2010 MLB All Star Game

[Audiodrama]

SP: Marcum, Weaver, Hernandez, Matusz, Price, Lester, Hughes, Liriano

How can Clay Buchholz not be among the eight best starters in the A.L. thus far? Kid's 8-3 with a 2.39 ERA (in the toughest division in baseball).

[DEAD!]

Is it too late to put Stratsburg in the All Star Game?

[mania]

SP: Marcum, Weaver, Hernandez, Matusz, Price, Lester, Hughes, Liriano

How can Clay Buchholz not be among the eight best starters in the A.L. thus far? Kid's 8-3 with a 2.39 ERA (in the toughest division in baseball).

He probably should, at the expense of making it practically an all ALE starting set, be in there over Felix, it's more that he's the bigger name, and for a while, I was concerned he might be the only Mariner.

[See Red]

SP: Marcum, Weaver, Hernandez, Matusz, Price, Lester, Hughes, Liriano

How can Clay Buchholz not be among the eight best starters in the A.L. thus far? Kid's 8-3 with a 2.39 ERA (in the toughest division in baseball).

He probably should, at the expense of making it practically an all ALE starting set, be in there over Felix, it's more that he's the bigger name, and for a while, I was concerned he might be the only Mariner.

He should be in there over Liriano as well.

[infrared41]

Is it too late to put Stratsburg in the All Star Game?

As long as there isn't a conflict with his Hall of Fame induction.

[ltjets21]

Rod Barajas?

[HedleyLamarr]

I had some time to kill at the Rays-Braves game during the mini-rain delay.....

[oddball]

I had some time to kill at the Rays-Braves game during the mini-rain delay.....

Wait? It was raining in the Trop? Oh, how they need to get rid of that crappy whatever the heck it is! Oh you were in Atlanta.

[infrared41]

My ballot:

AL

1B: Miguel Cabrera

2B: Robinson Cano

SS: Derek Jeter

3B: Evan Longoria

C: John Buck

OF: Josh Hamilton, Magglio Ordonez, Alex Rios

DH: Vladimir Guerrero

NL

1B: Albert Pujols

2B: Martin Prado

SS: Hanley Ramirez

3B: Scott Rolen

C: Miguel Olivo

OF: Ryan Braun, Andre Ethier, Jayson Werth

[knnhrvy16]

I'm not really sure as to a full lineup yet, but I will say this: if Ubaldo Jimenez dosent start at the hill for the NL, it'll be a crime. There is no doubt in my mind that as of this point in the season, NOBODY has dominated the NL like Jimenez. Im just hoping the fact that he's from Colorado dosent put voters off.

[Don]

I'm not really sure as to a full lineup yet, but I will say this: if Ubaldo Jimenez dosent start at the hill for the NL, it'll be a crime. There is no doubt in my mind that as of this point in the season, NOBODY has dominated the NL like Jimenez. Im just hoping the fact that he's from Colorado dosent put voters off.

managers pick the pitchers. hopefully charlie manuel thinks the same way we all do.

[infrared41]

I'm not really sure as to a full lineup yet, but I will say this: if Ubaldo Jimenez dosent start at the hill for the NL, it'll be a crime. There is no doubt in my mind that as of this point in the season, NOBODY has dominated the NL like Jimenez. Im just hoping the fact that he's from Colorado dosent put voters off.

managers pick the pitchers. hopefully charlie manuel thinks the same way we all do.

My guess is that he does. The only thing that could stop Jimenez from starting at this point would be that he pitched the Sunday before and they don't want him throwing on short rest. Other than that, he's pretty much a lock.

[HedleyLamarr]

With the new rules set earlier this year, starting pitchers that pitch on Sunday would be ineligible to play in the All-Star Game, and a replacement will be made.

[knnhrvy16]

I'm not really sure as to a full lineup yet, but I will say this: if Ubaldo Jimenez dosent start at the hill for the NL, it'll be a crime. There is no doubt in my mind that as of this point in the season, NOBODY has dominated the NL like Jimenez. Im just hoping the fact that he's from Colorado dosent put voters off.

managers pick the pitchers. hopefully charlie manuel thinks the same way we all do.

Ah, you're right, thanks for reminding me. I had a migraine yesterday and wasn't thinking straight but yeah, let's cross our fingers Manuel thinks the same as we do.

[floydnimrod]

If Arthur Rhodes is not is the All Star Game, I won't be watching. Show me all the other pitchers that haven't given up a run in 30 straight innings, or since April 10th.

[STL FANATIC]

Arthur Rhodes isn't a closer, and relievers that aren't closers frequently get overlooked. I wouldn't take it to heart if that happens with Rhodes.

[See Red]

Arthur Rhodes isn't a closer, and relievers that aren't closers frequently get overlooked. I wouldn't take it to heart if that happens with Rhodes.

That's true but it's also pretty silly because the concept of a "closer" is pretty ridiculous itself. A hold is just as important as a save, and Arthur Rhodes is 14 for 14, a .28 ERA in 32 innings. Pretty impressive. Granted, his FIP is around 2.60, so he's been a bit lucky.

[Eye]

Arthur Rhodes isn't a closer, and relievers that aren't closers frequently get overlooked. I wouldn't take it to heart if that happens with Rhodes.

That's true but it's also pretty silly because the concept of a "closer" is pretty ridiculous itself. A hold is just as important as a save, and Arthur Rhodes is 14 for 14, a .28 ERA in 32 innings. Pretty impressive. Granted, his FIP is around 2.60, so he's been a bit lucky.

Holds are the biggest BS stat out there. If you come in with a three run lead, give up two solo home runs, record one out, then you get a hold. Rhodes may or may not be worthy of an all star selection, but damn, saying he is 14 for 14 on holds doesn't mean much.

[See Red]

Arthur Rhodes isn't a closer, and relievers that aren't closers frequently get overlooked. I wouldn't take it to heart if that happens with Rhodes.

That's true but it's also pretty silly because the concept of a "closer" is pretty ridiculous itself. A hold is just as important as a save, and Arthur Rhodes is 14 for 14, a .28 ERA in 32 innings. Pretty impressive. Granted, his FIP is around 2.60, so he's been a bit lucky.

Holds are the biggest BS stat out there. If you come in with a three run lead, give up two solo home runs, record one out, then you get a hold. Rhodes may or may not be worthy of an all star selection, but damn, saying he is 14 for 14 on holds doesn't mean much.

It works both ways, if you come in with a one-run lead, the bases loaded and no outs and you manage to escape the inning only giving up a run you get a blown save despite what I think anybody would say is an admirable job of getting out of the inning.

And I think it's safe to say that in this instance, considering he's only given up a single earned run all season, he hasn't had any BS holds. In this case I don't think it's so insignificant.

Holds may be a BS stat, but no more-so than saves.

[STL FANATIC]

Saves and Blown Saves aren't perfect stats, but Holds is a brutally awful stat. And that's why the MLB doesn't officially keep it.

Now, is an strong 8th inning of relief as important or at least nearly as important as a strong 9th? Yep. No doubt about it. But let's say it that way instead of bringing a joke stat into play.