. (and go M’s!)

Has impressed me the most so far. I’m especially happy about his bunting ability. That one he laid down today was great.

Lineup tweaks….
Swap Kotch and GA in the lineup and swap Howie (when he returns) with HGH.

Scioscia is very diplomatic about these matters, and he’s willing to give players all kinds of rope to asphyxiate themselves with. I really think the Angels made the GMJ deal knowing full well it might not create more than a couple years of value, but they were willing to take that gamble. I doubt they were as stupid as they sometimes appear, which is why they went hard for Torii after he became available. If GMJ really turns out to be Journeyman Gary, the Halos can move somebody else there … like, I dunno, Kendry Morales? Probably too early for that, but you get my drift. Mike can make some decent lineups, and I figure he’ll put something useful together.

I don’t mind Saunders only pitching 80-90 if he continues to pitch this well.

Difficult to say we’ll win it by 12 when we haven’t played anyone with a winning record…

If we take at least 3/6 from the next week, and then we’ll see.

Re no.16 – which one is drunk Darren and which one sober Darren?

Re no. 13 – What’s our conversion rate in that situation. We’ve missed 4, Hunter hit that walk-off slam, so we’re 1 for 5? Have I missed one? Nice to see the team putting themselves in a position to win, but it would be nicer to finish a couple off (Mr Anderson, I’m looking at you).

...we get our first Halos game of the season live over this side of the pond on Sunday night.

of course you do have your probs in boston. i believe everyone does so i’ll let that slide.

HK should bat second (when healthy) , and what about flipping GA and Vlad. With GA batting 3rd he will see a lot of fastballs which he will be able to hit when he is 50, and lets him bring in RBI’s like he can and Vlad will most likely have a chance to have more men on base. this also takes any pressure off of GMJ and maybe he stops slumpping at the # 6 spot

RE: “Frank Thomas will not be enough.”

Are you predicting one of our divisional foes will sign this albatross?

or does Frank Thomas have just about the ugliest swing in the majors??

seriously… i cant believe that guy has hit 500+ homers in his career. that swing is nasty

LINK – to – STORY

It says that basically the Mariners need to make a move, because all the Angels are doing is biding time waiting for Lackey to return. I guess we all knew this, it is just funny to see national (Connecticut) media trying to “help” the M’s.

but I think it’s very possible that Frank Thomas would be a liability (or at least, a wash) on a Mariners team that looks remarkably like the Angels’, offensively. That is, not a lot of power, a decent amount of speed, and a bunch of slap-hitters at the bottom. Thomas would likely be hitting in the 4-5 hole, which means to get him home from second you’ll have to hit a double.

except Morales should be DH-ing…. :)