Posts Tagged ‘Xavier Nady’
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Dodgers need more offensive star powerJuly 6th, 2008
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The Dodgers season thus far has been a train wreck offensively. Sometimes the boys in blue can turns lemons into lemonade like they did the other day beating the Angels without getting a hit.Most of the time however, the Dodgers offense hangs their pitchers out to dry with little to no run support. Needless to say, the team has not lived up to its potential at the plate. Half way through the season the Dodgers are within striking distance of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West. The Dodgers have as good a chance as anybody of winning the division. Injuries are one reason the Dodgers offense has stalled. Ever since Rafael Furcal first felt a twinge in his gimpy back. Furcal recently underwent back surgery and will be out for the next 8 weeks if not for the rest of the season. As if that weren’t bad enough, Juan Pierre is out with a knee injury. Meaning the Dodgers have lost their top two lead off hitters. It is time for Joe Torre to get outside of the box with his line up. Torre could go with either Matt Kemp or Russell Martin as the table setter for his Dodger line up. Currently he has been going with Kemp who has performed decently. Read more
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The Demise of Barry ZitoMay 11th, 2008
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What does a team do with a win-less former Cy Young Award recipient who carries with him a 7-year $126 million contact? Apparently, the San Francisco Giants hadn’t a clue either until the ugly truth about Barry Zito became too much for them to ignore any longer. After Cincinnati thrashed Zito for eight runs in three innings of work, the Giants banished him to the bullpen and the wasteland that is middle relief.
But after a week without pitching, Zito climbed back atop the mound in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to throw his best game of the season. Though he ended up the losing pitcher, Zito (0-7) logged five innings of work, allowed two runs and struck out a season-high five batters. The Giants pulled him after the fifth inning and 100 pitches. His sole mistake came on a first-pitch fastball to Xavier Nady, which left in a hurry for the outfield bleachers.
Subtle reminders of the Zito of old presented themselves in his trademark curveball, which snapped across the plate, while the new Zito remained as well in his low to mid-80’s fastball. Caught between two worlds, Zito is attempting to find himself again as a soft throwing control pitcher, while saying goodbye to a never blazing fastball, but one good enough to set-up his curve. He’s at the beginning of this ugly process to re-create himself at the major league level. He’s more Jamie Moyer now, but without the fine control or economy of pitches. So, what is he then? He’s a pitcher who didn’t have four to five feet to spare on his fastball and someone who’s dealing with altering his comfortable style. This transformation might take the entire length of his San Francisco career.