Sunday Night Baseball was an entertaining game on ESPN. It ended a great week of baseball.
I know that few things generate more disagreement than opinions on baseball announcers. I must admit that I really enjoy the ESPN trio of Dan Shulman, Bobby Valentine and Bowling Green State University Falcon Orel Hershiser. I think their analysis is outstanding. Shulman has a pleasant voice and he defers to his sidekicks for baseball wisdom. Hershiser and Valentine really do know baseball.
Alexi Ogando is a fly ball pitcher-no doubt about it. That's why I have indicated in the past I liked him better in the bullpen when he didn't have to face the same hitters three times in a game. That point was made to some extent tonight by Hershiser. Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Ogando fan and I indicated that very early last year. But I want him back in the pen setting up for Feliz.
Don Mattingly is starting to lobby for Jerry Sands to be promoted to the big club. Mattingly managed Sands in the Arizona Fall League. Sands is off to a blazing start this year with a .400/5/17 in 10 games. Sands will be the subject of my article this week on RotoWire. I totally agree with Mattingly. Elevating Sands to the bigs would mean something would have to be done with James Loney. He's a good enough hitter to bring someone valuable in return. With the Dodgers $$ woes, they may want to cut even more payroll.
The Cardinals closing situation remains an issue. I still don't know where they turn. I got to see lots of their pen this week and I didn't see one "lights out" end of the game arm. Not even Jason Motte who has trouble with command and control.
Jon Lester really scuffled but got his first win of the year. Sometimes luck is as good as skill. I'm glad he got the win because I got the win. And I paid dearly for him.
The Orioles have to get Nick Markakis (.222) and Matt Wieters (.205) going. Soon. Jake Fox can hit, but he isn't getting at-bats. I just don't see how guys like Russell Martin and Matt Wieters can catch as many games as they are now. It's a long season.
Wow-I didn't know that Jesse Litsch struggled so much against left-handed hitters. But it's true. That's a split to look at whenever you consider Litsch as a starting pitcher in your own lineup.
I called a scout friend of mine to ask him what he thought of Chris Carpenter? The scout told me "He has all the tools."
I told my friend that he was nuts and I told him I'd never, ever call him again.
Johnny Damon had driven in the winning run in 5 straight games. That's amazing to me. The streak ended when Damon hurt the ring finger on his left hand. He's now day-to-day. He's having a fine impact on the Rays.
How about Dan Haren? We don't hear enough about either Haren or Jared Weaver. Haren in now 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA. When he was with Arizona, Haren wilted in the second half of the season. I hope it doesn't happen to him this season. He's such a master surgeon on the mound.
Juan Pierre has been caught stealing 5 times already this year. Successful on 4. Is the magic over? I'm just askin.
Carl Crawford is trying everything to get a hit and get on base. Including bunting. He's putting lots of pressure on himself but he's making lots of MM to hit.
Jeanmar Gomez takes the rotation spot vacated when Mitch Talbot went on the disabled list for Cleveland. Gomez can pitch. But he's a little bit inconsistent.
How about Grady Sizemore hitting a homer and a double in his first game back. Good for him. No, I'm not gloating about the Indians. I know it's early. But I sure like this year's start better than the past few years.
I know he'll have some good outings, but I just don't like the inconsistency start to start of Edinson Volquez. I still wonder if he didn't come back too soon.
Justin Upton is in a great groove right now. His swing is as fast as I've seen it at any time. He's clearing his hips, laying off wicked sliders and putting the ball in play. When he's in a groove he's a wrecking crew. We may be seeing a real coming out party for him this year. 478 feet and 460 plus feet on homers this week alone.
I guess Joe Mauer has some type of viral infection and his condition is not as bad as originally believed. Wouldn't that be great. I hate to see great players on the shelf.
That's it for tonight. This week I'll profile Jerry Sands on RotoWire. Hope you'll stop by mid-week and give it a read.
Contact me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.