Official Game Lineup - 3/30 - Bucs @ Marlins

[Bobster]

The booth is acting like they're not sure what the Marlins lineup is. Can't they just look at the friggin scoreboard?

There was some issue before the game when the Marlins mgr and the umps had a conversation after the lineups had been exchanged. So the announcers are wondering if the Marlins lineup will be the same as the one they were given.

[Surgnbuck]

Heaney gives the run right back

[Doc]

This is what it looks like when the guy everyone wants benched, gets benched. Cruz should be DH. His throw yesterday had no impact on the game. Triolo hasn't hit, but he deserves playing time, and I like that he's at third. We already knew Hayes was going to get a lot of off time, which is why I think they have so many "utility" guys, so they can (theoretically) put them in their best utility spot.

My biggest issue though, is I feel you can't have BOTH Cruz and Bart out of any game together. Along with Reynolds, they have been they only ones that I feel can be counted on to hit the ball with pop. Maybe the double and the stolen HR yesterday are a sign that Jack may be back. If he is, no way do you sit half of your potential power either. You have to have three of the four of them on a Sunday lineup.

Just my opinion. I don't care how much some of you hate Cruz, and I'm not enamored with him either, but they need him at the plate. That's how the DH spot should be used.

I feel that using Cutch sparingly is the best way to ease him into retirement. Love the guy, but he's not adding anything to the team right now.

But really, what does it matter? We're still waiting on ONE guy to at least be hot and drive some of these runners in, instead of stranding them. They're also handcuffed by the manager and his minions. We all know how Rabelo once again gets guys thrown out at the plate. Regardless of what the reason was with Cruz not running hard from first to second (It's quite possible he doesn't get a good read on the ball) Rabelo has to know he's not a speeding bullet, and hold him.

Shelton sends Cutch up to pinch hit, then in the bottom of the inning, Pham goes out to play the outfield, replacing Bae. Why the hell isn't he the one pinch hitting there? Why did you essentlially use two players to replace Bae? Even more so, you started Bae, and you pull him when there's a right handed pitcher? Let him finish the game. There's that part of game too, it's not as if everyone else is hitting the cover off the ball, give him his full day, and pull him when he's going to face a lefty.

Surge, a few comments on your post if I may. I agree totally Cruz should be today’s DH. What he can bring with the bat is the only positive he brings to the team. Not having him hit is asinine. (And how on earth does anyone justify batting Pham third?)

If Hayes is going to get a lot of time off, then he’s essentially a platoon player. If that’s the best he can bring then he’s not worth having, either.

I fully agree with you regarding McCutchen. I was completely against bringing him back this year. There’s little he can contribute at this point. He’s holding back another player or two.

If it’s indeed true that Cruz wasn’t hustling on the play where he was thrown out at the plate, it’s time to take action. Benching him isn’t enough. A trip to Indy for a couple of weeks might make an impression. I know that’s not the tact used anymore in this day of coddling players but his not hustling has become the norm. Keller was quoted the other day that the players had a talk with him, so they’re fully aware of his laziness. Sadly, it apparently had no impact. I’m totally on board now with trading him. It would be addition by subtraction.

[Surgnbuck]

It's nice Nyjer Morgan is in the house, and Cutch gave a "T" sign to Tony Plush. That was fun, it was organic. The interview the next inning wasn't. Once again, interrupt the broadcast to do fluff. I don't mind fluff, but you do it when there's a break in the action.

My all time favorite was in Chicago, when Rob Ishkabbibble was told to sit down by an usher, "I'm doing an interview" "I don't care you're blocking these people's view".

We need that Chicago usher in the production booth

[Surgnbuck]

Doc, my opinion is Cruz should be strictly a DH. I'm willing to bet just about any team in MLB would use him in that capacity. I'd also bet the Pirates could get something decent in return for him, but the problem is, it would probably be more pitching. No team is going to trade offense to get offense, unless it's the years of control. In that instance, the Pirates could get an impact bat that the other team would probably pay for. But it would also have to be someone who is essentially blocking someone, and more than likely they'd probably come with some baggage as well and a free agent at the end of the season. No one is trading a complete, established position player for someone who is still a project and questionable work ethic, despite the potential.

I really think the best case scenario is someone on the team step up, be a leader, and handle this. I also think sending him down to AAA may shake him up, but honestly, I don't think he cares.

[Surgnbuck]

Let's get Mister Heaney some runs now.

[Surgnbuck]

Reynolds with the opposite field "Nubble" that just gets inside the third base bag and trickles down the left field line as it sliced off the end of his bat.

[Surgnbuck]

It flew six feet and was 75 mph....just like a rope off the outfield wall!!

[Surgnbuck]

Okay, can Pham at least move him over?

[Surgnbuck]

Of course not.....Pham strikes out and I swear almost every AB he has someone on. He's really been a huge problem. First game he led off, he has no business being in the middle of the order