David Stearns did a terrific job bolstering the bullpen at the trade deadline, exactly as he had promised. So why do I feel like we are still in trouble?
It is not the anemic hitting. Players go through stretches where they struggle, but they come out of it.
It is the starting pitching, which in the year to date has only compiled 561 innings in 112 games. That is barely above 5 innings per game. I have written before about this and the stress it puts on the bullpen and I will continue as long as Carlos Mendoza and Jeremy Hefner continue to baby the starters.
This is not April when it is cold and arms are vulnerable. This is August and the “Ace” of our staff is pulled after four innings. It is documented in the statistics that Senga gets better each time through the lineup. Why is he not pushed further? Why does Sean Manaea get promoted from his rehab assignments if he can’t throw five complete innings? Why is David Peterson the only one on the staff that can last more than six innings?
The reason is buried in the minds of Mendoza and Hefner. They won’t come out and say it, but it is either fear of injury or fear of losing. But one should feel much more fear of losing when Ryne Stanek’s number is called than deciding to let Senga throw one more inning. So are they not telling the public about arm issues with our starters?
The bullpen arms are going to be frayed by the end of the season even with the new replacements we have gained. Then we will really fear losing. There has to be some realization that this is a formula for disaster.
Now sometimes, like on Sunday, you have to pull a guy after seven earned runs in four innings. But not after four, especially if the opponent is not hitting the ball hard.
My opinion is that Carlos Mendoza needs to push his starters a little harder this month. What’s yours?
6 comments:
What is a Montas antidote? Sproat.
Last 6 outings in AAA, 33 IP, 2 earned runs. TWO.
TheMets owe Montas about $23 million. So you can’t really cut him…so stick him in the pen and cut stinky Stanek and promote Sproat. Stop worrying about having a guy reach free agency a year earlier if you call him up too soon. Sproat is ready.
Montas and Stanek have been shelled. Cut Stanek, Montas to pen.
If Sproat struggles, add Montas back to rotation and call up Ross.
Let’s go.
Of course, they will first call up AAAA Blackburn. So Sproat shouldn’t pack his bags for Queens. Stearns has a plan.
Of course, part of that plan was Montas, Stanek, and Blackburn. How is that working out.
Of course, he didn't keep Houser and Vasil, who are 11-5, 2.30 in 140 innings. The rest of their CWS team is a 1962Mets-like 21-65. They weren’t in the plan.
Notice their ERA is not 4.30, or 3.30. It is 2.30. That would be the 4th best ERA in the entire majors.
Well said. Now with an improved pen, Mendoza will pull starters even sooner.
Under Stearns, Gooden doesn’t make his debut until 1986 or 1987
Aptoklas, Gooden sure doesn’t get called up at 19.
Gooden, though, would have benefited from reduced innings. Greatly.
Last 50 games
Starters average
4.5 innings
Agreed, the way they are using their pitchers and hitters has been puzzling all season. Benching hitters after a breakout game. Pulling Holmes after 70 pitches when he's cruising, only to leave him in another start when his stuff isn't crisp, only to watch him get shelled later.
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