Does CC = CY?

Yep, it is yet another Tuesday, the most depressing day of the week. That is especially true this morning for those of you poor saps that stayed up until 2:30 AM or so or whatever ungodly time the 49ers-Cardinals game ended. That is why we are here, though; to bring some cheer to what would otherwise be a truly morose day, and we do that, as we do every Tuesday, with some BP…

• Round One in the critically important series between the Rockies and the Phillies went to the Phillies. For those not following the standings too closely, the Rockies, despite absolutely no attention in the media and everyone largely ignoring them, had climbed to within three games of the Wild Card, and were just one behind the Phillies entering last night. Both teams were also theoretically in the hunt for their respective divisions, but those scenarios are becomingly less likely with every passing game. The Rockies had been in the lead too, having led 3-2 after six solid innings from Ubaldo Jimenez, who held the Phillies to four hits, three walks, and two earned runs, and he struck out three. However, that lead would be blown by a pro at blowing leads, Jorge Julio, who allowed a seventh inning home run to Pat Burrell, Burrell’s 28th, to pick up his sixth blown save of the season and to raise his ERA to 5.40. The lack of quality depth in the Rockies bullpen would come back to haunt them in the tenth inning, as the game would be blown by Taylor Buchholz, who allowed two hits and the winning run. Ultimately, if the Rockies come up short, they will look back at this game, and the season in general, and know that it was lack of bullpen depth that did them in.


• The fantasy offensive star of the game for the Phillies was Shane Victorino, who was 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, his 36th and 37th of the season. Hitting .285 with 11 homers, 44 RBI, and 76 runs, Victorino one of many speedsters this year showing that your stolen base targets in fantasy baseball do not have to be one-dimensional Juan Pierre types. Of the fourteen batters with at least 30 stolen bases, only six do not have at least double-digits in home runs, and of the eight that do five have over 20. This excludes Brandon Phillips, who right now has only 29 stolen bases, but with those 29 and with 28 homers he is all but a lock for a 30-30 season, one of at least three that we should see this year, and we could see as many as six. In other words, do not head into next year’s draft thinking you need a speedster-only type like a Pierre, as there are far better, more well rounded ones out there.


• The Brewers should be embarrassed. After finally taking back the division, they went out Monday one game up and blew that small lead by being shut out 9-0 to the Pirates. The good teams are supposed to feast on the bad, and the Brewers are not doing that now. One has to seriously question their desire after a loss like this.


• Speaking of teams that have just folded, with their loss yesterday the Mariners have won just two of their last 14 games, taking what was once a lead and watching it spiral into a deficit that they are unlikely to rebound from. Their pitching has been a big part of the problem, with Horacio Ramirez receiving a severe pounding yesterday. Over 1 2/3 innings, Ramirez allowed four hits, two walks, and five earned runs, and he struck out one person that feels very foolish for having been the only person fooled by Ramirez. Ramirez’ ERA is 6.80, and his last quality start came 11 starts ago. Not that he was much better before the break, but since the All Star break, Ramirez is 4-4 with a 7.02 ERA, with only 26 strikeouts and 23 walks in 57 2/3 innings. To think, all the Braves got for Ramirez was their current closer…
  

En Fuego

• Sure, everyone is talking about Alex Rodriguez’ nine home runs over the last two weeks, but what about the eight that Carlos Pena had? Pena also had more RBI during that stretch than A-Rod – 20 to 17 – and in runs scored, 13 to 12. If Carlos Pena is not comeback player of the year, there is something fundamentally flawed with the process.


• Why is C.C. Sabathia not getting more buzz for the Cy? Over his last three starts, the Indians’ big man is 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and 4 walks. Looking for a consistent pitcher? Sabathia’s last non-quality start came back on July 14, and the last time he allowed more than two runs was July 19.


• Todd Helton no longer hits home runs, but he is doing whatever he can do to carry the Rockies into his first playoffs. Over the last ten games, Helton is hitting .459 with three RBI, ten runs, and more walks than strikeouts (7:3). No longer a slugger, Helton is doing his best to become Tony Gwynn.


• Over his last four starts, Chad Billingsley is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 4 walks over 27 innings. Just imagine how much better things might have turned out for the Dodgers had they not wasted him in the pen for so long.

El Hielo

• Jason Giambi is just lost right now, and the Yankees, wisely, are not giving him too many at-bats to figure it out. Over the last two weeks, Giambi has appeared in just nine games and picked up 24 at-bats, hitting just .083 in that time. Even when not hitting, Giambi at least used to get on base, but a .185 OBP says otherwise.


• This should have been a coming out party this year for Scott Olsen. Instead, it has more often been one whooping after another. Over his last ten games, Olsen is 2-6 with a 7.06 ERA, and he has lost his last four decisions.

What to Watch

• The National League series of note continues to be Rockies/Phillies, who play Game Two of their four game series tonight. The Rockies loss yesterday put them 3.5 games back of the Wild Card leading Padres and two games back of second place Philadelphia. Neither team sends their best pitcher to the mound tonight – the Rockies have struggling prospect Franklin Morales (0-2, 6-23) taking the mound for them, with the Phillies using Adam Eaton (9-8, 6.28), whose continued existence in the majors is due solely to how much the Phillies owe him.


• In the American League, the Yankees have climbed to within five games of the Red Sox, and they hope they can gain closer while in Toronto before their big weekend series in the Fens. Tonight, the Yankees look to Phil Hughes (2-3, 5.33), while the Blue Jays counter with Shaun Marcum (12-5, 3.74). Marcum has struggled, with just one quality start in his last four.

That wraps up BP for today – tomorrow, tune in to SG for a little bit of Treasure Hunting…

Questions and comments may be sent to markhaverty@sportsgrumblings.com