Yes, Brad is still trotting out Everyday Ian in the leadoff spot every game, while Dixon Machado munches sunflower seeds in the dugout.
Meanwhile, the Artie Lewicki era begins.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Artie Lewicki vs Jakob Junis
Chad Bell gets his first major league start.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Chad Bell vs Josh Tomlin
It’s Kinsler + the kitchen sink for today’s lineup.
Seeing Zimmermann’s name in the lineup reminds me: he’s one guy that’s been missing from the list of guys that should be gone next season.
Breaking: Victor Martinez is out for the rest of the season. Nick Castellanos is the every day DH.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Jordan Zimmermann vs Corey Kluber
Since Brad Ausmus was hired, he hasn’t seemed to do all that well with the high-expectation, highly-paid team he inherited. Now he is beginning to show that he doesn’t quite know what to do with a rebuilding team. This does not bode well for his immediate future (which is not to say he won’t be a great manager at some point—he is still young and new at this managing thing).
I think a case in point is in today’s double-header lineup. Why, at this point in the season, is a struggling Ian Kinsler playing both games of a double-header, albeit at DH? I think Dixon Machado should be playing pretty much full time now, getting a lot of starts at 2nd, some starts at 3rd, and spelling Iglesias occasionally at short.
I also don’t like Ausmus taking the bat out of JaCoby’s hands in the 9th. Why bunt there? I think statistically there your chances are a tiny bit better for tying with a successful sacrifice (but lower for winning). But c’mon, play for the win, and give JaCoby a chance in a high pressure situation. It’s what a good rebuilding team would do.
Also no reason that Miguel is playing every day. Whatever happened to his suspension protest? Hopefully the suspension will be upheld.
Meanwhile Fulmer has been shelved, and is making a visit to Dr. Andrews, to be replaced by Chad Bell. The replacement has been announced for Justin’s spot in the rotation: let the Artie Lewicki era begin!
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Buck Farmer vs Mike Clevinger
I still haven’t processed the Justin Verlander trade, or the idea of this team without him. Justin still was must-watch baseball (and the other Justin as the only one still with must-watch at bats).
The September callups begin, some old faces, some new: Bryan Holaday, Blaine Hardy, Jairo Labourt, Efren Navarro. Holaday, Navarro added to 40-man roster.
Also Daniel Norris and Anibal Sanchez have been taken off the DL. Almost forgot about Anibal.
Today’s Lineup:
Pitching: Matthew Boyd vs Carlos Carrasco
