Unshielded

by Rev Halofan on Sep 2, 2007 8:29 PM PDT in Angels News

Blame of the Game: Scot Shields

If Scot had had the liberal strike zone afforded C.J. Wilson, he would have been out of the 8th inning on the 4th batter.

As bad as Shields was - and it is about ten times more threatening to the team's fortunes than the lights of Ervin Santana and Bartolo Colon combined - he went thru a meltdown after getting squeezed. Enter CJ Wilson who was held to a strike zone approximately twice the size of what Shields had to work with.

I am not an umping whiner, look back over everything I have ever written, it takes a 2005 Doug Eddings too get a peep out of me. The Rangers got this one giftwrapped twice - once by Shields, once by Blue.

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Comments

can't disagree, but

what the F is Scioscia leaving him like that?

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 8:19 PM PDT reply actions

I love Shields

but he needs to be relegated to mop-up duty until he shows he can consistently get outs. Use Speier and Oliver as your setup-men.

The Hunt for a Red October ...and please keep telling Clutch to chill!

by cardinalwraith on Sep 2, 2007 8:20 PM PDT reply actions

Agree completely

He just doesn't have it in the high pressure situations and letting him pitch out of his troubles is plain stupid!

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Rich Thompson for setup man

Get rid of Quinlan

by edhoo on Sep 2, 2007 8:21 PM PDT reply actions

all i can say is crap

don't let santana pitch tomorrow. i don't want to watch another crappy pitching performance

by UCIHalo on Sep 2, 2007 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

i agree.

i know there's a big difference and seattle's playing like shit but stop wasting any more starts with santana.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Sep 2, 2007 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

how do you give up four runs in a third

of an inning? fuck confidence now, i agree with what someone above said, until he proves he can do it, no more eighth inning critical innings for shields. we need a nathan haynes of pitching.

"it's mind-bottling."

by retrohalo on Sep 2, 2007 8:24 PM PDT reply actions

It took Lackey 7 2/3

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions

As soon as Shields starts openly cursing himself

when facing his first batter you know he is done himself in.

by 44FAN on Sep 2, 2007 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Scot

sucks right now.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 8:25 PM PDT reply actions

if mike scioscia is the best manager in

baseball, baseball's in trouble. leave speier in next time you baseball genious, you.

Bad Shields makes me unhappy...

by CaLiKrAzY on Sep 2, 2007 8:28 PM PDT reply actions

i don't hate scioscia

i hate his lovefest for shields in critical situations and it's making you suck as a manager. the end.

Bad Shields makes me unhappy...

by CaLiKrAzY on Sep 2, 2007 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

what about his love fest for santana?

by UCIHalo on Sep 2, 2007 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions

And until this thing is completely out of reach

don't screw around with starting Rivera. The team played really well last week. Let the Yankees bury the Sea Monkeys...and then experiment to our hearts delight

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

I posted to you towards the end of the game ...

...thread with a definition of leverage index. Hope you enjoy.

...on the road....

by Jack Kerouac on Sep 2, 2007 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

I read it and now I understand perfectly that there are people out there (you included) that are a hell of a lot smarter than I.

My wife is from Thailand and now I know how she feels when I try to explain basic baseball. ;-)

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

It's hard sometimes on a ....

...posting board to tell whether someone is being sarcastic or not. If you are then I apologize if I offended you or came off as a smart ass, I am just one of those who likes to follow win expectancy, win probability added and leverage index. Not because they are the be all/end all, but because it adds to my interest in the game. I find it interesting when a series of ABs defies the norm and produces unexpected results. Last night, at one point, the Angels WE was approaching 80%, but alas, it wasn't to be. Likewise, the Angels were a hit, or even an error away from a stunning return from the dead victory.

...on the road....

by Jack Kerouac on Sep 3, 2007 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

You didn't offend me

You just analyze things waaayy beyond my ken. I make it a habit of not being critical of things I don't understand...it lessens the chance of me being an ass (does not eliminate, however)

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 3, 2007 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions

At work

I deal with economists who interject probability econometric analysis into pricing models every day. I nod sagely and ask them what the impact is and to explain it the same way they would to a slow sixth grader at a pool party.

I understand basic principles, but when these things shift at bat to at bat...it better fit into an excel formula.

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree Moondoggy

I don't want Rivera messin' with our mojo....

We've been tearing it up without him...

I'd ease him in by giving him pinch-hit AB's and late inning duty in games with big leads.

Let's not look for ways to screw this up

by Jack Frost on Sep 2, 2007 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Get Scotty on the communicator

Our shields have failed and we're dead ducks.....

by anaheimisnotla on Sep 2, 2007 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

We had better turn things around tomorrow

and really STICK IT to the A's.

The Hunt for a Red October ...and please keep telling Clutch to chill!

by cardinalwraith on Sep 2, 2007 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

The lineup today was also a disaster

Reggie has been in a pretty bad slump for awhile, despite his platoon splits.

Juan showed that he is far from ready to start on a major league team. Whoever said it above is right--he should ride the pine until we clinch or run away with the division.

As long as Kendry keeps hitting the ball, he needs to stay in the lineup as the DH.

Finally:

KOTCHMAN NEEDS TO START AGAINST LEFTIES. Quinlan got a few hits this game, but he is far and above the better hitter and better defender.

The Hunt for a Red October ...and please keep telling Clutch to chill!

by cardinalwraith on Sep 2, 2007 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

No more...

Using Scott "Shield your eyes" unless we have a 4 run or more lead. I'm thinking those of us with tickets need to do exactly that when he steps onto the mound.

by atung on Sep 2, 2007 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Agree

I completely agree with the Rev in this case and I don't think Scioscia was at fault for putting Shields in there. That ump's strike zone was absolutely ridiculous. Shields has been pretty good the last few games (though with an atrocious August overall). As soon as they saw Shields was going to have difficulties, they started warming Bootcheck and Oliver - but it takes a few minutes to warm and we didn't have that luxury.

Something is wrong with Scot's mechanics. His fastball was fine but all of his other pitches were missing by a mile. If you only have one pitch, you're not going to get anybody out.

by BrickTamland on Sep 2, 2007 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

Agree that the strike zone was questionable

but if it was clear Scot doesn't have it, Scioscia should have pulled him earlier. He could have sent Butcher out to the mound to stall and give Oliver and Bootcheck time to warm up in time to face Blalock.

The Hunt for a Red October ...and please keep telling Clutch to chill!

by cardinalwraith on Sep 2, 2007 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Shields = Michigan

Rev do you own a Shields jersey? You are quite the Shields apologist.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 9:02 PM PDT reply actions

no shields jersey here

no apologies either - i gave hime the damn blame, whaddaya want?

by Rev Halofan on Sep 2, 2007 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Leave the blame at you sucked

not he was squezeed blah blah blah.

His strike zone has been squeezed since June. He has ONE pitch and righties need only sit on the outside corner.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions

a little harsh, Dog

Rev didn't throw the pitch

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Just wondering?

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Blalock's a Lefty!

Wake up.

by Rev Halofan on Sep 2, 2007 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Generalities

not the grand slam

I am well aware of Blalock he has tanked two of my fantasy teams.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Sep 2, 2007 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

The "Lose" photo

I am not offended by equating one of treacherous military disasters (that looks like the USS Arizona) with the loss of a simple baseball game. But as a loyal employee of PepsiCo, I would rather not equate this disaster of a ballgame with our elixer of a product.

While baseball is not life or death, any possibility of affecting my stock options is.

Thank you for your time.

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 9:25 PM PDT reply actions

LIve by the public domain billboard impression

die by the public domain billboard impression...

by Rev Halofan on Sep 2, 2007 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions

fair enough

but if you could use it in a "win" picture somehow, the damage to my retirement position could be mitigated

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I hold stock in Maxim's Ultimate Panty Shields

What am I supposed to do?

by 44FAN on Sep 2, 2007 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions

What?

Did Rev use these in a "stop the bleeding" Lose photo?

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I fell asleep, DVR'd the rest of the game.

And my worst nightmare occurred - Shields coming into a one run game.

What's happened to this guy? He's gone from the best setup man in baseball, to....Ervin Santanaesque.

At least we found out one good thing tonight. Vlad's mom is a MILF.

by bc56274 on Sep 2, 2007 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

Panther!

you are a very disturbed individual and a credit to this blog.

GA GA he's the man, if he can't do it, no one can

by Moondoggy on Sep 2, 2007 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

just think

I remember writing my opinion that Shields was inconsistent and losing it, wild etc. I got my ass chewed apart and 50 bazillion posts on how wrong I was with all the supposed stats to support everything. I was going by regular old observations......and oh how the stats and mighty numbers were proving me wrong...........

yeah, right!!!!

by ladybug on Sep 2, 2007 11:33 PM PDT reply actions

Using your eyeball

instead of your slide rule.

Oh there is a game going on besides the numbers?

by Rev Halofan on Sep 3, 2007 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I think we ought to DFA figgy because he's

batting .127 and he's a head case and GA is a big waste of money but we'll never let him ride the pine because he's getting paid $10 million bucks and trading Jose is a big mistake because we need his bunting ability and his pitch calling and I question Howie because he can't defend like Kennedy and Brandan Wood should be playing third because he's got more HRs than anyone in SLC and Stoneman drops acid before he decides what he's gonna do at the trade deadline and Sosh isn't actually watching the game, he's just reading a script to decide what to do next.

P.S. ESPN won't give us any cred. hmmm... I dunno if you'll ever eat crow on that one.

by melvintoast on Sep 3, 2007 8:36 AM PDT reply actions

I was at the game

and I couldn't see balls and strikes from where I was sitting, so I don't know how bad blue really was. However, someone told me ESPN wouldn't show any replays that would display the incompetence of the umpires and they didn't even show GA's check swing in the ninth.

Is this true?

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Sep 3, 2007 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

I was also at the game. Along the

first base line isn't the best vantage to see balls and strikes but what appeared to get the strike call in other innings wasn't getting it in the 8th. In particular, there were at least 3 called strikes in the 9th that I thought were balls in the eighth.

A lively fan in my second also expressed wonder.

by melvintoast on Sep 3, 2007 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions