The starting pitching so far -- not awful, but uninspiring

[DrungoHazewood]

He's also worked hard on his mechanics and pitched well in the minors before being called up last year. And he did well in ST and he's got good stuff. He's a guy whose career minor league ERA won't tell the whole story, I don't think.

His main issue for me is that he's a command guy that randomly loses command for an inning or so. Interested to see how he does once he's off the DL.

It could be that he's improved and his career numbers don't reflect his talent going forward. We'll see. That's the claim everyone has coming off a career year.

And I'd quibble with the claim that he's got good stuff. I think he has a deceptive delivery that makes his middling stuff look better. That's always been the scouting take on him.

[Ori-Al]

It concerns me that we don't have starters who consistently go seven innings or beyond. Seems every other team in the division has at least two starters who have already had at least one 7+ outing, and we have none.

Hunter needs to mix his pitches more. Whether that's on him or Wieters (he shakes Wieters off), I don't know. His fastball is straight, and hitters will time it if too many are thrown without some offspeed pitches mixed in (but not the cutter.)

[Frobby]

An updated log of the starters' performances appears below. It's kind of nice to be able to get a quick snapshot of how they're doing game-by-game.

4/2 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Hammel)

4/3 - 5.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Chen)

4/4 - 6.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Gonzalez)

4/5 - 5.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Arrieta)

4/6 - 3.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman)

4/7 - 6.2 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel)

4/8 - 6.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen)

4/10 - 5.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Arrieta)

4/11 - 5.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman)

4/12 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Gonzalez)

4/13 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Hammel)

4/14 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen)

4/16 - 5.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Arrieta)

4/17 - 5.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Tillman)

4/18 - 5.2 IP, 5 R, 4 ER (Gonzalez)

4/20 - 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel)

4/20 - 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen)

4/21 - 4.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Arrieta)

4/22 - 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Tillman)

4/23 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gonzalez)

4/24 - 5.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Stinson)

4/25 - 6.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER (Hammel)

4/26 - 8.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Chen)

Things have taken a turn for the better over the last five games, despite having to throw Stinson out there for one of them.

[Frobby]

Hoping that they go to Britton on Monday. Not saying he'll be great, but he should be better than Stinson and he is part of the future. Stinson

wasnt and neither is Freddy Garcia.

I didn't get to see Stinson pitch, but why are you so sure Britton will turn out better than Stinson? They're both 25. Neither is really established.

[DrungoHazewood]

I didn't get to see Stinson pitch, but why are you so sure Britton will turn out better than Stinson? They're both 25. Neither is really established.

Britton has better MLB numbers than Stinson has in AAA. He also has better AAA numbers than Stinson has in AA. And better AA numbers than Stinson in A ball.

[Malike]

Giving what we've seen of Britton at the ML level, I wouldn't bet my paycheck that he's a lock to put up a better start than Stinson in a one game sample. He's had plenty of horrific starts of his own. At least Stinson threw strikes and got into the 6th.

[Frobby]

Here's the complete log for April. May to follow.

4/2 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Hammel)

4/3 - 5.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Chen)

4/4 - 6.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Gonzalez)

4/5 - 5.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Arrieta)

4/6 - 3.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman)

4/7 - 6.2 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel)

4/8 - 6.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen)

4/10 - 5.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Arrieta)

4/11 - 5.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman)

4/12 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Gonzalez)

4/13 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Hammel)

4/14 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen)

4/16 - 5.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Arrieta)

4/17 - 5.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Tillman)

4/18 - 5.2 IP, 5 R, 4 ER (Gonzalez)

4/20 - 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel)

4/20 - 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen)

4/21 - 4.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Arrieta)

4/22 - 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Tillman)

4/23 - 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gonzalez)

4/24 - 5.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Stinson)

4/25 - 6.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER (Hammel)

4/26 - 8.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Chen)

4/27 - 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman)

4/28 - 5.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Gonzalez)

4/29 - 6.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Britton)

4/30 - 5.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Hammel)

4.55 ERA (9th in AL), 5.72 IP/start (10th) for the month.

[Frobby]

May starting pitching log:

5/01 4.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Chen)

5/02 8.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Tillman)

5/03 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gonzalez)

5/04 6.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Garcia)

5/05 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel)

5/07 6.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Chen) (rain delay ended Chen's outing)

5/08 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman)

5/09 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Garcia)

5/10 4.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Hammel)

5/11 4.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (S. Johnson)

5/12 5.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Chen) (injury ended Chen's outing)

5/14 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Tillman)

5/15 3.2 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Garcia)

5/17 4.2 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Hammel)

5/18 5.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Jurjjens)

5/19 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman)

5/20 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Garcia)

5/21 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Gonzalez)

5/22 6.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Hammel)

5/23 5.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Gausman)

5/24 5.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman)

5/25 5.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Garcia)

5/26 5.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez)

5/27 8.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Hammel)

5/28 4.0 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Gausman)

5/29 4.2 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Tillman)

5/30 8.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Garcia)

5/31 6.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Gonzalez)

5.08 ERA, 5.69 IP/start during May.

[Frobby]

June starting pitching log:

6/01: 3.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Hammel L, 7-3)

6/02: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gausman ND, W)

6/04: 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Tillman W, 5-2)

6/05: 3.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Garcia L, 2-3)

6/06: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 3-2)

6/07: 6.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Hammel L, 7-4)

6/08: 4.1 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Gausman L, 0-3)

6/09: 6.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (Tillman W, 6-2)

6/10: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Garcia W, 3-3)

6/11: 8.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 4-2)

6/12: 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel, ND, L)

6/13: 5.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Gausman, ND, W)

6/14: 6.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Tillman W, 7-2)

6/15: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Garcia L, 3-4)

6/16: 6.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gonzalez W, 5-2)

6/17: 4.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Arrieta L, 1-2)

6/18: 5.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Britton W, 1-1)

6/19: 5.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman W, 8-2)

6/21: 6.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Hammel, ND, L)

6/22: 7.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gonzalez L, 5-3)

6/23: 2.1 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Garcia L, 3-5)

6/24: 5.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Britton L, 1-2)

6/25: 7.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman W, 9-2)

6/26: 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Hammel, ND, L)

6/27: 6.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Gaonzalez W, 7-3)

6/28: 2.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (McFalrland, ND, W)

6/29: 5.2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER (Britton W, 2-2)

6/30: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman W, 10-2)

4.77 starters' ERA, 5.52 IP per start for the month. Notably, starters failed to go five innings six times. We have to do better than that, and I think we will now that Feldman is in the rotation and Chen is coming back.

[Frobby]

July

7/02: 7.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Hammel L, 7-5)

7/03: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman ND, W)

7/04: 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Britton ND, L)

7/05: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez ND, L)

7/06: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman L, 10-3)

[Il BuonO]

July

7/02: 7.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Hammel L, 7-5)

7/03: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman ND, W)

7/04: 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Britton ND, L)

7/05: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez ND, L)

7/06: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman L, 10-3)

So, three out of the five performances so far have been good ones and yet we have only one win to show for it.

[Frobby]

Updating July:

7/02: 7.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Hammel L, 7-5)

7/03: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman ND, W)

7/04: 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Britton ND, L)

7/05: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez ND, L)

7/06: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman L, 10-3)

7/07: 5.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Hammel ND, W)

7/08: 5.1 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Feldman L, 0-1)

7/09: 5.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Britton L, 2-3)

7/10: 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen W, 4-3)

7/11: 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 7-3)

7/12: 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman W, 11-3)

7/13: 6.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Hammel L, 7-6)

7/14: 7.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Feldman W, 1-1)

7/19: 6.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen W, 5-3)

7/20: 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 8-3)

7/21: 8.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman W, 12-3)

7/22: 8.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman W, 2-1)

Last 9 games: 2.90 ERA, 6.89 IP/start. That'll play.

[allquixotic]

If Hammel can pitch to the level that Feldman is pitching to right now, we're going to the playoffs. If not, we need to bury him in the bullpen and find someone who is at least a solid #4 to give us 5 quality starters.

[Frobby]

7/02: 7.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Hammel L, 7-5)

7/03: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman ND, W)

7/04: 7.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Britton ND, L)

7/05: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez ND, L)

7/06: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Tillman L, 10-3)

7/07: 5.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Hammel ND, W)

7/08: 5.1 IP, 7 R, 7 ER (Feldman L, 0-1)

7/09: 5.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (Britton L, 2-3)

7/10: 7.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen W, 4-3)

7/11: 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 7-3)

7/12: 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Tillman W, 11-3)

7/13: 6.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Hammel L, 7-6)

7/14: 7.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Feldman W, 1-1)

7/19: 6.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Chen W, 5-3)

7/20: 6.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (Gonzalez W, 8-3)

7/21: 8.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Tillman W, 12-3)

7/22: 8.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (Feldman W, 2-1)

7/23: 6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Hammel L, 7-7)

7/24: 7.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen ND, L)

7/25: 4.2 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (Gonzalez L, 8-4)

7/26: 7.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (Tillman W, 13-3)

7/27: 5.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER (Feldman L, 2-2)

7/28: 5.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Hammel L, 7-8)

7/30: 7.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (Chen W, 6-3)

7/31: 3.2 IP, 9 R, 4 ER (Gonzalez L, 8-5)

That's a 4.30 ERA, 6.20 IP/start for the month.

[Redskins Rick]

before last night, they had 11 out of 15 quality starts.

Chen threw another quality start.

12 out of 16, is pretty darn good from your starters.