The mission for tonight, and the rest of April

by Cbeck3 on Apr 9, 2008 12:17 PM EDT

Survive.

The brass are smart to be careful with Derek and Jorge. Playing baseball in the cold is hard. Playing baseball in the cold with older players is risky. It helps us that Boston and Detroit have been slow out of the gate.

While I'd love to see us open up a 5 game lead in April and lead wire to wire I never expected that. So, now we have some problems. OK, let's hang in there and get healthy. Hopefully we can do that while not getting far back. I really am looking at Boston and Toronto. I can be behind the O's and Rays and still sleep.

Yesterday's game was a really bad one for big G with the glove. There were 3 runners picked off. One by Traber and two by Molina. This made no outs and one stolen base. Twice G couldn't tag a dead duck. Once the runner took off for second and he didn't even make a throw. Add WB's failure to catch and tag a runner obviously caught stealing at second and you have a real mess.

4+ outs given away and 2 runs scored. This is a sure way to lose.

These plays were more costly that Abreu's error which didn't cost an out, only a base.

So chin up and cheer for the warm weather. Speaking of weather, a few rainouts would be welcome in the next 3 weeks.

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Comments

Anything over .500 is fine

They get the bonus home schedule in May-July and can (I expect) take advantage of that.

So you're on the money with "survive" as the key to April. I felt 17-12 was a reasonable takeaway record for the month given the turns with Tampa and KC...but then 2-2 against those two isn't very heartening but it ain't death either.

I will say people in Detroit are getting very very nervous. Team hasn't start 0-6 since 2003 and really neither the pitching nor the hitting has been performing. (sayit with me now: OVER-RATED)

And if people think the Yankees bullpen is weak...heh, I think Detroit has major problems until June.

by detroit yankee on Apr 9, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

The Rays?

"I can be behind the O's and Rays and still sleep."

I would rather be behind Toronto, not Tampa Bay.

http://www.drivelinemechanics.com - An unconventional look at baseball video analysis.

by Driveline Mechanics on Apr 10, 2008 5:24 AM EDT reply actions

i think he means

in the long run we will be battling boston and toronto for the top spots, so keeping them close is more important... i happen to agree. i gotta think that both baltimore and tampa will fade.

You don't realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Apr 10, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions