74 replies to this topic

[mweb08]

The WC game was a little different though, they only had certain pitchers available because they were trying to save some for the ALDS. I could see them throwing SJ for a couple innings at less than 100%, but then deciding they don't need him in the ALDS less than 100%. Not sure really, just trying to make sense out of it.

It's more likely that Buck trusts the veterans more than the rookies (he's got a reputation for that) and when he had to choose went with the veterans.

I don't think the first paragraph makes sense. If Johnson wasn't 100%, then why would they trust him in a key situation during a winner take all game but not to be one of 8 relievers for the ALDS? Plus, he should be more healthy now compared to then.

[Oriole85]

I believe he warmed up for yesterdays game and that got everyone nervous. Really, if he's not going to be used in a high leverage situation, not sure why he's on the ALDS roster. I think Buck could use him in a matchup situation or if it goes to extras? But so far three games in the postseason, no appearances.

[Mackus]

I believe he warmed up for yesterdays game and that got everyone nervous. Really, if he's not going to be used in a high leverage situation, not sure why he's on the ALDS roster. I think Buck could use him in a matchup situation or if it goes to extras? But so far three games in the postseason, no appearances.

You could really say the same exact thing about Ayala.

I think it's obvious that the guys Buck trusts late in the game at this point are O'Day, Matusz, and Johnson. I think earlier in the game, you'll see Patton, Hunter, and Ayala get in. Saunders is the long man and Strop is the insurance in case we've used some of the earlier setup guys but don't want to use any of the three most trusted guys yet.

[Oriole85]

You could really say the same exact thing about Ayala.

I think it's obvious that the guys Buck trusts late in the game at this point are O'Day, Matusz, and Johnson. I think earlier in the game, you'll see Patton, Hunter, and Ayala get in. Saunders is the long man and Strop is the insurance in case we've used some of the earlier setup guys but don't want to use any of the three most trusted guys yet.

Good point with Ayala, what stands out though is Strop was the 8th inning guy for almost the entire season.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Strop 2012: 70 games, 5-2, 3 saves, 24 holds, 2.44 era, 66.1 ip, 52 hits, 2 hr's, 37 bb's, 58 k's, .613 OPS against, 1.83 G/F

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: Will Strop stop slumping?
http://www.masnsport...ew-readers.html

[Tucker Blair]

Strop was looking great tonight. Fastball jumping around like it does at his best.

[SportsGuy]

Strop was looking great tonight. Fastball jumping around like it does at his best.

Hope Det likes what they saw.

[DJ MC]

Hope Det likes what they saw.

He struck out Miggy Cabrera, so maybe he'll pass word along

[MattCLund]

I don't know if he'll ever be able to fully get hold of his mechanics, but from what I saw last night, he was able to repeat his delivery and looked damn good.

And he's on the world stage...

[BSLChrisStoner]

Camden Chat: Strop's very good WBC
http://www.camdencha...inican-republic

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: 2013 Projections: Strop
http://baltimorespor...ns-pedro-strop/

[BSLChrisStoner]

After getting 2 outs in the 7th, Strop was brought back out for the 8th tonight. He allowed a homer to Johnson, followed by a walk, and homer to Longoria.

 

As we mentioned in our projections, it was not going to be a surprise to see him allow more homers than he did last year... but after seeing him allow just 2 in 66.1 ip last season - it was a bit of shock to see him allow 2 homers in 3 batters tonight.

[Mackus]

I'm not worried about Strop yet.

 

Despite giving up a few runs in TB early in the season, I think he had looked pretty fantastic up until his 2nd inning last night.  The first TB game was just unlucky for Pedro, last night he got rocked in the 2nd inning and looked rattled after the first HR.  I don't think it was a mistake at all to bring him back out for the inning, but he definitely didn't respond well.  Two HR in one inning is just about unheard of for him.

 

His next outing is important.  If he bounces right back, then my confidence in him will remain just as high as it has been, which is very high.  If he struggles again, either with walks or getting hit hard, then you have to start wondering if he's developing some problems.

[bnickle]

if he has options he needs to be sent to AAA. If not, he needs to be the 7th man in the pen. Can't have what happened today happen.

[BSLChrisStoner]

if he has options he needs to be sent to AAA. If not, he needs to be the 7th man in the pen. Can't have what happened today happen.

 

Might be his biggest fan on the board, but I totally agree that he is a mess right now. Totally out-of-whack mechanically, and pitching with little confidence.

 

When he is going well, I like that he pitches quickly. He gets a strike, gets the ball, and fires again. When he is going poorly, that seems to only hurt him more. He will throw a ball, get the ball back, and throw another one off the mark with seemingly little thought or adjustment between pitches.

[Adam Wolff]

Might be his biggest fan on the board, but I totally agree that he is a mess right now. Totally out-of-whack mechanically, and pitching with little confidence.

 

When he is going well, I like that he pitches quickly. He gets a strike, gets the ball, and fires again. When he is going poorly, that seems to only hurt him more. He will throw a ball, get the ball back, and throw another one off the mark with seemingly little thought or adjustment between pitches.

 

I'd love to see some stats on how he fares after throwing the first pitch for a strike vs for a ball. Obviously everyone pitches better when throwing first pitch strikes, but just my impression with no supporting data is that when Strop misses with pitch 1, it's like he's mentally thrown off. Like he had a plan and 1-0 wasn't it and now he's screwed.

[Mackus]

I'd love to see some stats on how he fares after throwing the first pitch for a strike vs for a ball. Obviously everyone pitches better when throwing first pitch strikes, but just my impression with no supporting data is that when Strop misses with pitch 1, it's like he's mentally thrown off. Like he had a plan and 1-0 wasn't it and now he's screwed.

Last year he was noticeably better after 0-1 (though not bad after 1-0, just dominant after 0-1). This year he's actually better after throwing ball 1, oddly enough. I think his issues are more mechanical, which can pop up whenever, rather than him freaking out after throwing ball one.

2012:

After 1-0: 132 PA, 23/99, 25 K, 30 BB, 720 OPS-against
After 0-1: 121 PA, 20/112, 33 K, 7 BB, 436 OPS-against

2013:

After 1-0: 23 PA, 4/17, 5 K, 5 BB, 670 OPS-against
After 0-1: 16 PA, 4/13, 3 K, 1 BB, 973 OPS-against

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: Strop's stopping the slump
http://www.masnsport...-the-slump.html

[You Play to Win the Game]

Strop has given up just 1 run in his last 10.2 IP (12 games)... 12 K's during that stretch.