Comments on: Smoltz’s Playoff Role

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:58:10 +0000

Teams with shaky bullpens don’t win the World Series.

It’s no coincidence that the lone WS title under this Cardinals regime came during the one postseason when they featured a dominant pen.

Smoltz (not Franklin) is most suited to play the role of Wainwright this time around.

By: Samuel Lingle

Samuel Lingle — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:32:26 +0000

John Smoltz has a higher K rate than any of the Cardinals relievers, AS A STARTER.

They could really use a shut-down guy they can count on to dominate in high leverage situations. Hawksworth, Motte, and McLellan have all been effective as of late, but they are not guys you can really count on to come in and strike someone out with guys on base and the game on the line.

This is all really an academic discussion, though; this all depends on what Kyle Lohse brings to the table. His last start, in Houston, was good and it was the first time since the start of the year he was not bothered by a health issue as his elbow has finally calmed down. If he has another good start before the playoffs, then he’ll probably take the fourth spot and we’ll see Smoltz in the pen.

I’m a little apprehensive either way; John Smoltz is one of the few most dominant post-season starters in history. It’s almost a shame he won’t get the chance to start two games each series considering what he’s done in the past and how he’s pitched with the Cardinals.

By: Samuel Lingle

Samuel Lingle — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:15:48 +0000

The tough thing to take with Motte is that we gave up Chris Perez and Luke Gregersen in trades before/during the season. Sure looks like the Cards got rid of the wrong young relievers! It’d sure be nice to have Gregersen in the pen considering Khalil Greene’s… “achievements” this season.

Still, as others have said, Motte has plenty of potential to pull things together, so we’ll have to wait and see.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:19:03 +0000

As a Cards fan, I’m sure glad we listened to all those abrasive BoSox know-it-alls who were entirely convinced that Smoltz was washed up. (After all, they’d seen him pitch. They KNEW.)

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:42:51 +0000

I love his arm/stuff, his numbers just haven’t been there most of the year as his control has seemed to leave him.

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:06:13 +0000

My apologies — by “him” I mean Ryan Franklin.

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:04:03 +0000

Dave — has his pitch selection changed over “second half” data sample you cited? One reason some fans have been encouraged by the first half was the adoption of a cutter that he didn’t previously throw. This was thought to be a big part of his success and a reason why regression might not be expected. I’m curious if he’s stopped throwing that as frequently.

By: Xeifrank

Xeifrank — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:23:25 +0000

How deep into games do Carpenter, Wainwright and Pineiro tend to go? Atleast from the games I’ve watched them pitch, they’ve gone pretty deep. Smoltz in the bullpen is not a gaurantee to help plug anything and the bullpen would probably only be taxed when Lohse pitched. I’d throw Smoltz into the rotation and take your chances with a shaky bullpen.
vr, Xei

By: Zach

Zach — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:13:22 +0000

Motte is hardly a bust. His numbers are mediocre but his stuff is still good. He’s still learning. There is every reason to think he will take a step forward next season

By: JI

JI — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:07:17 +0000

If Loshe were 100% I’d be all for sending Smoltz to the pen, but the way he is throwing now I can’t see it being the superior option. My guess is that since the Cardinals have been stretching Smoltz out, and that Smoltz is not sure whether his body can handle pitching on short rest in relief, that he’ll be the #4 starter.