Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 19, 2019 8:03:07 GMT -5
Miami Marlins (33-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (34-24)
MIA: Takahiro Norimoto (6-1, 2.82)
TOR: Patrick Murhpy (4-5, 4.71)
It'll be battle of two upstarts as the Miami Marlins take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Each team has followed a similar path, accumulating young talent that is finally paying off. Miami has made some key free agent signings to take their team to the next level, while Toronto's super prospects are finally starting to perform like the stars they seem destined to become. The battle between Takhiro Norimoto and Valdimir Guerrero Jr. will be fun to watch in showing the differences in those subtle approaches. Norimoto was a superstar in Japan, and is still in the top five in many of their all-time pitching categories. His presence has brought stability to the Marlins' staff, easing pressure on the kids. Meanwhile, after several false starts, Guerrero is in the top 10 in AL home runs with 13, finally delivering on the promise he's teased working through the minors.
Players to Watch
Marlins
C—Donny Sands:
The Marlins employ almost a strict platoon at catcher, with Sands starting against lefties. Toronto goes with five right-handed starters, so Sands may not get any playing time this series. He's perfect as a backup catcher though, because even if he's not hitting, he has a 50% caught stealing rate. Toronto is second in the American League in stolen bases so it may be worth it for Miami to give Sands a start against a righty. He hasn't hit for the power he has in past years, but he's more patient than he's been in years past. An all-star in the past, it's a decent profile for a bottom order starter, and a great profile for a backup.
RF—Quinn Brody:
A Rule-V pick from Milwaukee, Brody hit all throughout his minor league career so Ben Vincent gave him a shot to earn a spot on the major league team. He's been fine, albeit with a bizarre reverse platoon split in a tiny sample. Scouts don't see a standout skill, but he's serviceable in just about all areas you can be as a major leaguer. He's only gotten into one game this month though, so unless there's an injury or the game goes very late, Brody will probably watch this contest from the dugout.
SP—Daniel Norris:
After a rough May, Norris has been excellent in June, allowing just three combined runs in 11 innings across a pair of starts. He also has just one walk allowed with 12 strikeouts in the month, against the Rockies in Coors, and the Cubs. Norris will likely get the Toronto series off, but should start again in a rematch with Colorado later in the week. Lefties will occasionally homer off Norris, but their career .221 average against him is trouble for lefty-laden lineups. Righties tee off on Norris though, making it imperative Ben Vincent manage Norris' outings to get him the platoon advantage when possible.
Blue Jays
2B—Jonathan Villar:
Despite signing a three-year contract in free agency, the strong starts from Taylor Walls and Logan Warmoth, combined with the emergence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has left Villar a bit player. He's started just seven games and is batting just .184 without a walk. Decidedly unhappy, Villar still has value as a pinch-runner, but may be best served on another team.
RP—Carson Smith:
Smith had always been a low-homer, high strikeout pitcher in his career, until a blip this past month. Smith's had a disastrous June where he gave up five runs in less than inning against the Twins, allowed a run on three walks in 1.1 innings against the Nationals, and allowed a home run, two walks, and a Vicente Sanchez pinch-hit single to blow a save against the Astros. The walks are the most damning thing as his walk rate has increased to an unseemly 13.4%. Smith is also far more prone to walking lefties this year than righties. It would set up an interesting matchup with the Marlins. Miami's lineup is heavily left-handed, but near the bottom in walk rate.
RP—Alejandro Chacin:
While Smith is 12th in the AL in walk rate among pitchers with at least 30 innings, Chacin is fifth. He's extremely wild, which is why he's already walked 21 in 30.1 innings, and allowed five home runs. The stuff is terrific, but it's always a volatile situation when Chacin enters a game. He's pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 38 pitches yesterday, so he's likely unavailable today. That just means Smith will be the one making Brian Violette walk a tight rope.
TRIVIA: Which former Astro has the most walks in PBA history:
MIA: Takahiro Norimoto (6-1, 2.82)
TOR: Patrick Murhpy (4-5, 4.71)
It'll be battle of two upstarts as the Miami Marlins take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Each team has followed a similar path, accumulating young talent that is finally paying off. Miami has made some key free agent signings to take their team to the next level, while Toronto's super prospects are finally starting to perform like the stars they seem destined to become. The battle between Takhiro Norimoto and Valdimir Guerrero Jr. will be fun to watch in showing the differences in those subtle approaches. Norimoto was a superstar in Japan, and is still in the top five in many of their all-time pitching categories. His presence has brought stability to the Marlins' staff, easing pressure on the kids. Meanwhile, after several false starts, Guerrero is in the top 10 in AL home runs with 13, finally delivering on the promise he's teased working through the minors.
Players to Watch
Marlins
C—Donny Sands:
The Marlins employ almost a strict platoon at catcher, with Sands starting against lefties. Toronto goes with five right-handed starters, so Sands may not get any playing time this series. He's perfect as a backup catcher though, because even if he's not hitting, he has a 50% caught stealing rate. Toronto is second in the American League in stolen bases so it may be worth it for Miami to give Sands a start against a righty. He hasn't hit for the power he has in past years, but he's more patient than he's been in years past. An all-star in the past, it's a decent profile for a bottom order starter, and a great profile for a backup.
RF—Quinn Brody:
A Rule-V pick from Milwaukee, Brody hit all throughout his minor league career so Ben Vincent gave him a shot to earn a spot on the major league team. He's been fine, albeit with a bizarre reverse platoon split in a tiny sample. Scouts don't see a standout skill, but he's serviceable in just about all areas you can be as a major leaguer. He's only gotten into one game this month though, so unless there's an injury or the game goes very late, Brody will probably watch this contest from the dugout.
SP—Daniel Norris:
After a rough May, Norris has been excellent in June, allowing just three combined runs in 11 innings across a pair of starts. He also has just one walk allowed with 12 strikeouts in the month, against the Rockies in Coors, and the Cubs. Norris will likely get the Toronto series off, but should start again in a rematch with Colorado later in the week. Lefties will occasionally homer off Norris, but their career .221 average against him is trouble for lefty-laden lineups. Righties tee off on Norris though, making it imperative Ben Vincent manage Norris' outings to get him the platoon advantage when possible.
Blue Jays
2B—Jonathan Villar:
Despite signing a three-year contract in free agency, the strong starts from Taylor Walls and Logan Warmoth, combined with the emergence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has left Villar a bit player. He's started just seven games and is batting just .184 without a walk. Decidedly unhappy, Villar still has value as a pinch-runner, but may be best served on another team.
RP—Carson Smith:
Smith had always been a low-homer, high strikeout pitcher in his career, until a blip this past month. Smith's had a disastrous June where he gave up five runs in less than inning against the Twins, allowed a run on three walks in 1.1 innings against the Nationals, and allowed a home run, two walks, and a Vicente Sanchez pinch-hit single to blow a save against the Astros. The walks are the most damning thing as his walk rate has increased to an unseemly 13.4%. Smith is also far more prone to walking lefties this year than righties. It would set up an interesting matchup with the Marlins. Miami's lineup is heavily left-handed, but near the bottom in walk rate.
RP—Alejandro Chacin:
While Smith is 12th in the AL in walk rate among pitchers with at least 30 innings, Chacin is fifth. He's extremely wild, which is why he's already walked 21 in 30.1 innings, and allowed five home runs. The stuff is terrific, but it's always a volatile situation when Chacin enters a game. He's pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 38 pitches yesterday, so he's likely unavailable today. That just means Smith will be the one making Brian Violette walk a tight rope.
TRIVIA: Which former Astro has the most walks in PBA history:
