Matusz needs to go down and reinvent himself

[mcinww0]

In the post game interview, he basically said as much. Just didn't have it tonight. I think he's got a little more natural ability than those guys, but that's certainly no guarantee for success.

I think that's the right approach- let him sink or swim. He's certainly a totally different guy than last year, more confident and much stronger, and holding himself to a higher standard.

[wildcard]

I expect that Matusz will start on Saturday against the Rays. He had two quality starts against the Jays and Yankees before last night.

[brooks1083]

I don't know that sending him down will help his confidence. Didn't we send him down last year and he got rocked for several starts in AAA? I think he finally put together a couple of decent starts, nothing great, and he was called back up. Maybe I'm just dreaming that.

[Catch 8]

Matusz needs Wieters behind the plate every start.

[Brendan25]

Buck was already talking in his press conference like Matusz is staying for at least one more start. Needs to be better.

[Frobby]

Odd game. I only saw two innings, the 1st and the 5th, and Matusz looked great in both of them against the top of the Rangers' lineup, making Hamilton look foolish twice. Apparently, he was pretty awful in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th. Lousy outing but I think you keep giving him the ball. He had been getting a little better each time out until last night. Hopefully it is just a temporary setback.

[Going Underground]

The thing that scares me about Matusz is he does not go deep into games. He has never lasted seven innings in the last two years and has only made it into the seventh three times. He seems to be about a five or six inning pitcher. This will eat away at a bullpen if you don't make it deeper in games. Last year in 12 starts ,he pitched 49.2 innings, This year, he has six starts and 32.0 innings pitched.

[Brendan25]

Odd game. I only saw two innings, the 1st and the 5th, and Matusz looked great in both of them against the top of the Rangers' lineup, making Hamilton look foolish twice. Apparently, he was pretty awful in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th. Lousy outing but I think you keep giving him the ball. He had been getting a little better each time out until last night. Hopefully it is just a temporary setback.

I looked at my brother after the first inning and said "Matusz is on tonight". He had good command, slider looked good.

Then the second inning game and he threw 6 consecutive balls to start the inning and the wheels came off slowly.

Just no command yesterday after the first.

[Hank Scorpio]

I want to get annoyed with him for nibbling, but I don't even think it's nibbling. It's flat out inability to throw his fastball in reasonable spots with consistency.

And when you're 89-92, that's not good enough.

[mi_oriolesfan]

I looked at my brother after the first inning and said "Matusz is on tonight". He had good command, slider looked good.

Then the second inning game and he threw 6 consecutive balls to start the inning and the wheels came off slowly.

Just no command yesterday after the first.

I agree. I was watching the game online and as soon as we got to the 2nd, I knew things were going to start getting sketchy. You can just tell instantly when he's beginning to come off the tracks. The only saving grace is that this was a game I already assumed we'd lose with our bullpen taxed and Wieters out. Plus Berken was due to pitch so of course, put this game in the L column. Berken is god awful.

Oh Matusz. You need patience with this guy but does Baltimore have any patience left to give, especially now that we're winning? He's just too inconsistent and flaky. Even Hunter is better. Matusz, when he's off, he's WAY off and goes into a meltdown. I think he has talent but he needs a lot of help. It's become a lot more apparent when he's surrounded by a winning team.

[VeveJones007]

Matusz needs Wieters behind the plate every start.

This cannot be understated. Exposito went to Matusz's curve WAY too often yesterday. It was all over the place. Matusz needs to use his change more often than he did yesterday.

[NewMarketSean]

I am starting to think this is just who Matusz is going to be. An off/on guy who can hold the Yankees to a run on one night and then give up 7 runs his next appearance and be lucky to ever have a season with an ERA below 5.

And that to me, says "long man in the bullpen."

[Tony-OH]

This is just a hilarious combination of sentences.

C'mon man, enough with the condescending attitude against posters you don't agree with.

[TiredofLosing20]

This cannot be understated. Exposito went to Matusz's curve WAY too often yesterday. It was all over the place. Matusz needs to use his change more often than he did yesterday.

I have to disagree with him not throwing to Wieters being the issue. His issue was not finishing his pitches. He was flailing all over the place and up in the zone. His FB is not good enough to be up in the zone. He is just inconsistent with his delivery right now. I do wonder if he is overthrowing a little to keep his velocity up.

[OFFNY]

He looks nothing like the guy we drafted. He looks like he's just gearing up and throwing everything as hard as he can. That might work if he didn't top out at 90-91 mph. He has no clue where any of his pitches are going. No command of any of his pitches. Pitching on a night after a marathon, when they really needed him to step up, he's once again falling short. I already had doubts about his ability stuff wise, now I'm thinking he's just not mentally tough enough to be a successful major league starter, as well. I hope I'm wrong, because I'd really like to see Brian succeed.

Someone said the same thing about Jake Arrieta a couple of weeks ago. The mental toughness to be a major league starter, huh ???