From: hwh@apple.com (Hsiao-Wuen Hon)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Don't Panic Yet
Date: 8 Oct 92 20:46:14 GMT
Followup-To: rec.sport.baseball
Organization: Apple Computer Inc.

In article <BvtB7u.9nF@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>,
mfenster@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (mark andrew fenster) wrote:
> 
> Amit Likhyani <al1x+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
> 
> Atlanta is a stronger team than the
> Pirates.  I don't think that there is anything wrong with admitting
> that.  Still, I don't think this thing is over.
> 
Absolutly agree, last year's NLCS is a heartbreaker, this year's Pirates is
an underdog, although I am still rooting for them. 

> After the first at bat against Smoltz, Bonds has looked better each time
> up.  He got his first hit out of his system and has drawn a couple of
> walks.  I don't deny for a second that he changes his approach in post
> season.  His strike zone expands and he swings earlier in the count at
> borderline pitches and chases the high inside fastball.  I think he has
> realized that and tried to make adjustments in the last couple at bats
> in game 2.  I think he will at least have better at bats the rest of the
> way.  Van Slyke should start getting some heat also.
> 

I think the problem for Andy and Barry is that they must forget the hype of
post-season slump generated by stupid media.  "Slump" is nonsense, what
does last 2-year performance do with this year's NLCS?  The just need to
realize even they strat producing, their post-season statistics(counting
90, 91) are still medicore.  Therefore, the best thing they can do is to
react normal and forget about all these shits.

> I would play Don Slaught the rest of the way.  I  think it is safe to
> say that Don is going to hit better than LaValliere no matter who
> pitches.  
> 

Slaught proof all year-long he can hit(also clutch hit), so he should be
given more chances to play in playoff, unless he can't response.

> I would play Cole over Redus.  Redus has swung at the first pitch just
> about every at bat and done nothing.  That would leave McClendon at
> first base where he has not played much this year, but I am willing to
> take that risk at this point.  (against lefties).

Given almost everyone(including pitchers) on Brave's lineup can hit,
Pirates do need production from them soon.

> Danny Jackson against the Braves is a bad matchup.  They have scorched
> him all year.  Tomlin is the logical replacement.

I didn't watch Jackson pitching after he was traded to Pirates.  However, I
had seen him pitchining for Cubs for 1 1/2 seasons.  My only word is
pathetic.  He always give up a lot of extra-base hits and homers.  I knew
he threw a 1-hit game against Braves this season.  However, he probably
gave more than 5 runs to them the rest of times.  IF Pirates want to win
this series, Leyland can't make second mistake to start him again (like
last year for Jhon Smiley).
 
> I hope Denny Neagle has pitched his last post season inning.  I wish
> they had integrated Steve Cooke into the pitching staff a hell of a lot
> earlier in the season.  I have to believe he would be more effective
> than some of these clowns.

I never understood why Leyland pull out Zane Smith for postseason play. 
His last 2 outings after coming back from IR list is pretty amazing.  I
don't think Zane can't even be in Bullpen for Pirates, provided Pirates'
poor bullpen.

I think Braves can't hit Wakefield's knuckballs this Friday and Glaivin is
not unhitable(last year game 1 of NLCS).  This means it is all on Pirates'
hitters.  No matter how Wakefield is dominate, you can expect him to win
ball games with no run support.  The only thing I worry about is the
pressure on a rookie pitcher, like Wakerfield.  Hopefully, home crowds will
compensate the pressure.

The battle ain't over till it is over.  Good Luck, Pirates, Barry, Andy,
Wakefield.......

/Hon