(05-20-2016 10:28 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote: LA Tech wins on a walk-off.
One reason that hit was a game-winner is that, before the hit, the runner on 1st stole second without a throw. Had we tried to to hold him close? Obviously keeping that runner out of scoring position was important.
FAU/WKU game 2 still ongoing. They got rained out after 6 (FAU lead 4-1) and will try to play a game and a half tomorrow vs WKU. With a win tomorrow, Rice can nudge ahead of FAU if they lose both and/or USM if they lose their final game tomorrow. On the other hand, both FAU and USM are still able to get to first if they win out and Marshall loses. FAU has tie-break. Rice cannot catch Marshall's mark of 21 conference wins.
I'm not actually sure if LaTech would go ahead of us in conference standings with a sweep. We'd be even at 19 wins apiece, but Rice would have the higher winning percentage due to the FAU rain-out last weekend.
(05-20-2016 10:49 PM)franklyconfused Wrote: FAU/WKU game 2 still ongoing. They got rained out after 6 (FAU lead 4-1) and will try to play a game and a half tomorrow vs WKU. With a win tomorrow, Rice can nudge ahead of FAU if they lose both and/or USM if they lose their final game tomorrow. On the other hand, both FAU and USM are still able to get to first if they win out and Marshall loses. FAU has tie-break. Rice cannot catch Marshall's mark of 21 conference wins.
I'm not actually sure if LaTech would go ahead of us in conference standings with a sweep. We'd be even at 19 wins apiece, but Rice would have the higher winning percentage due to the FAU rain-out last weekend.
FAU is actually in the third game of their series. They played a game and a half today.
Rice can finish no higher than tied for 2nd with FAU (and FAU has the tie breaker because of series wins over higher ranked teams in Conference). So essentially, Rice will be either the 3rd or 4th seed in the tournament. 3rd with a Rice win and USM loss, and fourth with a Rice win or loss, and a USM win.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
Worked in 2006 and 2007 as well. As Walt has pointed out, once you make it into the CWS it's often a matter of one break or two. Both those teams were within a break (or a Joe Savery 'different area code called 3rd strike) from winning it all. Can't criticize those seasons in any way, shape or form, IMHO.
look at our season stats compared to what we have given opponents (and our opponents have faced much better pitching [i.e, our pitching staff]). This is through 41 games, so we know what we are now. We have decent to good batting averages (although the back-end of our line-up doesn't even have the high BA), way too few walks, virtually no pop, and a terrible base-stealing percentage. Is anyone really surprised we struggle to score runs? I think you just have to expect that result, and hope the pitching staff can hold on. I do not blame the hitters on the team; they are who we recruited; our coaching staff shaped this team the way they would envision a team to be (not a lot can be blamed on injury).
(05-21-2016 07:53 AM)owlsfan Wrote: look at our season stats compared to what we have given opponents (and our opponents have faced much better pitching [i.e, our pitching staff]). This is through 41 games, so we know what we are now. We have decent to good batting averages (although the back-end of our line-up doesn't even have the high BA), way too few walks, virtually no pop, and a terrible base-stealing percentage. Is anyone really surprised we struggle to score runs? I think you just have to expect that result, and hope the pitching staff can hold on. I do not blame the hitters on the team; they are who we recruited; our coaching staff shaped this team the way they would envision a team to be (not a lot can be blamed on injury).
High AVG? We're hitting below .270 as a team, with three everyday players hitting below .230. Our team OBP at .335 is abysmal. Absolutely no plate discipline or patience. We never force the opposing pitcher to work for his outs. And our fundamentals (bunting, baserunning, situational hitting) is as bad as any D-1 team. I do blame the fundamentals on the coaching staff, as well as the approach that the players bring to the plate.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
Compare that to other teams and you will see a vast difference. Can't expect kids to be sharp with irregular work on the mound. We also knew we had a hitting deficiency yet continue to fail in putting all our best bats in the lineup. Puzzling at best on many fronts. We occasionally become all giddy when we score a lot off a weaker pitcher but look at the body of work. Bottom line is you either prepare a team for regionals and playoffs during the season or you don't. Posters are also complaining about HBP and walks lately. I would again argue that none of these kids had those issues in HS or they would not be here. So I ask what type of training or adjustments are they receiving once arriving on campus. Kids go to Houston and get better due to their pitching coach developing players. Even young kids in the pros have a pitching coach that works on mechanics for all pitchers not just the starters. Other programs teach the basic fundamentals of bunting. That is such a basic element of the game it is mind boggling how we perform. Look at LA Tech's bunting technique. You can tell each kid had an approach and was determined to get the bunt down. Our kids are rewarded with being able to swing away after failing two bunt attempts. My coach would have given you one pass but if you repeatedly failed to bunt in situations you would have found your ass on the bench. Our kids know there are no ramifications. DiCaprio not in lineup yesterday, riddle me that one with our scoring challenges. No offense to Kopy but the time has come to get all bats in lineup. We don't throw out runners anyway. Also Graham was right to go to Myers last night. Kravetz you are playing with fire. Most of the outs were balls that were smoked right at people. Almost every ball hit was a laser.
(This post was last modified: 05-21-2016 08:31 AM by Howlomaha.)
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
Compare that to other teams and you will see a vast difference. Can't expect kids to be sharp with irregular work on the mound. We also knew we had a hitting deficiency yet continue to fail in putting all our best bats in the lineup. Puzzling at best on many fronts. We occasionally become all giddy when we score a lot off a weaker pitcher but look at the body of work. Bottom line is you either prepare a team for regionals and playoffs during the season or you don't. Posters are also complaining about HBP and walks lately. I would again argue that none of these kids had those issues in HS or they would not be here. So I ask what type of training or adjustments are they receiving once arriving on campus. Kids go to Houston and get better due to their pitching coach developing players. Even young kids in the pros have a pitching coach that works on mechanics for all pitchers not just the starters. Other programs teach the basic fundamentals of bunting. That is such a basic element of the game it is mind boggling how we perform. Look at LA Tech's bunting technique. You can tell each kid had an approach and was determined to get the bunt down. Our kids are rewarded with being able to swing away after failing two bunt attempts. My coach would have given you one pass but if you repeatedly failed to bunt in situations you would have found your ass on the bench. Our kids know there are no ramifications. DiCaprio not in lineup yesterday, riddle me that one with our scoring challenges. No offense to Kopy but the time has come to get all bats in lineup. We don't throw out runners anyway.
I wonder if, consciously or subconsciously, the "streak" has become more important than postseason success. Maybe it's a good thing it's (probably) ending.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
Compare that to other teams and you will see a vast difference. Can't expect kids to be sharp with irregular work on the mound. We also knew we had a hitting deficiency yet continue to fail in putting all our best bats in the lineup. Puzzling at best on many fronts. We occasionally become all giddy when we score a lot off a weaker pitcher but look at the body of work. Bottom line is you either prepare a team for regionals and playoffs during the season or you don't. Posters are also complaining about HBP and walks lately. I would again argue that none of these kids had those issues in HS or they would not be here. So I ask what type of training or adjustments are they receiving once arriving on campus. Kids go to Houston and get better due to their pitching coach developing players. Even young kids in the pros have a pitching coach that works on mechanics for all pitchers not just the starters. Other programs teach the basic fundamentals of bunting. That is such a basic element of the game it is mind boggling how we perform. Look at LA Tech's bunting technique. You can tell each kid had an approach and was determined to get the bunt down. Our kids are rewarded with being able to swing away after failing two bunt attempts. My coach would have given you one pass but if you repeatedly failed to bunt in situations you would have found your ass on the bench. Our kids know there are no ramifications. DiCaprio not in lineup yesterday, riddle me that one with our scoring challenges. No offense to Kopy but the time has come to get all bats in lineup. We don't throw out runners anyway.
I wonder if, consciously or subconsciously, the "streak" has become more important than postseason success. Maybe it's a good thing it's (probably) ending.
Perhaps but if we win CUSA tournament streak continues. I say Rice has a good a chance as any to win the CUSA tournament and would not be surprised if we did but need to get every damn bat in lineup. As far as bullpen you reap what you sow. There isn't a reliable option out of the pen. Even Otto lately has been questionable. His command has been off. He struggled last night finding the glove. See below on why each year the pen disappoints except for closer and stopper. The below are Pros whose pitching coach will work with to make an adjustment. If this happened at Rice, unless a starter or closer, not pitch for weeks and then get throw out again weeks later. Only kids that get regular work are starters and closer. They also all pitch looking over their shoulder. Again the abysmal bunting is perhaps even more mind boggling. The LA Tech kids just didn't get the bunts down but placed them perfectly. That is such a simple fix yet continues. Lastly why the hell is the pitching coach in the dugout? He should be in the pen with the pitchers considering our recent pitching woes.
Scott Kazmir walked seven and gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings Friday against the Padres. One of those walks was intentional, but since he also hit a batter, maybe that evens out.
Sonny Gray lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed five runs -- four earned -- in a loss to the Yankees on Friday.Gray was a complete mess in this one, walking four and throwing three wild pitches. Just 53 of his 98 pitches were strikes. His walk rate had already been up this year, but he still had never been nearly this wild in his previous starts. The A's have to hope it's just a blip and not a hint of physical problems.
(This post was last modified: 05-21-2016 09:11 AM by Howlomaha.)
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
Worked in 2006 and 2007 as well. As Walt has pointed out, once you make it into the CWS it's often a matter of one break or two. Both those teams were within a break (or a Joe Savery 'different area code called 3rd strike) from winning it all. Can't criticize those seasons in any way, shape or form, IMHO.
In 2006 we had 8 pitchers with over 50 innings. Most had 50-70 and Degerman had 130.2 almost 50 over the next high which was Craig Crow.
In 2007 we had 6 with more than 50 innings with Berry having 122.
I would argue 2004 was one of the earlier examples of a shortened staff hurting us. We had only 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. The next closest was Matt Uckert with 35. The loss to TSU in the first Regional game put us in the losers bracket and the staff couldn't hold up. If you look at the stats for that year it becomes even more glaring when you see that Wade had 2 saves, Baker 4, Humber 1, and Niemann 3. That is 10 saves for starters while the rest had 6.
This year we have 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. Otto has the 4th highest number of innings with 56. Armador has 34 and Esquivel has 25. After that no one has even 20 innings.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
Worked in 2006 and 2007 as well. As Walt has pointed out, once you make it into the CWS it's often a matter of one break or two. Both those teams were within a break (or a Joe Savery 'different area code called 3rd strike) from winning it all. Can't criticize those seasons in any way, shape or form, IMHO.
In 2006 we had 8 pitchers with over 50 innings. Most had 50-70 and Degerman had 130.2 almost 50 over the next high which was Craig Crow.
In 2007 we had 6 with more than 50 innings with Berry having 122.
I would argue 2004 was one of the earlier examples of a shortened staff hurting us. We had only 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. The next closest was Matt Uckert with 35. The loss to TSU in the first Regional game put us in the losers bracket and the staff couldn't hold up. If you look at the stats for that year it becomes even more glaring when you see that Wade had 2 saves, Baker 4, Humber 1, and Niemann 3. That is 10 saves for starters while the rest had 6.
This year we have 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. Otto has the 4th highest number of innings with 56. Armador has 34 and Esquivel has 25. After that no one has even 20 innings.
That all may be true, Tiki, but this year's fate falls on the offense-- by far the worst in the Wayne Graham era. There have been prior years when we similarly lacked pop, but we've never had such woeful OBP...and as bad as our bunting and baserunning have been in recent years, this year's team took bad to a new level.
(05-20-2016 10:36 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Shortened pitching staffs rarely pan out. But it seems each year we come down to a staff of 5 or 6 who have all the innings.
This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
Worked in 2006 and 2007 as well. As Walt has pointed out, once you make it into the CWS it's often a matter of one break or two. Both those teams were within a break (or a Joe Savery 'different area code called 3rd strike) from winning it all. Can't criticize those seasons in any way, shape or form, IMHO.
In 2006 we had 8 pitchers with over 50 innings. Most had 50-70 and Degerman had 130.2 almost 50 over the next high which was Craig Crow.
In 2007 we had 6 with more than 50 innings with Berry having 122.
I would argue 2004 was one of the earlier examples of a shortened staff hurting us. We had only 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. The next closest was Matt Uckert with 35. The loss to TSU in the first Regional game put us in the losers bracket and the staff couldn't hold up. If you look at the stats for that year it becomes even more glaring when you see that Wade had 2 saves, Baker 4, Humber 1, and Niemann 3. That is 10 saves for starters while the rest had 6.
This year we have 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. Otto has the 4th highest number of innings with 56. Armador has 34 and Esquivel has 25. After that no one has even 20 innings.
That all may be true, Tiki, but this year's fate falls on the offense-- by far the worst in the Wayne Graham era. There have been prior years when we similarly lacked pop, but we've never had such woeful OBP...and as bad as our bunting and baserunning have been in recent years, this year's team took bad to a new level.
I definitely agree about the offense Walt. I was responding to the comments on my original post. I think both inadequacies point to a staff problem that has been apparent for some time. At times we are able to overcome one of them but this year we have been tagged teamed.
(05-21-2016 08:48 AM)Howlomaha Wrote: Scott Kazmir walked seven and gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings Friday against the Padres. One of those walks was intentional, but since he also hit a batter, maybe that evens out.
Oh, for the love of Pete, that is SO unfair. I had to read through this game thread last night and then watch the Dodger dumpster fire live and you go and bring it up again back here? What the hamburgers?!
(05-20-2016 11:34 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote: This. Year after year. It's worked one time--the year we had 4 first round draft picks on the same pitching staff.
Worked in 2006 and 2007 as well. As Walt has pointed out, once you make it into the CWS it's often a matter of one break or two. Both those teams were within a break (or a Joe Savery 'different area code called 3rd strike) from winning it all. Can't criticize those seasons in any way, shape or form, IMHO.
In 2006 we had 8 pitchers with over 50 innings. Most had 50-70 and Degerman had 130.2 almost 50 over the next high which was Craig Crow.
In 2007 we had 6 with more than 50 innings with Berry having 122.
I would argue 2004 was one of the earlier examples of a shortened staff hurting us. We had only 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. The next closest was Matt Uckert with 35. The loss to TSU in the first Regional game put us in the losers bracket and the staff couldn't hold up. If you look at the stats for that year it becomes even more glaring when you see that Wade had 2 saves, Baker 4, Humber 1, and Niemann 3. That is 10 saves for starters while the rest had 6.
This year we have 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. Otto has the 4th highest number of innings with 56. Armador has 34 and Esquivel has 25. After that no one has even 20 innings.
That all may be true, Tiki, but this year's fate falls on the offense-- by far the worst in the Wayne Graham era. There have been prior years when we similarly lacked pop, but we've never had such woeful OBP...and as bad as our bunting and baserunning have been in recent years, this year's team took bad to a new level.
I definitely agree about the offense Walt. I was responding to the comments on my original post. I think both inadequacies point to a staff problem that has been apparent for some time. At times we are able to overcome one of them but this year we have been tagged teamed.
Anyone that has ever pitched would understand how the lack of use affects pitchers. It is hard to get in a groove when you pitch sporadically. More importantly during the season it is a merry go round in games. Soon as a kid runs out of the bullpen another is warming up. Someone gets on and wham they are out. These kids are pitching looking over their shoulders. This is a result of NO ONE on the coaching staff ever having toed the rubber probably past little league. It takes a pitcher to understand the mind set of a pitcher. Yeah yeah there are always exceptions like Dave Duncan but the elite programs such as Vandy, Miami, UVA, TCU all have former pitchers on the staff working with the pitchers. Would you even consider having a former pitcher coach and train catchers or SS? Having an experienced coach who has been there would also help the starters when they get in early trouble such as Dup the other night and Fox over the weekend.
Regarding HPB. There have been so many because teams are crowding the plate. LA Tech especially. You need to get team like that the FXXX off the plate. Two outs and no one on base you need to come in hard with a 90+ heater up and in. Hitting in the legs does nothing except put a man on. Shoulder high puts them on their ass. Low inside FB not as effective as up and in. That makes hitters uncomfortable. If you hit one in upper body so be it. Get the Fxxx off the plate. There is a time and place and early in the game 2 outs and no one on is the time to establish who owns the plate. If you hit two so what. By putting your feet over the inside part of the batters box, which they are, it is the batter putting himself in harms way. Baseball can have subtle intimidation and that is it. The batter by crowding the plate is attempting to intimidate the pitcher to limiting him to just the outside half. Can;t let it happen.
(This post was last modified: 05-21-2016 11:49 AM by Howlomaha.)
(05-21-2016 09:52 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: I would argue 2004 was one of the earlier examples of a shortened staff hurting us. We had only 4 pitchers with over 50 innings. The next closest was Matt Uckert with 35. The loss to TSU in the first Regional game put us in the losers bracket and the staff couldn't hold up.
Humber. Sunday. A&M. Grand slam. Bad memory. Moving on.
