Oh yeah,
Roy Halladay!
Ok Braves fans, many of you think that Jurrjens should have gotten the starting nod, but consider Halladay's experience, track record, and reliability in big situations (I'm thinking pitching a no-hitter in his first ever post-season game type things). Sure, on paper Jurrjens ERA is better than Roy's right now, but that's no matter to the NL's manager Bruce Bochy, who chalked his choice up to and "easy decision." Says Bochy:
"I couldn't have a better guy to start the All-Star Game for us," Bochy said. "You talk about the elite pitchers in the game and you look at his numbers this year, and it's obvious he's very deserving."
Oh, and there's also the little stat that reads like this about Roy: Since May 20, he is 6-0 with a 2.65 ERA, 65 strikeouts and six walks. Deserving for sure.
Here's Roy with AL starter Jered Weaver. Apparently they got a memo about a "white party" that no one else knew about...
They kind of look alike, right? Like big brother and little brother? Or is it just me? It should be a really good game tonight, or at least and interesting one. 34 new, or first time all stars are taking the field. Will you be watching? I know I will.
Switching gears a bit, below are 6 2011 Bowman green border numbered cards I got off of eBay. All of these were in one lot for $3.00 shipped! The lot caught my eye because it had two of the players in my player collections: Halladay and Drabek. The other cards are available for trade.
nothing like going into battle with the 2nd best pitcher with the 2nd best record and the 4th best era.
ReplyDeleteWho needs the best pitcher with the best record and the best era?
Good call.
The all star game isn't about what you've done in the past or years ago. It's SUPPOSED to celebrate the best players from the 1st half of the season.
something baseball fans and voters forgot about loooooong ago.
Could you set the Santana aside for me?
ReplyDeleteJurrjens hasn't even been one of the five best pitchers in the NL this season. Wins and ERA terrible judges of how a pitcher has pitched.
ReplyDeleteWAR, FIP, and tERA are the ways to go.
Halladay: 5.1 WAR, 2.16 FIP, 2.24 tERA
Jurrjens: 2.3 WAR, 3.10 FIP, 3.76 tERA
Halladay has been MILES better than Jurrjens, as have a number of other NL pitchers.
No Greg, you're wrong. If years and years of collecting baseball cards has taught us anything, the only relevant stats for pitchers are G, W, L, SO, BB, CG and ERA. And back in the 50's, eye color and hair color were relevant too. But WAR? FIP? come on!
ReplyDeleteYeah, let's discuss WAR ... a cumulative stat ... right?
ReplyDeleteWell JJ's 4.2 vs Halladay's 4.9 has come in three fewer starts. That's .262 WAR per start vs Halladay's .257 per start. You could say virtually the same ... you could say JJ's is better. Just sayin'.
One more thing: the whole "big game" pitcher argument might mean something if he were going to pitch more than two innings, but since that isn't the case, that seems ridiculous to me.
I have no problem with Halladay getting the start ... he's freaking Halladay. No one is arguing that JJ is the better pitcher either ... obviously not true. I just don't get the JJ hate. The argument seems to be that he SHOULDN'T be getting the results he's getting. So what? I'll take the results he's giving the Braves.
As a Braves fan pulling for the NL, I'm even rooting for Halladay, and since Cody Ross isn't on the AL squad, I'm sure he'll shut them down.
Gosh I had no idea this post would be so polarizing, lol. @Greg, yes I will set the Santana aside for you.
ReplyDeleteI'd like the Gavin Floyd.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie!
ReplyDelete1st - I did catch the shout out and you're welcome for the golds.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I have no problem with Roy starting the game, I do wish that it had been Jair, because I'm guessing, and it really is just a guess that Roy has started one before. I think it would be an experience that one would treasonous and I like to see it passed around.
But at this point, who cares, NL won!