Garrett Richards

[Docwaukee]

actually, i guess he didn't really throw the changup.  my guess is that he will if he continues in the rotation. 

[markb]

I do recall one of his early K's yesterday coming on a really nasty changeup, but the numbers definitely show he has only thrown it once in a blue moon this year.  Maybe yesterday was an indicator that he'll work it back in.

[Second Base]

Again, the abandoning of the change up and disappearance of the 12-6 is a result of the Angels coaching staff flat out telling him not to throw it.  The mechanics, Scott is right about, he's still trying to work it out so that he can repeat them, but to Richards' advantage, they aren't particularly complicated and he doesn't put much strain on his shoulder or elbow at all.  Pretty smooth. 

[Erstad Grit]

Looked good, not great.

 

Too many 2-0 counts imo. A's take a lot of pitches, many other teams would have squared up on 2-0 and not take a fastball. 

 

At times filthy off speed. A few little league curve balls mixed in. (Not exaggerating, one curve was almost a riser which was thrown towards the on deck circle)

 

All that being said, anyone who would rather have Jerome, Hanson, or Blanton in there is crazy.