Comments on: Phils, Mets, and Fifth Starter Competition

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:27:04 +0000

I would like to see what Park has left in him. He upped his fastball by 4 MPH between 2007 and 2008. I don’t think last year was a fluke. I would be interested to find out how he magically got his fastball back though.

By: TheArtfulDodger

TheArtfulDodger — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:10:18 +0000

Yeah but Livan was good the first half of last year on smoke and mirrors. He doesn’t strike anyone out, and he was worse than Pedro for most of last year. He amassed a 6.05 era in 180 innings with a 1.67 WHIP. You expect that to lessen pitching a majority of games in the NL east? He also allowed a whopping 257 hits in 180 innings. That’s utterly mind-boggling. Also, Livan was NOT good the first half of last year. He was good for his first 6-10 starts. That’s 1/3 of the season being generous. Plus, he was good for those starts and then proceeded to stink so badly that he still ended up with his year end numbers. Pedro could probably provide more quality but less quantity.

My vote goes to Pedro, Park (was great in his starts last year for the Dodgers) and Broxton.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:12:39 +0000

As a Mets fan, I’m rooting for Pedro and Park.

By: dragonflyball

dragonflyball — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:25:08 +0000

I cannot imagine a less intimidating name for a pitcher than Bal(l)four. It’s also funnier than other obvious ones like Walker, because it’s a less common name in the general population.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:06:19 +0000

I honestly cant think of another team with a better 5th starter situation. Maybe the Rays or Yankees, perhaps the Giants or Cubs, but 5th starter is a very common weak point for a majority of baseball teams. If your 5th starter can give you 150+ innings of league average pitching, your other positions will pick you up.

And 5th starters dont matter when it matters most: in the playoffs and the World Series.

By: GRAVY TRAIN

GRAVY TRAIN — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:37:08 +0000

Bodhizefa says:
March 20, 2009 at 6:57 am
I think the likelihood that Livan is a better pitcher than Pedro in ‘09 is something around the odds of 1000 to 1 against. You’re just being silly if you’re convincing yourself that Livan is somehow a decent back-end starter at this point.

It is? Did you see Pedro pitch last year? He was easily one of the worst pitchers in Baseball. The last time Livan was good was the first half of last year. The last time Pedro was any good was in May of ’06. It’s not 1999 anymore.

By: RYAN

RYAN — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:08:33 +0000

HOW ARE TWO TEAMS WITH THE HOPES OF WINNING A WS PICKING OVER THESE SCRAPS TO GIVE THEM 150 IP?

By: Bodhizefa

Bodhizefa — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:57:58 +0000

I think the likelihood that Livan is a better pitcher than Pedro in ’09 is something around the odds of 1000 to 1 against. You’re just being silly if you’re convincing yourself that Livan is somehow a decent back-end starter at this point.

By: GRAVY TRAIN

GRAVY TRAIN — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:29:28 +0000

Livan. Pedro is done and killed the team last year. He had what 5 quality starts in 21 starts? He averaged nearly a homer a game and The phils wear him out. He stole money from the Mets his last 2+ years here. I think it’s more likely that Livan throws 200 innings and has an E.r.a around 4.50 than Pedro throws 120 inning and has an e.r. under 5. If Livan struggles in the second half you hope Gee or Niese will be ready to take over the 5th spot in the rotation.

By: Matt H.

Matt H. — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:29:21 +0000

Balfour