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Pitching today June 19, 2009

Posted by sedao15 in opinion.
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What is with the game these days?  Pitchers can’t go past the 6th inning before being pulled or before they are tired.  In todays games there is only a handful of pitchers that can go 7+ innings and in the new pitchers only 1 I can think of off the back, Tim Lincecum.  You have Johan, Roy Halladay, and some others.  But those are the big names today.  You look at most teams and you might have one pitcher that can 7+ innings.  That is kinda pathetic.  But with todays pitchers it is necessary.  You don’t want to hurt the pitchers and you have a healthy bullpen that is at your disposal.  So why are SP getting the big bucks and the middle relievers get treated like second class citizens when in the game today they are so valuable.  Also why is it only a 40 man roster when the bullpen is so valuable that any major league team could use a couple extra pitchers to ensure that there boys can get some rest?

Today’s game has changed so much in the last 10 years.  I enjoy it though.  The amount of pitchers that can throw 100mph is at an all time high it seems, and the fact that you throw 100mph is awesome but not as amazing when Randy Johnson could throw 100.  Also now-a-days these guys are being put in the bullpen to ensure them being a solid stopper.  Today’s game has transformed so that people stay fresh and on top of the game.

The Bullpen June 2, 2009

Posted by sedao15 in opinion.
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What is that now 2 for 2 now.  I swear the Mariners must be reading my blog because guess who is now in the bullpen… JakabWHO thats WHO!  I would like to say as a reliever in 3 appearances and 6 innings he has allowed only 2 runs and that happened in one game.  Also noteworthy is that he has only allowed 8 hits/walks in those 6 innings as a reliever.  He has finally been put in a role where he can suceed and the Mariners will badly need him. As of right now Batista is our best long reliever now with the insurgence Jakabwho the Mariners have brought some ligitimacy to their bullpen. 

Honestly with the Mariners they could use a 4 man rotation and create a stellar bullpen.  The SP would be Hernandez, Washburn, Bedard, and Jason Vargas.  Have them pitch 5-6 innings so they don’t get too tired unless they are pitching amazing.  Then you bring in Batista, Olsen, Jakabwho, White, and  even Silva.  All these guys can go 2-3 innings while shutting down the opposition.  With this thinking the mariners could have a good season and the bullpen would get the press that they deserve. 

When Rowland-Smith comes back that could give us a 5 starter but my big thing is why pitch someone to fail.  That is real hypocritical on my part considering I was a pitcher and wanted to pitch the whole game.  But if you put people in the bullpen then they know their role which is to get the game to the 8th/9th inning and give it to the set-up/closer. Rowland-Smith had a horrible outing back in April going 3.1 innings and giving up 4 hits and 4 walks. True he didn’t give up an earned run but that is too many people on base.

The mariners should reconsider how they conduct their starting lineup because many teams have gone with a 4 man rotation and if they have a deep bullpen the starters don’t have to get worn out if that’s what they worried about.  When the playoffs come “knock on wood” they are only going to be pitching 3 maybe 4 starters anyways.

Mariners defeat Angels May 21, 2009

Posted by sedao15 in Mariners Update.
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A shutout! That was great and the two vets won the game in the first inning.  The pitching today was amazing.  It was a very good game.  I watched Jakubwho pitch and he has good equal and opposite but it doesn’t look like he gets a lot of torque out of his pitches.  I still don’t think he’ll make a good starting pitcher but we currently have nothing better.  I see him as a solid middle relief pitcher however.  Our bullpen got another shutout which is awesome.  Tomorrow is a huge game because Bedard is going to pitch and it’ll be interesting how he pitches against Saunders.

Mariners vs ChiSox 4/29/09 April 30, 2009

Posted by sedao15 in Mariners Update.
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I am off this week.  Not giving my predictions or anything.  Today was an unfortunate battle for the M’s   after leading after the 5th inning they Bedard allows 2 more runs in the 6th before Kelley comes in to close the game out.  The worst part about the game is my boy Mark Lowe is blowing it.  I thought he was going to get back to where he was 2-3 years ago.  His stuff is there hitting 98mph but the movement might not be there and he might not be able to continue pitching well if his arm can’t keep up.  Giving up a hit and walk in an inning is tough which is why he gave up a run bringing his ERA up to 4.32.  He still can blow it by people by getting 2 strikeouts that inning but when he can’t just put it past someone they sure make him pay. 

My biggest qualms with Bedard is the longevity of his arm.  I think he is a big asset to the team but will he be able to pitch 200 innings?…  Most likely I think if he gets 150 innings it will be a good year for him.  However if he stays healthy for the year that gives the Mariners 2 very high quality pitchers.  Complimented with their bullpen and closer(s) this team might just make the playoffs this year. 

I am stating it right now the Mariners will win at least 90 games this year and if that is good enough to get into the playoffs they will go.  However the biggest problem for them will be a healthy Angels team.  Oakland won’t be much of a team especially since their best pitchers are all gone and Duchscherer  is hurt.  Texas has some quality players but they can’t make it just with Kevin Millwood pitching for them. 

In the AL west they need to start winning games and not allowing teams to come back obviously.