JustaBuc
Pitcher
Registered: 03/05/09
Posts: 428
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| | 03/19/09 at 10:44 AM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Three innings pitched, 9 batters faced. Contrary to popular opinion, a healthy Troy Percival is still a very effective closer. Percival had off-season surgery to repair his back issue and by all accounts it was successful. While it may take a few successful regular season outings to erase his late season struggles last year, his Spring outings seem to indicate that a percieved weakness of the Rays, may in fact be pretty solid.
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thechechak
Water Boy
Registered: 03/19/09
Posts: 2
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| | 03/19/09 at 03:52 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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I think that having an expected "struggling" Percival will be nice when other teams plan for him to fail, and he throws it in their face. I just hope that He can discern when he needs to come out for a while and rest...
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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| | 03/20/09 at 12:03 AM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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Hey, it's not like they don't have Jason Isringhausen in camp. That should be pushing Percy to stay in line. Yeah Izzy's not young Izzy, but he's still Izzy.
It's also not like they don't have a few other guys in the organization that couldn't blow people away, but here's hoping Percy does well.
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JustaBuc
Pitcher
Registered: 03/05/09
Posts: 428
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| | 03/20/09 at 09:20 AM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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While having Isringhausen on the squad seems like a nice insurance policy he can't be counted on. He like Percival is recovering from surgery, in his case the elbow. As you stated, the Rays do have some young guys that can throw heat, but closing the ninth is less about heat and more about location. They will lean very heavily on Percival to start the season, Isringhausen I think will stay down in the Minors and continue to get his arm back. Meanwhile one guy that may be finding and opportunity is Jason Cromer, so far he has pitched 4 innings with 3 hits, no runs and 6 strikeouts. If I had a dark horse, it would be this guy.
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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| | 03/23/09 at 07:16 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Well you can't fault me for thinking it's a great idea. I read the recent article on Percy and the guy's a gamer, so now I'm a lot more sold on him than I was before.
One thing that is even more valueable in a closer, in my opinion is if they do have that cool under pressure confidence to be perfect night after night.
Percy seems to have that. It also doesn't hurt to be a little crazy both in terms of pitching (if it's controlled craziness that they can get out of, even better) and in terms of sanity (who really wants to be on the line for the game? Obviously not for everyone).
I still like having Isringhausen around thanks in part to the Rays turning lemons into lemonade (i.e. Pena, Percival, and surprises like Aybar). I'd love David Price at the end of the game, if I didn't like the idea of him mowing down opposing batters and chewing up innings all year long once he has it all together. He'd be good, but the Rays develop players to be great (atleast the new regime does).
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JustaBuc
Pitcher
Registered: 03/05/09
Posts: 428
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| | 03/31/09 at 09:03 AM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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Another inning 3 up, 3 down. Percival will be fine.
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JustaBuc
Pitcher
Registered: 03/05/09
Posts: 428
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| | 05/14/09 at 08:18 AM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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Ok, nevermind, someone please escort Percival to the nearest exit...
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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| | 05/14/09 at 11:01 PM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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Dude, the "blown saves" thread is where Percy got bashed by people hitting the panic button within the first week, and we haven't heard from them since. |
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JustaBuc
Pitcher
Registered: 03/05/09
Posts: 428
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| | 05/17/09 at 11:05 AM | Reply with quote | #9 |
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Actually this is my thread that I started about Percival, I reserve the right to take it in any direction needed.
Now, a new direction, percy looked good in short relief the other day.
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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| | 05/17/09 at 11:25 PM | Reply with quote | #10 |
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Acknowledged, but the other thread is where a couple guys took a few whacks at him... oddly enough, they've shut up... funny how that works... |
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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WesleyWildcat84
Sports Animal
Registered: 02/27/09
Posts: 897
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| | 05/22/09 at 06:21 PM | Reply with quote | #12 |
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Could it be over? I hope not... however, like in another thread, I did mention that Isringhausen is nice to have on hand. |
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