GDT: 07/20/2013: Braves at White Sox

I'd love to add a frontline pitcher, I don't trust our starters if we make the playoffs.

But we don't have the prospects for one, it's really that simple.
 
I want Beachy and Wood in the rotation. Hopefully they use this injury to Maholm as an excuse to kick him to the curb.
 
Heyward said:
I'd love to add a frontline pitcher, I don't trust our starters if we make the playoffs.

But we don't have the prospects for one, it's really that simple.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree about not trusting the starters, however, let's see Wood and Beachy in the rotation first. I think it's safe to say we've seen Maholm for the last time. 6 runs should have been more than enough to win, but Maholm made that point moot.
 
tvsportscaster said:
Yeah, I agree about not trusting the starters, however, let's see Wood and Beachy in the rotation first. I think it's safe to say we've seen Maholm for the last time. 6 runs should have been more than enough to win, but Maholm made that point moot.
Click to expand...

I trust Beachy, he'll be fresh down the stretch ala like Medlen last year

I do like Wood but more-so next year. Still wary of his mechanics though.

And this should be Maholms last start or at least in the bullpen.
 
If Beachy or Wood are ready to go before Maholm's next start and Maholm starts again, then Fredi isn't serious about winning.
 
AUTiger7222 said:
The Braves only have a 6-man pen right now because of all the injuries to the outfielders.
Click to expand...

And it wasn't all that long ago that 6-man bullpens were commonplace. Those were in the days when starting pitchers actually pitched deep into ballgames. What a novel concept that is.
 
tvsportscaster said:
And it wasn't all that long ago that 6-man bullpens were commonplace. Those were in the days when starting pitchers actually pitched deep into ballgames. What a novel concept that is.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Although I'd be interested to know if two of the factors I thought about are playing a part: With sabermetrics being a huge factor in many teams' decisions, I wonder if the Oakland adage of take as many pitches as possible is wearing on starting pitchers. I mean guys like Teheran are throwing 90-100 pitches by the 5th inning these days. Sure Hudson had a solid game yetserday and very economical, but he doesn't do that every start.

Micromanaging by Managers is also what's leading to too much bullpen usage. I wonder if this was the Grady Little effect, of trusting your starter too much and then losing the game on the starter instead of possibly using the guy in the bullpen. I also buy into Orel Hershisher's theory of increased stress pitches. Because guys are taking so many pitches and working up pitch counts, I think a lot of pitchers have the mindset that they need throw a quality pitch. With shortstops and secondbaseman having evolved into huge power threats themselves (where 15-20 years ago they were just defensive little guys who were table setters) there really aren't many black holes in a lineup for a pitcher to get an easy out. Strikeouts are increasing which means a 3 pitch at-bat minimum. Hudson and Maddux could pitch an economic game because they were getting guys out on the first or second pitch and ending innings rather quickly.
 
If Maholm is going to be in the bullpen, it should be mop-up duty only. Don't need his soft tossing when we NEED to get a hitter out. Really hope Beachy can come back strong and the other guys in the rotation have good second halves.
 
Dodgers just went up 2-1 over Nats in the tenth still batting with runner at third (one out so far).

3-1 now as Either hit a sac-fly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top