Thursday Bantering

by Tom Dakers on Mar 4, 2010 11:01 AM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

All the writers are complaining about how cold it is in Florida. Having suffered through a particularly cold Canadian winter, I can't tell you how sorry I feel for them. Because I don't.

Today's batting order, from Jordan Bastian:

1. Mike McCoy, 2B
2. Jeremy Reed, CF
3. Brian Dopirak, DH
4. Randy Ruiz, 1B
5. Chris Lubanski, RF
6. Jarrett Hoffpauir, 3B
7. Jose Molina, C
8. Travis Snider, LF
9. John McDonald, SS

Pitching: Marc Rzepczynski

Apparently there is someone that Cito will bat below Moonraker, Johnny Mac gets no respect. There is a question for you, who would you say is the better hitter, Mac or Jose Molina? Nice to see McCoy at the top of the order, I hope he gets a good long look this spring. And I'm already cheering all out for Chris Lubanski, someone has to platoon with Bautista, you would hope.

Brett Cecil will not be pitching today, he cut his thump and will be pushed back a couple of days.

The Globe (and everyone else, this is the story of the day) talks about how Ricky Romero would like to be the opening day starter. On yesterday's game:

The left-hander threw 29 pitches (17 for strikes) over his two innings of work and surrendered just two hits - including a solo home shot to Brent Dlugach.

Other than that fat fastball down the centre of the plate, Romero appeared solid, moving the ball around the plate and also using his curve and slider to good effect.

But the story also includes this line:

Brian Tallet, if he doesn't wind up in the bullpen, is another option for a top-of-the-rotation guy.

You know, I like Tallet and thought he did a pretty decent job last year, considering he came straight out of the bullpen into the starting rotation, without having time to get his arm stretched out for longer appearances. He did well until he wore down, having pitched far more innings than he ever had before in a major league season. But if he's our opening day starter, it is going to be a very long season..

The National Post has a story about Vernon Wells wanting to cut down on his swing from last season.

This spring, he says, he is focusing not on power but consistency: hitting the ball up the middle and in the outfield gaps. With a consistent swing, the power will return, he said.

"It's just about trying to undo all the bad habits I formed last year in my swing. That's what I've been working on every day, just getting back to driving the ball up the middle and having a more consistent swing over the whole season."

I can imagine a guy would be pressing in the middle of a bad year. All we can do is hope this year goes better.

Tweet Comment 90 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I am cheering for McCoy and Ruiz. I rather have Ruiz be the cleanup hitter than Wells at this point. If wells can improve his average with cutting down on his swing, then perhaps he should lead off.

by Joey P on Mar 4, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions

yep

by Andy Mc on Mar 5, 2010 5:02 AM EST up reply actions

Sigh. Why would you not hit Snider higher in the order. He needs more AB, yes?

May I be a little sarcastic and say, responsive to the Vernon Wells commentary, it is good news that VW wants to improve consistency at the expense of power. One thing a team does not want is too much power from their cleanup batter. LOL

That said, I am happy VW wants to work on consistency. I have no problem with anyone hitting 300, or thereabouts, with another 50+ points in OBP (VW’s career incremental OBP, versus avg, is 49, but he has been trending upward). However, if VW does swap power for average, I hope Cito will recognize the adjustment and change VW’s hitting order on a timely basis.

by aagoodfella on Mar 4, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions

Cito adjusting batting order?

Uhhhh wuhhh buhhhh. That sounds so… uncomfortable.

Ball.

by Casusby on Mar 4, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

it’s ST, he’ll get pulled after 2 or so AB regardless if he hits 1st or 9th.

by jayjay on Mar 4, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Ricky Romero

I would have to think Ricky is close to a fave for opening day.

by aagoodfella on Mar 4, 2010 11:42 AM EST reply actions

How did Wells' swing get so bad

when we had 3 hitting coaches?

They're not just hitting home runs. They're doing the little things, like hitting doubles.

by Torgen on Mar 4, 2010 1:18 PM EST reply actions

There is a good question.

by Tom Dakers on Mar 4, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

wasn't denbo.

by Andy Mc on Mar 5, 2010 5:03 AM EST up reply actions

Changing batting coaches every year or two was a hallmark of the JP era.

by siggian on Mar 5, 2010 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

Today's game is on MLB audio

Jays went 1, 2, 3 in the first. Scrabble gave up a walk in the first then erased the runner on a fly out DP, quick inning. Jays went out 1,2,3 in the second too.

by Tom Dakers on Mar 4, 2010 1:23 PM EST reply actions