M's Two Point Five Out
.
A few days ago, Dr. D warned gravely that the Mariners would need to win 3 of 4 in Kansas City. Not "need" 3 of 4 the way the Cavs "need" 3 of 4 after they've played two games against Golden State, but "need" in SSI terms. Which is a high bar.
He was wrong, improbable as that may seem. Kansas City themselves were bad at baseball the last week, losing 4 of 5 games to tighten the race. In retrospect Dr. D should probably have given consideration to the Royals' -12 run differential on the season. Ah, well. Even James Paxton gets a pitch wrong now and again. (Speaking of, after Zeus' win on Friday we're back to -1.5 out with 50 games to go. The Seahawks have overcome more, in fewer games.)
.
HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED
Threw the ball "not bad." True, he only got 3 swings and misses during the game. But we already knew that was not exactly going to shoot webs, ride a silver surfboard, spray magical green constructs out of a ring on his hand, or run a K/BB of two.
What the TANNED, RESTED AND READY Gallardo did do, was throw a decently lively fastball, a slider with a fairly late break, and induce plenty of blonkers off the Royals' bats. He crossed them up more often than not. One barrelled-up pitch went into the seats for two runs but Dr. D actually felt bad about it. Gallardo probably deserved (a little bit) better than his 5 IP, 3 ER.
Bottom line is, with a minty-fresh arm and the reality of his baseball knowledge, Gallardo can probably give some #5-ish starts if needed. Is he? ...
.
MARC-O
Jerry Dipoto had an interesting quote, that he doesn't want Gonzales to "feel" like he has to be a savior for this team. To which we can confidently add, "Huh?"
We sincerely doubt that Marc-O expects to walk into the M's clubhouse and find a mural on one wall, depicting Gonzales flying prone through the air on a Nerf dunk. Just the same, SSI appreciates sports psychology and the super-low bar the M's are granting Gonzales. He can run head down, middle of the pack, take a taxi into the last eight starts having skipped the heat of the sun in Rosie Ruiz fashion. Might be just the ticket for him to sneak up on some people and surprise.
.
HIT ME WITH YO' CHEAP SHHOOTTTTTTT, Dept.
The M's were tied what, 3-3 or 4-4 going into what, the 6th or 7th after Scrabble hosed down a Gallardo rally. Whereupon Skip brought in what, Zych or Vincent for the Red Sox Extra Innings Style Duel ... NOPE?! PAGAN IS COMING IN? When Servais hit the #9 reliever button, Dr. D instantly, and he means instantly, hit the triple fast-forward and was oh so very right to do so.
You have to use your hosses at the right pace, no doubt. The thing is that Servais has approximately 8 hosses. For three innings a night. When did BASE ball get so HARD.
Can I get a witness from the congregation? What was UP with that pitching change?!
.
1.5 GAMES OUT WHEN ZEUS SLAYS AGAIN
Well, -2 out to the Tampa Rays who are the main comp here. Their run differential being an, um, plus 6 on the season.
This is a very gettable wild card slot, gentlemen. Fifty left. WHY are we not AHEAD by TWENTY GAMES ... whoop! Sorry. Keep mixing my blogs.
.
Go get 'em,
Jeff