Myers ‘Made 3 Mistakes’
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, April 06, 2009 10:00 AM | Comments: 40
Opinion, Posts
Brett Myers knows what he did wrong in the season opener (6 IP, 4 ER):
“I made three mistakes, and they didn’t miss them. Is it going to get better? Yeah. Am I going to make those mistakes again? Probably not that many in a game. Some of those mistakes they (usually) pop up, but in this case they didn’t.”
Opinion: It should get better for Myers, who did settle down after the first two innings and throw well. One reason: The curveball. He didn’t rely on it until after the home runs, and it was effective in getting hitters out. Instead Myers used his changeup, and in bad spots. The changeup is likely Myers’ worse pitch.
There’s more to be concerned about with the offense, who wasn’t quite in gear during spring training and almost always needs a few weeks to heat up. But early in the season it’s essential for pitching to light the way. Myers didn’t do it — “three mistakes” are probably three mistakes too many.
Posts: 0 JohnKruksLoveChild
The Frenchy homerun, what can you do, it was a decent pitch moving off the plate and he caught it on the inside. The real shame of it is that Brett looked great the rest of the game.
There was a point last night, sitting there beer in hand, looking out over the stadium, and I thought “who cares what the score is, baseball is BACK!!”.
Of course, if you listened to WIP after the game, THE SEASON IS OVER OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. The real negative here is that there are a lot of, how shall we say, “new” fans that expect nothing but wins. They’re the ones screaming that “Pat would have had that” when Ibanez struck out. What a bunch of tools.
Posted: 10:19 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Maverick
This was a bad game all around. Even if Myers pitched a flawless 7 innings we still may have lost. The bats definately failed to show.
And lets not forget Derek Lowe is pretty nasty. The phils should have no problem Teeing off of the rest of the rotation.
Posted: 10:24 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Rich
161 games to go. We won the last two divisions, and last year’s world crown. I don’t believe we won the opener in ’07, and I Watched us lose it in 2008. We’ll be fine. Unless you saw something last night that convinced Ryan Howard won’t hit 40 homers, Rollins will hit 260, Utley will have a more down year than last, or anyone else will stink, don’t get too worked up. As for Brett, last year he struggled out the gate, but there were several big differences last night: a.) He came out the gate last year topping out on the fastball at 87-88, last night he was hitting 91-92, so his arm is ready. b.) He won’t throw as many change ups out in Colorado saturday, where he by the way has good career numbers. c.) If he can get through 6 innings in a rough start all year, he’s already better than early last season. Myers will be fine.
Posted: 10:26 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 558 Brian Michael
Myers probably made more than 3 mistakes over the course of the night, only 3 of them got crushed out of the park.
Posted: 10:27 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B.
Sure Myers made a few mistakes… but isn’t it a little early to earn himself the coveted Jeltz Award? I have a nominee for the Jeltz… How those idiots who were booing booing Brett when he walked off the mound in the 2nd inning. That was ridiculous. I’m not here to say the Phils should get a pass all year, but 2 innings into the first game is a little early for the boo birds to come out. Thankfully Brett and Charlie took it in stride. I thought Brett looked ok, it just looked like he was expiramenting with his change up a bit too much. He still struck out 6 and walked 0 over 6.
Posted: 10:39 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Frank
Do you ever get the feeling that Brett Myers is the Kevin Gross of this generation? Like Gross, Myers has a plethora of major league pitches- but somehow the sum is less than the whole. Consequently, he is sort of sentenced to kick around .500- with upside as an innings eater when healthy.
First, it makes me crazy when people say he should throw his fastball more- so I agree with the post and the points about his curve. He isn’t a power pitcher- his fastball features okay velocity, very little movement wise and does little to set up the the change. He has to spot the heat- because it is real hittable. Who doesn’t cringe when Myers has to challenge a good hitter?
He is a low-grade strike-out pitcher- but he fans guys by throwing the fastball in non-fastball situations and throwing quality breaking stuff. But like a lot of strie-out pitchers, he’s going to walk guys because of deep counts. Fine- but since we’re okay with him walking a few extra guys- then fewer fastballs in hitter’s counts please.
Second, again, he does strike people out. But most plus big league starters have that “bury you” pitch. They get ahead in the count and you’re fishing after that slider away or chasing high heat. Myers doesn’t have that drop dead pitch that he can throw off the plate, somewhere un-hittable, when he’s ahead in the count. I don’t know how you fix that problem- moving him up from 7Ks per nine innings- to an elite level. I guess that is why he is a .500 pitcher.
Posted: 10:44 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
That was quite the second level shot!
It will be a happier place once Ibanez takes advantage of those situations he had last night. As weak as the Phillies hit all night long, they had the final chance with 2 runners on and Ryan Howard at the bat – his second K of the game then, Raul came up with the same fixins left on base and did the same.
There will be plenty more opportunities.
I was not real please to see Scott Eyre’s right away but glad to see Chahlie took him out after 2 batters. Traschner gave up some hard hit ground balls but fortunately, right at the defense.
What stood out as the most memorable event Opening day, 2009? One of the parachuters falling quite short of the mark? Chahlie forgetting where he was supposed to be after he hoisted the pennant? Or the thousands of flashbulbs that snapped at Meyers first pitch – Miss America was unbelievable, the Philadelphia Boys Chorale was awesome as usual – and the crab fries done just right – yep, its back JK – beer and crab fries in hand my brother
Posted: 10:47 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I agree, Jason B. Give me a break… he gave up 4ER in 6 innings in the first game of the season, and many people are reacting as if Myers was janked from the game in the first inning because he couldn’t get himself together. He struggled, yes, but all I needed to see was that he could get his act together after giving up all the HRs… and he did. That is a HUGE positive for Myers.
I’d be pretty happy if Moyer could get 6 innings tomorrow with just 4 ER in his first start.
Posted: 10:50 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Albert
It was an extended Spring Training game right? Lets not over analyze this loss and try to win the series.
Posted: 11:13 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Evan
Frank, I couldn’t disagree with you more. Meyers was getting killed last night on his changeup because he didn’t want to throw the fastball. He needed to be able to locate the fastball on the corners and up before he started throwing changes.
Additionally, his curveball was nasty when he located it below the strike zone and was the out pitch for a few of his six strikeouts last night.
My evaluation of his pitching last night was that he had well more than 3 mistakes, probably 10+ legitimately poor pitches in the first two innings. One was a double by Escobar, a few others were just foul and almost out of the park. After he was settled he looked great. I think Brett can post a solid 4 ERA and do better than .500 this year if he doesn’t play headgames with himself.
Posted: 11:18 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Willy
Yeah 3 mistakes, and don’t forget the one that a fan tried to catch in center field that ended up being a double, the ground rule double, and at least 2 foul balls that would of been upper deck shots had they been a little straighter. In reality Meyers is lucky he didn’t give up 5 home runs.
I chalk it up to first-game/defend the championship jitters, probably perpetuated by all the ceremony stuff at the game (charlie manual raising the flag, again ect). His second start will look more like innings 3-5.
Posted: 11:41 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 DHall
I’m concerned about Myers fastball. During the game they repeatedly said that after the first or second inning, his fastball velocity was only 89 or 90 and at one point was only 86 or 87!! That’s not good for Myers because he doesn’t locate his fastball very well. Yes, he did recover, but he was a little lucky too. A high 80′s fastball with very little movement is a recipe for disaster unless you can hit the corners. I won’t panic yet, but I will be watching him closely in Colorado.
Posted: 11:42 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 mike
This is a big year for him if he can’t win, its good bye and with the money they will have after eating 15 plus his 12 maybe we can get a legit starter to go with hamels.
Posted: 11:43 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
I fricken knew that when the game started that we already lost.
I hate ESPN announcers and even though I have a Joe Morgan baseball card, the guy is an imbecile.
Why is Brett Myers our opening day guy anyway? Is our Hamels broke?
watching last night just reminded me that I’m still bitter about the 90′s and would love nothing more than to kick Chipper in the ding ding
Yes, I admit that Lowe had some sweet stuff last night.
He can still go to hell like the rest of the Braves though. Bobby Cox is the debill
feh..
Posted: 11:46 AM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris
Still should have won that game, despite his trash pitching. We couldn’t produce 4 more runs? It’s hilarious how badly we bat against Lowe. You’d think we’d have learned how to hit a sinker by now.
Posted: 12:00 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Albert
We didn’t have any problems in the playoffs. We won both those games. F Lowe.
Posted: 12:04 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 KevO
Frank, how can you say that Myers doesn’t have a legit out-pitch? I’m pretty sure he made McCann look like a fool with his curve in his 3rd at-bat. Plain and simple, Myers didn’t throw his curve in the first two hitters, instead threw his Change. Lay off him, damn
Posted: 12:06 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 130 Amanda Orr
His curve was filthy.. he just couldnt throw it that much because he couldnt throw an effective change or fastball.
Posted: 12:13 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Phillies Phan SC
I do not blame Myers completely. We got 2 hits in 8 innings. We started to come alive in the bottom of the 9th… Steve Jeltz award should go all the way around. The good news: It is one game, and we seem to lose every opening day game.
Posted: 12:19 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
Aside from the happy ending, last night’s game was a microcosm of last year’s season.
Myers getting hosed. Offense struggling against good pitching. Solid defense. Big Brown’s strikeouts. The bullpen doing enough to keep them in the game. Finishing with Pat Burrell’s stand-in giving a very Pat Burrell performance by striking out to end the rally.
Seriously, thank god baseball is here though.
Posted: 12:29 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Section118
Myers settled down… I was somewhat encouraged after the first 2 innings. He didn’t have that bad of a start. I agree he threw 3 (4 if you count the double that was just short) awful pitches but didn’t allow too much damage beyond that. I’m not too concerned about him this season… he’ll get it together
The hitting was disappointing but Lowe is very good. My biggest disappointment was that I was hoping that Howard could continue his hot spring right out of the gate and set a tone immediately for the beginning of the year. Still… I must say, this is ONE GAME… There are 162 GAMES. We are going to be fine.
Posted: 12:41 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 JLMiran
this might be a bit off topic but for anyone playing in the philliesnation fantasy leagues:
did anyone else not get any scoring or stats last night? Just want to know if it’s a Yahoo issue or not
Posted: 12:46 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Myers didn’t look like himself lastnight, and he left too many balls in the zone. No worries…Think about it…Whens the last time the Phils actually won their opener game? Myers has been our opening day starter now for 3-4 years, and we always get bombed when hes on the mound. Like Tim said, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Plenty of season left.
Posted: 01:17 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 King
We started off 0-2 last year to the nationals didn’t we? The second game Cole Hamels pitched a gem, only giving up one run and getting 9k’s or something close to that…but we still lost 1-0.
Give some time for the bats to heat up, with how bad we were swinging the bats yesterday I’m just glad we didn’t get shut out.
Posted: 01:22 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Frank
Evan & KevO– I’m not trying to kill Myers. I’m just trying to explain why, despite consensus good stuff, he struggles to be a .500 pitcher. I mean, look at the results.
I point out two reasons. One, despite organziatinal noise, his fastball simply isn’t that good. One of the reasons his change-up isn’t good is that he doesn’t throw hard enough. Two, while his breaking ball is a quality out pitch- it isn’t enough to move his K total past 7 per 9 innings- and that is too low for a non ground ball pitcher, who walks people, to be five games over .500 for a season.
Be fair. Why do you think he’s 10-13 on a championship team? Bad luck?
Posted: 01:41 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
brett myers is up and down. you never know what you will get from him. he has lost confidents in his fast ball. my mother could of hit those pitches out. the offense will be fine. utley did not have alot at bats in spring training. howard swings at pitches that make me shake my head. then he takes a beauty down the middle. they should of spent money on Lowe. he is so solid. moyer will give up plenty of runs.
Posted: 02:04 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 TS
JLMiran –
Same thing happened to me. Must be a Yahoo-related problem.
Posted: 02:06 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
JLMiran: same here… no points showing yet for that McCann homer
Posted: 02:15 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
he really wasn’t that bad yesterday. he was right. he left one awful changeup high in the zone to McCann, and he threw a fastball down the middle to a first ball fastball swing from the heels hitter in Francouer. other than that, he wasn’t really in a lot of jams with men on base. and the phils needs to score more than 1 run. i still look for Myers to have a career year this year.
Posted: 02:17 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 JLMiran
Ok, thanks for the replies, gives me peace of mind
Posted: 02:21 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 JLMiran
actually just checked it, now updated
Posted: 02:23 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie
An off speed pitch of any kind is as good as how your fastball is and Myers has a hard time establishing that in the early innings. There is no doubt he is a fighter and will leave his arm, heart, and head on that mound for this team and this city, so I am behind him whole heartedly. He has a nasty curve, but his changeup flat out sucks, and I think he may have come to grips with that, and if not “chooch” and Dubee should have and will make adjustments. I’m not as worried about Myers as I am Moyer.
Posted: 02:37 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
The Phils were really tight last night. Myers was not focused and the batters just looked tight last night — all the celebration, a packed house. We need to get looser.
Posted: 02:55 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Albert
@Richie
I noticed Myers was shaking of chooch a lot last night. Chooch was probably asking for the heat but Myers wasn’t having it.
Posted: 04:17 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Desiree
Check out these Phucking awesome T-shirts!
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Posted: 04:50 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Travis
MLB Update: Mets win against reds 2-1. Santana gets the win pitched 5.2innings walked 4 and k’ed 7. New relief Sean green pitched 1.1 hitless scoreless innings. New set-up J.J Putz pitched a scoreless 8th and K-Rod gets his first save as a met. reds had alot of chances to score including men on 2nd and 3rd 1out and many other chances. Daniel murphy hit a solo bomb and got a ground out rbi. both teams off tom and back at it on wed at 7 when strugglin oliver perez takes on edison volquez. like reds in that one. last i checked marlins leadin 2-0 at nats. Other colorado leadin dbacks 4-2. Pit and sTL scoreless. bottom 1st men on 2nd and 3rd for o’s against yanks and sabathia last time i checked. Rangers beat up on last year al cy young winner cliff lee who allowed 7earned runs and the indians. Final score was 9-1. Royals-White Sox and Rays-Red Sox postponed today. Gonna go watch O’s and Yanks now. When get back at it vs the braves tom. Go moyer and phils
Posted: 04:51 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Wow…..Amazins did something what was a rarity;and thats Actually save a game for Johan Santana.Putz added pressure to himself and K-Rod got the job done.
Posted: 04:52 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 beta sigma shag
not sure who said
Myers Fastball was in the high 80′s, I would assume the radar gun at the stadium would be the same one they use for TV, and he was throwing 90 91 for the first couple of innings and in the sixth was up to 93 94. As was Lidge 93 94 fastball. Like usual the bats are slow to start, but if you told me on saturday that myers would pitch 6 innings with 6 strike outs and give up 4 runs with no walks I would take that. Have to score runs to win, and the Phillies will score runs. So Last night is no worries. Bull pen looked awsome. Drove back home to VErmont today had to listen to the Mutts game, Santana gave up a bunch of walks in first two three innings, then lost the station somewhere above Albany, and had to listen to the Yankees. Also my two cents on WIP after the game, I thought they were pretty much on par with it is one game no big deal so I do not know what you are talking about. It is talk radio, they have to talk. But for the most part with the exception of the few callers that said we should have gotten lowe, I disagree. the rest were pretty much saying it is one of one sixty two and to lighten up
Posted: 06:58 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 JB
Hey, anyone know what song was playing when Shane came to bat last night?? Something like, “It don’t make sense.” It was really catchy, and I can’t find it anywhere……..Help.
Posted: 09:05 PM on April 6, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Wow we lost the opener. You know what that means? It means we are starting the year THE SAME WAY AS LAST YEAR! We lost the home opener last year to the Nats. Would you rather win the first game, and look like crap the rest, or look like crap right off the bat and look GREAT at the end. Thats what I thought. Who cares. Let the Muts feel great about themselves that they are tied for first after only one game. LOL. We are still the World Series Champions for another 161 games. Brett was being Brett honestly. He usually always looks rusty in the first 2 innings, once he gets to the third, he looks much better, which is EXACTLY what happened! first two innings he looked pretty bad! 3rd on, not bad at all honestly. Hopefully the bats will turn on soon, once they do, watch out!
Posted: 03:02 AM on April 7, 2009