dc.

Back to the pack was also kind of required... Can't go 8-2 all season long. Even great teams are going 6-4 on average. Our bats have been relatively dead since that first stretch. The on base bug has bitten. Not unexpected.

Honestly, it's not all Duquette. He's working with the budget and restraints he's been given. But I still look back and think, with what we spent on Alvarez and Gallardo, couldn't we have had Kazmir? Or how about a trade for James Shields? Or last year a move for any other real starter worth a few bucks more?

Pedro Alvarez. Yovani Gallardo. So glad we waited for those bargain fellas. Anyone see the numbers Dexter Fowler put up so far? I'll keep giving Gallardo time just because. But honestly, cut Alvarez and just promote Mancini or Walker. At least they can play in the field.

Heard Maryland went back to paper ballot- scantron style - that you then put in a machine to tally. Seems like a step backwards. They want a physical ballot, for recounts, I understand... But why not just have a way to print your electronic ballot and still use the machines? Hell, print two copies and let voters take theirs home if they want.

Yeah, I think just based on standard advancement and arbitration stuff...

He was set to make a lot of money (I want to say $5m) and had no options. They could have designated him, but I'm sure he'd have picked free agency. Just no space for a five mil minor leaguer.

Well, that was an inning. Trumbo trying to make me eat crow. Keep it up and I'll be happy to.

I disagree. I think Jones is a better all around hitter than Davis, and certainly more so than Trumbo. I could put him 3 or 4 if we want to split the righties a bit more, but I want him in that zone.

Yeah, ultimately, you don't win many games scoring two or three runs. I'd be more pissed about pitching if we were losing 6-5 nightly. But 4-2 is on the offense, even if pitching could have gone deeper. Either way, in the end, you don't win them all.

Starting pitching of course, we all knew it. Though it's early to freak out about it; still in warm up mode even. Last two nights I've been more disappointed in how many runs we could've had. We put 12 men, at least, on against Kelly in 5 innings. Two runs is unacceptable. Shouldn't lose 4-2 in that scenario. Pedro Alvarez, meanwhile, Lord help me.

Not sure if the limit is official, but he only pitched ten games last year, including fall league. He's certainly not at full stamina. Meanwhile, I agree with general criticism of innings limits and pitch counters. But I don't know if there's any data against it either. The reality is that blame belongs with youth teams and parents/players themselves. Starting too early and specializing in one sport: recipe for over use of some muscles, under development of others needed to provide stability.

Not that simple. Either way, no evidence to support "not a starter" when if anything he had the most impressive and consistent track record of any starter we have (and have had in a decade)

Gallardo not a starter? I mean, I'm not a huge fan nor do I think he's had a good start, but he's got a career of very good starting stats. I'm just wondering where his velocity went...

Bundy won't start this year just because of strict innings limit. But he might get longer relief outings. He's also up and down - first outing they were getting really solid contact. Second less contact but not much swinging and missing. I'm a little worried.

That Davis bomb... And now that Trumbo bomb tonight. Off the top of the billboard in left center on the monster?? It.

They're saying 449 feet. Longest off Kimbrel in his career and first ever three run hr he's given up. Welcome to the AL East. Pitching will struggle for us, but the bats will always make it interesting... Or better than interesting.

You forgot: 5-0.

Yeah, but you have to live in Florida. With other Florida people too.

Schoop had one or two... He had 8 last year. I'll take it. Meanwhile... First place!

There is a separate Panama Papers file on the US... They haven't even released it yet. Just wait were the words.

Trump creamed by Cruz tonight in Wisconsin. Looks like Cruz might top 50% even. Contested convention here we come. Bernie looks to beat Hillary too... Right now pushing 57%. That's big there, even if delegates stay close. He needs to start winning 60% to really win the delegate count, but he's doing big damage.

I was reading today it is more something they do with injuries as they think it adds strain to the elbow... But it sounds like they rarely let guys get back to it ever

I would agree more if we had more success with our pitching prospects, or any prospects. But Tillman is the only even half solid starter we've developed in a decade or more...

I still remember two thoughts about Arrieta when he came up: a nasty cutter/move on his fastball when it moved and a bull attitude, like Moose. I remember him playing through the Yankees one year and thinking we'd find a great, stable guy. Obviously later I lost that enthusiasm. Cleetz, as for the cutter, it's not just Arrieta, I have heard it's an organization wide rule about health and fastball velocity. They move many pitchers away from it. As for Buck, I just don't know. Part of me thinks he gave some control over the organizational depth to Angelos and Duq and just doesn't fight those battles as much. At least I hope it's that. Buck talks the trainer/injury talk like he just does what they tell him when it comes to player health. But I also remember a story a few months ago saying Buck and Duq were clashing at times on roster items...

Found the lines on Gausman, buried in SI's al East roster break down: What's scary: exactly what Arrieta said they did to him for years. Exactly the same effect?