DownRodeo Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Watching Looper pitch tonight, it definitely seemed like he was overthrowing, as almost all his fastballs sailed high. It looked like he was trying to make up for his previous poor outings by throwing every pitch as hard as humanly possible, which obviously had bad results. I agree with others, I was more sad than angry to see him struggle because you know he was trying so hard. Someone has to get him to relax and remember to pitch, not throw. I think the best thing for him would be to pitch in a blowout, non-pressure situation to regain his confidence. Hopefully he'll get that chance before the regular season ends. At any rate, Looper at his best still was never as dominant as Urbina, so perhaps his struggles are a blessing in disguise, since now McKeon will go to Uggy in most pressure situations. The whole situation is rather ironic, since the guy who's stepping up during Looper's struggles, Chad Fox, blew some important games with Boston at the beginning of the season. Now it seems like Fox's confidence is at its peak, while Looper's is the lowest it's been all season. Perhaps Looper should talk to Chad to figure out how to regain his confidence. And I know I rag on the Marlins front office a lot, but acquiring Fox was one of the best midseason moves in all of baseball this season. Not only has he pitched great, but he's pitched great when it's been needed most. In the short time he's been here, he's pitched... - a scoreless 13th in a tie game vs. the Dodgers. Fish went on to win 5-4. - a scoreless 10th in another tie game vs. the Dodgers. Fish win 2-1. - a scoreless 7th while losing 3-1 to the Pads. Fish come back to win 6-3 - a scoreless 7th while winning 5-3 to the ' Spos. Fish win 5-3. - a scoreless 7th in a 1-1 tie vs. the Pirates. Marlins win 5-1. - a scoreless 7th while winning 4-3 to the Mets. Marlins won 7-3. - two scoreless innings while losing 3-2 to the Braves. Fish win 5-4. - two scoreless innings while winning 6-4 to the Phillies. Fish win 11-4. - a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a 5-5 tie vs. the Braves. Fish win 6-5. - a scoreless 8th while winning 6-3 to the Braves. Fish win 6-3. - tonight's scoreless outing saving Looper's butt. That's 11 outings where he completely shut down the opponent in high-pressure situations. If we make the playoffs, a huge reason will be because of Fox's pitching. So kudos to Fox, and kudos to Beinfest to have the foresight to pick him up (and hopefully keep him around for next season). If a late-inning pressure situation arises in the playoffs, we now have two relievers who I have complete confidence in: Urbina and Fox. In a short series, sometimes that's all you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapHands69 Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 I just hope he ain't the next Vlad Nunez or Mark Wohlers. I expect Loop to come back strong in his next outing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 yeah it was a mix of frustration and empathy. on one hand you feel awful for the guy, i mean he's been a big part of why the marlins are in this situation. on the other hand, you know it's the end of the season and there's no time to be patient with guys. like mckeon says this is no time for egos or personal stats. hopefully loop gets his head together. i agree Rodeo, i think when he's wild like that it looks like it's due to overthrowing. i feel like i can tell how Loop's outing will go by watching the first pitch. If his first pitch out of the bullpen is a strike, he pitches well. If it's way outside, watch out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 On a brighter note, & to continue DownRodeo's praising of Chad Fox.... What sweet revenge that had to be last night. Here's a guy who was tossed aside by the Boston Red Sox. And now after giving up a Jim Thome blast and suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Phillies just a few nights ago, there he was back out there again in a HUGE game against Philly. Eighth inning, no outs, 2 men on base. After a sacrifice moved the runners over, Fox gets a ground ball and strikes out Marlon Byrd. Ok, it wasn't Jim Thome up there, but that was a nice bit of vindication for Chad, and you could see the emotion as he stormed off the mound pumping his first. Let's make a quick check of some stats here......hmmm......yep. Since he's been with Florida, Chad Fox has a better ERA than any of Boston's relievers. Ain't baseball great? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 On a brighter note, & to continue DownRodeo's praising of Chad Fox.... What sweet revenge that had to be last night. Here's a guy who was tossed aside by the Boston Red Sox. And now after giving up a Jim Thome blast and suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Phillies just a few nights ago, there he was back out there again in a HUGE game against Philly. Eighth inning, no outs, 2 men on base. After a sacrifice moved the runners over, Fox gets a ground ball and strikes out Marlon Byrd. Ok, it wasn't Jim Thome up there, but that was a nice bit of vindication for Chad, and you could see the emotion as he stormed off the mound pumping his first. Let's make a quick check of some stats here......hmmm......yep. Since he's been with Florida, Chad Fox has a better ERA than any of Boston's relievers. Ain't baseball great? That's good stuff, I can't understand why the sox let this guy go, I believe he's better than anyone they've got in their current bullpen. I think the Marlins should try Fox at closer next year since Ugy will most likely be gone. Looper has done a very good job this year as closer, but he just doesn't have the stuff to be a good closer. I think Looper would be a very good setup man once he gets his s*** back together. I watch Fox and I see closer material. A fastball in the high 90's and a wicked breaking ball. He just needs to cut down on the walks that's been his only problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugg Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Why wouldn't Urbina be back? Isn't he signed for a while? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 nope... he is a free agent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBurnett34 Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 We need Urbina back. He is our best bullpen guy. I think Beinfest would bring him back. I dont think he wants to have a crapy Pen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mave Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Of course he doesn't want a crappy bullpen. It's all about the money though, brah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nielsosky Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I think that pretty much the only way we can bring back Uggy is if we win the WS. If we do that maybe fans will start coming to the ballpark again. After all, just being in the WC race has proved that some excitement can bring back quite a few people. If you see the Angels they have set their team record for most fans in a season. The results of winning a World Series are obvious. Also, maybe playing for a World Champion ballclub may sound nicer to Uggy than playing for some one that folded in the first round. Even if we do win the World Series I am not optimistic about our chances of re-signing Uggy. However, Looper will regain his touch next year. Thank God for Fox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapHands69 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Of course he doesn't want a crappy bullpen. It's all about the money though, brah. Woa where is the pidgen from? Brah? You must be from H-Town (Hawaii) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 We need Urbina back. He is our best bullpen guy. I think Beinfest would bring him back. I dont think he wants to have a crapy Pen again. If you want Urbina back, it may cost us a guy like Castillo. Personally, I'd take Castillo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rally2247 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 If you want Urbina back, it may cost us a guy like Castillo. Personally, I'd take Castillo. WHAT?! You'd pick a Castillo over Urbina? I guess you want the Marlins to become the Boston Red Sox. He's a top closer in the league and the Marlins need to keep him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 WHAT?! You'd pick a Castillo over Urbina? I guess you want the Marlins to become the Boston Red Sox. He's a top closer in the league and the Marlins need to keep him. Castillo plays every day. Urbina doesn't. Castillo is the catalyst for the offense. We already have a proven (decent) closer in Looper. We don't have anyone proven to take over for Castillo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyggyMarlin Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Someone earlier in this thread said something about Looper relaxing and learning how to pitch again, not just throw... That was my thought on Tuesday's game..He was throwing, he wasn't pitching, and he wasn't close to the plate at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins4ever Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Speaking of trying too hard ! has anyone noticed A Gonz at the plate lately. He looks like a ball of nerves . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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