Random Thoughts from the Double Dip
Typically, like the character Timmy from the Seinfeld episode “The Implant”, I would suggest to just take one dip and end it. However, mother nature got in the way on Friday and the Jays and Tigers were forced to play a double dip on Sunday to make up for the rainout.
After a combined 5 hours and 27 minutes of baseball over the course of two games (in other words, a typical Yankees/Red Sox game), here are a few random thoughts from yesterday’s double dip:
Who would’ve ever guessed that Lyle Overbay was going to be the hero in the first game of the double header? Overbay isn’t your prototypical slugging first baseman, but he very quietly gets the job done yet takes a lot of flack from fans.
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Defense is something we almost always take for granted. This isn’t any knock on Brett Wallace or anything, but I have a feeling we’re going to miss Lyle Overbay’s glove the first few seasons that Wallace takes over first base.
Jim Leyland fielded nine rookies in the second game of the double header. That’s right … NINE. It makes me wonder who would win in a seven game series – that Tigers roster or the current incarnation of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Scott Downs has not allowed a run since June 6th, or his last 15 innings of work. Downs trade value just keeps getting higher and higher as the trade deadline approaches, and I wonder if Alex Anthopoulos is just waiting until the off day on Thursday to unload all his trades.
Compared to Brian Tallet, how good does Jesse Carlson look right about now? In his last 10 games with the Las Vegas 51’s, Jesse Carlson has a 1.46 ERA and has give up 2 earned runs. Brian Tallet on the other hand has given up 16 earned runs in his last 10 games to the tune of a 8.64 ERA.
I posted on Friday how Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler have been coordinating their wardrobe over the course of the road trip. Well, Sam Cossentino picked up where Buck left off and they ended the series with another matching effort.
But in the game I caught Saturday night (I missed the double header as I was at wonderland with friends), Tabler and Buck were in non-matching suits.
Combo Breaker.
Matt, it's sad that I noticed this … but on Saturday, Pat and Sam were in suits. For the first game of the double header, they were in suits again. Then in the second game, they were back to the matching shirts.
There's no rhyme or reason for it anymore, I can't figure out the pattern!
I might be the only guy to say this but I really don't mind Sam calling the game. Buck and Tabby sound seriously bland and boring far too often. I kind of like Sam's 'youthful' enthusiasm.
AA is allegedly asking the Red Sox for Jose Iglesias, in return for Scott Downs, which isn't going to happen. It wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't get moved, and the Jays just end up getting a compensation pick for him.
Mattt, same here … Cossentino isn't too bad. He has a bit of fandom in him a la Jamie Campbell, but at least he doesn't freak out when the opposition hits a home run.
Steve, sounds like the Red Sox are very adamant about moving Ramon Ramirez. That deal for Scott Downs could be a possibility, but I don't really see it as a gigantic upgrade for the Red Sox.
Yeah, I'm sure they want to move Ramon Ramirez – he's been pretty bad for the Sox, and Scott Atchison of all people has taken away some of his innings. However, he's been so poor that I can't imagine that he has any trade value; why would a team want him? Same with Okajima and Manny Delcarmen. They're all middle relievers, so a team would have to be insane to take them in a deal. (Then again, there's always the Astros and Mets and Phillies to dump MRs on…)
Steve, it's hard to say – I'm not extremely familiar with the Red Sox roster aside from the big names, but it always seems like teams in the hunt for the playoffs do pick up middle-relievers or setup guys to bolster the bullpen.
That's why Scott Downs makes so much sense for many teams. While they already have a closer, they could very easily fit in Downs who's great against lefties AND righties, but especially lefties if they need a specialist.