S3F High-Heat Matchup: Tigers vs Braves (6/24, ESPN, 8 PM EST)

[Fishercat]

I can't see the game where I am (room-wise), so go Braves and lol joe morgan

[redsrbetter]

Miller just got completely overmatched right there...this is exactly why I hate pitchers hitting. You're paying millions of dollars for world-class athletes and you have scrubs who couldn't hit better than me batting instead of players who hit for a living...I don't wanna hear about "it's strategy" either

You have a very valid point. I think a lot of pitchers have become very lazy when it comes to wor ethic these days. That extends from the time they are a child. It is no excuse for a pitcher to say he has to concentrate on his pitching than it is for a fielder to say he has to concentrate on his fielding. There are two parts to the game.

I can go on and on about how most pitchers are lacking the conditioning needed to not have to worry about pitch counts and 5 man rotations.

[Providence A's]

I can't see the game where I am (room-wise), so go Braves and lol joe morgan

shouldn't that be go (away) Joe Morgan and lol Braves?

[missionhockey21]

Miller just got completely overmatched right there...this is exactly why I hate pitchers hitting. You're paying millions of dollars for world-class athletes and you have scrubs who couldn't hit better than me batting instead of players who hit for a living...I don't wanna hear about "it's strategy" either

The age old NL vs AL school of thought debate. Being an NL guy, obviously my stance differs on it, but with a kid like Miller who is going to be 1-2 with Verlander for years to come, it should give him all that much more incentive to take BP, work on his bunting, etc during non-IL play.

[redsrbetter]

try telling that to guys like Hampton and Zambrano and marquis.

That is a very rare select few.

[missionhockey21]

Miller paints the corner, he's been filthy tonight the little bit I've seen (and filthy in the non-complimentary way when at the plate.)

[rockin500]

That is a very rare select few.

my point is that those guys take pride in their hitting and work to improve it. I'd feel more comfortable with a pitcher at the plate than say neifi perez or cezar izturis.

[Fishercat]

shouldn't that be go (away) Joe Morgan and lol Braves?

That works too

[browntown653]

OK boys, I'm going to sleep because I'm exhausted from work...enjoy the rest of the game.

[rockin500]

OK boys, I'm going to sleep because I'm exhausted from work...enjoy the rest of the game.

g'night

[redsrbetter]

my point is that those guys take pride in their hitting and work to improve it. I'd feel more comfortable with a pitcher at the plate than say neifi perez or cezar izturis.

Or Juan Castro? I get your point on those select few and there are a few more. But as browntown mentioned the "overwhelming majority" are not at all concerned with their hitting.

[missionhockey21]

OK boys, I'm going to sleep because I'm exhausted from work...enjoy the rest of the game.

Later buddy, I can share that feeling... I am going to be looking forward to my bed tonight, that's for sure.

[redsrbetter]

Night brown.

[Fishercat]

Being the AL guy, I'm with Prov. I don't particular have a problem with tradition or anything nor am I afraid of injury, I just think pitchers hitting makes for a less exciting brand of baseball. You may as well play with seven hitters most of the time, since the eight guy is neutralized with the pitcher behind him.

[missionhockey21]

Or Juan Castro? I get your point on those select few and there are a few more. But as browntown mentioned the "overwhelming majority" are not at all concerned with their hitting.

I think it starts with the organization, look at teams like the Braves for instance, they are taught how to hit (as much as is possible) in the minors and it shows. Look at Matt Belisle on the Reds, an ex-Braves farmhand, he takes the most true hitter like cuts of our staff by quite a bit IMO.