!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go Get Smoltz!!!!!!!!!!!

[tiggis]

Now is the buy low opportunity of the year.

If you need good pitching for the stretch this is someone to steal right now.


Smoltz is pitching like a solid #2 pitcher for any team but the bad luck bug is robbing him of the results that good peripherals normally produce.

Look at Sunday:
He gave up 9 hits and 6 earned runs in 5 innings..

But the man posted a 6:1 K:BB ratio.

8.2 K/9 - 1.47 BB per nine and a 45% ground ball rate does not work out to those results.

The reasons he is looking so bad is a BHIP% of .350 and a .56% strand rate.
The Fantasy Angel Prediction is that if he does not end up with an injury, you have the Smoltz of old mowing down teams shortly.

[Chicago RedSox]

I just dropped him. Unless he can add a couple mph to, and regain control of his fastball, he's going to have a rough time in the AL East. And it doesn't help that he's got 3-4 young guns eager to fill his spot in the rotation. My guess is he's got 3-4 more starts to show Theo he can contribute to some wins.

[sowen246]

I like Smoltz and have seen him pitch in Greenville and with the Braves over the years. I wish him the best in his comeback.

That being said, what I have seen so far from him is that he is struggling with his control. Sure, he will have it working and throw some realy nasty stuff and get some k's, but then, he'll just leave one right over the middle and it gets punded. The telling mark for me was the start at Texas where he was going along well, got in trouble and gave up a bomb. Pitching coach came out and talked to him, and he gave up another bomb on the very next pitch and was done for the game. You know he wanted to make a good pitch there and he just groved it.

From what I have heard, folloing an injury like he has had, location is the last thing to return. He's shown flashes of it, but simply, as has been mentioned, no longer has the 'stuff' to get away with a mistake.

I do think he can improve with time, and you know it's got to be really frustrating for him being the fierce competitor he is.

He might be a good pickup, but there is a lot of risk. I thought he would do better against the O's.

[tiggis]

MPH? He is down 1MPH.

Control? 8.2 K/9 - 1.47 BB per nine says he has control.


Dont know where you get that guys....

About 1 or 2 more starts I predict then its light out..


Much like my Aaron Hill prediction in the pre-season.. dont get left standing when this train leaves the station.

[Carnac]

Atlanta girl? Obviously!

I own Smoltz and will keep him to see what happens with his next few starts. No better options on the board right now. BB per nine does not always tell the story with control. You can miss your pitches in the zone and get hammered. That is what is happening right now with Smoltz. Yes, he is throwing strikes, but not locating them where he wants them.

You are a true homer. I root for Dodgers and Angels that now play for other teams, especially if they were here long term.

good luck

[tiggis]

I guess we will see shortly..

....lol.. he called me a homer.