I watched John Lackey throw a 30-pitch full strength bullpen session to Steve Soliz in preparation for his start against Boston in Anaheim on Wednesday evening. Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher stood in as batter. Orlando Mercado was also present but is not in this photo.
Although John was coming off of a lackluster start against the Rangers you would not know it by the way the pitches absolutely zipped right in to hit their spots. Soliz, an early-1990s product of the academically-rigorous Cal State L.A. baseball program, danced his catcher's glove around the plate like a complicated trigonometry formula, but professor Lackey completed each arm-stretching algorithm with flair and precision. Lackey's infamous slurve dove in to Soliz' glove location with biting dips that challenged the occasional loophole in the laws of physics.
Butcher offered not one word of coaching nor advice and everything else about the appearance on the bullpen mound was as routine as a jogging drill.
One can only assume that Lackey's lackluster Friday night was a straight fastball session meant to delight Texas hitters and just break a sweat.
0 recs | 17 comments
sounds good
I’m getting really excited for this series. we’re actually picked to win by 6/10 of ESPN “experts”.
and yes, cupie, “we’ve up”
howiestheman - September 29, 2008
You know what's interesting about that..
If you go to the series page on ESPN ( http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2008/series?series=boslaa ) you can look at the stats for LAA vs BOS. However, they sure as hell don’t try to make it clear that the stats they are showing you are some sort of historical playoff stats and not the much more relevant stats from this year.
Check out the numbers for a biased presentation of the odds.
Neo8234 - September 29, 2008
and saw that too
then shook my head in disgust.
howiestheman - September 29, 2008
Stats were from last year's ALDS -- surely this year's seasonal stats don't matter at all
While “shocked” to see the likes of Phillips and Neyer pick Boston in the series, I take this as a very auspicious sign. Last time they bet against Our Lads in Red (spring of this year for the neophytes), we bore witness of their so-called expertise.
Big Easy Halofan - September 29, 2008
And speaking of bearing witness, very awesome, Rev
I am a nut for watching bullpen sessions and this one would have been sweet. Hopefully it holds true and he has his curve ball in tip-top shape come Wednesday.
Big Easy Halofan - September 29, 2008
There is still no one I'd rather have pitching a big game in the post season......
than Big John…….but Erv and Joe are up there now…..and with a good series….they’ll show the world who the best team is…….
norcaliangelsfan - September 29, 2008
How did you score that opportunity Rev?
hauldog - September 29, 2008
The Rev has connections!
Dono Romantico - September 29, 2008
Must have been a birthday gift.........
LittleCupcakes - September 29, 2008
Opportunity for what?
to see the bullpen session? It occurred prior to the game on 9/28. Garland had a bullpen session during the game.
Downing Rules - September 30, 2008
cool thanks
hauldog - September 30, 2008
last sentence should be more like...
one can only “hope”…..“assume”-ing is bad
Four Ts - September 29, 2008
HATER
I don’t think anyone would believe
vlad IS my man - September 29, 2008
that Steve Phillips would pick the Angels
vlad IS my man - September 29, 2008
John will be fine
I really think it’s important that we have home field against these guys. You never know what can happen in that bandbox in Boston. But in front of a raucous crowd, I think John will be pumped and at his best.
Should be a good one.
Gorbachav5 - September 29, 2008
Over/under 5 hits allowed by John in Game 1
Under
AnaheimHalos61 - September 29, 2008
Whenever I see Steve Philips
Give his unbiased, well informed concise insight, I am always shocked that the Mariners have not hired him as their GM. Common sense in Steve, is like caffeine in 7-up, never had it, never will.
halofolife - September 30, 2008
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