Wednesday, 8/27/08: Not Just Another Game

BigRapidsJackass · August 27th, 2008, 06:29 PM

D'backs lost this afternoon.

Dodgers are losing in the 8th.

D'backs and Dodgers play each other this weekend, so somebody's going to lose ground.

If the Rox complete the sweep tonight, maybe we'll see just a bit of panic set in in Phoenix and LA? Rox would be within 6 of the D'backs, 2 of the Dodgers.

Still a long, long shot ... but still.

The odds aren't in our favor tonight. Lincecum vs. Livan. If they pull this one off, I'll keep paying attention.

Our ace in the hole? Clint Hurdle and Dan O'Dowd, Mr. Septembers. I've never seen a club use the expanded September roster as effectively as they did last year. And if we're within 5 or 6 games on Labor Day, I'd expect the same strategy this year. Starters like Rusch working 3 or 4 innings. Using 7 pitchers in a game. Carrying 35 players on the active roster.

It was fun to watch last year, and it actually worked. It probably won't work again, but I'm just hoping for another chance to watch them try.

If it happens tonight against Lincecum, I'll admit that the magic is back. If it happens ...

HoyaRoxFan · August 27th, 2008, 09:37 PM

So close and yet...

BigRapidsJackass · August 28th, 2008, 08:31 AM

As well as Hurdle handled a weak pitching staff last September, we must remember how poorly he handled it in August. And he was in full August mode last night, pushing his luck by sending Livan out for the 7th. Sure, he'd shut out a truly pathetic offense, but the Manny/Bucky/Tito trio obviously gave us the best chance to steal one from Lincecum.

August 27th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,175	Wednesday, 8/27/08: Not Just Another Game D'backs lost this afternoon. Dodgers are losing in the 8th. D'backs and Dodgers play each other this weekend, so somebody's going to lose ground. If the Rox complete the sweep tonight, maybe we'll see just a bit of panic set in in Phoenix and LA? Rox would be within 6 of the D'backs, 2 of the Dodgers. Still a long, long shot ... but still. The odds aren't in our favor tonight. Lincecum vs. Livan. If they pull this one off, I'll keep paying attention. Our ace in the hole? Clint Hurdle and Dan O'Dowd, Mr. Septembers. I've never seen a club use the expanded September roster as effectively as they did last year. And if we're within 5 or 6 games on Labor Day, I'd expect the same strategy this year. Starters like Rusch working 3 or 4 innings. Using 7 pitchers in a game. Carrying 35 players on the active roster. It was fun to watch last year, and it actually worked. It probably won't work again, but I'm just hoping for another chance to watch them try. If it happens tonight against Lincecum, I'll admit that the magic is back. If it happens ...

August 27th, 2008, 09:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
HoyaRoxFan Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 305	So close and yet...

August 28th, 2008, 08:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,175	As well as Hurdle handled a weak pitching staff last September, we must remember how poorly he handled it in August. And he was in full August mode last night, pushing his luck by sending Livan out for the 7th. Sure, he'd shut out a truly pathetic offense, but the Manny/Bucky/Tito trio obviously gave us the best chance to steal one from Lincecum.