Random baseball thoughts

1. So far, so good with Fernando Rodney but we all know what could be on the horizon.

2. I note that when Edwin Jackson misses with a pitch, that he often misses badly giving the hitter no opportunity to swing at a ball just out of the strike zone (even Vlad Guerrero wouldn't). I don't know if this is overthrowing or problems duplicating his delivery but I guess this is (yet another) project for Rick Knapp. On the other hand, in looking at his minor league stats, I see that his k/walk ratio has always been shaky so this might just be a "take it or leave it" situation with him. Frankly, his other minor league stats are not all that impressive which makes you wonder why he was such a uber-prospect years ago while in the Dodgers system.

3. Is there anybody in mlb with a stiffer swing than Jeff Larish? If the pitch is not right in his wheelhouse, he does not appear to have much of a chance with it.

4. About that bomb that Pujols hit Saturday, do you think he found that pitch to his liking? When you are sitting in Row 82 in left field, you usually have no expectation of catching a ball.

5. Reed Johnson's over-the-wall catch to rob Prince (I have no father) Fielder of a grand slam was mighty sweet. Computer Boy had just gone to bed 10 minutes before and I was thinking about waking him up to watch the replay but I thought better of it. I am glad I didn't as I would have missed Bernie Brewer dropping to his knees and sobbing on the front porch of his house in the left field stands which you just don't see every day.