Finals are over so, after a weeklong hiatus, I’m back and better than ever. For my triumphant return to Off The Bench, I’m going to comment on whatever I feel like from the past couple days. Things I noticed, things I liked, things I didn’t, whatever…. here we go.
Hits, Betemit, Posada: I watched all 11 innings of the Yankees- Royals game yesterday and came away with a few things. First off, how do the Yankees lose a game in which the Royals scored 4 times on 4 hits and the Yankees had 12 hits? Really, c’mon. Next, Wilson Betemit is tearing it up. He came into the game hitting .400 with runners in scoring position this year and delivered a clutch 2 out game tying RBI hit of David Robertson in the 8th. He was intentionally walked in a similar situation later in the game. Speaking of intentional walks, at one point late in the game (I don’t remember exactly when) the Royals intentionally walked Nick Swisher, who was 0 for the day, to get to Posada, who was 2-2 with 2 walks, with the bases loaded. It was the ultimate show of disrespect for a veteran hitter but it worked, Posada, and his .162 batting average went down swinging on a curveball in the dirt. Also, the guy who closed the game against the Yankees was disgusting: the rookie right hander, Louis Coleman, throws against his body and righty’s are hitting .067 against him on the year.
Indians: Travis Hafner has remembered how to hit, Justin Masterson has seemingly mastered how to pitch, they’re playing great defense and somehow have the second best record in the Big League’s and are on pace for over 106 wins. We don’t claim to be perfect here at Off The Bench, and here’s another example of why not…. We had the Indians at 70-92 (last place in the AL Central). To reach that totals the Indians would have to go 47-80 the rest of the way.
AL Central: Also for fun and to remember why not to bet on baseball, we had the Al Central projected as Twins, Sox, Tigers, Royals, then Indians. Current standings over 20% of the way through the season: Indians, Royals, Tigers, Sox, then Twins. So, if your paying attention: 100% wrong. Don’t listen to us at all.
Adam Jones and V-Mart are hitting the ball really really really well. V-Mart over his last 10 has hit .514 but his last three games were better. He’s hit a combined 9 for 12 with 3 walks, 10 RBI’s and 5 runs. Adam Jones, after going 4-4 last night has raised his batting average over his last 10 games to .436.
Stat of the Day: 34 players hit .300 in 2008. That number dropped to 23 last year in the year of the pitcher. So far in 2011, that number is 37 but who really thinks that Jeff Francouer or Alberto Callaspo will stay in the .300 club all summer?
