GAMEDAY THREAD 5/21/14 HOU @ ANGELS

[Quinlanforthewin]

The ONLY criticism this lineup needs is Ibanez hitting cleanup and/or playing at all.  It blows my mind, it makes no sense, but it's what we've seen from Scioscia.  So I shouldn't be surprised.  He's done it with Finley, Abreu, Alfonzo, Wells, GMJ and every other struggling old ass veteran under the sun.  

[Homebrewer]

I don't understand the Aybar or Howie hate.  Aybar is not a .260 hitter.  Dude is hitting .311 with an .817 OPS over the last month.  These are comments from people who do not watch the games.  He's only hitting .260 because he started the year off cold but he's been on fire lately, why wouldn't you have him at the top of the lineup? 

 

I won't even address the Kendrick criticism because the dude has been arguably the best hitting 2b in baseball. Maybe Dozier but Kendrick is a close second. 

Kendrick it seems, has almost always been an early season hitter.

[Homebrewer]

The ONLY criticism this lineup needs is Ibanez hitting cleanup and/or playing at all.  It blows my mind, it makes no sense, but it's what we've seen from Scioscia.  So I shouldn't be surprised.  He's done it with Finley, Abreu, Alfonzo, Wells, GMJ and every other struggling old ass veteran under the sun.  

The ONLY criticism this lineup needs is Ibanez hitting cleanup and/or playing at all.

[Broad Street]

I don't understand the Aybar or Howie hate. Aybar is not a .260 hitter. Dude is hitting .311 with an .817 OPS over the last month. These are comments from people who do not watch the games. He's only hitting .260 because he started the year off cold but he's been on fire lately, why wouldn't you have him at the top of the lineup?

I won't even address the Kendrick criticism because the dude has been arguably the best hitting 2b in baseball. Maybe Dozier but Kendrick is a close second.

THIS. So much.

[JAHV76]

Nice catch Cowgill

[Bombsauce]

Cowgill has been incredible so far this season. I hope he can keep it going!

[moccasin]

Howie and Aybar are both nice players. The problem is, that they don't belong in the top of the order. Starters are often shaky with their command in the first inning, and you don't want them to get away with it by hacking them off the hook. Driving up pitch counts early in the game also puts pressure on starters and sets the tone for the game.

 

Howie and Aybar are not good 2 strike hitters, they swing out of the zone way too often. Howie might do well against lefties, because lefties can't throw sliders away to righties, but Aybar does not belong there in any case.

[Homebrewer]

Classic Weaver Inning!

NICE!

[moccasin]

Neat. 15 pitches, 2 IP.

[Waybackman]

How about scoring some runs for Jered!

[moccasin]

Just saw that Raul has reached base in 14 of his last 28 PA.

[markb]

Oh come on

[moccasin]

Damn it Springer.

[rafibomb]

I really don't like the Astros.

[AngelArcher]

Two hard hit balls that inning. Just means this guy is hittable.

[Docwaukee]

we'll get this guy. 

[Homebrewer]

Hellavu catch by Springer. Kole squaring up the ball is great to see, 1st AB...

Nice..

[tdawg87]

Love the efficiency so far for Weaver.

[moccasin]

Navarro is a big leaguer.

[tdawg87]

Erick Clutchbar

[Sherlock31]

So........what's wrong with Aybar battling second?

[rafibomb]

Effin' Navarro baby!

[moccasin]

Pujols grounds out, 5-3. yawn.

[markb]

I really dislike George Springer.

[rafibomb]

I really dislike George Springer.

same.