Game #74: Pirates @ Angels

Let's just say it now. The Angels are going to win the World Series.

The other thing about this game tonight is that it really exemplified everything wrong with the Pirates. It was men versus boys out there. The Angels do everything right and are so fundamentally strong. Is there a better base running team than the Angels? How many times did the take extra bases because they know when to tag up versus going halfway, they always take the best path to a base and always look to go from first to third on hits. In one particular play, Willits was on first with a base hit to left. He rounded second and instead of making the proper throw, which would be to the cutoff man, Bay throws it to second and Willits slides safely into third without any trouble. Unbelievable how different these two teams are.

I find it incredible that Jack Wilson has a few bad games in New York and is benched for several games and yet Paulino has been terrible all year and gets off free. There was a play with a weak single to left field. Bay throws another wounded duck to home that is way off the mark, the runner never should have scored on this hit but Bay's throw is so off he slides in safely. Paulino stays frozen in place. Bay caught the ball in middle-shallow left field, he threw a duck that didn't even come close to getting to the target and Paulino just stands in front of the plate not even making a move for the ball.

Another play at home and Wilson throws a strike on the relay home after tagging second basse, it should be an inning ending double play...except Ronny can't hold onto it and the runner is safe. Another mental mistake in a season full of them and he needs to sit. He needs to be taught a lesson. Catch the ball, then tag. Wake the hell up. FUNDAMENTALS.

Snell can say all he wants that the blister didn't affect him but it sure did appear that he wasn't throwing his normal arsenal of pitches. His slider didn't have much bite and he left a lot of pitches up and the Angels were just slapping them all over the place.

Tracy is inept. In the 8th, bases loaded, one out, down by 5. Duffy up and the infield playing back he has him swing away. They are GIVING you the run. They have absolutely no respect for the Pirates. They are playing everyone back. The common sense play is to drop the bunt. Instead Duffy swings away, line drive back to the pitcher, double play, inning over, threat averted.

Then these outrageous announcers are defending Ravenstahl over the US Open "sneak in". What's he doing in SoCal tomorrow for any way? How much says he gets drunk and arrested like at Steelers games? I hate Ravenstahl. I think he's over his head and is clueless about how to run a government. He lucked into a position and now Pittsburgh is going to pay. How can this clown run unchallenged in November is beyond me. What has he ever proven? Sorry to get political. Rant over.