Maddon's Starting Rotation Inconsistency

In today's start, Maddon yanked Niemann in the 5th for a pinch-hitter in a key situation. It worked out well and was probably the best decision. But when I look at Niemann's overall line, he only gave up 2 runs in 4 innings, in other words, he was doing a good job of damage control despite not having his best stuff. I'm trying to figure out why he doesn't give the same treatment to Sonnanstine. As much as I love Maddon, he's giving Sonnanstine the benefit of the doubt way too much, and probably not enough to Niemann. At this point you can roll the dice and anticipate better odds with Niemann than Sonny, who's among the league leaders in homeruns given up. In this case, Maddon needs to start looking at Sonny as the Sonny of this year and not from last year.

over 2 years ago raysfaninminnesota 11 comments 0 recs |

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Honestly I don't see a difference

Maddon has a quick hook for Sonny. Sonny is just far more efficient. Sonny at 80-90 pitches is in the 6th or 7th inning. So while it looks like Sonny is working deeper they are really at the same pitch count.

by matthan on Jun 22, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

Sonny was yanked with less than 85 pitches thrown this year with a lead.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Jun 22, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

sonny's only had 4 starts under 90 pitches

and the only good one was the one you’re speaking of. Niemann has been yanked 6 times with under 90 pitches. 1 was due to rain, 1 was due to inefficiency, the other 3 were due to lack of trust. 3 solid starts and was pulled early. Of those 3, 2 didn’t make it to the 5th inning.

There is cause for concern to overtaxing the bullpen when they are being putting in early when it’s not needed. Sonny is more efficient with his pitches, but I think Niemann needs to be given more chances.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jun 22, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Sonny's HR/FB% is a fluke.

When you’re relying on an average-ish pitcher to continue stranding his baserunners, you’re going to be burned.

Plus it’s the right call to pinch hit yesterday.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

i agree it was the right call yesterday

and I understand not wanting to play with fire, but if you don’t have confidence in a starting pitcher to make it 5 innings,then you are doing it at the expense of the bullpen. Yesterday was a different story when there was an off-day coming. But you got to give your starting pitchers a chance to make it through 5. If the starter has not been shelled, or if there hasn’t been an extreme rain delay, or an injury, it is very rare for a starter to be taken out this soon. It’s happened on multiple times with the Rays this year, I’d be willing to bet more often than the rest of MLB teams combined.

Sonny’s HR/FB% may be a fluke, but until it shows signs of regressing, I can at least understand a shorter hook. All I know is as “horrible” as Niemann looked yesterday, 2 runs in 4 innings is not bad. Sonny gives up 4 runs in 6 innings in his last start and people say he did very well. That sounds a lot like average to me, but at the rate he’s been playing, I suppose I’ll take average. But maybe he’s starting to improve…his last 4 or 5 starts have been somewhat encouraging.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jun 22, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs