11:57 PM Eastern
Man, and I thought the Tigers got Litsch-slapped last week.
So, how about those Blue Jays? Another incredible outing from Jesse Litsch, every starter save one gets at least one hit (Shannon Stewart goes 0-for-3, can’t wait for the first commenter who says Reed would have had two hits), David Eckstein goes 3-for-4 to raise his spring average 57 points and Frank Thomas goes deep for the first time this spring!
First, to Litsch. It’s important to once again note that just as the bad stuff that happens in Spring Training doesn’t mean anything, neither does the good stuff mean anything. But it’s hard to ignore Litsch’s last two starts. Tonight’s, against the Reds, he was only facing two front-line major leaguers in Ryan Freel and Scott Hatteberg, but Joey Votto and Jeff Keppinger were in there as well, two very good young hitters, so that’s something, and he had them eating out of his hands. Also, veteran bench-types Jerry Hairston, Jr., Dave Ross, Andy Phillips and Jolbert Cabrera all played, so Litsch wasn’t facing a bunch of A-ballers.
Six no-hit innings facing one hitter over the minimum despite two errors behind him. Ground ball after ground ball - only two balls were hit in the air those first six innings, and two more in the seventh. And another testament to Litsch’s mentality on the mound - his only walk of the game came in the seventh, and balls three and four were curveballs that stayed high and outside. His first pitch to the next hitter, with the bases loaded and nobody out? A gorgeous curveball that was taken for a strike. I love that.
For his last two starts, Litsch pitched 13 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk. Fantastic, and let’s hope that the confidence gained down here in himself as a big leaguer and in his new sinker carry over into the regular season. He won’t have these sorts of results too often, but so long as he keeps attacking, working quickly, pitching to contact and throwing strikes, he should be a fine 5th starter, maybe even better.
Talking to Frank Thomas after his homer - a bomb off the batters’ eye in dead centre after two of the worst-looking swings I have ever seen him take - he wasn’t too excited about it. Thomas says he averages about one home run per spring in Florida (3 or 4 in Arizona where the ball carries better). He is aware of the talk about platooning him with Matt Stairs, and that he’s “lost it”, but he says people are panicking over nothing. DHing in Florida is a lot different than during the regular season, sayeth the Big Hurt. Down here, all you do between at-bats is sit in the dugout and watch. Once the real stuff is going on, Thomas rides the bike in the tunnel, watches video, moves around, does all kinds of stuff. He says he gets his best advantage from film work, none of which he does during Spring Training. Once the bell rings, we’ll see if there’s that difference he’s talking about. I’m in the camp that says Thomas will be at least the same hitter this year as he was last year.
Lastly, the defense. Three more errors tonight, but these three (unlike the 5 yesterday) were all made by people who will be in the Opening Day line-up: Aaron Hill, Marco Scutaro and Gregg Zaun. I’m not getting excited about the fact that the Jays have made eight errors in the last two games. Not only is it the last week of Spring Training, where guys have had enough and are getting impatient for the real thing, but this team was the best defensive squad in baseball last year. They have taken a step back defensively in left field and at shortstop, but a step up at third base (even with Scutaro) and probably in centre field where a healthy shoulder will make a difference for Vernon Wells. And the step back in left isn’t as big as most people seem to think. Shannon Stewart is only going to play about a third of the time. Yes, Reed Johnson is a better defender than Matt Stairs, but Stairs got a lot of work in the outfield last year, and was fine save for the first week of the season.
Day game after a night game tomorrow as we say goodbye to the Grapefruit League with the Houston Astros coming to town. There will be live-blogagge for the final time. See you then!
Hey Mike,
Say its wishfull thinking on my part.. But from the games I have seen this year, Thomas looks looser and quicker… He is slumping in preseason yes, but looks different than when he slumped earlier on with Oakland in 06 and the Jays last year…
I realize the stats completely go against me.. But do you think he looks more comfortable at the plate this preseason?
MW: I have faith that Frank Thomas will be just as good this season as he was last, if not better, but I haven’t seen what you think you have this spring. Last night, the two swings he took before he hit the home run might have been the worst I’ve ever seen him take.
- SteveMike,
WHats the story with Benitez?
Is he going to be on the big club when his VISA issues work out?
MW: Nope, he’ll start in Syracuse and stay there until he catches up to everyone else and shows that he can get some people out. WHy did you capitalize visa, by the way? He’s not waiting for a credit card.
- CaryHey Mike I still haven’t heard you comment on the Barry Bonds situation. I don’t understand why a team hasn’t signed him he would make ever single team in Major League baseball better. Imagine him in left feild for the jays he would be that bat we need even if he only played a 120 games he would make a huge impact on the jays.
Also what would you think of this trade proposal. Lind, Thigpen and Pursey for Rich Harden???
MW: I agree with you, Bonds would make just about every team better, but I think his left field days have passed him by. Granted, he’s no worse than Manny Ramirez out there, but he’s a perfect fit in a lot of places as a DH. The Jays have Frank Thomas, though, and they’re paying him a whole big bunch of money.
As for the trade proposal, I don’t think it’s enough for the A’s.
- Dan MMike:
Would it surprise you to see Big Hurt platooned? Not me. His option year kicks in (at $10mil?) if he gets about 500 PAs this year. Something tells me J.P. wouldn’t mind if he fell at least a few short . . .
MW: His option year kicks in if he gets to 376 plate appearances, and I have to think that J.P. would love it if he fell short. But he told me today, in an interview you can hear on Saturday’s pre-game show, that there won’t be a short leash on Thomas.
- SteveEvery single year we have to hear “if everything goes right” the jays will compete and/or make the playoffs. Im tired of hearing the same thing. I think if JP drafted better the team would be a lock to make the playoffs. Other then hill, marcum, and janssen jP has brought no quality propsects to the organization. The catching propsects are nothing special according to sources like baseball america. Yet, the Yankees and Red Sox have all these amazing prospects like Ellsbury, Hughes, Chamberlain, and Bucholz. I know they are overhyped because they play in Boston and New York, but they are still more talented than any jays prospects with the exception of snider. The Yankees and Red Sox depth is not only because of payroll, but also because of grade A prospects. I also dont recall those four prospects being Boras clients or being hard to sign. I know the draft is a lot of luck, but JP could have drafted better. That would give the Jays a much better shot at making the playoffs.
- adNice game for Litsch that’s for sure, but I am tired of these Reed fans calling
- Jimthe station and moaning about Reed’s release.
I loved watching Reed’s hustle but the fact is his hustle is much greater than his talent.
As a hitter Stewart is way better there is no contest, Shannon will drive the ball and hit in the .280 range.
I wish Reed well in Chicago but it was a move that had to be made.
I’ve often thought of spring training as a stepping stone towards getting your momentum started. Do you thing its too much to ask of a guy like Frank to get atleast 100 RBI’s and 30 round trippers? With what he is making, that is about what I expect and I also expect similar to better numbers from… WAIT FOR IT!!!… “V-DUB”… sorry I couldn’t help myself from this “uninventiveness”.
MW: Yes, I think Thomas and Wells can both be expected to hit 30 homers this season. The RBIs depend a lot on how many guys are on base in front of them.
- Matt from BCStewart 0 for 3? Johnson would have had 2 hits for sure!
Seriously though: how does Stewart’s arm compare to the great hitting left fielder with a long Italian name I will spell incorrectly if I attempt it without looking it up? He was known for a weak arm and things didn’t fall apart when he played.
MW: Frank Catalanotto actually didn’t have that bad an arm by the end of his tenure here. But, look, Johnny Damon throws like a girl, and so does Juan Pierre, and both have been on playoff teams.
- michaelAs the father of a girl, as I know you are Mike, I take offence at the “throws like a girl” comment. Let’s break the cycle of sexism!
MW: I’m the father of two girls, actually, and you’re right. Usually I say “throws like a girl who can’t throw.”
- Chris JonesBig surprise, Jays win and no comments from good ol’ Gerry.
Keep your whiny, know-nothing comments to yourself, bud. No one’s interested.
- markusLoved Reed, but he’s gone and all the best to him. Stewart can do the job, so I’m more than happy to cheer him on.
I have to say I like the looks of Litsch so far. Yeah, spring training and all, but still, it’s cause for optimism. Too often with this club, the fifth spot has been filled with Band-Aid solutions. It’s nice to have someone there who shows this much promise.
- RobYou know who else who throws like a girl (who can’t throw) but has still been in the playoffs multiple times? Shannon Stewart. It’s funny how quickly fans seem to forget the 7+ great years Shannon gave us last time he was here. What’s his clubhouse presence like? The fact that he’s a veteran with playoff experience seems to be getting overlooked quite a bit.
- Ty