5/10 Snakes (Scherzer) @ Cubs(Dempster) 2:40PM Fox

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Some interesting Dempster notes from Baseball Prospetus:

 

1) Obviously, he's not been as good as his ERA. Tied for league lead in BABIP against and seven unearned runs.

 

2) He's improved his GB percentage to his best levels since 2005 and well over his career averages.

 

3) His pitch pattern has changed from when he was a closer:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=517&position=P

 

He's throwing about 60% fastballs at an average of 90 MPH, 20% sliders, 20% changeups. When he was closing, it was roughly 50% at 92, 30%, 20%. This may be why his GBs are up and his strikeouts down.

[rawaction]

The scouting report on the D'Backs offense is they can all hit fastballs middle in, throw them fastballs away or offspeed pitches at all times.

[Outshined_One]

Carlos Zambrano is announcing the lineups.

 

It's as awesome as it sounds.

[inari]

Odd, it looks like Schezer throws right handed, yet Felix Pie isn't playing. Lou must've gotten confused.

[UMFan83]

I think Dempster is going to be a solid starter all year long, but occasionally he is going to be hit hard when his control isn't there, and that of course is his biggest issue. Edited May 10, 2008 by UMFan83

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Soriano should try to negotiate a 1-2 count to start every at-bat. That'd be better than the 0-2 he always gets now.

[Outshined_One]

Soriano pops out.

 

1 out.

[cubbyvirus00]

I'd love to see Soriano start mashing the ball

[Outshined_One]

Theriot lines out to Jackson.

 

2 out.

[CubsGM]

I love having 2 automatic outs!

[Outshined_One]

Lee strikes out on 3 pitches.

 

End of 1, 0-0.

[inari]

Well jeeze, that wasn't so good.

[UMFan83]

This guy looks really good. Tons of movement on his pitches.

[dew1679666265]

Scherzer is impressive.

[Outshined_One]

I love having 2 automatic outs!

 

To be fair, Theriot smoked it the other way. If that ball was another foot in either direction, it's a hit.

[cubbyvirus00]

Once the entire lineup sees him...I thin we'll be okay. His pitches aren't unhittable imo.

[Flames24Rulz]

Odd, it looks like Schezer throws right handed, yet Felix Pie isn't playing. Lou must've gotten confused.

 

Wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last time.

[sneakypower]

I love having 2 automatic outs!

a .395 obp constitutes an automatic out?

 

thats peculiar

[Hairyducked Idiot]

And to use facts to kill a GDT meme that I'm guilty of:

 

Major-league hitters have compiled 41,426 plate appearances and gotten to 0-2 in 3,089 of them, a percentage of 7.46%.

 

Soriano has 97 PAs and reached 0-2 in 6 of them 6.2%.

[CubsGM]

Scherzer has a fastball and that's it!

[Chris24Young]

He's good and all (Scherzer), but he still doesn't have a reliable 2nd pitch.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if you guys get to him good soon..

[dew1679666265]

I love having 2 automatic outs!

 

To be fair, Theriot hit a rocket, but Jackson made a nice play. Normally, though, I agree on Ryan.

[Outshined_One]

Jackson pops out to DeRosa.

 

1 out.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Soriano has a .191/240/337 line in 96 PAs.

 

Assuming he hits to his career averages (.280/325/513) for the rest of the season and gets 500 more PA, he would end the season at 265/311/487. Eww.

[Outshined_One]

Upton grounds out, 6-3.

 

Ramirez made that one interesting.

 

2 out.