Rippee Writes: Wednesday Scoop
Tim Elko's injury, Masters picks, weekend rotation looks the same
Happy Wednesday. We’ve got a new podcast out with Collin Brister in what started as an emergency segment to discuss Tim Elko being out with a torn ACL and turned into an entire podcast that stands on its own. Check it out here or anywhere you get your podcasts.
If you read yesterday’s newsletter I teased a podcast conversation with my old radio colleague Michael Borkey. I am holding that until either tonight or tomorrow because it was a fantastic conversation and I didn’t want it to get lost in the shuffle of a three-hour-long podcast. My girlfriend doesn’t even enjoy me blabbering for half that length of time. Why would I subject you to that? So, a bonus podcast this week for the people. Call me a hero if you wish. I won’t deny it.
We’ve got a ton to dive into today. Let’s roll.
Elko out with a torn ACL
As most of us feared, Mike Bianco announced in his pregame radio segment last night that Tim Elko tore his right ACL and will be out indefinitely. I won’t rehash what I wrote yesterday, but man this sucks for a kid that was having an unbelievable year. Bianco left open the possibility of Elko rehabbing it for a couple weeks, taking medication and returning to the lineup if he can tolerate the pain. Obviously, this means designated hitting as there is no feasible way Elko plays in the field with a torn ACL and I have my doubts about this being realistic, but rather wishful thinking because Elko is a tough kid that wants to help his team. It’s his right leg, meaning it is his back hitting leg. I’d be more optimistic about a potential return at DH if it were his front leg and not the one used to transfer weight and twist the body. I am no baseball mechanics savant. That is just my opinion. I hope my skepticism is misplaced both for Elko’s sake and the team’s future.
As far as how to replace him, I’d encourage you to listen to the podcast as Collin and I went over every realistic scenario. But, in short, the idea he will be replaced is silly. You can’t fill a 36-RBI, .660 slugging percentage-sized hole. The kid led the SEC in RBIs. That’s unrealistic to salvage with one man. The entire lineup is going to have to be more consistent. The way the Rebels fill the void is by being collectively better in the other eight slots. I would venture to bet Cael Baker gets the first crack at a direct replacement as far as first base goes, but it is essentially going to come down to who hits between him, Trey LaFleur, Ben Van Cleve and Calvin Harris (who, keep in mind, can’t play the field because of his own injury). Other than that, the only case I can make is sliding Hayden Leatherwood to DH and playing John Rhys Plumlee in right field or Plumlee playing center field, T.J. McCants in left field and Kevin Graham coming in to first base.
None of these are ideal options, but with LaFleur and Baker back healthy this week, it at least gives Bianco more ways to try. Baker and LaFleur have yet to prove they can consistently handle elite-level pitching, but there is an argument to be made the opportunity has been lacking. LaFleur only had 23 at-bats before he got mono and Baker has had the year from hell between starting the season with COVID and then breaking his hand. One of those two realizing their potential at the plate is the best bet for a seamless transition.
Greg has more spicy ribeye sausage and has added it back the special. You can go to LBs now and get a $10 16 oz prime strip and a free pack of spicy ribeye sausage. How the hell can you beat that? Show him you subscribe to the newsletter and you’re all set. Thanks for being part of the team and enjoy.
Drew McDaniel starts midweek
Drew McDaniel started last night’s 8-1 win over Alcorn State. When I saw the lineup card I assumed it would be a bullpen day but it was not. He threw 66 pitches over four innings, which tells me Derek Diamond is likely staying as the Sunday starter for at least another week. Maybe I am wrong about that. Maybe McDaniel threw 66 pitches and is out for Friday, held Saturday and can go again Sunday, but I don’t see how that makes a ton of sense.
So, assuming it is Diamond again, I disagree with the lack of a switch. McDaniel is your third-best starter right now and I’d want my three best guys on the hill in a series that may decide the SEC West. Plus, Diamond is a much more concrete fit in the bullpen as the bridge guy to Taylor Broadway that Ole Miss currently lacks. McDaniel was used in that role in game two at Florida, but I would argue using him for one inning is not deriving his full value. For now, it looks like Diamond will have one more chance to prove himself but his leash will be short. I am fascinated to see how this plays out.
Masters week picks
This is one of the greatest sports weeks of the year and I am excited to see fans back at August in its normal springtime state. I am sure many of you are in Masters pools or have some sort of stake in the proceedings, so here are my picks. This is based solely on who I think has the best shot to win and is not based on any odds, value or pooled group picks.
Jordan Spieth - going with the obvious here. A winner last week, Spieth looks to have regained his 2017 form as he returns to a place that’s been simultaneously kind and cruel to him throughout his young career. What a story it would be if he won a second jacket a week after trumping the struggles he fought the last four years, while also conquering a course that has issued him a dose of heartbreak.
Colin Morikowa - not sure how you can’t have this guy on your shortlist every major championship. The guy has three wins with a major in the last nine months. The consistency is remarkable.
Brooks Koepka - he got petty on Twitter about a prediction that he wouldn’t be back in time for this event and a petty Brooks Koepka is a dangerous one. Plus, he just got engaged so that has to count for some sort of mental boost, unless he’s a Rory McIlroy type that reeled off two majors after breaking off an engagement. I like Kopeka a lot here.
Lee Westwood - He’s played great golf the last four months and this isn’t a course that the 47-year-old is going to be left behind on by the young bombers in the sport. Hell, Fred Couples will still make a cameo on the Friday leaderboard when he’s 82. I listened to a Westwood press conference a while back and he seems like a man at peace with his career and how things shook out to this point, rather than a man that lives with the agony of what might have been a few times. This would be a neat story and he’s currently got the form to back it up.
Sergio Garcia - seems like a classic frontrunner pick if this was 2010, but he has a Major Championship pedigree and his numbers tee-to-green the last two months are among the best in the world.
Rickie Fowler? Sorry, that was rude. Hope he’s back next year. I wonder if he’s allowed on the grounds to congratulate the winner on Sunday if he’s not in the field.
Go see the guys at SkyBox Sports picks and don’t miss out on the fun this week.
On the horizon
Bonus pod with Michael Borkey tonight or tomorrow
Mailbag Friday and Grill Corner with Greg
Tons of Arkansas series preview content
Masters reaction
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for subscribing. Help me grow this thing by telling your friends to subscribe. It’s as easy as the click of a button.
