They try so hard to be the cool kids and the sports programs everyone envies, but then reality seems to get in the way. They know we don't take them seriously, making them extra happy to mistake other SEC schools' tolerance of them as genuine support. It's like thinking your untalented kid's piano performance was great just because some other parents overcame the cringe long enough to clap.
I mean, is there even any need to play this game? Call it now and save our ungracious hosts some humiliation.
But back to reality. I hope we can scratch out a W.
I know he doesn't get run support, which means he has to be almost perfect. But seems every time I think he's going to finish off a masterpiece, the opposing team mounts a rally just like tonight's. As usual I'm following online, so maybe it seems very different watching.
There's a fairly predictable point around this time of the game when Brown regularly goes from awesome to awful in a flash. Is that pitch sequencing, reduced movement/velo or what?
Espada seemed far more interested in getting Spag some innings than in getting the team a W. Maybe he thinks all our games in Florida are spring training.
You do like Smith and blister a grounder to 3B at 63 mph and you'd like to think you'll get rewarded.
We're getting guys on, obviously. But if we don't start elevating more of these 100 mph drives, we'll continue to pressure our weaker bats to come through with men on. And this lineup still has too many holes to make that outcome something to rely on. Our Mensa manager leaving pitchers out there too long doesn't help, either.
I'd be the last fan to call Altuve selfish. But when guys are amped up to drive in runs...well, that's when a manager has to assess the situation and make sure the whole team plays smart baseball. I thought bunting was the way to play it there. Then again, Espada might not have.
Let's see: Through 6 innings we have 6 hits (including a HR), plus a BB and 2 Boston errors...yet despite scoring just once have left only 3 men on base. That's a little bad luck, but also a TOOTBLAN clinic.