@Stanford Baseball (Poll)

[GTNavyNuke]

I don't know what to expect from Stanford. They started off hot and took the @UNC series and swept Duke @Stanford. Great; so then they get swept @Stanford by Cal and swept @UVa. I don't like playing teams who have lost their last 6 ACC games (both @home and away). They started off hot @13-3 but in last 10 games are 4-6. Last night they beat Santa Clara 6-5 in 10 innings.

They are 5th in the ACC in batting average (309 to our #1 340) but bad at 14th in pitching ERA (5.75 to our 3rd 4.08!!).

It's California so high in low 70s and partly cloudy - no rain in the forecast. A lot of talk about going to the West Coast of the All Coast Conference (ACC) and how that would affect East Coast ACC teams. The jury is out on that too. Games start 905 PM (EST), 5 PM and 4 PM.

 

[DecaturJacket]

It's a west coast trip, which is never easy, but I feel like this team is out for blood after last weekend.

Interested to see who's on the mound Sunday at 4.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

It's a west coast trip, which is never easy, but I feel like this team is out for blood after last weekend.

Interested to see who's on the mound Sunday at 4.

TBA is pitching Sunday. 0.0 ERA https://ramblinwreck.com/no-22-jackets-make-1st-ever-trip-to-stanford/

 

[DecaturJacket]

TBA is pitching Sunday. 0.0 ERA https://ramblinwreck.com/no-22-jackets-make-1st-ever-trip-to-stanford/

I get what they're doing and why they're doing, but I don't think it's smart in the long term. I think we need to pick and guy and let him know we have confidence in him so that he can be prepared and confident. Maybe we have and the TBA is just for show though.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I get what they're doing and why they're doing, but I don't think it's smart in the long term. I think we need to pick and guy and let him know we have confidence in him so that he can be prepared and confident. Maybe we have and the TBA is just for show though.

I think confidence is earned. I think we keep throwing a bunch of guys and see who rises to the top.

I think they are waiting to see who is used on Friday and Saturday to determine Sunday starter.

 

[gtbeak]

I think confidence is earned. I think we keep throwing a bunch of guys and see who rises to the top.

I think they are waiting to see who is used on Friday and Saturday to determine Sunday starter.

Agreed that this is the most likely explanation for the TBD. They will use who needs to be used Friday and Saturday and then choose the best remaining option for Sunday. I agree with Decatur that this may not be viable long-term unless they have a group of guys, like Patel, who seem to be fine with the uncertainty.

 

[DecaturJacket]

I think confidence is earned. I think we keep throwing a bunch of guys and see who rises to the top.

I think they are waiting to see who is used on Friday and Saturday to determine Sunday starter.

You must not know many pitchers ...

That's definitely what they're doing (or what they're intending to sell at least - I wouldn't be surprised if they do actually know at this point though), but pitchers are typically in their own heads. Especially starters. Uncertainty doesn't bode well for results.

I can say from experience that it is a different mindset and getting told last minute that you're starting is less than ideal. You also prep differently and some of that prep comes more than a day in advance.

 

[gtbeak]

Nuke, need some clarification on the Burress thing. Are you saying that, for the series, his batting average will be greater than .363? IOW, if I think he goes 5 for 13 (.385), I should vote "over"? Or are you saying that, at the end of the series his batting average for the season will be over/under .363?

Nvm, I see that his season average right now is sitting at .363, so the above scenarios are one and the same.

 

[DecaturJacket]

Nuke, need some clarification on the Burress thing. Are you saying that, for the series, his batting average will be greater than .363? IOW, if I think he goes 5 for 13 (.385), I should vote "over"? Or are you saying that, at the end of the series his batting average for the season will be over/under .363?

Nvm, I see that his season average right now is sitting at .363, so the above scenarios are one and the same.

I took it as series batting avg.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I took it as series batting avg.

Must be series in the item gave it away. (tic)

I picked 363 since that is his season BA too. So if he goes over, his season goes up too. I have to be careful with you guys. You keep exposing my flaws.

I can't pick a sweep since Stanford has lost 6 ACC games in a row and I don't think they are that bad. Some of games were close. Hope I'm rong again.

 

[GT33]

Must be series in the item gave it away. (tic)

I picked 363 since that is his season BA too. So if he goes over, his season goes up too. I have to be careful with you guys. You keep exposing my flaws.

I can't pick a sweep since Stanford has lost 6 ACC games in a row and I don't think they are that bad. Some of games were close. Hope I'm rong again.

We’ll be lucky not to get swept, but I’m going with 3-0 anyway. Go Jackets! I could never predict for our team to lose even when the odds are long.

 

[DecaturJacket]

d1b ACC Podcast hit on the Tech v Clemson series (24:40 mark)

Highlights:

• Tech can score and nobody is surprised
• Despite Clemson scoring late (Clemson just does this; it's their DNA); bullpen and pitching staff in general is legit; no concerns
• Tech being relevant at this point of the season is great and something that hasn't happened in a long time
• Tech should feel good about the series

 

[bensaysitathome]

d1b ACC Podcast hit on the Tech v Clemson series (24:40 mark)

Highlights:

• Tech can score and nobody is surprised
• Despite Clemson scoring late (Clemson just does this; it's their DNA); bullpen and pitching staff in general is legit; no concerns
• Tech being relevant at this point of the season is great and something that hasn't happened in a long time
• Tech should feel good about the series

Their sentiment seems to reflect most of those on the board. Yeah, we lost the series. But we went toe-to-toe with a top-5 team and looked pretty good the whole time - often like the better team.

I wouldn't want to play us right now.

 

[GT33]

Their sentiment seems to reflect most of those on the board. Yeah, we lost the series. But we went toe-to-toe with a top-5 team and looked pretty good the whole time - often like the better team.

I wouldn't want to play us right now.

If we go 2-1 or better this weekend it’s going to be hard not to be real excited

 

[DecaturJacket]

Lodise interview:

 

[Techcaster572]

You must not know many pitchers ...

That's definitely what they're doing (or what they're intending to sell at least - I wouldn't be surprised if they do actually know at this point though), but pitchers are typically in their own heads. Especially starters. Uncertainty doesn't bode well for results.

I can say from experience that it is a different mindset and getting told last minute that you're starting is less than ideal. You also prep differently and some of that prep comes more than a day in advance.

I couldn't agree more with this statement.

My son had a youth coach that promised him starts on the bump based on his level of performance. It never happened. I had a talk with the coach that you don't promise a kid something and fail to deliver.

His confidence suffered big time on the mound.
A future coach built his confidence up and told him you're our # 3 starter and can move up with improvement. My son's confidence soared that season on the mound.


So the TBD/TBA isn't a good way to manage the pitchers (especially from a confidence standpoint). If you feel that Riley isn't the guy, then determine who is the guy and show confidence in them.

 

[DecaturJacket]

I couldn't agree more with this statement.

My son had a youth coach that promised him starts on the bump based on his level of performance. It never happened. I had a talk with the coach that you don't promise a kid something and fail to deliver.

His confidence suffered big time on the mound.
A future coach built his confidence up and told him you're our # 3 starter and can move up with improvement. My son's confidence soared that season on the mound.


So the TBD/TBA isn't a good way to manage the pitchers (especially from a confidence standpoint). If you feel that Riley isn't the guy, then determine who is the guy and show confidence in them.

Yeah, I would add that expectations are different between not only the two roles (starter vs reliever), but also between the various reliever roles (situational lefty/right, short relief, long relief, closer, etc) so knowing what expectations are of you going into games instead of in the moment is very helpful in preparation.

Baseball is a simple game, but the higher the level, the less simple it gets.

 

[Techcaster572]

Yeah, I would add that expectations are different between not only the two roles (starter vs reliever), but also between the various reliever roles (situational lefty/right, short relief, long relief, closer, etc) so knowing what expectations are of you going into games instead of in the moment is very helpful in preparation.

Baseball is a simple game, but the higher the level, the less simple it gets.

Completely agree.

Two primary jobs of a coach is to teach/coach (install and practice fundamentals and situational awareness of the game) and to instill confidence in a player.

The TBD/TBA option does very little to do that for a starter.
Relievers are completely different.

 

[FredJacket]

Completely agree.

Two primary jobs of a coach is to teach/coach (install and practice fundamentals and situational awareness of the game) and to instill confidence in a player.

The TBD/TBA option does very little to do that for a starter.
Relievers are completely different.

This all seems a little dramatic. If 3 guys are tied for Sunday starter... what's wrong with waiting... certain situations on Fri & Sat may call for just waiting to commit.

The coaches aren't Oz behind the curtain keeping secrets from the tender feelings of the pitching staff... at least I hope not. No need to build a pile of excuses for whoever starts Sunday.

 

[Techcaster572]

This all seems a little dramatic. If 3 guys are tied for Sunday starter... what's wrong with waiting... certain situations on Fri & Sat may call for just waiting to commit.

The coaches aren't Oz behind the curtain keeping secrets from the tender feelings of the pitching staff... at least I hope not. No need to build a pile of excuses for whoever starts Sunday.

Not being dramatic.
We'll just agree to disagree.

Hopefully TBD pitches lights out on Tuesday.

I started this topic last month and this will be my last post on it.

I'll focus solely on the games. Hope Riley locks up the Sunday role as he has excellent stuff.