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BrotherBri · August 20th, 2007, 10:21 PM

Now, for the last part ...

The ex-relievers -- My greatest concern is for Braden Looper. How many times this year has he pitched 5 scoreless innings only to give up runs in the 6th and/or 7th? Hmmm ... in the first half alone, he did exactly this on 04/04, 04/25, 05/24, and 06/03. On 05/01, having pitched 7 innings in 3 out of his previous 4 starts, and having topped 100 pitches in the previous start, he pitched 4 scoreless, then lost it. On 05/18, having topped 100 pitches two starts in a row, he had nothing. And as we know, his shoulder tired and tightened, pulling him from the rotation in mid-June.

When he came back ... hmmm ... lesseee ... 07/02, 07/26, 08/11 and 8/17. That's 8 starts already this year of 5 scoreless, then come the runs. And in the 7 starts after throwing 100 pitches, he's been bombed 4 times, and given 3 runs in 6 innings another time. Attempt #8 comes up next start, and I'm terrified that he'll have nothing.

To me, this shows an important pattern -- this man has a limit. Recognize that limit and gear your squad accordingly. Have a true long reliever prepared to go 3-4 innings ready for each Looper start. If Looper would bat in the 5th, pinch hit for him and bring in your long man. If not, let him start the 6th, but pull him as soon as he tops 90 pitches or gets into trouble. Then you don't risk both the current start AND the next one.

Mulder could actually serve this function in his first appearance (or two) back in the bigs. Let Looper go 4-5, then let Mulder go 3-5. If both do well, save the rest of the pen for another day. If not, then Looper is fresh to do well next time out, and Mulder got his work in. Or, if Maroth has a healthy elbow and has stopped tipping his pitches, he could do it. Or Dunc could prepare Keisler or Cate to do it.

But until those pitchers join the big club, Brad Thompson should do it. It will be more like starting for him, and he did respond fairly well to that ... at least for 3-5 innings each start.

I worry about Wainwright and Reyes as well ... Reyes because of his past injury history, and Wainwright because TLR has had him top 100 pitches 11 times already ... and this being his first year as a big-league starter, that has to be wearing. Mentally, Wainwright is showing terrific toughness, but we must do something to make sure the arm survives.

I wouldn't mind seeing Wellemeyer either rejoin the rotation and give every starter a bump back 3-4 days once or twice in Sept. (something Mulder can do when he returns), or do what I'm asking to be done with Thompson, Cate, Keisler and/or Maroth -- turn him into a split starter with Reyes, Looper, Mulder or Wainwright. Find a way to preserve the golden arms. For the love of God ...

Alright, gang ... have at it!

August 20th, 2007, 10:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
BrotherBri Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 47	Looper, Reyes and Wainwright Now, for the last part ... The ex-relievers -- My greatest concern is for Braden Looper. How many times this year has he pitched 5 scoreless innings only to give up runs in the 6th and/or 7th? Hmmm ... in the first half alone, he did exactly this on 04/04, 04/25, 05/24, and 06/03. On 05/01, having pitched 7 innings in 3 out of his previous 4 starts, and having topped 100 pitches in the previous start, he pitched 4 scoreless, then lost it. On 05/18, having topped 100 pitches two starts in a row, he had nothing. And as we know, his shoulder tired and tightened, pulling him from the rotation in mid-June. When he came back ... hmmm ... lesseee ... 07/02, 07/26, 08/11 and 8/17. That's 8 starts already this year of 5 scoreless, then come the runs. And in the 7 starts after throwing 100 pitches, he's been bombed 4 times, and given 3 runs in 6 innings another time. Attempt #8 comes up next start, and I'm terrified that he'll have nothing. To me, this shows an important pattern -- this man has a limit. Recognize that limit and gear your squad accordingly. Have a true long reliever prepared to go 3-4 innings ready for each Looper start. If Looper would bat in the 5th, pinch hit for him and bring in your long man. If not, let him start the 6th, but pull him as soon as he tops 90 pitches or gets into trouble. Then you don't risk both the current start AND the next one. Mulder could actually serve this function in his first appearance (or two) back in the bigs. Let Looper go 4-5, then let Mulder go 3-5. If both do well, save the rest of the pen for another day. If not, then Looper is fresh to do well next time out, and Mulder got his work in. Or, if Maroth has a healthy elbow and has stopped tipping his pitches, he could do it. Or Dunc could prepare Keisler or Cate to do it. But until those pitchers join the big club, Brad Thompson should do it. It will be more like starting for him, and he did respond fairly well to that ... at least for 3-5 innings each start. I worry about Wainwright and Reyes as well ... Reyes because of his past injury history, and Wainwright because TLR has had him top 100 pitches 11 times already ... and this being his first year as a big-league starter, that has to be wearing. Mentally, Wainwright is showing terrific toughness, but we must do something to make sure the arm survives. I wouldn't mind seeing Wellemeyer either rejoin the rotation and give every starter a bump back 3-4 days once or twice in Sept. (something Mulder can do when he returns), or do what I'm asking to be done with Thompson, Cate, Keisler and/or Maroth -- turn him into a split starter with Reyes, Looper, Mulder or Wainwright. Find a way to preserve the golden arms. For the love of God ... Alright, gang ... have at it! __________________ Just a thought ...