[Jamesy]

Google Larry Chiang if you want to meet the Cowboy Hat dude.

I am not sure why people were bothered by him, he was not being negative or obscene. He was just constant jawing the whole game.

Well the dude kept calling for security for one thing.    He stood often so people behind him either moved or couldn’t see
Then there was the guy near me who got up to shut him up.  I headed him off but another distraction to the games.  Yes this guy worse

Just looked at his Twitter feed and it is something else...

[Jamesy]

Google Larry Chiang if you want to meet the Cowboy Hat dude.

I am not sure why people were bothered by him, he was not being negative or obscene. He was just constant jawing the whole game.

Well the dude kept calling for security for one thing.    He stood often so people behind him either moved or couldn’t see
Then there was the guy near me who got up to shut him up.  I headed him off but another distraction to the games.  Yes this guy worse

Just looked at his Twitter feed and it is something else...

[BostonCard]

Google Larry Chiang if you want to meet the Cowboy Hat dude.

I am not sure why people were bothered by him, he was not being negative or obscene. He was just constant jawing the whole game.

Well the dude kept calling for security for one thing.    He stood often so people behind him either moved or couldn’t see
Then there was the guy near me who got up to shut him up.  I headed him off but another distraction to the games.  Yes this guy worse

Just looked at his Twitter feed and it is something else...

“Something else” is one way of putting it.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/larrychiang/status/1534219422709297155?s=21&t=a9Xj8oH5DXOopkvo1JVPVg[/tweet]

BC

[BostonCard]

Google Larry Chiang if you want to meet the Cowboy Hat dude.

I am not sure why people were bothered by him, he was not being negative or obscene. He was just constant jawing the whole game.

Well the dude kept calling for security for one thing.    He stood often so people behind him either moved or couldn’t see
Then there was the guy near me who got up to shut him up.  I headed him off but another distraction to the games.  Yes this guy worse

Just looked at his Twitter feed and it is something else...

“Something else” is one way of putting it.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/larrychiang/status/1534219422709297155?s=21&t=a9Xj8oH5DXOopkvo1JVPVg[/tweet]

BC

[Ballbuster]

Fullerton has been on a serious down swing just lately (mostly outside Boyd's window). Since they took us out in the regional we hosted in 2018, they have been at or below 0.500 every year. That's not a long time (3 seasons plus about 1/3 of a season in 2020), but still very odd to long time college baseball watchers. And a bit of a blow to our RPI as we play them yearly.

Right after that regional, they hosted Washington for the Super Regional, and the Dawgs won in a fashion that was about as epic as our game last night.  I think that Super Regional might have broken the Titans.  And that was Washington's first Super Regional and then first CWS in program history, all less than two weeks after I relocated to the Puget Sound area.  How's that for an omen?

The Big West is no longer run by Fullerton or LBST. The rise of UCSB and others like Cal Poly. The So Cal talent has other places to go and play. Plus, Fullerton has a new HC just hired last year, so I am sure some players ended up leaving the program with a changing of leadership.

[Ballbuster]

Fullerton has been on a serious down swing just lately (mostly outside Boyd's window). Since they took us out in the regional we hosted in 2018, they have been at or below 0.500 every year. That's not a long time (3 seasons plus about 1/3 of a season in 2020), but still very odd to long time college baseball watchers. And a bit of a blow to our RPI as we play them yearly.

Right after that regional, they hosted Washington for the Super Regional, and the Dawgs won in a fashion that was about as epic as our game last night.  I think that Super Regional might have broken the Titans.  And that was Washington's first Super Regional and then first CWS in program history, all less than two weeks after I relocated to the Puget Sound area.  How's that for an omen?

The Big West is no longer run by Fullerton or LBST. The rise of UCSB and others like Cal Poly. The So Cal talent has other places to go and play. Plus, Fullerton has a new HC just hired last year, so I am sure some players ended up leaving the program with a changing of leadership.

[needle]

[tweet] https://twitter.com/JFPlatz/status/1534184859689594883 [/tweet]

[needle]

[tweet] https://twitter.com/JFPlatz/status/1534184859689594883 [/tweet]

[msqueri]

Remarkable series by Park and Troy. Great to see and very happy for them.

On the season, the Park/Crampton brand of Punch and Judy no power hitting produces modest results overall, but I think just fine for 8th/9th in the order guys. What is most remarkable to me about the offense is that we have SEVEN guys in the lineup with +.900 OPS on the season. It's a murderer's row. To have Bowser and Troy as the 6th/7th most prolific hitters is nuts. I think back to my favorite Stanford offense ever, 2004. That offense also had seven sluggers above .900. I'm biased as somebody from that era who is close friends with the best player on that team but I think this offense is just as fearsome. Brock Jones hasn't had as good a season as Jed Lowrie but 2022 matches up very well.

[msqueri]

Remarkable series by Park and Troy. Great to see and very happy for them.

On the season, the Park/Crampton brand of Punch and Judy no power hitting produces modest results overall, but I think just fine for 8th/9th in the order guys. What is most remarkable to me about the offense is that we have SEVEN guys in the lineup with +.900 OPS on the season. It's a murderer's row. To have Bowser and Troy as the 6th/7th most prolific hitters is nuts. I think back to my favorite Stanford offense ever, 2004. That offense also had seven sluggers above .900. I'm biased as somebody from that era who is close friends with the best player on that team but I think this offense is just as fearsome. Brock Jones hasn't had as good a season as Jed Lowrie but 2022 matches up very well.

[BostonCard]

Crazy that Troy’s regional would have been remarkable (fourth highest batting average ever) but for the fact that Park’s were .100 points better.  And then there is the fact that Park was 10 for 11 in the three elimination games.  Troy’s line was .600 (12/20), 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs.

@Matt, I think it is useful to have both “Punch and Judy no power hitting” and lights out power on a lineup.  When your 6, 7, and 8 guys are tough outs, that makes it much harder on the opposing  pitchers, and its the sort of thing that leads to big innings.  I haven’t looked, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our big innings disproportionately start with the bottom of the order.

BC

[BostonCard]

Crazy that Troy’s regional would have been remarkable (fourth highest batting average ever) but for the fact that Park’s were .100 points better.  And then there is the fact that Park was 10 for 11 in the three elimination games.  Troy’s line was .600 (12/20), 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs.

@Matt, I think it is useful to have both “Punch and Judy no power hitting” and lights out power on a lineup.  When your 6, 7, and 8 guys are tough outs, that makes it much harder on the opposing  pitchers, and its the sort of thing that leads to big innings.  I haven’t looked, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our big innings disproportionately start with the bottom of the order.

BC

[msqueri]

Crazy that Troy’s regional would have been remarkable (fourth highest batting average ever) but for the fact that Park’s were .100 points better.  And then there is the fact that Park was 10 for 11 in the three elimination games.  Troy’s line was .600 (12/20), 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs.

@Matt, I think it is useful to have both “Punch and Judy no power hitting” and lights out power on a lineup.  When your 6, 7, and 8 guys are tough outs, that makes it much harder on the opposing  pitchers, and its the sort of thing that leads to big innings.  I haven’t looked, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our big innings disproportionately start with the bottom of the order.

BC

No doubt, big feature of the lineup and I think a big boost to Jones and Graham in setting the table for them for RBI opportunities. I especially like the tough out part you highlighted - Park and Crampton strike out the least of anybody in the lineup, so it's not like they're breathers for opposing pitchers. I do think it's clear they're the weak links in the lineup, but every lineup has those and they're quite good as far as bottom of the order guys go.

[msqueri]

Crazy that Troy’s regional would have been remarkable (fourth highest batting average ever) but for the fact that Park’s were .100 points better.  And then there is the fact that Park was 10 for 11 in the three elimination games.  Troy’s line was .600 (12/20), 8 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs.

@Matt, I think it is useful to have both “Punch and Judy no power hitting” and lights out power on a lineup.  When your 6, 7, and 8 guys are tough outs, that makes it much harder on the opposing  pitchers, and its the sort of thing that leads to big innings.  I haven’t looked, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our big innings disproportionately start with the bottom of the order.

BC

No doubt, big feature of the lineup and I think a big boost to Jones and Graham in setting the table for them for RBI opportunities. I especially like the tough out part you highlighted - Park and Crampton strike out the least of anybody in the lineup, so it's not like they're breathers for opposing pitchers. I do think it's clear they're the weak links in the lineup, but every lineup has those and they're quite good as far as bottom of the order guys go.

[cardfan77]

Stanford will be hosting a super regional for the first time since 2003!!! In 2003, Stanford beat Long Beach St in the super regional and went all the way to the CWS championship game before losing to Rice.

That loss to Rice in 2003 is ingrained in my memory and it still stings. A throwing error by the pitcher to 1st base costed Stanford a championship.

[cardfan77]

Stanford will be hosting a super regional for the first time since 2003!!! In 2003, Stanford beat Long Beach St in the super regional and went all the way to the CWS championship game before losing to Rice.

That loss to Rice in 2003 is ingrained in my memory and it still stings. A throwing error by the pitcher to 1st base costed Stanford a championship.

[JJJ]

When your DPOY shortstop batting in the 9-hole is flirting with .300, I think you have a pretty good lineup. :)

[JJJ]

When your DPOY shortstop batting in the 9-hole is flirting with .300, I think you have a pretty good lineup. :)

[cardfan77]

Crampton and Park are not your power hitters but they are very consistent and reliable. Crampton handles the bat really well and has been a very dependable bunter. Both of them are not easy out. They make opposing pitchers work. The series against Cal this year, Crampton at bat, tied game, bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. He was able to win the game with a walk off walk.  I believe this is the same game where he reached base for every at  bat.

We all know what Park did in the regional.

They are not your power hitters but they deliver consistently. Stanford's line-up has no weakness. Some may have off games here and there but it is a very solid line up.

[cardfan77]

Crampton and Park are not your power hitters but they are very consistent and reliable. Crampton handles the bat really well and has been a very dependable bunter. Both of them are not easy out. They make opposing pitchers work. The series against Cal this year, Crampton at bat, tied game, bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. He was able to win the game with a walk off walk.  I believe this is the same game where he reached base for every at  bat.

We all know what Park did in the regional.

They are not your power hitters but they deliver consistently. Stanford's line-up has no weakness. Some may have off games here and there but it is a very solid line up.

[Spiny_Norman]

I have only seen a few games this year. But it looks like the top of the lineup has just feasted on fastballs. They really have jumped on pitchers who are unable to throw off speed pitches for strikes consistently. Get ahead in the count, then wait for the fastball.

The bottom of the lineup on the other hand looked really solid vs. Stivers who was able to change pitches, speeds and locations very effectively otherwise. Troy, Park and Crampton were able to lay off of the big change up and the fast balls that he threw just outside the strike zone, both of which Graham, Huff and Bowser could not resist. They waited until they got a pitch to hit. It was really a treat to watch how they handled the bat. Haskins pinch hit was also a great piece of hitting. Like Stivers, Levi Wells also threw a really effective change up. Haskins got behind 1-2, got the count to 2-2, fouled off a tough change up, then sat on the change up (might have been a slow curve) that he slapped into left field. Kudos to the coaches and kudos to the discipline of the players even under the pressure of postseason play. Hope it continues.

[Spiny_Norman]

I have only seen a few games this year. But it looks like the top of the lineup has just feasted on fastballs. They really have jumped on pitchers who are unable to throw off speed pitches for strikes consistently. Get ahead in the count, then wait for the fastball.

The bottom of the lineup on the other hand looked really solid vs. Stivers who was able to change pitches, speeds and locations very effectively otherwise. Troy, Park and Crampton were able to lay off of the big change up and the fast balls that he threw just outside the strike zone, both of which Graham, Huff and Bowser could not resist. They waited until they got a pitch to hit. It was really a treat to watch how they handled the bat. Haskins pinch hit was also a great piece of hitting. Like Stivers, Levi Wells also threw a really effective change up. Haskins got behind 1-2, got the count to 2-2, fouled off a tough change up, then sat on the change up (might have been a slow curve) that he slapped into left field. Kudos to the coaches and kudos to the discipline of the players even under the pressure of postseason play. Hope it continues.

[Bampa]

I've been following Stanford baseball for a long time.
I can't recall the bottom the lineup having such high batting averages.
It really makes for a strong team top to bottom. Tough on opposing pitchers.

Works for me!

[Bampa]

I've been following Stanford baseball for a long time.
I can't recall the bottom the lineup having such high batting averages.
It really makes for a strong team top to bottom. Tough on opposing pitchers.

Works for me!

[CTcard]

I have only seen a few games this year. But it looks like the top of the lineup has just feasted on fastballs. They really have jumped on pitchers who are unable to throw off speed pitches for strikes consistently. Get ahead in the count, then wait for the fastball.

The bottom of the lineup on the other hand looked really solid vs. Stivers who was able to change pitches, speeds and locations very effectively otherwise. Troy, Park and Crampton were able to lay off of the big change up and the fast balls that he threw just outside the strike zone, both of which Graham, Huff and Bowser could not resist. They waited until they got a pitch to hit. It was really a treat to watch how they handled the bat. Haskins pinch hit was also a great piece of hitting. Like Stivers, Levi Wells also threw a really effective change up. Haskins got behind 1-2, got the count to 2-2, fouled off a tough change up, then sat on the change up (might have been a slow curve) that he slapped into left field. Kudos to the coaches and kudos to the discipline of the players even under the pressure of postseason play. Hope it continues.

Roughly speaking, this is what I have seen as well with regards to how the top and bottom of the lineup handle power pitchers and junkier guys. It definitely seemed that way in the games versus Texas State, though it may be an oversimplification over the season. 

Of course, Wells and particularly Stivors weren't just junk ballers. Stivors stuff was pretty impressive. By memory, he was throwing fastballs 93+, sliders in the low 80s, and curves in the mid 70s. With good movement. Apparently some times he has control issues, but only walked one in that final game. 
Graham and Bowser looked completely lost against Stivors, both striking out all three times they faced him - Graham twice on three pitches. Bowser seemed awfully happy to see the fastball throwing Wood - and celebrated by getting the ninth inning rally going with a bomb.

[CTcard]

I have only seen a few games this year. But it looks like the top of the lineup has just feasted on fastballs. They really have jumped on pitchers who are unable to throw off speed pitches for strikes consistently. Get ahead in the count, then wait for the fastball.

The bottom of the lineup on the other hand looked really solid vs. Stivers who was able to change pitches, speeds and locations very effectively otherwise. Troy, Park and Crampton were able to lay off of the big change up and the fast balls that he threw just outside the strike zone, both of which Graham, Huff and Bowser could not resist. They waited until they got a pitch to hit. It was really a treat to watch how they handled the bat. Haskins pinch hit was also a great piece of hitting. Like Stivers, Levi Wells also threw a really effective change up. Haskins got behind 1-2, got the count to 2-2, fouled off a tough change up, then sat on the change up (might have been a slow curve) that he slapped into left field. Kudos to the coaches and kudos to the discipline of the players even under the pressure of postseason play. Hope it continues.

Roughly speaking, this is what I have seen as well with regards to how the top and bottom of the lineup handle power pitchers and junkier guys. It definitely seemed that way in the games versus Texas State, though it may be an oversimplification over the season. 

Of course, Wells and particularly Stivors weren't just junk ballers. Stivors stuff was pretty impressive. By memory, he was throwing fastballs 93+, sliders in the low 80s, and curves in the mid 70s. With good movement. Apparently some times he has control issues, but only walked one in that final game. 
Graham and Bowser looked completely lost against Stivors, both striking out all three times they faced him - Graham twice on three pitches. Bowser seemed awfully happy to see the fastball throwing Wood - and celebrated by getting the ninth inning rally going with a bomb.

[terry]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

[terry]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

[JJJ]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

Is Oakland too far away for Crampton to be considered a "local guy" as well? :)

[JJJ]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

Is Oakland too far away for Crampton to be considered a "local guy" as well? :)

[DC 86]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

Is Oakland too far away for Crampton to be considered a "local guy" as well? :)

Good catch - he contributed a sacrifice as part of the glorious rally.

[DC 86]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

Is Oakland too far away for Crampton to be considered a "local guy" as well? :)

Good catch - he contributed a sacrifice as part of the glorious rally.

[Nan3cy]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

My grandson played with all three guys on a traveling team when they were like 10 or 11 years old. And he played against Crampton at some point. Then he switched to water polo (my grandson, not Crampton…).

[Nan3cy]

It was fun to see some of Stanford's local guys come up big in the 9th inning rally. Troy is from Los Gatos, Park and Haskins are from San Jose.

My grandson played with all three guys on a traveling team when they were like 10 or 11 years old. And he played against Crampton at some point. Then he switched to water polo (my grandson, not Crampton…).

[Maple Leaf]

Any ideas on the pitching rotation for the UCONN series?  Here is my uneducated, uninformed and off the wall guesses.

Starting Rotation:

1. Williams
   
2. Dowd
   
3. Uber (if game three is needed)
   

Relievers, no particular order:

• Mathews
  
• Pancer
  
• Bruno
  
• Meier
  
• Montgomery
  

[Maple Leaf]

Any ideas on the pitching rotation for the UCONN series?  Here is my uneducated, uninformed and off the wall guesses.

Starting Rotation:

1. Williams
   
2. Dowd
   
3. Uber (if game three is needed)
   

Relievers, no particular order:

• Mathews
  
• Pancer
  
• Bruno
  
• Meier
  
• Montgomery
  

[CTcard]

Pitching Notes. 

UConn has announced that they will be flipping their #1 and #2 starters for this weekend. 
This is because their #1 guy (Austin Peterson) pitched both in the Friday game (started, 109 pitches) and the Monday game (bullpen, 50 pitches). 
Their #2 guy (Pat Gallagher) pitched the Saturday game so will be on the typical one week between starts. 

Alex Williams also pitched the Saturday game for us, so no doubt he will be the game 1 starter. 

The strength of the UConn team is their starting pitching (at least UConn fans clearly think so). 
They have a fairly traditionally structured staff with clear #1, #2, and #3 starters and a designated closer.
#1 starter - Austin Peterson, 11-2, ERA 3.30, WHIP 1.06 (my calculation, UConn doesn't provide it)
#2 starter - Pat Gallagher, 10-3, ERA 3.17, WHIP 1.21 
#3 starter - Enzo Stefannoni, 6-1, ERA 3.20, WHIP 1.11
Closer - Justin Willis, 15 Saves, ERA 4.68, WHIP 1.24

[For comparison, here are similar numbers for Stanford, except we don't have such clear roles. And the competition is different.]
Alex Williams, 8-2, ERA 2.35, WHIP 0.99
Quinn Matthews, 9-1, 7 Saves, ERA 2.69, WHIP 1.22
Joey Dixon, 6-3, ERA 3.53, WHIP 1.30
Drew Dowd, 6-0, ERA 5.00, WHIP 1.48
Ty Uber, 4-1, ERA 4.88, WHIP 1.35


I haven't found a lot of evaluations of the UConn pitchers. The following is what I could find. I hope MiniBlueHawk will chime in with better info. 
Gallagher and Peterson were both Big East all conference pitchers, but not pitcher of the year. 
I have seen slightly higher draft projections for Gallagher than Peterson, though none of these pitchers seem to be particularly highly rated for the MLB draft. (Maybe - MiniBlueHawk thinks Peterson will be a day two pick (rounds 3-10), which isn't bad)
Peterson gets a lot of strike outs (12/nine innings). That's fewer than Cooper Hjerpe at Oregon State but more than anyone else in the Pac 12. I don't really know his pitch repertoire, but did read that his slider had been his go to pitch, felt he lost it a bit in previous years, but it came back this year. 
I did find an MLB draft writeup for Gallagher. It describes him somewhat similarly to how I would describe Alex Williams. Doesn't have an overwhelming fastball (usually high 80s), or a killer breaking ball, but has four pitches and has good control of position and velocity. 
Stefanoni is their Ivy League grad transfer (ours is Joe Lomuscio). Doesn't strike out a lot of guys, doesn't walk a lot of guys (but has hbp quite a few), and keeps opponents from scoring much. 
They have a lot of guys in their pen with decent numbers.

[CTcard]

Pitching Notes. 

UConn has announced that they will be flipping their #1 and #2 starters for this weekend. 
This is because their #1 guy (Austin Peterson) pitched both in the Friday game (started, 109 pitches) and the Monday game (bullpen, 50 pitches). 
Their #2 guy (Pat Gallagher) pitched the Saturday game so will be on the typical one week between starts. 

Alex Williams also pitched the Saturday game for us, so no doubt he will be the game 1 starter. 

The strength of the UConn team is their starting pitching (at least UConn fans clearly think so). 
They have a fairly traditionally structured staff with clear #1, #2, and #3 starters and a designated closer.
#1 starter - Austin Peterson, 11-2, ERA 3.30, WHIP 1.06 (my calculation, UConn doesn't provide it)
#2 starter - Pat Gallagher, 10-3, ERA 3.17, WHIP 1.21 
#3 starter - Enzo Stefannoni, 6-1, ERA 3.20, WHIP 1.11
Closer - Justin Willis, 15 Saves, ERA 4.68, WHIP 1.24

[For comparison, here are similar numbers for Stanford, except we don't have such clear roles. And the competition is different.]
Alex Williams, 8-2, ERA 2.35, WHIP 0.99
Quinn Matthews, 9-1, 7 Saves, ERA 2.69, WHIP 1.22
Joey Dixon, 6-3, ERA 3.53, WHIP 1.30
Drew Dowd, 6-0, ERA 5.00, WHIP 1.48
Ty Uber, 4-1, ERA 4.88, WHIP 1.35


I haven't found a lot of evaluations of the UConn pitchers. The following is what I could find. I hope MiniBlueHawk will chime in with better info. 
Gallagher and Peterson were both Big East all conference pitchers, but not pitcher of the year. 
I have seen slightly higher draft projections for Gallagher than Peterson, though none of these pitchers seem to be particularly highly rated for the MLB draft. (Maybe - MiniBlueHawk thinks Peterson will be a day two pick (rounds 3-10), which isn't bad)
Peterson gets a lot of strike outs (12/nine innings). That's fewer than Cooper Hjerpe at Oregon State but more than anyone else in the Pac 12. I don't really know his pitch repertoire, but did read that his slider had been his go to pitch, felt he lost it a bit in previous years, but it came back this year. 
I did find an MLB draft writeup for Gallagher. It describes him somewhat similarly to how I would describe Alex Williams. Doesn't have an overwhelming fastball (usually high 80s), or a killer breaking ball, but has four pitches and has good control of position and velocity. 
Stefanoni is their Ivy League grad transfer (ours is Joe Lomuscio). Doesn't strike out a lot of guys, doesn't walk a lot of guys (but has hbp quite a few), and keeps opponents from scoring much. 
They have a lot of guys in their pen with decent numbers.

[Spiny_Norman]

Statistical comparison Stanford vs. UConn

[twitter]https://twitter.com/collegeballnat/status/1535009220151631879[/twitter]

[Spiny_Norman]

Statistical comparison Stanford vs. UConn

[twitter]https://twitter.com/collegeballnat/status/1535009220151631879[/twitter]