masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDo I save the leftover chicken piccata for dinner or eat it for lunch?

Does it have to be one or the other?

OK, here’s the actual decision that I’m referencing:

The Rangers put a runner on second base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Nelson Cruz represented the tying run.

Jake Arrieta fell behind, 2-0, on two sliders. He got a strike on a 91 mph fastball, and missed with the same pitch to leave the count at 3-1.

Cruz had to be looking fastball, but Arrieta went back to the…Do I save the leftover chicken piccata for dinner or eat it for lunch?

Does it have to be one or the other?

OK, here’s the actual decision that I’m referencing:

The Rangers put a runner on second base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Nelson Cruz represented the tying run.

Jake Arrieta fell behind, 2-0, on two sliders. He got a strike on a 91 mph fastball, and missed with the same pitch to leave the count at 3-1.

Cruz had to be looking fastball, but Arrieta went back to the slider (82 mph) and got a called strike. The potential go-ahead run would have stepped to the plate if Arrieta issued a walk. Gutsy decision.

With the count full, Cruz grounded a 92 mph fastball to shortstop Cesar Izturis, who made the backhanded stop and throw for the final out.

Arrieta continues to hold a 3-1 lead. He’s allowed six hits, walked two and struck out three, and his pitch count stands at 88.

That’s back-to-back quality starts from Chris Tillman and Arrieta as we head to the top of the seventh. And that’s one reason to be excited about the start of the second half.

Take whatever thrills you can get.

Tracking the young starters and hoping that they become established in the majors will have to replace a pennant race.