GDT: 5/9 at Rays

[striker42]

I'm wondering what Teheran is doing to be effective with an 87-90 fastball. 13 Ks to 2 BBs over 13 IP his last two starts. He must be doing something to make the ball hard to pick up out of his hand.

[Tapate50]

The increased launch angle will do that. Who knows if it's just a fluke or something he's actively working on. It's working now though so hopefully it continues.

He’s been working on it. He believes he was letting the ball get too far into the zone in years passed, and is now trying to make contact way out in front of the zone.

[Tapate50]

I'm wondering what Teheran is doing to be effective with an 87-90 fastball. 13 Ks to 2 BBs over 13 IP his last two starts. He must be doing something to make the ball hard to pick up out of his hand.

I’ve never seen so many late swings on 87-89 in my life

[striker42]

I’ve never seen so many late swings on 87-89 in my life

Yep. He's getting swings and misses with the fastball. If he was totally reliant on a plus-plus breaking ball his success would be easier to explain. But his fastball has been a legitimate weapon at 89.

[TheBravos]

Julio Maddox’ed them up !!

[nsacpi]

I'm wondering what Teheran is doing to be effective with an 87-90 fastball. 13 Ks to 2 BBs over 13 IP his last two starts. He must be doing something to make the ball hard to pick up out of his hand.

4 of his last 5 starts have been really good...the only exception was the one where he woke up with a stiff neck

[Tapate50]

4 of his last 5 starts have been really good...the only exception was the one where he woke up with a stiff neck

I knew it was Markakis’ fault!!!

[Super]

I'd rather see Flaherty or Tucker DH'ing out there over Bautista.

Suzuki?

[Super]

Acuna has been not so good for about a week.

He's hit the ball pretty hard in some games. He's going to have tough stretches tho.

[UNCBlue012]

He's hit the ball pretty hard in some games. He's going to have tough stretches tho.

Definitely. I should have rephrased that. I'm not upset or anything, he's just been really rough.

He's going to need to adjust since pitchers are so much better in the majors. Still, the ball sounds incredible when it comes off his bat. Just an otherworldly talent.

[Tapate50]

Suzuki?

We have been sleeping on how good Suzuki has been since last years ASB. He has been our best catcher, and its not real close.

[Super]

We have been sleeping on how good Suzuki has been since last years ASB. He has been our best catcher, and its not real close.

Especially against a lefty.
I'm not sure why Snit would think Bautista is a better hitter at this point than Suzuki.

[UNCBlue012]

We have been sleeping on how good Suzuki has been since last years ASB. He has been our best catcher, and its not real close.

Agreed. I've wanted him playing every day for quite a while. He's not at Flowers' level of framing, but dude does everything else well.

[Jaw]

If Julio had been this good at pitching back when he still had velocity he would have fulfilled all of those top of the rotation forecasts. Dude is hitting his spots and outsmarting hitters. I'm pleasantly surprised.

[Jaw]

No idea why we continue to play culberson and Camargo like this. Definitely strange

Either showing the rest of the league that Camargo can play SS for a trade, or deciding themselves whether he is good enough to fill in there if they ditch Culberson.

[UNCBlue012]

Either showing the rest of the league that Camargo can play SS for a trade, or deciding themselves whether he is good enough to fill in there if they ditch Culberson.

Bingo.

[chop2chip]

I'm wondering what Teheran is doing to be effective with an 87-90 fastball. 13 Ks to 2 BBs over 13 IP his last two starts. He must be doing something to make the ball hard to pick up out of his hand.

Pitching against the Mets and Rays helps is my guess.

[Enscheff]

The increased launch angle will do that. Who knows if it's just a fluke or something he's actively working on. It's working now though so hopefully it continues.

Guys usually increase launch angle by hitting more fly balls. Markakis has stopped hitting grounders in exchange for line drives. That's the odd part.

[thewupk]

Guys usually increase launch angle by hitting more fly balls. Markakis has stopped hitting grounders in exchange for line drives. That's the odd part.

True. He had been under 10% over the last 3 years and that is usually recipe for ground ball city which we've seen a lot with Neck. It could be a subtle change but the less groundballs the better for him.

[msstate7]

Isn't Swanson eligible to return Saturday?