You be Jerry
Do you want offense or defense? That's what the decision comes down as to who catches tonight for the Reds. Roy Oswalt is pitching. Javy Valentin is the better offensive option. He hits right-handers very well. Valentin caught Kyle Lohse first two starts. Reds one and lost one. But Jerry Narron went out of his way to say he disappointed with the pitch selection in the 5-4 loss in the Arizona.
Ross caught the next three. Reds won the first two, including the 1-0 gem in Wrigley. Lohse lost his last start 7-5 in St. Louis.
So who do you start tonight? Ross is 1-for-4 against Roy O. Valentin's 2-for-9 with a walk and a double.
My guess is Narron goes with Ross.
posted by John Fay at 12:15 PM
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Post a Comment*Better catching is always more important than better hitting. I vote Ross.
I'm not sure exactly which game you're referring to when you say the Reds lost 5-2 at St. Louis, but the game Lohse pitched against the Cards they lost 7-5. Lohse was pitching another gem until he imploded halfway through the game. The way the Cards jumped all over first pitches and seeing as how they've been known to pick up on things in the past, Lohse was tipping his pitches somehow.
What's with this myth that Valentin is a "very good" hitter against righties? For his career, he has put up .254/.310/.432 against them. In 25 at bats this year, he's slugging an anemic .320 against righties with a .707 OPS. Ross' career against righties is about the same (225/302/426), although this season obviously his offense in total has struggled mightily (6 for 38 against righties).
So yes, I suppose given this year's splits on a tiny sample size, valentin is the better hitter against righties, but let's not pretend that llm is some kind of great (or even good) hitter against right-handers. Not to mention if a lefty comes in and javy "bats" right-handed.
On top of that, Ross is 5 for 8 in throwing out runners, which is No. 1 in the NL among qualifiers and second in the majors only to Joe Mauer. Javy hasn't thrown out a guy in nine tries, which is pitiful. Add his inability to call games well (real or perceived) and I don't think there's any question you go with Ross almost always, except when he needs a day off.
Of course, given Narron's obsession with the righty-lefty game, I look for Valentin to start.
How bout the Mad Hatter ??? Oops he doesn't play there anymore. Stick with Ross. If the Reds weren't getting runs elsewhere these days, then, yeah, take a chance with JV behind the plate tonight. Ross's offensive stats should come around soon but his work behind the plate already compensates for his lack of stick right now. Hey, bat him 9th- Ok that's going too far, I suppose!
The last start for Lohse was a 7-5 loss, not 5-2. I fixed it. And Rick is right, calling Valentin "very good hitter" may be a little strong. He did hit .286 with 8 homers and 25 RBI in 168 at-bats last year. And he's best against guys who throw hard like Oswalt.
i go with ross tonight. he has caught 21 of 26. 80 % of the games. you have 32 in 33 days. he'll need resting. you have won first 2 in houston. trying to get one of next two to go 3 for 4. let valentin catch milton. then rest ross and he is ready in colorado where the air is thin and he can work with belisle who probably needs him the most.
won't be long until some of the big market teams will be ready for pitcher shopping. important start for milton who could finagle an extension out of someone that he will never get here. same with ponson in minnesota who had a big night. sorry about hughes... but really puts the yankees as buyers. nobody overpays like they do.
I go with Ross as well. Always go with defense and he is starting to hit. Javy's best value to this team is as a late inning pinch hitter.
can josh catch too?
I'll take Ross. As a pitcher, Valentin would drive me crazy. He takes forever to give the signal and get set. I hate watching the games when he's behind the plate. Ross' hitting will come around.
Ross should catch every game that his body/knees can take.
The correct answer is: CHAD MOELLER!!!
As a former minor league pitcher, I'm sick and tired of hearing about catchers calling pitches. Unless the pitcher is a mindless boob, he should be telling the catcher what he's going to throw.
Play Ross... he's much better defensively.
I'm going to say it's javy. He hasn't started in a while. (Also, I saw C. Trent's blog)
good post jc. go with ross as much as he can handle. get another catcher that can call a game.
anonymous, maybe if you'd have let the catcher call your pitches, you'd be a former major league pitcher. I'm just sayin'
pat
active softball pitcher
Pat: It's apparent you've never played baseball or you wouldn't have made such a stupid statement. Any pitcher who doesn't know his capabilities enough to call his own game is just a thrower. I'm sure glad you're active in something... you might try chess. it's good for improving your mind.
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