Comments on: out-sox-ing the sox http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/ Mismanaging games since 2002 Mon, 07 May 2012 02:37:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Schulte http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1087 Schulte Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:27:07 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1087 <p><a href="http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/09/24/twins-white-sox-lineups-2/" rel="nofollow">Kubel at DH</a>, Cuddyer to cheer</p> Kubel at DH, Cuddyer to cheer

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1086 sirsean Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:59:45 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1086 <p>It's interesting the Buerhle is worse against lefties this year -- I wonder what are the odds Gardy knows or cares about that.</p> It’s interesting the Buerhle is worse against lefties this year — I wonder what are the odds Gardy knows or cares about that.

]]> By: Schulte http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1085 Schulte Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:04:49 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1085 <p>Same sentiment from <a href="http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2008/09/24/one-down-two-to-go/" rel="nofollow">A Fan's View</a>:</p> <p><i>**Gardy did the right thing by ignoring the past-performance charts of Vazquez vs. Kubel and Cuddyer, when he went with Kubel even though Cuddyer had much better career numbers against Chicago starter. Kubel is obviously an improved hitter and none of Cuddyer’s numbers were put up after a three-month layoff. <strong>It’ll be interesting to see if Gardy revisits the idea of starting Cuddyer tonight against Mark Buerhle, the Chicago lefty.</strong></p> <p>Buerhle has actually been tougher on righties this season: .267 average against/.313 on-base percentage/.403 slugging against righties as opposed to .309/.341/.486 against lefties. Kubel is .286/.340/.506 vs. righties; .240/.333/.385 against lefties.</i></p> <p>Ahh, delving into Gardy's mind...what to do, what to do...</p> Same sentiment from A Fan’s View:

**Gardy did the right thing by ignoring the past-performance charts of Vazquez vs. Kubel and Cuddyer, when he went with Kubel even though Cuddyer had much better career numbers against Chicago starter. Kubel is obviously an improved hitter and none of Cuddyer’s numbers were put up after a three-month layoff. It’ll be interesting to see if Gardy revisits the idea of starting Cuddyer tonight against Mark Buerhle, the Chicago lefty.

Buerhle has actually been tougher on righties this season: .267 average against/.313 on-base percentage/.403 slugging against righties as opposed to .309/.341/.486 against lefties. Kubel is .286/.340/.506 vs. righties; .240/.333/.385 against lefties.

Ahh, delving into Gardy’s mind…what to do, what to do…

]]> By: FunBobby http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1084 FunBobby Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:13:00 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1084 <p>Maybe he will have changed his mind after Kubel's performance last night. It looks like he made that comment to reporters before the game started. Who knows.</p> Maybe he will have changed his mind after Kubel’s performance last night. It looks like he made that comment to reporters before the game started. Who knows.

]]> By: Schulte http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1083 Schulte Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:47:16 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1083 <p>From the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/29655109.html" rel="nofollow">Souhan article</a>: </p> <p><i>Twins manager Ron Gardenhire played Kubel instead of Michael Cuddyer because he said he thinks Kubel has earned the right to be the main DH, and because he said Kubel, despite being 2-for-21 lifetime against Vazquez going in, has taken good at-bats against him. Cuddyer is 12-for-35 lifetime against Vazquez.</i></p> <p>So Kubel's the main DH except in instances where he has never faced a pitcher. I checked on Yahoo, but it appears Kubel has <strong>never</strong> batted against Buehrle. Cuddyer is batting .167 against him this season, but is hitting .304 with 2 HRs against him all-time. There's our answer. For Gardy, past history is more important than the hot bat. Well, Gardy is 1-1 with his gut...</p> From the Souhan article:

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire played Kubel instead of Michael Cuddyer because he said he thinks Kubel has earned the right to be the main DH, and because he said Kubel, despite being 2-for-21 lifetime against Vazquez going in, has taken good at-bats against him. Cuddyer is 12-for-35 lifetime against Vazquez.

So Kubel’s the main DH except in instances where he has never faced a pitcher. I checked on Yahoo, but it appears Kubel has never batted against Buehrle. Cuddyer is batting .167 against him this season, but is hitting .304 with 2 HRs against him all-time. There’s our answer. For Gardy, past history is more important than the hot bat. Well, Gardy is 1-1 with his gut…

]]> By: sirsean http://firegardy.com/2008/09/24/out-sox-ing-the-sox/comment-page-1/#comment-1082 sirsean Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:32:58 +0000 http://firegardy.com/?p=159#comment-1082 <p>Yeah, Gardenhire had already made the decision that Cuddyer would DH against Buehrle. I really think Kubel needs to keep starting every game -- 20 HR, and showing an improvement in his power against lefties, and he still can't earn the trust of Gardenhire?</p> <p>Cuddyer has shown nothing this year (or last) but the ability to sustain freak injuries. The fact that he's right handed is not nearly as important as the fact that Kubel is currently the better hitter, is healthy, AND has the hot bat.</p> <p>I like Cuddyer, but he should be on the bench tonight. And tomorrow night. And in every game we need to win.</p> Yeah, Gardenhire had already made the decision that Cuddyer would DH against Buehrle. I really think Kubel needs to keep starting every game — 20 HR, and showing an improvement in his power against lefties, and he still can’t earn the trust of Gardenhire?

Cuddyer has shown nothing this year (or last) but the ability to sustain freak injuries. The fact that he’s right handed is not nearly as important as the fact that Kubel is currently the better hitter, is healthy, AND has the hot bat.

I like Cuddyer, but he should be on the bench tonight. And tomorrow night. And in every game we need to win.

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