There's been a lot of talk (all negative) about Jim Leyland's decision to let Justin Verlander finish Monday's win over Kansas City, despite throwing 131 pitches. I agree, that's too many pitches this early in the season. But we'll see.On a lighter note, one of my co-workers has tickets to Saturday's game – Verlander's next scheduled start – and she is worried the Tigers might push him back a day and rest his arm a little longer, which would ruin her trip to Comerica Park.
I've assured her there's no way that's going to happen. Can you imagine how that conversation would unfold?
Leyland: Justin, you threw a lot of pitches last time out. We think you could use an extra day’s rest.
Verlander: Screw you.
Leyland: OK, then. Good luck Saturday.
Excellent conjecture! But if he should miss his start, I think I know four or five guys that would be glad to relieve her of her tickets, no matter who is pitching.
ReplyDeleteExcellent conjecture! But if he should miss his start, I think I know four or five guys that would be glad to relieve her of her tickets, no matter who is pitching.
ReplyDeletei JUST THINK THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE OVER-REACTING, ESPECIALLY THE SPORTS DISC JOCKEYS (OR WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM) - THEY JUST LIKE TO HEAR THEMSELVES TALK AND MAKE GOOD MONEY DOING IT. tHEY DON'T KNOW ANY MORE THAN I DO. IS BRANDON INGE REALLY BATTING CLEAN UP TONIGHT??
ReplyDeleteI say pitch count is overrated, especially depending on the game situation. If JV has thron 130 pitches at the end of the 5th inning, then yeah he probably won't complete the game (unless he throws 3 pitches per inning over the rest of the game). But 130 pitches going into the 9th?Let him start the inning and if he runs into trouble then call the relief corps.
ReplyDeleteI agree Tom, its not the number of pitches always is the pitches in stressful situations that count more. When the guys pitching in the 6th, 7th, 8th with runners on 2nd and 3rd going deep into counts, batters fouling off good 2 strike pitches..that is more important then the actual pitch count. Greg Maddux was the best i ever seen at keeping his pitch count low (rod allen commented on it the other day) he would be in the 70s and 80s going into the 9th inning, games under 2 hours...that guy was amazing!
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