Kazmir ready to face the Rays

Mamba · May 11, 2010

ANAHEIM -- Less than a week ago, the Angels saw what a pitcher can do when he’s facing his former team and he manages to control his emotions. John Lackey dominated the Angels last week in Boston.

They’re hoping Scott Kazmir can bottle some of that when he goes against the Tampa Bay Rays for the first time in his career on Tuesday night. The Rays traded Kazmir to the Angels for Sean Rodriguez and minor-leaguers Matthew Sweeney and Alex Torres last August.

“I’m just going to be focusing on that mitt a little more and not who’s coming up to the plate,” Kazmir said. “These are guys I’ve spent five years with and developed a good relationship with. I talked to them as much as I could today and last night, got that out of the way, so now we can get down to business.”

Kazmir, who is 2-2 with 7.11 ERA, extended his bullpen session Saturday to try to rediscover the slider that made him one of the toughest pitchers to hit four years ago. He threw off flat ground just to get a feel for a pitch, then concentrated on throwing it off the mound.

Thus far, Kazmir’s slider has been a non-factor, part of the reason he has struggled putting away hitters and pitching deep into games. Rays manager Joe Maddon had Kazmir when he was still a three-pitch pitcher in 2006. Back then, his slider was his most devastating weapon.

“When I first got there, it was lightning,” Maddon said. “It was like a Ron Guidry, really nasty put-away pitch. I know it comes and goes with him, but he recommitted this off-season and, in talking with their coaches, he’s in good shape mentally.”

Kazmir said he would spend a little time reviewing tape of fellow lefty Dallas Braden’s perfect game against the Rays Sunday.

“I feel like I’ve seen every pitch already,” Kazmir said. “They’re going to be hungry to kind of redeem themselves, so we’ll be ready.”
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http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/angels/post/_/id/521/kazmir-ready-to-face-the-rays

Mamba · May 11, 2010

Maybe the Rays knew something about Kazmir when they traded him because his control is garbage. He doesn't have the zip on his fastball anymore and he doesn't even throw a slider anymore because he isn't comfortable with the grip.

I hate to admit this, but Thrilla, you were right. Kazmir sucks.

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Kazmir ready to face the Rays

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