So was he saying that, because the Blue Jays seemed to be as sucky as his own team, that pitching to them should be pretty easy? If they played Washington, would he try to throw underhand?

“Last time,” he said, “I think was mainly a case of just me being stupid again.

I'm guessing the rumors of Brad and Angelina splitting up really got to him.

Wow. He's admitting what I'm sure happens to a lot of guys. I mean, it shouldn't and all, but I'm sure lots of factors affect the approach of a player.

We could think of it as him deciding he didn't need to run the risk of outsmarting himself, because the Blue Jays lineup tended to make pretty simple decisions about what to do and therefore he should remember not to make things too complicated.

I'm guessing the rumors of Brad and Angelina splitting up really got to him.

"No! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NOOOO!"

Wow. He's admitting what I'm sure happens to a lot of guys.

Yeah, I find it refreshingly honest. Instead of spewing some tired cliche about how it wasn't his night or something, he gave some insight as to why he struggled, what led to it, and what he plans to do about it. I admire that kind of honesty.

That said, I hope the Indians bomb him tonight. He can pitch well against everybody else, just not against my team.

Dan,
I completely agree. Most players give you some BS and cliches while Greinke is owning up to what happened and letting us in on what he plans to do differently next time. Very refreshing.

Wow. He's admitting what I'm sure happens to a lot of guys.

Yeah, I find it refreshingly honest. Instead of spewing some tired cliche about how it wasn't his night or something, he gave some insight as to why he struggled, what led to it, and what he plans to do about it. I admire that kind of honesty.

That said, I hope the Indians bomb him tonight. He can pitch well against everybody else, just not against my team.

If this happened to Greinke and he was unable to change his approach that implies the following:

1. He is oblivious to the talent of major league hitters. Sure, Lyle Overbay might not be Albert Pujols, but if you throw a hanging slider he's going to hit it and hit it hard. In other words, you have to make good pitches to get even the worst major league lineups out.

2. He is unable to adjust his strategy during a game. Toronto peppered Greinke throughout the game, getting an extra base hit in every inning pitched. You'd think he'd stop grooving them fastballs if that's the case.

3. He had been regressing to the norm in the last few starts before Toronto, giving up a hit per inning (although his K and BB numbers remained superb). Further, his ability to keep his fly balls in the park has been unsustainable.

4. Moreover, since the beginning of May, his numbers have been excellent, but not otherworldly. His WHIP is above 1.00 and his ERA 2.29, and he's striking out less than a batter per inning. That still makes him the best pitcher in the AL, but puts him on par with E. Jackson rather than in the vintage-Pedro category.

I guess my point is that I'm not buying the fact his last start was due to taking the Blue Jays for granted. I saw him pitch the previous game against Chicago and he threw numerous hittable pitches. The White Sox, being the White Sox, missed many but they still managed to score 4 runs in 7 innings. I'm not at all surprised an above average offensive club like Toronto could hit him around even more.

That still makes him the best pitcher in the AL, but puts him on par with E. Jackson rather than in the vintage-Pedro category.

*cough* Halladay *cough*

I'm not at all surprised an above average offensive club like Toronto could hit him around even more.

After last season, it is an absolute treat to hear someone describe Toronto's offense as above average.

This is neither here nor there, but I wanted to throw it out there to see if I'm making stuff up:

When a pitcher throws a slider or curve with a big sweeping action and the batter swings and misses, it seems that commentators make a big deal of what a great pitch it was.

When a pitcher throws a slider or curve with a big sweeping action and the batter crushes it, it seems that commentators are quick to jump on it as a "hanging" pitch.

Is it good form to post your own clippings, Zach?

When a pitcher throws a slider or curve with a big sweeping action and the batter swings and misses, it seems that commentators make a big deal of what a great pitch it was.

When a pitcher throws a slider or curve with a big sweeping action and the batter crushes it, it seems that commentators are quick to jump on it as a "hanging" pitch.

This is because the only "analysis" commentators engage in is results-oriented.

We sure it wasn't a bad burrito?

I was at Chipotle, and got the chips with hot salsa, but they only gave me mild salsa, and by the time I realized, it was too late and anyway the line was out the door.

If I'd been Zach and pitching that night, I'm pretty sure I'd've had a bad game.

I think it depends on the announcer. I've seen plenty of announcers describe swing-and-a-miss breaking balls as 'hanging', in that they were around belt level in the middle of the plate.

To some, hanging means a breaking pitch that ends up belt-level or higher. To others, hanging implies a less sharp break than usual (which can cause an otherwise knee-high pitch to end up at the belt). To those who are less astute, hanging means it was hit 435 feet.

To some, hanging means a breaking pitch that ends up belt-level or higher. To others, hanging implies a less sharp break than usual (which can cause an otherwise knee-high pitch to end up at the belt). To those who are less astute, hanging means it was hit 435 feet.

Well put.