Five things we learned last night.
1. JJ Hardy could very well have a breakout year. Hardy is now hitting .328 after a 4-for-5 night against the Bucs Friday. He already has seven bombs and 22 RBI. In 372 at-bats two years ago, Hardy had just nine homeruns and hit .247. Health problems have held him back, but this could be his year. Could be bad news for NLCD teams.
2. Maybe John Wasdin wasn't the problem. Marty McLeary, called up to replace Wasdin, threw 2 and one-third innings last night allowing four earned on four hits. Fair questions would include Where is Josh Sharpless? Dan Kolb? Anyone else?
3. We should have been worried about Paul Maholm, not Gorz. Coming out of spring training when fans everywhere were wondering why Gorzy was in the rotation, very little worry was expressed about Paul Maholm. However, it has been Maholm that has been terrible this year outside of his complete game shutout. Maholm is 1-4 with a 5.51 ERA, 19k/11bb in 31.2 innings with a 1.56 whip. Ouch.
4. Did anyone else think there were some bright spots in LaRoche's swing last night? No? Even when he ripped the single? Or when he smoked that ball late in the game? Not at all? Fair enough.
5. Give me some time, I am working on www.firejeffmanto.com, i just need the time and money.
2 comments:
Hey guys. I'm jumping the gun here, but watching the Bucco's on MLB.TV, LaRoche's 6th inning running error(s) are inexcusable from a major league player. Tracy should have benched him for the rest of the game after that snafu.
I'm not ready to give up on him yet, soley for the lack of a better full-time option in the line-up. At the same point, close to 30 games in and with the Pirates having the option of playing Sanchez & Batista at different positions, I would be apt to go with whoever has a hot hand amongst Castillo, Nady, Doumit, & LaRoche.
Matthias, its funny, because everyone is jumping on laroche and rightfully so, including us, but this guy just doesnt hit in april. he never has. maybe its the weather, maybe its whatever, who knows, but i think we have to stay patient, the Pirates cant afford a guy hitting .163 but they also cant afford to give up on 30hr power under 30 years old when they gave away their closer of the future. i agree about the baserunning though.
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