Matsuzaka and Livingston are in the middle of a pitcher’s duel. Through 4+ innings Livingston is pitching a one hitter, and Matsuzaka is pitching a no hitter.
Matsuzaka has 100+ pitches in 5 innings with 5 walks and no one is batting an eye on ESPN. If that was Igawa, they would be calling for him to be in the minors.
That’s because Matsuzaka is a master craftsman, who’s probably just working on his pitches. When Igawa “struggles” it’s because he’s an inferior pitcher.
(Please notice the location of my tongue…it’s planted firmly in my cheek).
jennifer,
Igawa looked pretty good. 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 Ks. He was up in the zone with his slider, which is a little disconcerting, but actually got strikeouts on a couple of them. He’d be my pick to start opening day, given the circumstances.
um, are you people seriously trying to tell me you don’t see the difference between matsuzaka and igawa? wow, it’s a thin line between optimistic and delusional. kei looks like he’s getting more comfortable, but don’t kid yourselves. there’s a reason matsuzaka is a bigger deal. he’s a better pitcher. he’s going to be a better big league pitcher. good lord.
any more news on wang? looking forward to torre’s comments regarding pettitte.
No one’s saying that they don’t see ANY difference between Igawa and Matsuzaka.
What people are saying is that they don’t see a FIFTY MILLION difference between the two pitchers.
Including everything from bid to lux tax, Igawa’s price is equal in price of Matsuzaka’s contract alone, not including their lux tax.
Guess we shall see when the season ends. As far as ST goes Mats has faced BC, Marlins, Pirates, Dodgers, Reds, and Orioles (they hit him pretty hard). Igawa has faced the Phillies (x2), Braves, Tigers, Pirates. Mats faced inferior hitting teams and hasn’t shown any more dominance than did Igawa.
I have no doubt that Matsuzaka will end up being the better of the two pitchers. Everything I have seen/read/heard leads me to that, and that’s fine. It’s just the fact that he’s been annointed the second coming every time he throws a pitch that bothers me. Both Igawa and Matsuzaka, despite their respective pedigrees, have a lot to prove…everything in fact. And in terms of MLB results, they’re both clean slates. Before today’s outings, they’re numbers this spring, except for the BBs, have been almost identical.
A Rod’s homer was impressive, doubly so because the wind was coming straight in from center. Dunn lost a homer off of Dice-K in the first inning due to the wind and still A Rod’s landed somewhere in Europe.
Kei Igawa looked better than he has, the high slider/change up isn’t pretty, but 3-4 of his Ks came off of them. He handled Ryan Howard well, but he still has those control issues to sort out. In Japan, Igawa’s numbers were pretty comprable to Matsuzaka’s, he just doesn’t look quite as comfortable or confident in America as Dice-K is yet.
I’m just joshing, Phil. I concede that Rod could always hit, and hit ‘em long and often. The issue is when. And that’s a big issue not captured by OPS. For that you gotta look at Winshares and Win Expectancy (Keith Woolner at BP).
I wish Rod well this year. I sincerely hope he goes out with another MVP and a ring.
How is Igawa’s control?
I saw 2 SOs in the first inning, but that walk in the second (with no SOs) has me concerned.
I’m watching the game here in London and I think I just saw the ball pass my window…
Arod looks read for opening day found his power stroke this last week. That was crushed.
A-Rod to have a monster year and all his fans at NoMaas and NYYFANS will be proven correct. Let’s hope he stays locked in.
How does Kei look? I’m at work and am just relying on the box score.
Seems like Kei doing well.
Matsuzaka and Livingston are in the middle of a pitcher’s duel. Through 4+ innings Livingston is pitching a one hitter, and Matsuzaka is pitching a no hitter.
Matsuzaka has 100+ pitches in 5 innings with 5 walks and no one is batting an eye on ESPN. If that was Igawa, they would be calling for him to be in the minors.
Phil A,
Everyone knows Alex is going to have a huge year and I haven’t seen anyone say otherwise.
Ty
That’s because Matsuzaka is a master craftsman, who’s probably just working on his pitches. When Igawa “struggles” it’s because he’s an inferior pitcher.
(Please notice the location of my tongue…it’s planted firmly in my cheek).
That’s because ESPN is biased and completely not credible. No one cares because they are a joke that shouldn’t be taken seriously.
@Brian
Didn’t want to say that, but I agree 100%. IMO, Mats has a superior FB, but they look pretty much the same to me. I don’t see a $50mill difference.
jennifer,
Igawa looked pretty good. 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 Ks. He was up in the zone with his slider, which is a little disconcerting, but actually got strikeouts on a couple of them. He’d be my pick to start opening day, given the circumstances.
Phil: I believe the proper term for some of those people would be “swooning fanboys.”
whatever
thanks for the info. I just hope that doesn’t come to hurt him when hitters catch up to him.
um, are you people seriously trying to tell me you don’t see the difference between matsuzaka and igawa? wow, it’s a thin line between optimistic and delusional. kei looks like he’s getting more comfortable, but don’t kid yourselves. there’s a reason matsuzaka is a bigger deal. he’s a better pitcher. he’s going to be a better big league pitcher. good lord.
any more news on wang? looking forward to torre’s comments regarding pettitte.
Brian Bruney, one inning pitched, 3 strike outs. That’s efficient.
“Phil: I believe the proper term for some of those people would be “swooning fanboys.â€?
And girls….
No one’s saying that they don’t see ANY difference between Igawa and Matsuzaka.
What people are saying is that they don’t see a FIFTY MILLION difference between the two pitchers.
Including everything from bid to lux tax, Igawa’s price is equal in price of Matsuzaka’s contract alone, not including their lux tax.
@kasey
Guess we shall see when the season ends. As far as ST goes Mats has faced BC, Marlins, Pirates, Dodgers, Reds, and Orioles (they hit him pretty hard). Igawa has faced the Phillies (x2), Braves, Tigers, Pirates. Mats faced inferior hitting teams and hasn’t shown any more dominance than did Igawa.
Peter: I beg to differ. We are not swooning fanboys (or girls) but rather the avenging swords of taste and decency with a liking for high OPS numbers.
That being said, tell us about the staff meeting Joe had today…
Phil A:
This just in:
Bill James has created a new metric to track A-Rod’s production this year. It’s called “OBMCBS” which stands for:
“On Base minus CHOKING IN BIG SITUATIONS.”
162 games and counting till OPT OUT.
Kasey
I have no doubt that Matsuzaka will end up being the better of the two pitchers. Everything I have seen/read/heard leads me to that, and that’s fine. It’s just the fact that he’s been annointed the second coming every time he throws a pitch that bothers me. Both Igawa and Matsuzaka, despite their respective pedigrees, have a lot to prove…everything in fact. And in terms of MLB results, they’re both clean slates. Before today’s outings, they’re numbers this spring, except for the BBs, have been almost identical.
lol murphdog!
A Rod’s homer was impressive, doubly so because the wind was coming straight in from center. Dunn lost a homer off of Dice-K in the first inning due to the wind and still A Rod’s landed somewhere in Europe.
Kei Igawa looked better than he has, the high slider/change up isn’t pretty, but 3-4 of his Ks came off of them. He handled Ryan Howard well, but he still has those control issues to sort out. In Japan, Igawa’s numbers were pretty comprable to Matsuzaka’s, he just doesn’t look quite as comfortable or confident in America as Dice-K is yet.
Merci, saucy. I’m here to serve ; )
Don’t let reality get in the way of being funny, Murph
I’m just joshing, Phil. I concede that Rod could always hit, and hit ‘em long and often. The issue is when. And that’s a big issue not captured by OPS. For that you gotta look at Winshares and Win Expectancy (Keith Woolner at BP).
I wish Rod well this year. I sincerely hope he goes out with another MVP and a ring.
Maybe A-ROD read this new underground website I found – about him – and decided to think positively today… check it out (you’ll see what I mean).
http://www.projectA13.com
LOL@projectA13…that was great!