MLB Thoughts & Theories 8/28/12
Thoughts & Theories
-Can the Dodgers rely on Josh Beckett during the pennant race? He had an ERA over five in Boston and optimists in and around Chavez Ravine hoped a pitcher’s park, a lesser offensive league and a new environment would revitalize and reinvigorate the righty. Then Monday night in Denver, those rosy notions were quickly put to rest when Tyler Colvin hit the second pitch Beckett threw 457 feet to right field for a home run. Beckett surrendered three earned runs over 5 2/3 against the light hitting Rockies in a 10-0 loss.
-Adrian Beltre has become a godsend for Texas and has turned into quite the Rays killer. After hitting three home runs in the fourth game of the ALDS against Tampa Bay, Beltre homered and drove in four on Monday night in a 6-5 Rangers win. Beltre has six homers over his last eight games and his manager Ron Washington is impressed. ”He’s locked in,” Washington said. “We need everything he’s giving us right now. He’s one of the guys in our lineup that makes it work.” Among third basement, Beltre is second only to Miguel Cabrera in homers and RBIs and is fourth in OPS. He’s also playing elite level defense at his position, he’s second in UZR among eligible hot corner fielders, and was well worth the money Texas gave him.
-Mark Teixeira’s calf injury will keep him out at least a week or two as the Yankees look to hold off Baltimore and Tampa Bay in the AL East. With Alex Rodriguez still on the mend, New York will be lacking run producers in the lineup in the near term. The problem is that starting on Friday, the Yanks begin a stretch of 10 games where they have seven games against the Orioles and three against the Rays. This Teixeira injury could not have happened at a worse time, other than in the postseason of course.
Monday’s Key Quotes
“This is as good of a club as I’ve ever had about staying in the moment.” -Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who’s team won another one-run game against the White Sox. The O’s are 24-6 in one-run games and 45-18 in games decided by one or two runs.
“He’s the real deal. That’s why he’s King Felix.” –Seattle OF Eric Thames, who homered for the game’s only run against Minnesota. Hernandez, the Mariners ace, threw his fifth shutout of the season and hasn’t lost since June 12. He’s also won four 1-0 decisions this season.
“He kept his composure for a young kid. He did a nice job. He did a lot of good things. He gave them some innings to win the game.” –Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez on Padres pitcher Casey Kelly, who threw six shutout innings in his major league debut in a 3-0 win over Atlanta. Kelly, the son of former big leaguer Pat Kelly, was the main piece acquired by San Diego from Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez trade.
