I/O:  Kirby Arnold with an entry on the lineup woes.  Kirby points out that there's not a lot you expect from randomizing nine 50 OPS+ hitters.

CRUNCH:  I know you don't want to hear this, but it's just a slump.  (1) There's no such thing as a team that scores 2.0 runs a game.  The D-Jaxx would get that in the AL.  (2) There's nothing unusual about a team suffering for two months, and then everything just clicking suddenly, and the glory begins.

Not trying to be pollyanna.  The M's could lose 100 games for all I know.  But with Felix, Lee, Bedard, and Fister in the rotation, let the offense start clicking and you can rip off a 15-3 streak real quick.

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I/O:  Larry Stone with a minor-league report.  Luke French kickin' tail and takin' names.

CRUNCH:  French will get, and should get, another chance sometime.  Sooner rather than later.  He's still got the shellshocking yellow hammer and the old James principle is, most pitchers - if they could stay healthy - would eventually figure a way to get guys out.

Yellow caution sign here is:  French is averaging 4-something strikeouts a game in AAA, with a 1% HR/F rate and a great strand rate, so I wouldn't assume a Fister-esque leap forward down there.

Not saying he shouldn't get a chance.  Just that we wouldn't bank on a new pitcher when we see 'im again.

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I/O:  "Felix has lost his swagger," Drayer opines, and had done so before his couple of losses.

CRUNCH:  He looked plenty swaggery to me before the last two games; the estimable Jeff Sullivan suspects back pain right now.

1.  After 29/30 games holding teams to 0-3 runs, having two off games is like watching Larry Bird miss a free throw, I guess.  Great pitchers lose, guys.   Roger Clemens' 162-game average was 17 wins, 9 losses, and probably 75% quality starts or somesuch.

2.  If Felix' vibe were indeed off, there would be no doubt in my mind that it would be family distractions, the noted back pain, or somesuch.  It ain't his stuff. 

Objectively speaking, Felix' stuff is 100% there - same K rate, same FB velo - but his command is a little off.  That might suggest lack of concentration, yeah.

His xFIP is within 10% of his career, and recent, norms.  Bottom line is, if he's hurting, it needs to be chased down, but all pitchers have up-and-down years and Felix in a "down" year would still be a staff ace.

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Keep da faith,

Dr D