Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll
Footballguy
Just my annual "August NL West Stretch-Run Extravaganza" notes for all ya'll to chew on. In particular, los Dodgers and el Rockies...and to a lesser extent, the soon to be defunct, Gigantes.
Okay, the Rockies suck. Watching them this series really made it apparent to me. They swing at everything, and have some guys that just can't hit. That lineup, yeesh. Even Helton doesn't look like himself. They were talking about it tonight; how he is slower getting around on the ball, and even on D or running the bases, that he just isn't as sharp as normal. I guess he had some gnarly virus so the effects may be lingering still, but either way, he's off a bit.
Their pitching is okay, I guess, but we know now that those numbers are indeed lying. The games in Coors are skewing their numbers with those dead balls. One GM has even questioned the Rox on somehow using "dryer" balls during their AB's, but whatever. Truth is, I don't want anything to do with their home games anyway. And they could very well do some different things now that the word is out about the humidifier. Who knows? Pass.
However, the road is a different story, and I will be looking to fade them against most opponents, sans SF, who has that cat feces smell about them as well. I know Francis and Jennings are solid, I'll give them that (even on the road), but I don't really trust Francis yet in more meaningful games. And to a lesser degree Jennings, how many big games have these two faced? We'll see if it comes to that.
Anyway, look to fade the Rockies on the road, especially outside of their division.
Quick notes on the Giants, who I got to watch up there recently. They're horrible. I should just end it there because you guys know already, but even in years that they weren't that good, they could somehow ride Bonds, listen to Alou, and pull through with that stuff. It's all gone as far as I'm concerned. And their only bright spot, Schmidt (who I liked to bet), sure is stumbling down the stretch. The workhorse has been vulnerable of late, and can you fault him with that bunch? His ERA in May was 1.17...June 2.80...July 4.97 Probably little value in fading them, save for Schmidt, but it isn't ALWAYS about that for me. Sometimes I'll put up more believing it's worth it -- betting against a beaten team. Anyway, my
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As for los Dodgers, I'm actually impressed. They'll win the NL West -- I said it. Whoopie, I know, but still. Yes, they're my team but some of you probably remember that I was fading the crap out of them last year and beyond. I knew they were but a facade. This year's different from what I can tell, and I am obviously wholly unimpressed by their competition (although I have not seen much of AZ).
The thing about the Dodgers is they are getting it going at the right time, and I can tell they are confident, with some good veteran leadership. The word here is that Perez was truly a cancer in the clubhouse and they sent that rat packing, getting Maddux instead. I know Maddux is a shell of his fomer self (and I was fading him a lot), but he can only be good for them, as far as the staff and clubhouse are concerned. They haven't had guys like that around. Also, Garciaparra and Kent just came back, and at the perfect time. Bottom line is they've assorted some solid leaders and competitors next to the young talent they have going. I like it.
For example, snapping that winning streak last night was a good barometer of their mettle. That is, they would typically come back tonight and stink up the joint because that was a hard loss with a bad play at the end. But instead they win with a walk-off single by Lofton. I can just tell that they expect to beat these other NL West teams, which has not been the case the last few years.
We'll see, of course, if I'm right about any of this, but that's where I'm at right now.
Oh, a couple of more things on the Dodgers: I wouldn't touch Billingsley -- kid can't throw strikes. Another tidbit is they continue to crush lefties, hitting over .300. And keep in mind, I would fade almost all of this division when they play outside of it, if it looks right of course (see: Padres @ Mets the last 3 days).
Anyway, good luck ya sickos...
Okay, the Rockies suck. Watching them this series really made it apparent to me. They swing at everything, and have some guys that just can't hit. That lineup, yeesh. Even Helton doesn't look like himself. They were talking about it tonight; how he is slower getting around on the ball, and even on D or running the bases, that he just isn't as sharp as normal. I guess he had some gnarly virus so the effects may be lingering still, but either way, he's off a bit.
Their pitching is okay, I guess, but we know now that those numbers are indeed lying. The games in Coors are skewing their numbers with those dead balls. One GM has even questioned the Rox on somehow using "dryer" balls during their AB's, but whatever. Truth is, I don't want anything to do with their home games anyway. And they could very well do some different things now that the word is out about the humidifier. Who knows? Pass.
However, the road is a different story, and I will be looking to fade them against most opponents, sans SF, who has that cat feces smell about them as well. I know Francis and Jennings are solid, I'll give them that (even on the road), but I don't really trust Francis yet in more meaningful games. And to a lesser degree Jennings, how many big games have these two faced? We'll see if it comes to that.
Anyway, look to fade the Rockies on the road, especially outside of their division.
Quick notes on the Giants, who I got to watch up there recently. They're horrible. I should just end it there because you guys know already, but even in years that they weren't that good, they could somehow ride Bonds, listen to Alou, and pull through with that stuff. It's all gone as far as I'm concerned. And their only bright spot, Schmidt (who I liked to bet), sure is stumbling down the stretch. The workhorse has been vulnerable of late, and can you fault him with that bunch? His ERA in May was 1.17...June 2.80...July 4.97 Probably little value in fading them, save for Schmidt, but it isn't ALWAYS about that for me. Sometimes I'll put up more believing it's worth it -- betting against a beaten team. Anyway, my
.As for los Dodgers, I'm actually impressed. They'll win the NL West -- I said it. Whoopie, I know, but still. Yes, they're my team but some of you probably remember that I was fading the crap out of them last year and beyond. I knew they were but a facade. This year's different from what I can tell, and I am obviously wholly unimpressed by their competition (although I have not seen much of AZ).
The thing about the Dodgers is they are getting it going at the right time, and I can tell they are confident, with some good veteran leadership. The word here is that Perez was truly a cancer in the clubhouse and they sent that rat packing, getting Maddux instead. I know Maddux is a shell of his fomer self (and I was fading him a lot), but he can only be good for them, as far as the staff and clubhouse are concerned. They haven't had guys like that around. Also, Garciaparra and Kent just came back, and at the perfect time. Bottom line is they've assorted some solid leaders and competitors next to the young talent they have going. I like it.
For example, snapping that winning streak last night was a good barometer of their mettle. That is, they would typically come back tonight and stink up the joint because that was a hard loss with a bad play at the end. But instead they win with a walk-off single by Lofton. I can just tell that they expect to beat these other NL West teams, which has not been the case the last few years.
We'll see, of course, if I'm right about any of this, but that's where I'm at right now.
Oh, a couple of more things on the Dodgers: I wouldn't touch Billingsley -- kid can't throw strikes. Another tidbit is they continue to crush lefties, hitting over .300. And keep in mind, I would fade almost all of this division when they play outside of it, if it looks right of course (see: Padres @ Mets the last 3 days).
Anyway, good luck ya sickos...
- Boston is horrific without Varitek. The pen is a mess, including Paplebon. They may be providing good fade material down the stretch here. Just a thought.
)
On SF? 
I went like a week when I had to switch to Pinny - it was good for me to step away but I know what you mean
