Triple Play Masters

A little lunch update:

I haven't written in a long time, but have watched the games.  In my last writing, I discussed how hard it was to watch this team.  Between such a frustrating lack of offense, such horrible base running, finding ways to lose, we just didn't have much excitement.   I wrote, "It should get better" and it has.  We still have our moments where we have 2 outs and nobody on and then we allow 2 hits and a 3 run HR after an 0-2 count (this was when Peralta came in and against a lefty threw a hanging slider to a weak-hitting lefty and he hit a 3 run HR.  Peralta has good stuff, but his control/command is just not good enough)

A few negatives before I list some positives:

• DJ has not played well!  a .685 OPS isn't getting it done.  His defense at 2nd is fairly solid, but he takes too long to turn a DP in my view as he is a little long in his catch and release.  Overall, he is the biggest disappointment because of all the money he is getting.
• Torres at a .663 OPS and overall poor defense hasn't been getting it done enough as well.
• Gardner, Andujar and Frazier have about 450 plate appearances and they have a rough combined .640 OPS
• Higgy has been terrible at the plate over the last 30 days (.440 OPS)
• Pitching - Taillon is really the largest disappointment with a 5.59 ERA.  Peralta on only 15 innings and a 5.28 hasn't been sharp nor has Justin Wilson with his 6.08 ERA

Positives:

• We are seeing a trend of more positive results from the hitters above.  Over the past 30 days, Sanchez has been hot (1.063 OPS), Gardner (.805) and Andujar (.761).  
• Torres' defense has been adequate since the horrible beginning.  I still have concerns as adequate isn't good, but if he has an OPS of .800+, I can live with the more recent defense.
• Getting Voit back will be a huge plus if he can give us his expected OPS.  Moving DJ back to 2nd improves our defense and our offense at 2nd base.  
• I wrote many times about how much I liked Loaisiga last year, but he has taken a larger step than I envisioned with a consistent 98 MPH running 2 seamer!  1.63 ERA can be maintained with his excellent stuff.
• Three triple plays in a year are pretty rare.  Ending a game on a triple play with a one run lead was a lot of fun to watch; we need more of that satisfaction!