Positive Note of the Month
Brandon Morrow has been off the charts. Last year, I would have been okay with a trade centered around Morrow. I was completely for it. I wrote an old post….

Brandon Morrow - Morrow does not have what it takes to be a starter, yet. It will take time. He pitched 3, 4 innings max in a game this year, and he started to get hit hard later it seemed. He was totally inconsistent throughout the year. If we push him to start, he’s going to get shelled early and often. All he is, is a pitcher who throws hard. Worst, he’s right handed. A right handed guy who can only throw his fastball is worthless in the rotation. If we move him to the bullpen, he won’t be as effective. He could, in theory be a dominant closer in the future. He only needs to throw his fastball, change-up and occasional breaking ball. He has the making of a DOMINANT closer. Problem? We have Putz. We don’t need Morrow.

I couldn’t have been further off. Morrow is absolutely dominant in the bullpen this year. He has been the most consistent of the bullpen members also. He’s really only had 3 bad appearances, in which he gave up a total of 6 hits and 2 walks in only 1 2/3 combined innings. Other than that, he’s bee lights out. In 14 innings he’s given up 4 runs, 2 earned runs (both solo home runs) and has struck out 20, waking only 7.

 

1 June 2008 Game Complaints:
1) McLaren’s inexplicable decision to put JJ Putz on the mound after Morrow previously had struck out Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria. Putz came in and got shelled. No other way to put it. Morrow was dominant. I can’t help but second guess McLaren here.

2) Why wasn’t Cairo pinch-hit for in the 9th? One man on, 2 runs down. Tying run at the plate. Cairo hasn’t hit a home run since 2005. You have Balentien and Sexson on the bench. Use one of them! Cairo popped up to fairly shallow center. Game over.

What are you thinking McLaren?

 

Upcoming Series:
Monday, 2 June - Ervin Santana (7-2, 3.09 ERA) vs. Jarrod Washburn (2-6, 6.54 ERA)
Tuesday, 3 June - Joe Saunders (8-2, 2.76 ERA) vs. Erik Bedard (4-3, 4.08 ERA)
Wednesday, 4 June - Jered Weaver (4-6, 4.69 ERA) vs. Carlos Silva (3-5, 6.00 ERA)

 

Final News:
With Jon being out of town, I have been doing basically all the posting since I am now getting more and more free time with school out. I hate to tell you all that I’m out of town tomorrow, Monday, all the way until Wednesday night. Senior retreat decided to take us about 2 hours south of Seattle, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to put out any stuff until I get home. Look for a post from Patrick, hopefully. I’ll come back, overview the games, hopefully I won’t want to commit suicide, and start writing for you all again.

Until then!
~Dustin Shires~