Yardbarker: Zach Duke

Leaders & Laggards: Pitcher BABIP

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:43:51 -0500

It's been a couple of weeks since I last published the Leaders & Laggards series, so let's take our first post-All-Star Break look at our favorite lucky and unlucky pitchers. With the season about 64% complete, one would expect these lists to start stabilizing, the lucky guys regressing closer to league average, and the unlucky guys also moving closer to league average, but in a positive way. So let's roll…

THE PIRATES CANNOT BE STOPPED

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:04:32 -0500

Any Pirate win is cause for celebration; four in a row and Mayor Luke might be planning a parade downtown next week. Is it any sweeter when the defeated San Diego Padres sport a lineup featuring former Buccos Jody Gerut (who made $111,111.11 per at-bat with the Pirates) and Brian "The Human Tan" Giles? Me thinks yes.

But the story of the night was Pirate pitcher/Cuban defector Yoslan Herrera, who, to this point, evoked no memories of countryman El Duque in his prime. That's usually the case when your ERA is 19.50.

The Padres are in no way to be confused with, say, the 1927 Yankees, but a win is a win is a win. Is a win. Especially when the final score is 9-1 and the team you beat is a MLB-worst 38-65. Hey, better to beat those teams than lose to them, right?

Herrera threw six innings, surrendering six hits, one walk and one run while striking out four. His ERA is now under 10. Raise the jolly roger.

Tonight's matchup is the long-anticipated showdown between RHP Cha Seung Baek (2-5, 4.66) and LHP Zach Duke (4.7, 4.92). And if that's not enough for you to buy a ticket, how about a free Al Oliver bobblehead?

Pirates roll past Padres to win fourth in a row [PG]

SEND YOUR LIVEBLOG LINKS: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Lohse wins 11th, Garcia makes ML debut, combo shutout of Bucs

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:10:15 -0500

The Cardinals' offense showed up just in time to help Kyle Lohse notch his 11th victory. The leading Cards' hurler got some help from the 10th rookie his team has debuted this season. (photo by Iscan)

FUN WHILE IT LASTED

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:36:37 -0500

--The Pirates were brought back to reality last night by Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees in a 10-0 thumping in front of 38,952 at PNC Park.

The Bombers were led by Bob Abreu's productive, three-hit, 4-RBI evening, which included his 10th home run of the campaign. The Yanks also got a 3-3 performance from overrated Derek Jeter, and 6 2/3 shutout innings from Chamberlain.

On the Bucco side of the ledger, Jack Wilson balanced his perfect night at the plate with two errors; only two other Pirate starters managed a hit. Zach Duke was touched for seven hits and four runs in five innings of work.

The 37-41 Pirates and 42-36 Yankees meet at PNC in a rubber match tonight at 7:05. Mike Mussina (10-5, 3.93) and Paul Maholm (5-5, 4.41) are your hurlers.

A few other Pirate-related news bits:

--Greatest jersey ever? From the Maximum Grilled Pirates message board user "Jeff King":

--John Challis, the Freedom teenager whose battle with cancer has been widely publicized, was at the game last night. Besides meeting Derek Jeter, he gave a speech to the Pirates' players and staff (which got a standing ovation), talked hunting with Adam LaRoche, and sat in John Russell's chair.

--Former Bucco Shawn Chacon made headlines for his Latrell Sprewell-style choking of Astros GM Ed Wade last night. It's the most fight he's shown in years.

--Pirates GM Neal Huntington swung a deal with the Tigers, landing hard-throwing reliever Denny Bautista in exchange for Class-A reliever Kyle Pearson. Bautista will join the team immediately, which means either Sean Burnett, Francisco Osoria or T.J. Beam will be packing their bags.

Bautista has been clocked as high as 99 MPH; he also has a career ERA of 6.42 and is coming off of a month missed due to tendonitis.

--Ryan Doumit's dad Peter Doumit wrote a book (What I Know about Baseball Is What I Know about Life ...) which they will both be signing tomorrow (the 27th) at the Barnes and Noble at South Hills Village.

--Fresno State won the College World Series last night, and they did it behind Pirate 5th-round draft pick Justin Wilson, who threw eight innings, walking one and striking out nine in the longest effort by any pitcher in the 2008 College World Series. By the way...he did it on three days' rest.

MLB Busts of the Week - Week 8

Tue, 27 May 2008 07:50:31 -0500

Which fantasy studs dropped the ball last week? And which "sleepers" fall short of their hyped billing? Screaming Sports' Kevin Collazo runs down a four-player (Mets-associated) list of fantasy bombs.

Public Knowledge

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:04:34 -0500

Manny & Papi, Gavin Floyd and Ken griffey Jr. All this and more in Public Knowledge!

ShowDown in PA

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:58:27 -0500

The Philadelphia Phillies (12-11) travel to Pittsburgh for a 3 game set against the Pirates (9-13) starting Friday night at 7:05 in beautiful and underrated PNC Park. Match-ups: Friday- Adam Eaton (0-0, 4.74 era, 1.34 whip) vs. Zach Duke (0-1, 4.37, 1.77), Saturday- Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.59, 1.81) vs. Matt Morris (0-3, 9.15, 1.98), and Sunday- Brett Myers (2-1, 4.78, 1.31) vs. Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.22, 1.50). Phils Jackpots: Pat Burrell (.355 avg/1.224 OPS), Chase Utley (.385/1.288), Jayson Werth (.300/.958), Greg Dobbs (.355/.992), and Chris Coste (.370/1.172). Buccos Jackpots: X-Man Nady (.337/.919), Nate McLouth (.333/.978), Ryan Doumit (.344/.943), Ronny Paulino (.290/.726), and Jason Bay (.270/.859). Phils Bankrupts: Geoff Jenkins (.225/.600), Pedro Feliz (.213/.654), Carlos Ruiz (.194/.484), Eric Bruntlett (.207/.534), and Ryan Howard (.176/.638). Of note- Mr. Ten Million Dollar Man Ryan Howard has only 7 hits in 63 at bats against the Pirates for a .111 batting average with no homeruns, only 4 rbi, 31 k's, and a piss poor .303 OPS. Buccos Bankrupts: Freddy Sanchez (.227/.513), Luis Rivas (.188/.433), Doug Mientkiewicz (.212/.606), Brian Bixler (.158/.390), Adam LaRoche (.149/.454), Jose Bautista (.178/.525), and Nyjer Morgan (.130/.433). *Each team sucks at fielding, 21 errors for the Phils and 25 for the Pirates. *My prediction, the Phils are going to get hot and sweep this series and build a strong foundation for their first winning April in quite some time. ____________________________________ Phlashback Phriday: Gary Varsho In honor of the upcoming series between the State buddies Phillies and Buccos, WSBGM's has decided to pay tribute to a Phucco...hello Gary Varsho! Varsho has spent time in both organizations as a player and coach, currently employed as bench coach for Pittsburgh (also bench coach for Phils as recently as 2006). Gary's playing days lasted 8 illustrious season from the time he started as a Cub back in 1988 until the day he retired a Phillie in 1995. In between Chicago and Philly were two stops with the Pirates and one with the Reds. Career line: 571 gm, 101 r, 204 h, 41 dbl, 11 trpl, 10 hr, 84 rbi, 27 sb, .244 avg, and .649 OPS all while doing mostly pinch-hitting with occasional time at all three outfield positions. Of note, Varsho holds a .667 playoff batting average going 2-3 in the '91 and '92 postseason with the Buccos.

No Life Vest Needed

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:54:11 -0500

The Pirates were expected to have a dismal season and need a life vest to even stay afloat, but that has not been the case so far. After last night's come from behind win over the Dodgers thanks to Mr. Fireworks himself Nate McLouth the Pirates busted through the .500 barrier and are now on the winning side at 7-6 (wish the Phils could say the same thing). The surprising offense is being fronted by the previously mentioned McLouth and he's followed by thumper X-Man Nady, late-blooming Ryan Doumit, and the versatile Chris Gomez. The young pitchers aren't so young any more, but their early career struggles are starting to payoff as Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm, and Tom Gorzelanny make up a decent rotation and in the 'pen they've got lefty John Grabow, stolen from the Braves Tyler Yates, and closer Matt Capps.

What's in your Easter basket?

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:48:42 -0500

Phillies: *Francisco Rosario (out of options) has been placed on the DL to begin the season and is officially out of the running for one of the remaining bullpen spots. Fat Mike Zagurski and Scott Mathieson who are still mending from '07 injuries have also been shelved. *Kris Benson hasn't been DL'd yet, but that's not really necessary because of his minor league contract status. He won't be MLB ready until May at the earliest, and is still working his arm and body back into game shape. He missed his last scheduled appearance and appears to be missing today's as well. C'mon Anna, put down your marmosets and give your man some McLovin. *Rule 5'er Travis Blackley, non-roster invitees Vic Darensbourg and Gary Knotts, and Clay Condrey (out of options) are still vying for the coveted spot in the Phils 'pen. I believe Condrey has the inside track, but Darensbourg is a lefty and has pitched well so far this spring. *After having their punk card publicly pulled by the renowned players' manager Charlie Manuel earlier this spring, the starting pitching has responded well. Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, and even Adam Eaton have turned in quality outings. Yesterday Chad Durbin (destined for long relief) pitched 3 perfect innings against a Detroit Tigers lineup mostly composed of regulars. Pirates: *Centerfield is still up for grabs between Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan. Based on spring stats alone McLouth should be the starter (OPS: McLouth 1.084, Morgan .533). Then take into account that McLouth has experienced some success at the Big League level while Morgan is still wet behind the ears. *It seems that glovesman Doug Bat-Mientkiewicz will make the squad. Not sure why the Buccos need a no-hit all-field backup first baseman, but then again I don't understand most the moves this organization makes. *An example of a move I don't understand- prospect slugger Steve Pearce, he of 4 spring longballs, is most likely ticketed for Triple A...why? *Like the Phillies, the Pirates starting pitching has been a bit rough around the edges this spring with Matt Morris, Tom Gorzelanny, and Paul Maholm all pitching poorly. Ian Snell and Zach Duke have done well though. Also, minor league signings Jaret Wright and Hector Carrasco are improving their chances of being added to the 25-man roster.

No Clement; Thoughts on the Rotation

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:52:34 -0500

This article discusses GM Neal Huntington's decision to stick with the current starting rotation this season rather than pursuing another SP in the offseason. Go Buccos!

Looking Back: The GNUru's Top 10 Breakout Pitchers

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:11:49 -0500

Prior to the start of the 2007 season, the GNUru identified the Top 10 Pitchers (http://www.thegnuru.com/content/view/39/27/) that were being touted by the big boys of fantasy baseball (CBS Sportsline, Yahoo, ESPN, etc.) as sleeper and breakout picks. These players were thought to be "Sexy Picks" and many were draft higher than expected due to their perceived value. Now that the season is at the midpoint, the GNUru is here to look back and grade himself with either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. You're not going to get that kind of evaluation over at the big boys!

Zach Duke Seeks 2nd Opinion

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:20:03 -0500

Zach Duke is not ready to breathe easily just yet, it seems. His ailing left elbow has no ligament tears and will not require surgery, according to tests taken yesterday afternoon at Allegheny General Hospital under the supervision of the Pirates' medical staff. The formal diagnosis was irritation of the ulnar collateral ligament. But that evidently did not satisfy Duke, who revealed later in the day that he would exercise his right to seek a second opinion Friday from Dr. James Andrews, the orthopedist famous for performing reconstructive arm surgeries on pitchers, in Birmingham, Ala.

Julio Lugo is a Waste!!! Chris Ray is a Bum!!!

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:07:49 -0500

Julio Lugo was suppose to be a difference maker for the BoSox, but all he's been is a waste of space. Chris Ray on the other hand is just a bum. Ray hasn't had a save in nearly a month, and keeps on losing. When will Baltimore dump this guy?

The GNUru Hype Machine: Top 10 Breakout Pitchers

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:42:57 -0500

The GNUru realizes that just about every fantasy sports publication has some magic formula to predict this year's crop of breakout players. For some it's the 27-year old benchmark, 3rd year of MLB experience, or even the number of games played or innings pitched. At first glance these 'trends' may King Felix or King of Hype?appear to hold some weight, however, many of the players that fall within those categories, fail miserably. While there are always a handful of players that do break out and fill their fantasy team owner with glutinous pride, the majority of players become prime candidates for the plague known as Sexy Pick Syndrome (SPS). So what's to make of all the hype? Nothing. Predicting a pitcher's success has little to do with arbitrary age class or magic innings pitched. It is all about talent. Talent includes both stuff (the ability to make hitters look silly at times) and guile (the pitchers craftiness). As such, the GNUru will attempt to breakdown the fantasy baseball hype machine in a 2 part series of both pitching and hitting breakout trends. Today, the GNUru will take a look at pitching trends and how it will affect player values this spring. First let's have a look at last years cream of the breakout crop: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Erik Bedard, and Aaron Cook. While those pitchers had respectable seasons, their success is not enough to compensate the major whiffs- Noah Lowry, Rich Harden, Jorge Sosa, Daniel Cabrera, and Zach Greinke. In fact, if you targeted 3rd year pitchers, you success rate is no different than if you ignored MLB service time all together. The GNUru is not going to claim the ability to predict who will breakout and who won't (no one should), but knowing how players are valued (relative to draft position) among other owners can help you put together a winning combination. So without further adieu, here is the GNUru's Top 10 over-hyped breakout candidate pitchers heading into the 2007 season.

Opening Day 2007 - Oswalt vs Duke

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:39:56 -0500

Roy Oswalt's making his 5th consecutive Opening Day start. He's 2-1 on those games. Check out Oswalt's career numbers against the Pirates. "Roy has done very well against Pitt: 10-5 in 18 GS and 1 in relief over 127.1 IP - 4 HR, 22 BB, 113 K - a 2.76 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a .251 BAA." Pirates fans, don't get down, after today you'll only be 1 game below .500. Not bad.