That's Just His Face
"Bautista is working in another stratosphere, solar system, whatever.This guy is just on a different planet as a hitter right now."-Joe Maddon
The thing about Bautista and why I might believe that he can be a consistent power hitter since his breakout last year, even though it historically not likely, is that the results are from a very definite change in approach. Bautista combines an excellent eye with patience, timing and the ability to adjust to what the pitchers are throwing him. He also just seems like a dude who has his shit together. Bautista talks like it was only a matter of time before he did this. Whatever it is, it is must-see tv for every Bautista at bat.
The thing about Bautista and why I might believe that he can be a consistent power hitter since his breakout last year, even though it historically not likely, is that the results are from a very definite change in approach. Bautista combines an excellent eye with patience, timing and the ability to adjust to what the pitchers are throwing him. He also just seems like a dude who has his shit together. Bautista talks like it was only a matter of time before he did this. Whatever it is, it is must-see tv for every Bautista at bat.
And thankfully, other people besides Bautista hit last night. Corey Patterson whacked an eye level pitch for a 3-run homer in the 5th and I think it broke the spirit of Rangers' pitcher Colby Lewis. It was a complete whatever waste pitch, and it burned him. He looked like someone kicked him in the stomach. Bautista, clearly embarrassed that Patterson upstaged him and took his first Lewis pitch over the fence. And then Juan Rivera followed suit with one of his own. See, people, he does care! It drove me a little nuts people saying that it looks like he doesn't care. Maybe that's just Rivera's face. He did have a little bounce in his step coming up the stairs for the post game whoop it up and grab ass at the end of the 9th.
The breakout 5th inning was relieving because after Sunday's loss, where Ricky Romero had one iffy inning and then was never bailed out by his team when he was more or less perfect (that is the classic Roy Halladay loss, btw) it felt like they would never hit again. Offense is so much more fun.
The breakout 5th inning was relieving because after Sunday's loss, where Ricky Romero had one iffy inning and then was never bailed out by his team when he was more or less perfect (that is the classic Roy Halladay loss, btw) it felt like they would never hit again. Offense is so much more fun.