Second Guessine the Bullpen Usage

[srock]

It's as much a past time as baseball itself. And I'm strating early in 2012.

I understand Arrieta coming out of the game. First game, he stretched himself out to complete 7 innings.

But why take Lindstrom out after the 8th? He was loose. He wasn't tired. There was a 4 run lead. Why not send him out there in the 9th? Then go right to Jim Johnson if he gets in trouble. To me, the risk the next pitcher won't have his stuff is to great. And Patton didn't have his stuff.

So Buck essentially had to warm up and tire 3 relievers instead of just 1 or 2 (if Lindstrom got into trouble).

Yeah yeah yeah, there were a bunch of lefties coming up. So what? With a 4 run lead, playing lefty righty match-ups is just silly. Its more important to keep the arms rested.

That is all from me tonight.

[Brion McClanahan]

I was hoping Jake would get the complete game a la Sutcliffe 20 years ago. Would have been fantastic and fitting. I agree with you though. It was like Mike Hargrove was back in the dugout today.

[PaulFolk]

It's as much a past time as baseball itself. And I'm strating early in 2012.

I understand Arrieta coming out of the game. First game, he stretched himself out to complete 7 innings.

But why take Lindstrom out after the 8th? He was loose. He wasn't tired. There was a 4 run lead. Why not send him out there in the 9th? Then go right to Jim Johnson if he gets in trouble. To me, the risk the next pitcher won't have his stuff is to great. And Patton didn't have his stuff.

So Buck essentially had to warm up and tire 3 relievers instead of just 1 or 2 (if Lindstrom got into trouble).

Yeah yeah yeah, there were a bunch of lefties coming up. So what? With a 4 run lead, playing lefty righty match-ups is just silly. Its more important to keep the arms rested.

That is all from me tonight.

Lindstrom is not a multi-inning pitcher. Last year, he appeared in 63 games, and not once did he pitch more than 1 inning.

Plus, the Twins' two best hitters-- who happen to be left-handed-- were coming up. Makes sense to bring in the lefty. A 4-0 lead is pretty safe, but not insurmountable.

[taylor21]

Lefty situation pitching... Patton just didn't have it today...

[backwardsk]

That's the problem with the way this bullpen is constructed. Most of these guys can't go multiple innings.

[ccbird]

Lindstrom is not a multi-inning pitcher. Last year, he appeared in 63 games, and not once did he pitch more than 1 inning.

Plus, the Twins' two best hitters-- who happen to be left-handed-- were coming up. Makes sense to bring in the lefty. A 4-0 lead is pretty safe, but not insurmountable.

This, with the addition that for now I think Lindstrom is Buck's 8th inning guy. Throw him a second inning today and he isn't available for tomorrow if needed.

[El Gordo]

That's the problem with the way this bullpen is constructed. Most of these guys can't go multiple innings.

Most can go 2. The thing is if you leave Lindstrom in for 2 when he isn't usually effective for more than one, then you can't use him tomorrow. Lefty/lefty made sense IMO.

[backwardsk]

Most can go 2. The thing is if you leave Lindstrom in for 2 when he isn't usually effective for more than one, then you can't use him tomorrow. Lefty/lefty made sense IMO.

Lindstrom, strop, gregg, and o'day combined to go 2 innings in an appearance twice out of 154 appearances last year.

That's like saying our starters last year can throw complete games when Guthrie did it a few times and Bergesen did it once.

The reliever who, by far, had the most 2 or 2+ inning appearances last year is now our closer. He had 18 such appearances while the other 6 combined for 16. This bullpen is not made up of guys who can consistently and effectively go multiple innings--especially with JJ as closer.

[socalbirdfan]

I don't have a problem with Patton being there in the ninth except he stayed too long. It was obvious he was off when he walked the first batter. He did well to come back and get the next guy. Buck saw what Willingham hits vs lefties and decided to leave him in because until he hits the HR it's not a save opportunity for JJ.

Problem is, with the way Patton was throwing, (all over) he left a change up in the zone and Willingham crushed it.

Also, for those of you who watched the game, Johnson sure was squeezed for a couple of those pitches on the guy he walked. For that matter, so was Jake earlier. Not the best strike zone back there today.

[backwardsk]

Jake was definitely squeezed on the Carroll walk.

[oriole]

Seems Buck is a very much by the numbers kind of guy. I thought it was obvious Patton didn't have his best stuff today and just because its not technically a save situation, why wait for it to get there?

[BaltimoreTerp]

Buck doesn't believe in the save rule, only the win rule! Except for when he believes the opposite, of course!

[BaltimoreTerp]

That's the problem with the way this bullpen is constructed. Most of these guys can't go multiple innings.

And the one guy who can is Patton, who appears to be the "situational" lefty because he's the only left-handed pitcher in the bullpen.

[El Gordo]

And the one guy who can is Patton, who appears to be the "situational" lefty because he's the only left-handed pitcher in the bullpen.

We'd have more lefties in the pen, and more multiple innings guys, if we didn't have one guy we don't want to ever go one inning.

[socalbirdfan]

Seems Buck is a very much by the numbers kind of guy. I thought it was obvious Patton didn't have his best stuff today and just because its not technically a save situation, why wait for it to get there?

That actually was my point. I wasn't clear. I thought after Patton got the strikeout
he should have come out in favor of JJ. No reason to take a chance there when he doesn't have his best stuff. As we saw, even though Willingham has bad numbers vs lefties, he still crushes mistakes by them.