Mariners battle giant Ursquidly Diddly (M's vs Astros game thread 1)

[TraderGary]

He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, so I think it’s unfair to expect miracles out of his arm so early in his career. Even the best pitchers have needed at least a year, sometimes two, to match ability to intelligence to finishing off development. Sheffield’s barely pitched 100 innings in ML - barely 2/3 of a season in more normal times for a starter. What I’ve seen so far in his other outings makes me curious to see if he can nail down consistency and a third quality pitch. If so, he becomes a solid MOR. (I have more confidence in him and Dunn than YK, who tends to have better stuff on average, but falls apart like a cheap suit more often than not.)

Good point in that comparison. Kikuchi, even when it looks like he's cruising, puts a couple guys on and then gives up that big blast, the instant two-three runs. Sheff and particularly Dunn tend to avoid that.

I know I'm in the minority here, but if I was in a must-win game and I could only choose between Sheff or KK, I'm taking KK every time. I say that because KK has the stuff to be dominant at times. We cannot say that about Sheff.

As for Sheff being a potential MOR starter with more time and experience, I think that would be the absolute ceiling for him, but I see more of a #5 based on his arsenal. He's still young and hopefully he'll continue to develop and prove me wrong.

[seattlefan-daBronx]

All right. It's that time boys. We need points! (runs)
Bottom of the lineup not hitting their weight literally.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

It feels like there is zero chance anyone in the bottom five will do anything to help win the game. Just a total chasm of futility and ineptness.

[IStillLoveTheMs]

Torrens and Crawford are so productive.

[TraderGary]

It feels like there is zero chance anyone in the bottom five will do anything to help win the game. Just a total chasm of futility and ineptness.

Sadly, I have to agree

[Petert]

He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, so I think it’s unfair to expect miracles out of his arm so early in his career. Even the best pitchers have needed at least a year, sometimes two, to match ability to intelligence to finishing off development. Sheffield’s barely pitched 100 innings in ML - barely 2/3 of a season in more normal times for a starter. What I’ve seen so far in his other outings makes me curious to see if he can nail down consistency and a third quality pitch. If so, he becomes a solid MOR. (I have more confidence in him and Dunn than YK, who tends to have better stuff on average, but falls apart like a cheap suit more often than not.)

Good point in that comparison. Kikuchi, even when it looks like he's cruising, puts a couple guys on and then gives up that big blast, the instant two-three runs. Sheff and particularly Dunn tend to avoid that.

I know I'm in the minority here, but if I was in a must-win game and I could only choose between Sheff or KK, I'm taking KK every time. I say that because KK has the stuff to be dominant at times. We cannot say that about Sheff.

As for Sheff being a potential MOR starter with more time and experience, I think that would be the absolute ceiling for him, but I see more of a #5 based on his arsenal. He's still young and hopefully he'll continue to develop and prove me wrong.

If you could wave a magic wand and gift both of them with consistency, questions about both would almost evaporate. It’s like ISLTM pointed out a few minutes ago; Sheffield’s stuff is off from what we saw last year. It’s not to say that the ability to be consistent is beyond him or YK. It’s just that neither has been able to reach it with any degree of regularity, yet.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Moore, Tramell, and White should all be in Tacoma next week and Torrens should be in Everett.

[ddraig]

No one in the stands is wearing a mask.....what are they trying to kill each other or is it all bullshit

Shannon Drayer tweeted aghast at all the unmasked people in the stands. I checked and Texas is over 70% vaccinated (at least 1/2 shots), plus it's outdoors, plus you don't have to go.

I've traveled a lot in the last year, and have determined that we live in a state full of timid sheep. If I didn't love the mild weather and mountains so much, I'd be out of here.

California (Mask required)
New York (Mask required)
Texas (Mask Optional)
Florida (Mask Optional)

All have nearly identical curves when it comes to covid cases. Seems we've all been sold a bill of goods!

[DavidGee24]

Looks like we finally found a relief pitcher who sucks.

[seattlefan-daBronx]

Dugger is digging himself a hole.