Boo Hiatuses

Iono how many times I've fallen in love with Utada Hikaru (many), and with her impending hiatus I wonder how many more times I will, but this right here is definitely one of those times.

IWAKUMA

WHAAAT?! That is quite unexpected. Honestly, I really don't like it. I mean, the fact that the A's will probably sign a high profile Japanese ball player is really exciting, I'm kind of ecstatic. But I don't like Iwakuma much as a MLB pitcher. Injuries have robbed him of velocity and his strikeout rates in NPB are far from impressive. His walk rates are great, but shit so were Daisuke's before he came over, an Daisuke has the stuff to get away with a little wildness, Iwakuma it doesn't appear to have that kind of leeway. Mostly I'm worried about how he adjusts to the MLB ball, cause it seems like everyone commin from NPB ditches their splitter when they come over, an as a low velocity groundball guy, I'm gettin the feeling the split is prbly a important part of Iwakuma's arsenal.

What I really want to know is how K/uBB rates translate from NPB to MLB. Obviously MLB has better hitters, but it does seem like a lot of Japanese players that come over have above average contact abilities, of course, that could just be because they are the better overall hitters in Japan. It'd be really cool if Iwakuma could be like our very own Hiroku Kuroda or somthin, but I doubt that'll happen. What is a reasonable comparable hope then? I'm going with Carl Pavano. I'm hopin for a Japanese Pavano. Someone who won't put runners on an will keep the ball on the ground/in the park. Hopefully with a few more strikeouts sprinkled in too. Thing about the A's though, they do their homework, so they must see a lot they really like in Iwakuma to spend this kind of money on him. Plus, lookin at the other free agent starter options, may as well gamble on Iwakuma. Be interesting to see what other moves are made now, we do have quite a bit of starting pitching.

Giants

First an foremost, Tim Lincecum is fucking awesome. Holy crap that was fun. Started the postseason unbelievably good, an ended it in dominant fashion. Was kind of miffed he didn't get MVP, but it was kind of amusing that a shitty player like renteria got it. I think my favorite part of the whole playoff run though, aside from watching Timmy destroy his foes, was reading McCovey Chronicles. That Grant is some kinda strange form of genius. It was a fun ride, an it's nice to finally see a championship for the Bay Area. Still, couldn't help but be a small bit jealous. Even though I've come to adopt the Giants as my #2 team, my NL team if you will, I really can't get excited about them the way I do about the A's. But it gives hope. Our rotation is comparable. No, Anderson isn't Lincecum, but he has a shot at being close to it, an I like Braden/Gio/Cahill as comparable in quality to Cain/Sanchez/MadBum. All we need now is some fluke years from offensive players. Also, if we could find a Buster Posey somewhere thatd be really awesome.

SHIT

I just realized. I want the Giants to go to the series. Shit, I even want them to win it now. They a hella fun team to root for, plus they are a Bay Area team after all. But I also want them to lose just one more game. Why? Joe Fucking Blanton. MadBum is cool, his nickname cracks me up endlessly, but sorry giants, Joe Blanton is gonna shit all over you. Hopefully Timmy wins epic pitching matchup round 2 an the giants score enough for one of cain or sanchez to take the series.

Anticipation

I haven't been this excited/scared for a baseball game since the last time A's made the playoffs. Zito vs. Santanna anyone? God I was ball of nerves that day. Boy do I hope Timmy kills em today. Don't even really care if Doc throws another perfect game, I want Lincecum to make fools of that philly lineup.

updaaate

Haven't posted in ages. So what's happened? Giants advanced! Holy crap Timmy is amazing. When Doc threw his no-hitter, I wrote about half a post here about how I was convinced he was the best pitcher in baseball. I didn't post it. I was in awe of Halladay, but I also couldn't wait to see how Timmy handled the excitement of the playoffs. Holy shit did he respond. Count me as back in the Lincecum corner, the kid just does shit that is simply unreal.

Back to that school thing. Don't go to one class, Japanese I'm doin horrible an my teacher keeps pokin fun at me, but in phonology i'm number 2 in the class! So I guess I'm 1-3 so far.

I ate at a 2 star Michelin restaurant last week. cost me 77 dollars. I supose thats cheap for a fancy pants place like that, food was def not 77 dollars good tho. i mean, it was good, but didnt blow my mind or anything.

cant really think of much else. been neglecting this poor log, mostly cause the A's were boring in that last month. gotta remember to post more.

RASMUS

WHAT! THIS WOULD BE WAY TOO PERFECT. Rasmus is like, legit legit legit CF youngster with all-star, hell, even hall of fame talent. Can I dream that we find some way to trade for him? Cause that would like, solve our blackhole of an outfield.