MUSSINA

by andyroth on Apr 8, 2008 4:30 AM EDT

Performance: A+ Excellent curve ball, varying speeds, great changeup and generally excellent location. I'm shocked. Interesting to see how he'll do in his next start in Fenway. Only thing I didn't like was his velocity....Hawkins made one exceptional pitch but didn't really show me anything again, especially in a blowout game with no pressure....Bannister and Hughes should be a good matchup today. With Chamberlain and Rivera rested Hughes needs to give them 7 solid innings against a fairly weak lineup and then hand the game over to the big 2.

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Wow

Didn't think you had that in you.

What will you do if this continues?

"Just when they think they got all the answers, I change the questions."
-- Roddy Piper

by matthaggs on Apr 8, 2008 8:20 AM EDT 0 recs

Moose ...

I still think he's done. He did have a few things going for him, though. First Tampa is a good young team full of hitters--impatient, young hitters. It's almost like watching a team of Robinson Cano's who hate to walk. That helps any pitcher, but especially someone like Moose who relies on the hitter to get himself out. Roth is right--it will be interesting to see how he does in a bandbox with experienced hitters.

He also had the benefit of exceptional hitting. We all knew the bats were stirring, but if we start banging the ball around and get someone like Moose 5-6 runs in games he starts he has a decent opportunity to log some innings, keep the pen idle and win.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Apr 8, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think you're giving him enough credit.

Yes the Rays are a young impatient team, but his curve was really working last night. REALLY working. He only allowed three men on base all night. That's been rare for Moose of late.

Also, they really didn't stake HIM to a 5-6 run lead. They didn't score runs 3 & 4 until the bottom of the sixth, and he was done by then. He basically pitched to a 2 then 1 run lead his entire outing.

I think he's pretty close to done too, but if he can manage to pull of performances like these every once in a while, he's still valuable to this team.

by bfriley76 on Apr 8, 2008 9:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

I have to give Moose credit

Yes, TB is a young team, but they can hit. And they clobbered Moose last season.

I was encouraged to see Moose make the necessary adjustments and keep them off balanced the entire game. He probably won't have many games like last night, but they really need him to log innings.

by anaconda on Apr 8, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

Is this becoming the

Andy Roth blog?

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Apr 8, 2008 9:03 AM EDT 0 recs

I hope not

But if he's not an ass, and demonstrates that he's actually more than "I hate Cashman," "I hate the Yankees", "I hate everyone and nobody knows anything but me," why not?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Apr 8, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up 0 recs