Jim Tracy
Jim Tracy
beat both given guys pitching similar stuff
Both have very similar stuff, stuff that can beat you down on any given day. But you don't want guys with very similar stuff pitching on back-to-back days.
biggest chance element fifth good last pitcher starting
Did the starting pitcher give you a chance every fifth day to go out there and win? -- that's the biggest element I look at. (Santos) was pretty good at that last year.
bat becoming carrying certain chance full great offensive pitchers player point strike terrific understanding zone
I think he has a chance be a terrific offensive player. But part of becoming a great offensive player is having a full understanding of the strike zone and understand what pitchers try to do to him in certain situations. The only way you get to that point is you keep carrying the bat to the plate.
adjust mike pitching
We'll adjust as we see fit. But Mike won't necessarily be pitching the ninth.
ahead command decent innings learned pitchers positive speak
Those are young pitchers who made the adjustments, learned how important it is to get ahead in the count. There isn't much I can say positive about the first 3 2/3 innings of this game. Oliver had a decent first inning but after that there was no command to speak of.
ability area command innings latter needs pitches pleased progress strikes throw
He really understands that he needs command and the ability to throw strikes when he pitches in the latter innings of games. I'm very pleased with the progress he has made in that area this spring.
care choices couple fastball few good life numbers pitches quality seen strike throwing
I don't care what the numbers suggest. I thought the life to his fastball was as good as we've seen all spring. I think there could have been a couple different choices he made in a few two-strike counts, but I'll tell you: He was throwing nothing but quality pitches in the strike zone. ... He was actually too fine.
adjustment ball count early forced fourth himself kept opposition order pitch swing
Ian Snell made an adjustment from what he was doing early on and got the ball down to where he could be very effective. He forced the opposition to have to swing the bat. He got himself some early-count outs. As a result, he kept his pitch count in order and was able to go through the fourth inning.
approach candidate fact good guy kid league major matter mentality pitcher possesses start starting strongly talking time type
If this kid maintains the same type of mentality and approach that he possesses right now, it's a matter of time before you start strongly talking about the fact that he is a candidate to come here and start a Major League game. I look at this guy as being a very good starting pitcher some day.
helmet hits pitch sure
The pitch was up and in. In that case, you just try to make sure the pitch hits more helmet than face.
pitching solid
We got a solid pitching performance. Unfortunately, we got two hits.
caliber chris face opportunity pitcher
When you face a pitcher the caliber of Chris Carpenter, you only get one opportunity like that.
certainly four game games gets interested pitch sitting
When the first pitch of the game gets thrown, we've got four games to try to win. I'm certainly interested in doing that now that I am sitting in this office.
ability aspects best coaches national physical pitching teach
To me, he's one of the game's best pitching coaches in the National or American leagues. He has not only the ability to teach the physical aspects of the game, but also the ability to communicate with his pitchers.