Our Pitching staff?

Post #21 » by **SmallTownJournalist303** » Sun Apr 6, 2008 9:36 pm

whosthebosh? wrote:I think the fact that Halladay has given up 3 home runs in 2 starts is a cause for concern.

Agreed. Halladay succeeds by generating ground balls and not walking guys, so if one of those traits disappears...
Still, I'm confident this is just a beginning of the year thing. He should be fine.

Post #22 » by **OldNo7** » Sun Apr 6, 2008 9:40 pm

I find he is missing his location up a lot, which is never a positive thing for keeping the ball in play.

squeekysneakers · Post #23 » by **squeekysneakers** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 2:25 am

Doc hasn't looked that great. I think he will definitely get better over the next little while because he won't accept that from himself. That is what makes him our ace. He struggles, and that makes him work harder.

McGowan is our future ace, the guy has crazy stuff. He is absolutely amazing. Burnett finally has reason to pitch well (contract year and rumours are he wants out). This may motivate him to finally realize his potential.

Marcum has been at near no-hit ball several times in the last two years. He had a one hitter on Friday when he gave up the homerun. He made one bad pitch in the entire game.

Litsch will be okay. He needs to develop some new pitches and keep working hard, but I think that with our bullpen this year he could win more than he loses, they'll back him up. If he can go 5-6 innings then he will be fine.

BJ/Accardo - Is Ward/Henke if Ryan is in good health.
Tallet/League/Downs/Frasor - One heck of a good supporting cast
Wolfe/Wells - clean up guys that have decent stuff.

Our pitching is in good shape. If our hitting keeps it up: Watch out!

Jays/Rays in '08

Post #24 » by **spykelee** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 2:42 am

Like I've said before, I think doc is in Ace in the form of being a horse. You know, year in and year out, that doc is going to go out there every 5th day, and throw his 6-7-8-9 innings of quality ball. He's durable and reliable, so long as expectations are reasonable.

He will seldom be overpowering or dominating, but it will be effective and will keep his team in the game. But IMO gone are the days where he's going to throw a 9 inning shutout with 5+ K's, maybe once in ahwile but that isn't him anymore. U wont find a pitcher who's mentally tougher or who's more "in the game" in terms of each and every play. He demands the best at the plate and on the field. You wont find a guy more passionate or more upset at losing then Doc. He's a leader, and he's a horse. But he isn't the overpowering "ace" who's got filthy stuff and dominates a game. He's consistently good, but seldom, phenominal.

NeverGoingToWin · Post #25 » by **NeverGoingToWin** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 5:01 am

whosthebosh? wrote:I think the fact that Halladay has given up 3 home runs in 2 starts is a cause for concern.

I completely agree about the home runs being a concern. I do not have the same confidence in him that I usually have.

Sneakers:

Where have you heard rumors that Burnett wants out?

NeverGoingToWin · Post #26 » by **NeverGoingToWin** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 5:04 am

Our staff was also being talked about on Sunday night baseball. It is good to know that our staff is getting some recognition for how good they are.

Raps_Swingman · Post #27 » by **Raps_Swingman** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 6:04 am

Theres nothing to worry about with Doc, he just faced two of the toughest lineups in baseball. He will dominate most other teams on any given night, hes still an Ace in my book.

Michael Bradley · Post #28 » by **Michael Bradley** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 2:46 pm

Kosta wrote:Litsch got the job done today vs a very powerful Sox line-up. Who would be in line to take the 5 spot if he did start to struggle? Do we have another McGowarn/Marcum type talent in the minors ready for the bigs by mid-season or so?

The only pitcher close to being ready is Dave Purcey. He's a big lefty with power stuff that has never refined his command problems. I believe he turns 26 this year. He has the upside to be a very good pitcher, it's just a question of whether he can stop walking hitters. He had a great first start to the year in AAA, but he has to do more of that before I become a believer. I wouldn't be surprised if he's given the call if/when someone is needed to start.

Second in line is probably Ricky Romero, but he'll likely be lapped by Brett Cecil by the end of the year. Romero got crushed in his first AA start this year.

As for Halladay's HR issues, from what I recall, he always gives up HR's to Boston. Not surprising since they have a ton of power hitters. I'm not too worried about it.

asif9t9 · Post #29 » by **asif9t9** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 2:58 pm

I'm not worried about Halladay. Those starts were against NY and Boston. I can see him going on a shutout streak against other teams in the AL. That's how all the top pitchers rack up stats.

The_Hater · Post #30 » by **The_Hater** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 3:45 pm

I think our biggest issues are going to be injuries to the starting staff. With Janssen already out for the season and Chacin looking like a Single 'A' quality pitcher I'm not even sure who's next in line when one or more of the top 5 inevitably go down?

You have to figure that we need at least two more guys to make up 20-30 starts somewhere along the way.

heemer · Post #31 » by **heemer** » Mon Apr 7, 2008 4:05 pm

For Doc it's just two solid games against two great lineups.

Least year he had 7 complete games and that was in a shortened season. Remember that 10 inning, 1 run, CG? And wasnt he 1 out away from 3 straight? Hes not a strikeout pitcher and since he pitches to contact he will give up a few hits, sometimes home runs, but thats about it. There are almost never, if ever, big innings with a bunch of baserunners, or a string of hits.

You also know exactly what youre going to get from him and its going to be gold. AJ and McGowan are amazing, but I never have complete faith theyre going to win the game beforehand, unlike Roy I just assume we will pull out the W.

RingItUp! · Post #32 » by **RingItUp!** » Tue Apr 8, 2008 8:00 am

heemer wrote:For Doc it's just two solid games against two great lineups.

Least year he had 7 complete games and that was in a shortened season. Remember that 10 inning, 1 run, CG? And wasnt he 1 out away from 3 straight? Hes not a strikeout pitcher and since he pitches to contact he will give up a few hits, sometimes home runs, but thats about it. There are almost never, if ever, big innings with a bunch of baserunners, or a string of hits.

You also know exactly what youre going to get from him and its going to be gold. AJ and McGowan are amazing, but I never have complete faith theyre going to win the game beforehand, unlike Roy I just assume we will pull out the W.

Ahh, a voice of reason on Doc.

Sure, he may not get as many headlines about his 'stuff' and he doesn't have a ridiculous curve or change to consistently fool hitters, but Mr. Halladay is one damn good pitcher.

He sort of reminds me of a world class boxer: he doesn't tire himself out early on or extend himself looking for a knockout. Instead he constantly presses and remains aggressive, doing what he needs to in order to win rounds

Also ... he's the Doc.

asif9t9 · Post #33 » by **asif9t9** » Tue Apr 8, 2008 11:54 pm

asif9t9 wrote:I'm also not going to get too excited. I expect Doc to win every time out. AJ.....he pitched one great game, which for him usually means he takes the next game off. We'll see. I actually expect more out of McGowan and Marcum.

And what I really like is that if we can get 6+ strong, we don't have to overwork our relievers.

shapeshifter · Post #34 » by **shapeshifter** » Wed Apr 9, 2008 3:03 pm

asif9t9 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

True that

+1