Inter-league games begin today and the controversy continues. I like the format because I get to see some players that normally don't play at Chase Field. While I don't think the "natural rivalries" argument works anymore, I do think it's great to see a wide variety of players from both leagues. I just wish both leagues played by the same rules.
I got to see San Diego and Atlanta play in Phoenix this week. I have some thoughts about each club:
I really think LHP Jonny Venters is the better option at closer rather than right-handed Craig Kimbrel. Don't get me wrong-they are both excellent back end of the bullpen options. It's just that Venters stuff is really special. He can get both righties and lefties out and he has the repertoire and the velocity to miss bats. So does Kimbrel. I just lean to Venters. Overall, the Braves bullpen is lights out. Quality arms up and down the pen. Very impressive.
Phenom starter Julio Teheran reminded me of Juan Cruz. He can take his velocity from a 95MPH fastball to an 84MPH change up. He still doesn't have a "put away" out pitch, but he's going to be a very solid starter.
Chipper Jones is amazing. He played with a sore knee and he went all out. No loafing. No complaining. He's a professional hitter and player with the ability to hit the ball in the gaps or over the fence.
Dan Uggla still struggles with breaking pitches down and away. I'd throw them over and over until he proves he can drive that pitch. He's a very dangerous fastball hitter.
It's amazing to me how much sink Jair Jurrjens gets on his 2 seam fastball. Hitters just pound the ball into the ground. At around the third time through the order he tires, and if he gets the ball up in the zone he is hittable.
I'm amazed at Josh Collmenter. I've told anyone who would listen or read my material that I'm very bullish on Collmenter. He is totally in charge on the mound with a funky delivery and very good stuff. He mixes up his pitches and changes the eye level of the hitter. I don't think this is a fluke.
Word at the ballpark yesterday was that Micah Owings will get the Saturday start for the DBacks. I've also heard Barry Enright but I think it will be Owings or Zach Duke.
I can't figure out why the Padres are waiting to bring up 1B Anthony Rizzo? Their offense is really pretty anemic and they need a burst of power to help score some runs. For me that would be Rizzo. Still no call as of this writing.
Speaking of first basemen, Juan Miranda has been playing very well at 1B. The bat is coming alive and he's made some very good offensive plays. For the first time, I've been hearing a buzz about Paul Goldschmidt coming from the Diamondbacks front office. Today Kevin Towers started talking about him publicly and indicated he may be closer than the organization had believed. Look for Goldschmidt sometime this year, as I indicated in my profile about him. Nobody knows when,
Ryan Ludwick is the only true power hitter I saw on the Padres. I feel sorry for him because he plays in death valley. It's amazing that there isn't more power on the club, but the team is built to win in Petco. Singles and stolen bases. Now if they can only execute that plan.
Eric Hosmer is certainly having a great beginning to his major league career. Just ask Neftali Feliz.
Speaking of Feliz, is he healthy? Two blown saves in two outings. I'm just asking.
Pitching is so fragile. I can't believe that Alfredo Aceves will be in the rotation for the Red Sox. That's why clubs need to have a number of pitchers available to step into the rotation or the pen at any given time.
He can't hit a lick, but Tim Federowicz is a quality defensive catcher in the Red Sox organization. He certainly may be getting a thorough review by the club as they seek to solve their catching woes.
Jorge Vazquez is a name to remember. He is a home run hitting 1B in the Yankees organization. Vazquez is older and not many people know about him. I'm bullish on his ability to help a club that has a need for a power hitting 1B. Hello my Indians. I'm trying to help you here. Give up a pitcher to the Yankees and go get Mr. Vazquez. How about Carlos Carrasco. Deal?
Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore are both hurt again. This is what happened to the Indians last year. Both these guys are fragile, at best. Hafner has a bad side. That impacts his swing. He may have to go on the DL to join Sizemore. Hopefully, the momentum of a wonderful start won't be crushed.
Hats off to Jake Peavy. What a warrior. His performance this week was outstanding! He's a bulldog on the mound and he wants to earn his money.
Jason Vargas is flying under the radar. He's been pitching very well for the Mariners.
Good move by the Red Sox picking up Franklin Morales. Left-handed pitching is at a premium and the Red Sox can use that arm out of the pen. But I'm not as sure about Kevin Millwood. Is he better than Aceves? I guess that spot may come down to Aceves or Millwood when it's all said and done. Lots depends upon how Aceves does in the coming starts. How long will Milwood want to stay in the minor leagues? Not long.
So far the Diamondbacks have really been happy with the work of David Hernandez out of the bullpen. He came over in the Mark Reynolds trade and he's done an outstanding job in clutch situations. I think it was a great deal for Arizona. Reynolds continues to struggle in Baltimore.
I wonder if trade talk will heat up with inter-league play? Do you like inter-league games? Just wondering.
How can the Braves not be running away with their division? Great starting pitching. Great bullpen. Chipper, Prado, McCann, Heyward, Uggla. They seem scary good. But they're not hitting.
Darwin Barney's still hanging in there as the Cubs 2B. I'm rooting for him. Just a really good ballplayer.
Who was that in Jason Giambi's uniform yesterday? When I saw him in Phoenix a few weeks ago he was way, way late on high velocity fastballs. I wonder what they threw him yesterday? Three home runs? Does Juan Pierre have that in his career?
The Twins come to Chase Field tonight and I'll be there to tweet about it. Please follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff. Promise?
Thanks.