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Please tell me I'm not the only one watching the likely 2009 #1 overall pick Strasbourg pitch for Team USA right now...

No, it started in the AL. He wouldn't make it past the Rays, who I'm hoping claimed him.

maybe one should read the thread before complaining about people complaining. except Ping's first post i can imagine he'll still take exception with that one Take exception to what?

That's fine...but I can get that same generalized "who's better than who" info from ERA, right? So what value does the Win/Loss record give you that I can't get from another stat? You can say that about every stat that isn't what you consider the most valuable stat. What value does OBP have when I can look at EqA? Well for one, many, many more people know what OBP is. This isn't a "this stat is better than that stat" for me. It's just that I think W/L gives more misinformation than valuable information and can actually be more hindrance than help. It goes back to application of it, if applied properly, it does have value.

That's fine...but I can get that same generalized "who's better than who" info from ERA, right? So what value does the Win/Loss record give you that I can't get from another stat? You can say that about every stat that isn't what you consider the most valuable stat. What value does OBP have when I can look at EqA?

Because for right or wrong it is still a stat that is commonly accepted as an important stat for a pitcher.

If it were up to me, I'd make room for Atkins on the 40 man roster, call him up for Sat., They really can't afford to lose Samardzija as a reliever for 3-4 games.

Depending on what you use as the ultimate definer of pitcher's production, you will see a correlation between higher wins/less defeats with that definer. You used Harden's ERA over his 1st 3 starts, over time, if he was to maintain that 1.04 ERA for 34 starts, he would likely lead MLB in wins that year. You pointed out the flaws in using wins as the ultimate definer of pitcher's production (run support/quality of team), which is why wins is never the 1st choice as to why pitcher X is better than pitcher Y. If I was to say.... Pitcher X has a record of 150-100 over his 10 year career and pitcher Y is 100-150 during that same timeframe, knowing only their records, who would you guess has the likely lower ERA?

As far as a pitcher's win total: I don't have a problem with someone stating wins, Wins/Losses and ERA are still the most used totals concerning a pitcher. In regards to wins, if you gave me the choice between two pitchers based solely on Ws/Ls, I would take the one with the better record obviously. My next question would be what are the remainder of his stats, where does he pitch at home, etc. so I can get a much more accurate conclusion as far as which pitcher is more likely to be more productive in the future. Wins and Losses have value, just not as much as some would like you to believe. Same thing with batting avg., hitters were largely evaluated on their batting avg., now it has shifted to well beyond whether or not a hitter get a base hit or hits into an out.

They're not even showing the baseball game online. They have ping-pong and fencing but not baseball.

Pitchers that don't have change-ups Pitchers that leave 0-2 FBs right down the middle Pitchers that don't cover 1st Pitchers that don't vary their looks to 1B Pitchers that don't vary their times to home Pitchers that don't call their own game Pitchers that don't establish their FBs 1B that don't stretch to catch the ball on a close play 1B that sling the ball to the pitcher covering 1B 1B that position themselves incorrectly on throws to 2B 2B that pivot poorly on DPs 2B that fail to cover 1B on a bunt SS that don't have the body control to field and throw on the run SS that lack arm strength SS that are poorly positioned as a cutoff man 3B who are content ending up at 1B later in their career 3B who position themselves too close to the line allowing hits between him and SS OF CF'ers who fail to take charge OF when they overthrow the cutoff man OF when they play too deep b/c they can't go back well OF that try to make the spectacular play when there isn't one to be made OF that don't use the crow hop throw OF that don't use the crossover step C that don't block balls in the dirt with their body C that don't block the plate properly C with bad throwing throwing mechanics C with bad footwork and get the ball to 2B over two seconds C that are afraid to bust a pitchers balls Hitters that can't use all fields Hitters that swing at the 1st pitch after the pitcher BB'ed the last guy on 4 straight Hitters that roll over everything Hitter that steps in the bucket Hitter that has no idea of the strike zone Hitter that knows how pitchers are getting him out and can't adjust Hitters that can't bunt Runners that don't run out close plays Runners that are retired at 3B with 0 and 2 outs Runners that don't pick up the ball on their own. Yes, I am a geek.

Baseball begins at 9:30 tonight CST online with Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands. 10:30 has China vs. Canada. Bout time, baseball began.

I forgot to mention that Price has been promoted to AAA.

It wouldn't surprise me with Lou, he doesn't care about player salaries.

Rays win their 71st game, setting a franchise record! 4.5 games ahead of Boston and 8.5 ahead of NYY.

Agreed, that is definitely the best route against RH'ers. Although, part of me wants Hoffpauir up here despite the lack of defense in RF. I just can't sell myself on Fontenot starting 4-5 days a week, despite his numbers.

He was starting to overthrow towards the end. It was a bad move by the Cards, it could've happened at any moment, just less likely if he was still rehabbing at Memphis since he likely wouldn't be throwing max effort around 65 pitches. They rushed him, IMO.

If there was an instance where someone could portray my concept of what a Cardinals' fan in St. Louis would be like, this would be it. :wink:

The Rays cont. to come from behind to win games. They were down 5-1 and came back to win 8-7 in 11. Also matching their franchise high of 70 wins in a season!

That was a rough game for Peoria, never got on track once Beloit put up 3 runs, cut the lead to 3-2 and then it fell apart from there.

I wonder why he was so ticked? If I were him, I would have been happy to interview and shove it right in their face. He's probably tired of the questions concerning the Cardinals, it seems that most of the questions being asked to him are based on what he did for the Cards rather than what he is doing now individually and more importantly what the Cubs are doing as a team with the most talent and the best record in the NL. I don't think he's ever been a media favorite to begin with, I'm sure he's cordial (maybe Mr. Miles can verify this?) to the Cubs beat writers and what not and that probably isn't good enough for much of the overzealous STL media. From some of the comments within the STL media, some turned on him once he signed with the Cubs, which is idiotic given the opportunity they presented him, talented team and immediate opportunity to start. Whether or not it was the emotions spilling over after the highly energized game or a built up dislike towards STL media and LaRussa (after his comments to the media), he did appear to have some resentment towards them. He wouldn't be human if he didn't feel like sticking it to his former team.

It's odd seeing that bat being able to catch up to letter high FBs, after what he has done in STL the last two years. I'm glad he's in a platoon situation, it's better off for him being a 100-120 game type of player maximizing a fresher 400 PA player than drain him with the Summer grind. Once Sept. comes around as hopefully the Cubs can clinch beyond the final weekend of the season, they can give Soriano and Edmonds some extended rest with Pie and Hoffpauir.

Corey just drives home the point of how important the mental side of the game is for hitting. Corey has good bat speed to hit line drives consistently, 20+ HR power potential, & is an explosive baserunner who can play CF well. He never gave himself the chance to utilize his obvious tools, he doesn't have the ability the make the adjustments to his game as far as strike zone awareness, how pitchers handle him, & bat control (espec. when behind in the count) to become an everyday regular.

Fwiw, Giles said that he would've blocked a trade to the Rays as well.

Sounds intersting, obviously I have fallen behind on my Cubs' farm system.