Haiku Wednesday

Fiesta

Time to celebrate

A family get together

Cinco de Mayo?

Rox Talk

The Week That Was

A 2-4 week against the D-backs and Dodgers. The Roxs currently stand at 6-11. Six games back from division leading Los Angeles in fifth place. Currently 2-4 at home and 4-7 on the road, the Roxs have been outscored by its opponents 92-86 (expected wins is 8 versus historical wins at 8). On pace for 57 wins with 820 runs scored and 877 runs against.

In previous season's I tracked WPA by players by week.  This year I decided to follow by position (i.e. starting pitcher, relief pitchers, infielders, and outfielders).  In this way we can see who were the dogs and who were the monsters for the week.  As amazing as it seems the starters last week actually didn't do to bad (thanks to Marquis).  For a 2-4 week the WPA was pretty even.

Where is the Cookie Monster

The biggest question for the Rox this April has been Aaron Cook.  What is the cause of the dismal outings.  Four starts with no real bright spots.  They say it is release point.  Well I found this site that gives a a nice summary of pitch fx data for pitchers.  Anyway I picked a game from July 1, 2008 when Cook pitched 9 innings versus his last start.  Well there appears to be a difference but does that cause his effectiveness to head south?  

Below is a graph outlining his 2008 and 2009 starts.  Really the only apparent difference is that his flyballs are up which probably leads to the homeruns against him.  I am not an expert but with the issues Francis had last year lets hope that it is just a release point issue and not an injury...

Haiku Wednesday

Buds

First sign of Springtime
Trees and plants reawaken
Rebirth of color

Haiku Wednesday

Earth

A tiny blue sphere
Alone in the Universe
Just one, care for it

Silversun Pickups - Swoon

SSPU's second full album and it delivers. The first couple of songs are vintage. They do go a bit astray but overall a good CD.

Now if I could only see them live...

Rox Talk

Opening week for 2009. A 3-3 week against the D-backs and Phillies. The Roxs currently stand at 3-3. Game and half games back from division leading Padres in second place. Currently 1-2 at home and 2-1 on the road, the Roxs have outscored its opponents 39-29 (expected wins is 4 versus historical wins at 3). On pace for 81 wins with 1053 runs scored and 783 runs against.

Well a tale of two teams this week. Dr Jekyll on the road and Mr. Hyde at home. Bullpen looked fabulous in Arizona then got home and couldn't buy a strike or a key out. Kind of frustrating because the 3 wins were quality wins and the loses really looked bad. My guess is that it is going to be one of those years. We will look great for some stretches and bad in others.

100 and Counting

Today marks my 100th consecutive day of tying on the ol'running shoes and taking a jog around the neighborhood. Not really trying to prove anything other than just something to get my butt into gear each day!

Haiku Wednesday

Mud

Spring rains, melting snow
Add dirt, mix with hiking boots
A kid's dream playground

Comic Bracket Finale

What would you expect?  It's gotten be Spiderman versus Superman.  The Batman and Superman battle was good but no remake of the Dark Knight.  So who wins out versus Spiderman and Superman?   Who else but America's iconic figure:

Superman

Rox Talk

New season, fresh slate. Watched the team play in Las Vegas on Saturday. Solid effort although I think Smith got a fat pitch to end it as I bet neither team wanted to go into extra innings. Marquis looked good but a bit wobbly. Morillo looked a bit shaky and Fowler didn't do much. Can't wait for opening day! Believe the Rox are either 7-9 or 9-7 in opening day match ups.  Vegas odds for over/under for the Rox was at 76.5.  I hedged my bet by taking the under (with hope they do much better!).

PLAY BALL!

Haiku Wednesday

Eggs

Delicate but strong
It's nature's perfect package
I like the brown ones