4.28.2008

Rox Talk

A 1-6 week against Philly, Chicago, and LA. Whew, brutal week on the diamond. There was nothing good to report this week except maybe Cook's performance. Corpas lost his job, Jimenez got notice that he his on a short string, and Nix got sent back to C. Springs. When is Hurdle going to be put on the hot seat? The Roxs currently stand at 10-15. Eight games back from division leading D-backs. Currently 4-6 at home and 6-9 on the road, the Roxs have been outscored by its opponents 109-135 (expected wins is 10 versus historical wins at 12). On pace for 65 wins with 706 runs scored and 875 runs against. Roxs graphical wins (home in Purple, away in grey).
Weekly WPA leaders (overall as well):

Well actually the offensive was pretty effective last week, but of course the pitching woes accounted for pretty much all the losses last week. Posednik putting some pressure on Taveras at center. One issue that WPA has is Barmes low number. He has obviously provided a spark to the overall offensive but he hasn't hit in key situations so it really doesn't show here.

Great story in Yesterday's post written by Troy Renck (by the way, the best team writer, I think) about Tulo pressing and Todd saying "Trust me, he's going to figure it out. We all do it, go looking for answers like there's some kind of secret to hitting. He will look a lot of places, and hope somebody says that magic word. In the end, he will find the answers in himself." You know that is just a plain good quote on life in general. We all are looking for that magic word and it is basically within us (but I digress). Another great Rench line "spinning like so many ice particles in a Slushee machine" describing Corpas slider right now.

Anyway tough week much like Week 1. April seems to be playing out as a microcosm of last season. Remember Fuentes blow out in June/July? The Roxs only won 10 games last April so let's not mail it in but some pitching consistency would go a long way in smoothing the ups and downs we are seeing this April. I think I read that the Roxs bullpen has the highest number of innings pitched so far. That spells trouble to me especially in July/August.

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