Cubs beat the Phils 5-4. Braves are back in 2nd place, 3.5 out (and the Cubs are in 1st place by percentage points over the Brewers).
I meant to ask this yesterday. The night before last, WTF is that dimwit thinking? No matter what the stat rule is, the Close/SAVE situation was in the 8th. Why would you use two struggling pitchers against the heart of the opponents lineup in a one run ball game? That is what you are aying Wagner for, not to come in against 7,8,9, in the ninth.
Not just managers. The saves statistic is why Wagner makes 9.5M more a year then Feliciano or Heilman. This is why you never see big time closers used in situations like that even though it may make more sense.
Gee..I thought it was because he got guys out when it counted, instead of plunking one, and giving up a hit to another... (Though I dont mind plunking Fielder on the elbow, just the timing of it.)
Does anyone believe the stuff on Gamecast about the break of the ball and the angle of the release? It is pretty sophisticated, I wonder how accurate it is.
Interesting comments by Gary and Ron about how Lawrence used to be a lot "bigger" and "thicker." Hmm, wonder what they mean by that? Every time I see "Lawrence" on the back of the uniform I'm reminded that Lawrance of Arabia is on Turner Classic Movies right now.
Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Lawrence? Lawrence, what, of Arabia? Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir! Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: That name sounds like royalty! Are you royalty? Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Do you suck d!ck$? Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit! I'll bet you could suck a golfball through a garden hose! Private Gomer Pyle: Sir, no, sir. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: I don't like the name Lawrence! Only faggots and sailors are called Lawrence!
I'm a little suprised how quick they were to banish Sosa to the pen. Not that he hadn't been pitching poorly enough lately to get replaced. But Brian Lawrence?
