Because I Can

Grady Little did not use Jason Repko at all, but rather Olmedo Saenz, in a pinch hit situation with two outs. Olmedo's great to put up if you've got a runner on, but since you didn't (and weren't if Cruz didn't get on, since Navarro is batting under the Mendoza line now), Repko is the go to guy. It's the bottom of the 8th, 2 outs. Repko has power and speed. It's like batting leadoff but with no chances for an out.

One bit of advice to the Dodgers 1-2-3 guys: swing at the ball. The Dodgers swung the bat once when facing the Diamondbacks closer, yielding 3 strikeouts. He's not on my fantasy team; it's ok to get a hit. And he's a closer - he will throw strikes. He had thrown 53 out of 80 for strikes before this game, indicating that he would probably throw strikes, 40 for 54 if you ignore the one save he blew. This is the biggest failure of the team - failure to adapt to the individuals which they are facing. I'm sure they have scouting repots of the opposing team's pitchers. But even without that, they could look to see if the pitcher throws pitches for strikes. Instead, the Dodgers stuck to their guns, trying to draw a walk from Valverde, and failed. JD Drew and Rafael Furcal, a combined $72 million in payroll over the next 3 years, were caught looking.

Unacceptable.

Labels: Dodgers

It turns out that the President may very well be one to blame for recent gas price spikes. Look at this, from the link on Drudge.

As if rising prices weren't enough, the tanks have run dry at some Philadelphia-area service stations in the last few days as the refining industry stumbles through a change in the formulation of gasoline.

Oil refiners are phasing out a petrochemical that makes gasoline burn cleaner but which also has been found to contaminate groundwater. Refiners are switching to corn-based ethanol.

The changeover is creating supply-chain bottlenecks because much work must be done at fuel terminals and service stations to handle ethanol.

Ok, contaminates groundwater. So the oil companies are doing this because they care about us and the environment. Right? Well,

The conversion to ethanol was prompted by the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, which left refiners vulnerable to groundwater contamination suits and mandated greater use of renewable fuels. The use of ethanol forced gasoline retailers to clean their tanks, remove all water from them and install extremely fine filters on their pumps.

You see, it's all George Bush's fault. If he wasn't such a coward, he would veto something. But seriously, this article is good as it actually explores causes and effects of the rise of gas prices. And who would have though that environmental regulation could be expensive (other than every intellectually honest economist ever)! Here's what has to be done:

Ethanol is a solvent that picks up any gunk in tanks and readily blends with water. Those properties could ruin a 9,000-gallon tank of gasoline at a huge cost to a retailer.

It costs up to $1,500 to clean tanks, said Kevin S. Kan, president and chief executive officer of American Auto Wash Inc. in Malvern, which operates 18 stations in the region, including 13 BPs that have converted to the ethanol blend.

Ethanol is logistically more complicated than the petrochemical it replaced - MTBE, or methyl tertiary butyl ether. Refiners could blend MTBE into gasoline at the refinery and send the finished gasoline through pipelines to terminals.

But ethanol must be blended into gasoline at the terminal because it would mix with water if it were sent through pipelines, ruining the fuel. So, fuel terminals have to go through a similar process of cleaning tanks to store ethanol before it is blended.

They must also install blending equipment.

Yep. People who have had basic econ (Econ 103 at GMU) know that prices are a means of spreading information. There was a sharp decrease in supply, and the rising prices are designed to minimize the effects of that; you'll probably be more careful with your gas at $3 per gallon.

Now that we know the true cause of the rise in gas prices, what does that tell us about Congress when we see this:

During a news conference Tuesday, Schumer said he expects there will be hearings on the matter in Congress and possible sanctions. He believes the four major oil producers, such as Exxon-Mobile, have a monopoly on oil production. Mergers that created just four major oil producers should be broken up, he added.

Now, one can certainly make the argument that MTBE was causing a problem, particularly in the high amounts in which it was used (which was incidentally due to another environmental regulation). But if that's the case, then the cost of higher gas prices is one that must be taken on, as it is a response to a supply shock. Perhaps someone should look into why the government doesn't warn consumers of the costs of regulation, no matter how safe it makes us.

And as some Philadelphia gas tanks run dry, it is obvious that there are multiple gas tanks in Philadelphia, so consumers will just have to go to another one (because E means extra 10 miles). But this is not a shortage; there is still gas to be bought. If it's too expensive, carpool, or use public transport if available. You can even walk or bicycle, which gives you exercise too. If that's not worth it, then you're still as best of as you could driving and paying a lot for gas; your consumer surplus just shrank.

Labels: Economic Stuff, Politics

Jim Bowden was not sober when he was driving the other night. No word though on whether the organization will punish him for this offseason's TUI - trading under the influence.

Barry Bonds had a tube of toothpaste thrown at him, only to have a security guard take it away immediately. Bonds is enough of a joker, though, that he might start saying "no comment" with a British accent. "I never used toothpaste or put any other performance enhancing substances on my teeth. Good show." Well, I think it would be funny.

Labels: MLB

Good News: Every Dodger starter that has had 3 or more starts has recorded a win.

Bad News: The Dodgers are 6-8.

Against the Cubs, the Dodgers really showed that they don't know what to do with an effective Greg Maddux, which is, admittedly, a problem nearly every ballclub has had. But the biggest problem was part of a general pattern. The Dodgers failed to adjust and realize that Maddux throws strikes, and took strike three 5 times, with only one swinging strikeout. Putting the ball in play at least has a chance of being a hit, and when nobody is on, the worst thing you can do is ruin the fantasy stats for someone who started Maddux.

Maddux facts: In each appearance this season, Greg Maddux has thrown 87 pitches. Tonight he threw the most strikes, at 59. He has given up four (4) walks on the season.

The Dodgers need to learn to adjust faster. They should be more aware of what parts of Maddux's game were on and off, and try to duplicate what Bill Mueller did with his RBI double (which would be swing the bat).

Good news: Franquelis Osoria got his ERA down under 10 after 3 perfect innings.

Bad News: Brett Tomko gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 6.

On the upside, an upsurging Derek Lowe is pitching against Carlos Zambrano, who is not on as much of an upward trend. On the downside, Zambrano's ERA is lower, and all but one of his earned runs have been given up on home runs.

On the upside, Jeff Kent looks like he will return to the lineup. On the downside, he has been off to a slow start, and the Dodgers lack power severely. On the upside, they have a better chance of taking walks. On the downside, Zambrano is a groundball pitcher, and the Dodger can ground into a double play.

And finally, what in the name of Maury Wills are the Dodgers doing on the bases? Repko has been picked off, Cody Ross got doubled of Sunday night, and now Furcal got picked off by Maddux after singling and a well-played sacrifice bunt by Kenny Lofton.

I hope Nomar has a really good season for LA. The Dodgers sure look like they need it; at this rate, they'll need him to win another batting title.

Labels: Dodgers

The Dodgers have the following problems:

1) Ailing pitching staff
2) Six outfielders
3) Only one closer

Now (3) isn't really a problem, except they're supposed to have 3 closers - Brazoban, Baez, and Gagne. Yhency will undergo Tommy John surgery.

The Dodgers have another experienced closer on the staff, a 40-save closer at that. His name is Derek Lowe. He's had a bit of a rough start. He's also Grady Little's favorite. If Grady can convince him that he belongs with the rank of Gagne and Baez, Lowe would be a candidate to move to the bullpen. Or, if being Grady's favorite, he stays in the rotation, Jae Seo may be converted to a long reliever. So that sort of helps #3, but what for 1 and 2?

The Florida Marlins are reportedly looking to ship out Dontrelle Willis, because they are cheap. One theory is that they are saving up to buy their own brand new stadium. The other is that they are angry that they play in Dolphins' Stadium instead of Pro Player Stadium, even though they're good and they've actually won a championship in the last 3 years while the Dolphins suck. The Dodgers have a player that yesterday showed that he can hit for power in a clutch situation. Cody Ross hit 2 home runs, one grand slam and one 3-run shot.

Would the Marlins be stupid enough to trade D-Train for Cody Ross? Possibly. They might demand some other prospect, which the Dodgers may or may not supply. Andre Ethier? While it would be a drag to lose another great outfield prospect, that would be awesome if they had Dontrelle Willis to show for Milton Bradley. The Dodgers are not about to trade Chad Billingsley if the Marlins want another pitcher. Or I could dream and think they'll want a left-handed ex-Yankee and take Ross and Ledee. Then, oh darn, they have to call up Joel Guzman, who currently has slightly more experience in the outfield than Alfonso Soriano. Sure the Marlins owner said that they're not shopping Willis, but would you really believe that from someone who knocked their payroll down to $15 million and could cut down another $4 million? We have three first round draft picks; would he like one (but not the #7 overall pick, we deserve that after suffering through last season)?

Realistically, we can only hope the Dodgers will do something good and smart. But speaking from experience, or at least cynicism - which Catbert says is just as good as experience, they'll probably keep Ross, go with 6 outfielders, and hope that Takashi Saito continues to be good and becomes Baez's setup man.

Labels: Dodgers

McDonalds, according to the New York Times (hat tip: Drudge), has started putting drive through orders through call centers. We're not kidding.
Like many American teenagers, Julissa Vargas, 17, has a minimum-wage job in the fast-food industry — but hers has an unusual geographic reach.

"Would you like your Coke and orange juice medium or large?" Ms. Vargas said into her headset to an unseen woman who was ordering breakfast from a drive-through line. She did not neglect the small details —"You Must Ask for Condiments," a sign next to her computer terminal instructs — and wished the woman a wonderful day.

What made the $12.08 transaction remarkable was that the customer was not just outside Ms. Vargas's workplace here on California's central coast. She was at a McDonald's in Honolulu. And within a two-minute span Ms. Vargas had also taken orders from drive-through windows in Gulfport, Miss., and Gillette, Wyo.

Now, some people are complaining about this. I can see how call centers for de-localizing operations, like for the car dealer for my parents getting their oil changed, can be annoying. Relaying enough information can be frustrating. When I suggested to my mom that instead of getting an appointment that she get her oil changed at Jiffy Lube, she rejected the thought, because apparently the dealer does other stuff. I think she didn't want to admit that I had a point. The reason people take their cars to the dealer, though, is that it's a few bucks cheaper.

Do I expect that McDonalds will drop its price as a result of this? No. Do I expect their employees to make more? No. Do I expect the quality of service to increase? Yes, actually.

Anyone who has ever ordered at a fast food drive through has no doubt seen the marvelous pieces of junk that make for the drive-through intercom. Imagine talking on the phone with someone whose voice is muffled. That someone is mumbling. That someone is your dog. That's about what drive through speak is like. The idea that they are sending this out to a call-center suggests that they have actually care about the communications infrastructure of the drive-thru, which will mean better service. As it stands now, the order is just put on a screen for the restaraunt workers to put the order together, so that merits no change. A clearer connection, and someone who was hired because they speak clearly would be a step up. From a labor point of view, it makes individual restaraunt employees more valuable, and the drive-thru workers have a better work environments in a casual office setting.

Now, if they're going to do this, they can also have language specialists, so that customers who want to order in Japanese, Spanish, German, Russian, French, or some other language, they could press the buttons to place their order with someone in a particular language.

But what they should really do is just have a button system for each customer's order. You could even play 20 questions or something to get an order for a customer who doesn't know what they want. You could make the readouts next to the sceen.

Ways this could go wrong:

1) More centralized control over restaraunts so wrong orders cannot be corrected. (doubtful)
2) Call center workers strike. (slightly less doubtful)
3) Call center workers have minimal language proficiency. (slightly more likely)
4) Call center workers are rude to customers and nothing can be done about it. (more likely)
5) Machines are not upkept, and then someone 200 miles away says "mrhmmmh mhrrhmmf mrrhmffmrhmhfr Big Mac mmrfhmhrfm." (most likely)

My reaction:
I always go into the restaraunt. First of all, it's a quality control thing; if it looks dirty or smells dirty, run away, because fast food places just work like that. If they screw up my order, I can say so. I can get condiments and not worry about messing up my car. I don't like to eat and drive. I can get a free refill when I'm done.

Labels: Economic Stuff

The blog is called "Because I Can" for a reason.

I'm doing CBS Sportsline's Fantasy Baseball. Just for fun, I'll also do an all-Dodger team, which will have a new lineup thanks to Eric Gagne's new surgery. As far as I know, Friday is not the Canadian April Fools Day.

Anyway, the way it's set up, you get a roster of up to 24 players. You can draft up to 22 players, and then pick up 2 more off waivers. You get 22 Starters, strangely enough, with 9 pitchers, one of each of the infield positions, 2 catchers, 5 outfielders, and 2 non-pitcher "utility players," which is where you'd have to put David Ortiz. My opening bunch is as follows

Pitchers
Roy Halladay
Brad Penny
Ben Sheets
Jose Contreras
Felix Hernandez
Bobby Jenks
Tom "Flash" Gordon
Chris Reitsma
Mike Gonzalez

Outfield
Ichiro Suzuki
Ken Griffey, Jr
Jason Bay
Jay Gibbons
Milton Bradley

Infield
Troy Glaus - 3B
Bobby Crosby - SS
Jeff Kent - 2B
Richie Sexson - 1B

Catcher
Javy Lopez
Bengie Molina

Utility
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Jacque Jones - OF

Soriano went quickly, but he becomes a good player to have this season as you can put him in when you need a spare outfielder, and otherwise play him at second. As for my guys, Gibbons can handle outfield and also first. Zimmerman keeps me covered at third.

There are 10 teams per league. I get ranked in categories each week, and then I get 11-ranking, that is if I finish first in ERA, I get 10 points. The categories are

Pitching
ERA, K, WHIP, W, S

Offense
BA, RBI, H, HR, SB

Why no defense, I don't know. You could have a punishment score for errors, bonus points for outfield assists, fielding percentage, etc.

I've never done a fantasy league before actually. I'll see how this goes. I'm optimistic.

Labels: Fantasy

So the first game of the season, the Dodgers lost 11-10, as Derek Lowe looked terrible. The rally in the end was not enough to win the game, but it was nice to know the Dodger offense was capable of such things, namely 10 runs without a homer.

As it stands though, Opening Day means very little. Consider the following season outcomes since the 1958 move to LA:

Season Result.............................Opening Day Record
Losing Season............................................6-6
Winning Season, No playoffs.................12-9
Playoffs, no pennant.................................2-3
Lose World Series....................................4-0
Win World Series......................................1-4

In the Dodgers win the pennant, following trends would indicate that they would win the World Series. At least it's nice to think that.

The second game, though, was better, as they won 5-4. It would have been 5-1 were it not for the 3 runs given up by Jae Seo in the top of the 8th with 2 outs. One could make the case, though, that after retiring 8 consecutive batters and then allowing a double, that Seo lost a bit of his rhythym. He had thrown 40 pitches up to that point, and further, the most important thing with him is his confidence. The following has also been said of Rick Honeycutt:

Rick Honeycutt is the absolute worse pitching coach in history. Two games into his tenure in Los Angeles and the results have been disastrous. On Monday with the Dodgers trailing something like 34-1 in the 5th inning and a runner on, Honeycutt went to the mound to settle down Derek Lowe . Whatever tip he gave Lowe obviously didn't work as the very next pitch to Andruw Jones was slammed for a home run.
In the 8th inning of a 5-1 ballgame, Seo gave up a hit here and a double there to allow a run. With the score now 5-2 and a runner on second base, enter Rick Honeycutt. A few words, a nodding of the head, and a soft pat on the butt later, and the coaching session ended.

Grady Little made the same point.

RICK HONEYCUTT made his first appearance as the team's new pitching coach, going to the mound in the fifth, and after chatting with Lowe, Andruw Jones hit the next pitch for a three-run homer.

"I told Honeycutt whatever you just told Lowe, don't ever tell him that again," Little said.

But after two innings, the Dodgers should have had someone other than Baez ready to go for the end. Yesterday they used Kuo, Osoria, Brazoban and Baez. So Lance Carter still has not seen action, and easily could have finished up, pitched his 1/3 inning, been pinch hit for, and sat down. Or for that matter, Tim Hamulack, the lefty specialist, may not have been a bad option to pitch to the left-hander LaRoche.

As for tonight's game, Odalis Perez is pitching against Horacio Ramirez. The Big Little has decided that Sandy Alomar Jr will catch Perez. It is also likely that Olmedo Saenz will start at first. Here was Monday's lineup and what each player bats

Furcal - S
Cruz - S
Drew - L
Kent - R
Saenz - R
Mueller - S
Alomar - R
Repko - R
pitcher

And in that lineup, Saenz had 3 strikeouts, but he may fare better against the lefty. Repko may have better luck tonight, and he has started the season 5-8 with a walk. Given those probables, I personally would go with

Furcal - S
Cruz - S
Drew - L
Kent - R
Repko - R
Mueller - S
Saenz - R
Alomar - R
pitcher

and if Atlanta brings in a right handed reliever, the Dodgers go from 1 lefty to 4 (not counting the pitcher's spot, but who cares).

Osoria, Kuo, Brazoban, Carter, and Hamulack are well-rested and ready to come out of the bullpen.

Go Dodgers. You're on TBS tonight.

Labels: Dodgers