Runnin
Well-known member
Which again is absolutely fine if there was some sort of method to the way he used Jackson and Martin. Two days ago Martin came in in the 6th and was followed by Jackson then Chavez. They're less-trustworthy - no doubt - but the way they're constantly used in different situations certainly can't make it any easier for them to be used late in games.
That's the difference between managing "by the numbers" vs. handling personalities and mindsets. We constantly hear how much harder the last 3 outs are to get and how much harder it is to pitch in the 8th inning than the 6th. The numbers tell you that shouldn't be an issue, yet we continue to see Minter, Matzek, Jackson, etc. struggle mightily in the later innings even when the matchups seem to favor them.
Is that between their ears? Sure. Unfortunately there's not much anyone can do about that. If you burn Rodriguez early, you're always going to be left with guys who have a track record of struggling later in games. If Minter/Matzek/Jackson/Martin are going to blow a lead, I'd just as soon they do it when the offense still has a chance to score again rather than be stuck with three outs left and all the air sucked out of the building.
The bullpen has been great lately, top of the league. Just because you don't see a method doesn't mean there isn't one. Whatever method or lack thereof is being used now, it's working.