This is why they won't do anything in the near future as their stars have to play near perfect to keep a winning streak going?
They are what their record says they are and after one half of a season you can now believe it. They’re as the kids say “mid”. Just like fandom doesn’t affect their play on the field neither do field trips.
It's bad enough outfielders Matthews, Trammel, and Dezenzo do not produce anything at the plate, it gets terribly compounded when they make mistakes on defense that gives the runner(s) extra bases
Pitching King two innings might be the dumbest thing Espada has done all season. You could maybe excuse him had King entered the 8th inning and the game was tied headed to the 9th to avoid Hader non-save, maybe -- but entering 7th inning means Joe with 100% intent slotted King two innings, on one day rest (19 PC on Friday), with successful bullpen guys (small sample size true) well-rested. Espada clearly entered this game with intentions of NOT pitching certain guys, unless blowout or desperation. One guy has a 1.00 ERA, the other is a full run lower than Santos, Joe's guilty pleasure. Besides Hader, King was the LAST guy you throw multi today. Espada did it ON PURPOSE. It was planned by the time Javier didn't make it passed 3 innings. Speaking of Javier, his 3 earned in 3 innings actually lowered his ERA. Single digits, accomplished.
The problem was Espada burning Blubaugh Saturday with a 6 run lead. Joe needed to use some combination of Abreu, Pearson, and Santa to get 6 outs Saturday. Then piggyback Javier and Blubaugh Sunday Javier goes 3 A.J goes 2 Then De los Santos, Okert, King, and Hader all give 1 inning. Maybe A.J. can even go 3 giving De Los Santos the day off too.
AJ would have to go 3 since Javier only went 3. Burning Blubaugh yesterday didn't help.... but do you agree with King for 2 innings today, with Blubaugh unavailable? It was never necessary even without AJ. Funny thing is he allowed two runs yesterday, albeit situations and outcomes can change. Santa almost seems like a forgotten man.
