markb

Man that's a quick hook from Maddon, but I guess when you have David Price going tomorrow you aren't too worried about burning the bp.

Avg velocity on his 4-seamer last night was 88.04

Umps are having a real solid 24 hours. Fredi Gonzalez ejected after a pretty clearly foul ball is ruled fair: http://m.mlb.com/video/v32937797/atlstl-gonzalez-ejected-after-bunt-ruled-fair Sean Barber taunts Bourjos and then tosses him: http://m.mlb.com/video/v32918763/atlstl-bourjos-matheny-ejected-between-innings Not to mention 3 obviously terrible checked swing calls in our series against the Rays.

Let me know what statistical matchups Scioscia has exploited recently.

This should be the everyday lineup til Calhoun and Hamilton get back.

This is gold.

Said it in the gameday thread earlier... I was ok with giving Ibanez more time because he'd had an equally terrible April last year and then caught fire. His May numbers up to the 16th last year: .348/.375/.1000 and this year: .136/.375/.136 The walks seem more a freak accident than anything. When he actually swings, his timing is completely off and he makes nothing but weak contact. There's really zero sign of him being ready to break out in any way with the ABs he puts together. There's no reason to wait for Calhoun and Hamiton at this point -- Cron and even Navarro or Green are far better options.

Oh well, we'd won 6 of 7 coming into today, not going to fret. Pretty rough wasting a good Weaver outing though. Plus, even as a "Pujols apologist," I'm not feeling great about where he's at right now.

Gubi sounds like he's following the gameday thread.

I was on board with giving Ibanez some time in May to see if he gets back on track after what he did last year but... yeah, time to pull the plug.

I'm on board with this nickname.

"perhaps a batter too late." That's why I love Victor. He always says what we're thinking with a delivery passive enough to not get him in trouble.

Literally just as I hit post...

I like how effective Kohn has been this year, but he needs a really short leash when he has these nights where he can't find the plate. I hope leaving him in here doesn't put this game out of reach.

The worst part is the 15 minute AB that follows with all the throws to first. Thank god DeJesus bailed us out by swinging early.

Some serious angelswin carnage on the way if Pujols doesn't come through here.

Apparently this umpiring crew has no idea what a checked swing is.

Archer just Ibanez'd a pitch.

Conger and Cowgill back to back has so much gif posting potential tonight.

Weaver hitting 89 there

http://deadspin.com/witnesses-mitch-williams-called-child-a-pussy-order-1577451834?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Cowgill has the 4th highest OBP in the AL. Whatever, lets bat him 8th and put the guy who went 3 weeks without a walk at leadoff instead. Surely it's because Archer is a RHP... Cowgill vs. RHP: .318/.412/.432 Archer vs. RHB: .380/.425/.577 Well ok then.

*basks in the validation*

Remember when people were unhappy that Cowgill made the roster out of spring training?