.

Git yer game programs, five bucks, free scorecard.  Git yer scorecard!

Published before the game today, so if Erasmo gets shelled, don't blame me.  It is given to no mortal man to be assured of survival in the harsh, predator-infested jungle that is the American League (TM).

.............

In the article M's next playoff team in Safeco next WEEK, we celebrated the possibility that we are (at long last, after five years) seeing the M's next pennantwinner jell.  If that's true, Erasmo Ramirez could very easily be a key to it.  Can you imagine this guy as a #4 or even #5 starter?!

...........

In This Debate Is Preposterous, we raged against the dying of the light.  There was a spring training debate going on as to whether Erasmo is good.  Erasmo is an SSI Best Bet.  You gotta understand where his 1+ BB are coming from.  Once you do, you realize he can't miss.  Well, he could get injured; that's all.

Man, are we ever relieved that Erasmo Ramirez is back.  YYYEAAHHHHHhhhhhh Baby

..........

In Erasmo Ramirez Comparables, this February, we specified the 5 things that SSI sees as making Erasmo a distinct pitcher ... well, belonging to a very distinct template.

There are three current MLB pitchers who click on all 5 of these defining characteristics.  They are Doug Fister, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Kris Medlen (who is running a 3.45 ERA for Atlanta this year, 3.00 ERA career).

In 9.30.12 - the Offseason Crunch, we explored further the similarities between Fister and Erasmo.  Bottom line is, there's a whale of a good shot that the M's just placed a Doug Fister into the rotation.  Or 90% of one.  Or 105% of one? ...

........

In Come Up to the Lab, See What's On the Slab, we talked about the various "pitcher families" that run 1+ walk rates.  Erasmo's is the best version of this template.  That's a three-part clickthrough in which we ask, "If Erasmo Ramirez LOOKED like Jered Weaver, how hyped would he be?"

Erasmo don' look like a good pitcher.  He is, though.  Our number four starter?  Even five?  Imagine!