baltfan

He just is too important to the pen at this point. I don’t think you could withstand optioning him.

Can’t option Akin. He has been good except one outing.

The guy that might be really good would be Kremer but I don’t think they would pull him from the rotation. I could see Kremer getting up to 98 or so in a closer role with 4 pitches.

Most definitely. But you would think there would be some arm at Norfolk that could help. Wanda’s on Charles is maybe the only love arm down there. On the good side, you can build a pen. Texas did last year. The lesson this team needs to learn is playing to win the division is likely not worth the wear and tear. Just play for the wild card. We might still have Bautista if every game wasn’t so must win last year.

The other part missing from this analysis is it worked better in the past couple of years when you had pitchers with options. It allowed for refreshing the relief corps. This team basically has no one with options.

The lack of decent bullpen options at Norfolk is borderline stunning. In a fit of desperation,I looked to see how Teddy Sharkey was doing but he isn’t doing much either. If McDermott could be trusted to throw strikes, maybe you could put him in the bullpen. Anyhow, it’s pretty bleak how few options there are in the minors.

Bradish and Means are coming back at the right time. Matchup close until Suarez is rested and then give him a chance.

Am I nuts or did Cano start throwing up in the zone some last year to keep people honest?

Upper back, not arm they are saying. But I agree with you.

Hose about Kiko Garcia for good Larry Sheets.

Yeah well no chance that happens. Yankees hitters are patient nd will be more so knowing the pen is a mess.

He is 36 and has a bit of a dunlap over his too tight belt. They needed to try to preserve him for the end of the season.

If you recall when they gave him a couple of opportunities against lefties later in the year and he doubled and homered. O’Hearn barrels balls.

They are saying upper back and that would make sense to me as to why he wasn’t locating.

I will take O’Hearn over McKenna all day long. Lefty or no lefty. He doesn’t get a chance

I agree. I am only saying why Westburg couldn’t hit. Smart thing would have been to just take your chances leaving O’Hearn in left. He isn’t perfect but the ball would have had to have been hit to him

Westburg had stomach bug.

Starters are pitching well but part of that is Hyde goes to the bullpen early.

How does their best fastball hitter Westburg not get a shot?

I think it’s an abdominal or back.

He figures he is going to have two starters back soon, but it wasn’t soon enough. Should have been able to do better than this against Oakland.

This loss is on Hyde.

Wells might be closing by mid May

Can Suarez close?

He is really frustrated.