Here we go! Guardians were poised to take 2 of 3 from the hard charging Texas Rangers, who are my choice to face the Braves in the World Series, but alas the bullpen was gosh awful Friday and again Sunday. Friday was a group effort. Today it was a solo job of unacceptable relief pitching. Wanna lose sleep?
Friday after a nice outing from Civale and Sandlin with a mediocre at best performance from Eli Morgan sandwiched between the two, here is what 3 relievers decided to do. I must point out two of the three I trust (Hentges and De Los Santos), and the third Cody Morris just does not have enough time logged on the hill. Ready for the tale of the tape?
* 3 pitchers
* 2 innings pitched
* 10 hits
* 9 runs (all earned)
* 3 HR’s
* 3 K’s
* 3 Walks
Yes, I keep preaching zero tolerance for the walks and my rants are falling on deaf ears. Years ago, my oldest son was at one of the phenomenal youth baseball camps at the ballpark. At the very end as we were leaving, we bumped into CC Sabathia and I asked him “CC, give my 10-year-old son, also a lefty, some parting advice.” His words of wisdom? “Throw strikes young fella, throw strikes.” That’s it.
Today the Guardians had pushed their lead to 5-2 after an 8th inning Fry home run after 7 very fine innings from Bibee (6 IP, 5 H, 2 Runs, 6 K’s and 1 walk) plus De Los Santos (1 IP and goose eggs after that) when in the bottom of the 8th Trevor Stephan took to the mound. Trevor has fallen out of favor with me. Big deal, right? Look at his stats many tell me.
You know what I say about stats and analytics? Use the great Sam Rutigliano wisdom: “My stats and analytics are using my brain, my eyes, my heart and my gut PLUS my experience.” Everything pointed to Stephan being a disaster but yes, I understand why Tito used him. The team like all teams was coming off the All-Star break and players, even those who played in the game, were refreshed and ready to go PLUS Stephan is (Hoping now it is a “WAS”) the setup man. The lead off hitter lines out to left on a ball that made me nervous but as we know an out is an out! Then two walks! TWO WALKS and at that time it should have been the yank job! Trevor cannot hide when he has lost it and believe me friend, he lost it. Also, when Stephan was getting loose in the pen Big Sam should have been side by side with him to be ready. Losing this game was an affront to any Guardians baseball fan although it epitomizes why BASEBALL IS THE BEST…teams rally and make magic. Here’s Stephan’s final numbers:
* .1 IP (that is .1, 1/3 of an inning!)
* 3 hits
* 4 Runs (all earned)
* 2 walks, TWO walks
* 0 K’s
CALL THE FIRE MARSHALL as right now for the most part this bullpen is guilty of arson!
Please continue to enjoy every sandwich and in the words of a man I miss every day, Michael Stanley, take care of yourself and each other and remember, now more than ever, it’s your world, pay attention. For now, adios amigo, long may you run!
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