06-08-2007, 05:41 PM
I’m really getting annoyed at Randolph’s short leash on every starter and the overvaluing of pitch counts. I know the game has changed, bullpens are deeper, blah blah blah. But someone needs to remind him that it’s okay to allow a starter to pitch into the 8th inning or even, dare I say, the 9th!
Hernandez wasn’t his sharpest Wednesday night, but was still in pretty good control of things after 6. He walked a few more than you’d like, but was able to keep the ball down and get double plays when he needed it. But after 99 pitches and a 2-0 lead, that was it for him. So they bring in Heilman in the 7th, and he proceeds to inexcusably walk the leadoff hitter, who inevitably scored on the Rollins HR.
Speaking of Heilman, is there any doubt that he’s going to the Cubs as part of a Zambrano deal? Now that Mota’s back, Heilman’s been used in the 7th a bit more often while they test Mota and Smith in the setup role. In spite of the Philadelphia series, the bullpen is a strength so it makes sense to trade from a strength to bolster the rotation down the stretch. Sure he’s a bit of a fucking maniac and walks a ton of people, but he’s still one of the top young pitchers in the league. Plus, with all the money they saved by not overspending on the likes of Zito or Schmidt or Matsuzaka, they should be able to afford to sign him after the season.
Last night’s game is an even better example of the overrating of pitch counts. Maine pitched very well and was finally given a lead to work with. He had only 98 pitches through 7. I could see where you wouldn’t want to push Hernandez too far given his injury history and age (whatever that may be). But there’s no reason a 26-year old that’s pitched as well as Maine has should not be allowed to surpass the 100 pitch mark. It’s not like it’s early in the season anymore and he needs to work his way into playing shape or anything. What are you saving him for? September? October? These games count too. If you don’t win these games, the games in September won’t matter. As important as it is to be able to rely on your bullpen, it’s equally important to be able to have confidence in your starters to pitch deep into games. I’m sure the reason he went to Feliciano in the 8th was that the top of the order was due up - 2 switch hitters then Utley. But Maine did a pretty good job against them all game. Why not give him the chance to get through them one more time? If he gets into trouble, then I can see bringing in Feliciano to pitch to Utley and/or Howard. Confounding things even more is the fact that Maine was due up 2nd in the 7th. After Gomez reached on the bunt hit, why not use Maine to bunt him over? Instead they bring in Easley who struck out after failing to get the bunt down. Oh yeah, I also don’t know why Easley didn’t start and bat 2nd. He’s killed left handed pitching all year. Valentin’s always been awful batting right-handed, and you’re going to bring him back off the DL and immediately throw him in against Hamels? The fact that Wagner was bought in in the 8th suggests that this was a very important game that they felt they needed to win before hitting the road. Instead of extending your closer, why not extend your starter and let him prove he can get big outs late in the game?
Scott Schoeneweis has officially become Mel Rojas reincarnate. Every time I see him warming up in the bullpen, my reaction is always the same. A disgusted sigh followed by either ‘fuck’ or ‘goddamn it.’ It’s a similar response most Mets fans had when Armando Benitez entered a game. But at least Benitez saved a bunch of games and did something productive to help the team win. Schoeneweis is just plain garbage. If anything, he should be relegated to a Mike Stanton/Jesse Orosco/Mike Myers role. One lefty a night, maybe two. Either that or he should be used exclusively in blowout games to mop up. Giving him any more responsibility than that is just asking to lose the game.
Every time David Wright throws to first I cringe. It’s only a matter of time before he pulls Delgado off the bag and he ends up getting run into and injured a la Cliff Floyd/Derrek Lee.
Carlos Gomez is ridiculously fast, but has no business being in the major leagues right now. I’m assuming when Green comes off the DL Sunday that he’ll be sent down, but seeing how poor the decision making has been the last few days, I’m not too sure anymore…
Hernandez wasn’t his sharpest Wednesday night, but was still in pretty good control of things after 6. He walked a few more than you’d like, but was able to keep the ball down and get double plays when he needed it. But after 99 pitches and a 2-0 lead, that was it for him. So they bring in Heilman in the 7th, and he proceeds to inexcusably walk the leadoff hitter, who inevitably scored on the Rollins HR.
Speaking of Heilman, is there any doubt that he’s going to the Cubs as part of a Zambrano deal? Now that Mota’s back, Heilman’s been used in the 7th a bit more often while they test Mota and Smith in the setup role. In spite of the Philadelphia series, the bullpen is a strength so it makes sense to trade from a strength to bolster the rotation down the stretch. Sure he’s a bit of a fucking maniac and walks a ton of people, but he’s still one of the top young pitchers in the league. Plus, with all the money they saved by not overspending on the likes of Zito or Schmidt or Matsuzaka, they should be able to afford to sign him after the season.
Last night’s game is an even better example of the overrating of pitch counts. Maine pitched very well and was finally given a lead to work with. He had only 98 pitches through 7. I could see where you wouldn’t want to push Hernandez too far given his injury history and age (whatever that may be). But there’s no reason a 26-year old that’s pitched as well as Maine has should not be allowed to surpass the 100 pitch mark. It’s not like it’s early in the season anymore and he needs to work his way into playing shape or anything. What are you saving him for? September? October? These games count too. If you don’t win these games, the games in September won’t matter. As important as it is to be able to rely on your bullpen, it’s equally important to be able to have confidence in your starters to pitch deep into games. I’m sure the reason he went to Feliciano in the 8th was that the top of the order was due up - 2 switch hitters then Utley. But Maine did a pretty good job against them all game. Why not give him the chance to get through them one more time? If he gets into trouble, then I can see bringing in Feliciano to pitch to Utley and/or Howard. Confounding things even more is the fact that Maine was due up 2nd in the 7th. After Gomez reached on the bunt hit, why not use Maine to bunt him over? Instead they bring in Easley who struck out after failing to get the bunt down. Oh yeah, I also don’t know why Easley didn’t start and bat 2nd. He’s killed left handed pitching all year. Valentin’s always been awful batting right-handed, and you’re going to bring him back off the DL and immediately throw him in against Hamels? The fact that Wagner was bought in in the 8th suggests that this was a very important game that they felt they needed to win before hitting the road. Instead of extending your closer, why not extend your starter and let him prove he can get big outs late in the game?
Scott Schoeneweis has officially become Mel Rojas reincarnate. Every time I see him warming up in the bullpen, my reaction is always the same. A disgusted sigh followed by either ‘fuck’ or ‘goddamn it.’ It’s a similar response most Mets fans had when Armando Benitez entered a game. But at least Benitez saved a bunch of games and did something productive to help the team win. Schoeneweis is just plain garbage. If anything, he should be relegated to a Mike Stanton/Jesse Orosco/Mike Myers role. One lefty a night, maybe two. Either that or he should be used exclusively in blowout games to mop up. Giving him any more responsibility than that is just asking to lose the game.
Every time David Wright throws to first I cringe. It’s only a matter of time before he pulls Delgado off the bag and he ends up getting run into and injured a la Cliff Floyd/Derrek Lee.
Carlos Gomez is ridiculously fast, but has no business being in the major leagues right now. I’m assuming when Green comes off the DL Sunday that he’ll be sent down, but seeing how poor the decision making has been the last few days, I’m not too sure anymore…