Mattingly seems to be the type of manager where everybody in the bullpen has their inning and they are simply going to pitch that inning regardless. Sometimes, it would be nice if he would adapt his managerial style to the game. I don't see why Phelps can't pitch two innings sometimes. 

 

Or bring phelps in the 6th when a pitcher is struggling or ramos in the 8th etc...I hate the set role no matter what as we always have to hold our breath that our mediocre SP/pen (besides jose and sometimes conley) get to the 7th. But maybe pitchers pitch better when they know exactly when they'll be uses

 

 

Or bring phelps in the 6th when a pitcher is struggling or ramos in the 8th etc...I hate the set role no matter what as we always have to hold our breath that our mediocre SP/pen (besides jose and sometimes conley) get to the 7th. But maybe pitchers pitch better when they know exactly when they'll be uses

 

Yeah, there are pros and cons to his usage strategy.

 

I think he's very strict with it though. For example, I would say just about every manager uses his best reliever if he needs to get out of a jam in the middle of an inning. 

 

There have been multiple occasions where we're in trouble in the 6th and Mattingly either leaves the starter or brings in Urena/Morris/garbage lefty instead of Barraclough to get him out of the jam with a K. Sometimes, especially if they haven't been used for a couple days, the reliever should be used for more than 1 inning. 

 

Also, I blame Mattingly for the lefties. I believe the only reason why we had Breslow/Narveson on the team to begin with was because he really wanted to have 2 lefties in the pen. Even if they sucked, he wanted to have 2 lefties. Even when Narveson sucked, the first guy they brought up was Ege who also sucked. It was clear his preference was 2 lefties until it became clear after over a month that the best possible pen for the team right now is 7 righties. At least until Dunn comes back. Sad or not, Mike Dunn is the only left-handed reliever in the organization who belongs in the big leagues. Breslow/Narveson/Ege, etc. wouldn't be on any other roster in baseball. But Mattingly wanted 2 lefties, and put guys who aren't lefty specialists in LOOGY situations. I'm just glad I don't have to watch Narveson face Bryce Harper again. 

 

 

Credit to @legacyofCangelosi who defended the pen early on, he was right.

 

Thanks Admin. Not sure if this is sarcasm or not but I'll accept it as a compliment. 

 

 

i think I saw a stat during the game last night that our pen leads the NL in K/9. 

 

We have a legit 7, 8, 9 part of the pen. Im OK with Jackson as the long reliever. McGowan as a middle reliever. Whatever. He's ok I guess. The problem right now is ureña and Morris. When Dunn comes back im hoping ureña gets sent down. And at some point Morris has to be replaced by Wittgren, Ellington, lazo, Ege. Or anybody really. 

 

 

Yeah, there are pros and cons to his usage strategy.

 

I think he's very strict with it though. For example, I would say just about every manager uses his best reliever if he needs to get out of a jam in the middle of an inning. 

 

There have been multiple occasions where we're in trouble in the 6th and Mattingly either leaves the starter or brings in Urena/Morris/garbage lefty instead of Barraclough to get him out of the jam with a K. Sometimes, especially if they haven't been used for a couple days, the reliever should be used for more than 1 inning. 

 

Also, I blame Mattingly for the lefties. I believe the only reason why we had Breslow/Narveson on the team to begin with was because he really wanted to have 2 lefties in the pen. Even if they sucked, he wanted to have 2 lefties. Even when Narveson sucked, the first guy they brought up was Ege who also sucked. It was clear his preference was 2 lefties until it became clear after over a month that the best possible pen for the team right now is 7 righties. At least until Dunn comes back. Sad or not, Mike Dunn is the only left-handed reliever in the organization who belongs in the big leagues. Breslow/Narveson/Ege, etc. wouldn't be on any other roster in baseball. But Mattingly wanted 2 lefties, and put guys who aren't lefty specialists in LOOGY situations. I'm just glad I don't have to watch Narveson face Bryce Harper again. 

 

I'm sure at some point this season we may see Ege again. Or lazo or biemel. 

 

 

Thanks Admin. Not sure if this is sarcasm or not but I'll accept it as a compliment. 

 

I really meant it actually though I do see why you weren't sure 

 

 

Cole Gillespie just got my vote for Fish of the Week.

 

He actually drove in the leading runs in both games. Right now he would get my vote. If Ichiro gets another 4 hit game he wins though lol.

 

If Carter Capps would've stayed healthy, we could've had the best bullpen in baseball. 

 

For all the talk of our weaknesses in the bullpen, it's mostly been the guys who are either no longer here or guys who are now pitching in mostly irrelevant situations. Mattingly's kinda chilled out a bit with Morris which is nice to see.

 

Anyway, the backend of our bullpen has been pretty fantastic. Ramos is 15/15, Phelps has arguably been the best setup man in baseball, and Barraclough, while occasionally frustrating with the walks, has an ERA under 3 with elite stuff as seen by his elite K rate. 

 

Anyone know when Nefi Ogando is coming back? He looked pretty good before the injury. 

 

Phelps has been down right nasty in the 8th. His velocity is up more and he has the confidence out there knowing he can get anyone out. Rich said it best "Good baseball teams have a closer and a closer in waiting." We will see how things develop through out the season but really good so far. Barraclough has great stuff, no question about that. I thought it was a great heads up play by JT to nail the runner at 3rd. That really helped a lot.

 

Nicolino did okay, he made one big mistake to LoMo who has hit everything hard this series. Ozuna stayed hot and we got the hits when it mattered the most.

 

Jose pitches today in a park he has not pitched well in at all. Hopefully he shakes off that homecoming feeling he always gets when in that park and dominates to take the series.

 

 

i think I saw a stat during the game last night that our pen leads the NL in K/9. 

 

Naw, they're literally middle of the pack at #8

 

 

If Carter Capps would've stayed healthy, we could've had the best bullpen in baseball. 

 

For all the talk of our weaknesses in the bullpen, it's mostly been the guys who are either no longer here or guys who are now pitching in mostly irrelevant situations. Mattingly's kinda chilled out a bit with Morris which is nice to see.

 

Anyway, the backend of our bullpen has been pretty fantastic. Ramos is 15/15, Phelps has arguably been the best setup man in baseball, and Barraclough, while occasionally frustrating with the walks, has an ERA under 3 with elite stuff as seen by his elite K rate. 

 

Anyone know when Nefi Ogando is coming back? He looked pretty good before the injury. 

 

Without a doubt replacing someone like McGowan with Capps is going to be a huge boost and would put us towards the top. But best in baseball is probably a bit much. I mean, pretty hard to top the Yankees with a back end of Chapman, Betances, and Miller.

 

Kind of like how it'd be easy to look at our OF and say that's best OF in baseball, then you're reminded about how crazy good the Pirates' is

 

 

Also, huge shout out to Nicolino for doubling his K/BB for the season in this game alone.

 

Helped him jump from last place in baseball to last place in baseball.

 

But seriously here's hoping starts like that continue.