241 replies to this topic

[Markus]

Just saw on the MLB Network ticker that Taillon needs TJ surgery.

[Oriole85]

@MLBFanCave .@MikeTyson throws out first pitch at @Pirates game, pretends to bite @Tony26Montana's ear: http://atmlb.com/1hR38bG

 

[Il BuonO]

He's had some good success stories including Liriano as written about here and Burnett. Now Volquez is finding some early success using similar techniques.

I was most interested in the part about long toss and the slight pause to keep from flying open too soon.

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...2&vkey=news_pit

Oh, they've helped, all right. Between their input and Volquez's conscientious approach, we've seen a rebirth of a right-hander who hadn't turned in an adjusted ERA better than league average since 2008, his All-Star season in Cincinnati. Among qualified pitchers from 2009-13, Volquez had the third-highest walk rate in the Major Leagues. With the Pirates, though, he's suddenly become a strike-throwing machine, walking just four batters through his first 21 innings while striking out 13.

"I'm really aggressive right now in the strike zone," Volquez said. "My fastball command is way better than what it was last year and the year before. Right now, everything is straight to the target. Before, everything fell open to the first-base side. Now it's more compact to the plate."

That's the mechanical key that pitching gurus Searage and Benedict picked up on when they analyzed video of Volquez before the offseason signing. When Volquez arrived for the club's minicamp in Bradenton, Fla., in January, Searage gave him some pointers on the proper long-toss process (Volquez had been trying, in Searage's words, to "scratch the sky" with this throws, before Searage got to throw more on a line). And in proper Spring Training camp, the Bucs went about the process of improving Volquez's bullpen work.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Bucs Dugout; Charlie Wilmoth on Baseball Prospectus'  Effectively Wild Podcast talking Pirates
http://www.bucsdugou...ly-wild-podcast

[Oriole85]

@Pirates The @Pirates have reinstated @russellmartin55 from the DL. To make room for Martin, Wandy Rodriguez has been designated for assignment.

Last night's performance didn't do him any favors.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth: The future is now (Gregory Polanco)
http://www.sportsone...ar-debut#!5OuHd

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports Illustrated: Pirates playoff chances take a blow with McCutchen injury

http://www.si.com/ml...y-disabled-list

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports Illustrated: Don't count out the Pirates in the NL Central

http://www.si.com/ml...neal-huntington

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: Is Andrew McCutchen's return enough to save struggling Pirates?

http://www.cbssports...uggling-pirates

[BSLChrisStoner]

Grantland: Iron Men: Quantifying the Pittsburgh Pirates' Remarkable Injury Edge

http://grantland.com...-future-impact/

[DJ MC]

Jonathan Papelbon Ejected For Grabbing Crotch At Booing Phillies Fans

 

So he blows a three-run lead, ends the inning with the Phillies behind, is booed off the field, and cops a self-feel in the general direction of the stands. Joe West sees it, walks over and tosses him. And Papelbon, rational thinker he is, goes out and pretty much physically assaults West as much as you can without actually taking a swing, until West grabs him and shoves him to the side.

 

I'm a Joe West hater, and I can't stand when umpires do something physical where the players have no ability to respond, but I can't say he did anything wrong. And fuck Papelbon.

[RShack]

Jonathan Papelbon Ejected For Grabbing Crotch At Booing Phillies Fans

 

So he blows a three-run lead, ends the inning with the Phillies behind, is booed off the field, and cops a self-feel in the general direction of the stands. Joe West sees it, walks over and tosses him. And Papelbon, rational thinker he is, goes out and pretty much physically assaults West as much as you can without actually taking a swing, until West grabs him and shoves him to the side.

 

I'm a Joe West hater, and I can't stand when umpires do something physical where the players have no ability to respond, but I can't say he did anything wrong. And fuck Papelbon.

 

The best thing was the disdainful way that West moved him off to the side... like a 14 yr old moving his annoying 6 yr old brother out of the way... style points for that...

[You Play to Win the Game]

Yeah agree fully West did nothing wrong. Still wonder about precedent though. Pap is such a tool.

[RShack]

Yeah agree fully West did nothing wrong. Still wonder about precedent though. Pap is such a tool.

 

Oh, it's a terrible precedent, no doubt about it.... plus West is a dork... but other than the suits at mlb and the union, who's gonna stick up for Mr O-mouth?

 

If West gets in trouble for it, maybe he should've done it harder to be sure he got his money's worth...

[SammyBirdland]

FYI - Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are two different places

[DJ MC]

FYI - Pittsburgh and Philadepelphia are two different places

 

I just realized it myself, coming back in here. Apparently I was even more tired than I thought last night

 

At least the Yost rage was in the right place.

[RShack]

FYI - Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are two different places

 

Damn.   And just like those Thunderbird pilots, we followed the first guy right into the ground... (thanks DJ MC...)

[DJ MC]

Damn.   And just like those Thunderbird pilots, we followed the first guy right into the ground... (thanks DJ MC...)

 

I didn't realize I was that much of a leader

[You Play to Win the Game]

FYI - Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are two different places

 
Damn.   And just like those Thunderbird pilots, we followed the first guy right into the ground... (thanks DJ MC...)

Lmao... exactly.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth: The Pirates Believe

http://www.sportsone...en-clint-hurdle