so why didnt Pettite get the win today? and is it KOKO who starts for him next game, IF pettite is down? or Backe? or Stone?
Starting pitcher must pitch 5 innings for the win, regardless. As of now, it would be KoKo... but seeing as how the Cubs can't hit lefties right now, there might be a little Carlos talk in the next couple of days. Plus, the last report I read had him finally getting into the low 90's in terms of arm strength... which is very encouraging. Of course, if Pettite's injury is not serious, KoKo will probably get it.
On the broadcast today, one of the guys (I forgot) said they had talked to Hunsicker and he said Carlos was still throwing in the mid 80's for his fastball but this was making him learn how to pitch better and hit his spots. If he is throwing an 85 mile an hour fastball, I don't think he will be up anytime soon. I think he needs to atleast be around 88-90 mph to be effective against major league batters.
Thanks Nick, that totally flew past me the fact that they have to pitch 5 innings.... didnt realize that until now.
WHOOO!! I knew we would sweep them!!! Anyways, what's the news on Pettitte? Is what FSSW said true? EDIT: "The injury, Pettitte insisted, is not related to the elbow strain that forced him to miss most of April. He feels this is more of a muscle strain in his forearm, near the elbow area but not quite where his previous injury was."
The rule used to allow a starting pitcher to get the win if he was injured and had clearly earned the win, in the opinion of the official scorer. Or at least I would have sworn this.
couple of thoughts here: 1. Dotel was nasty last night...that's a good sign. 2. The jury is still out for me with the Reds...but I've seen the Cubs play more than a few times so far this season. This team simply can not hit good pitching. I mean, they aren't just held down by good pitching...they're freaking shut down. Like 3-4 hits...zero runs...etc. I like the head-to-head matchup we have with the Cubs. Obviously, I like it even better when Sammy's out of the lineup. If we handle our business against them, I'm optimistic this division is ours. 3. Hunsicker just said on 610 that Hernandez is "not there yet"...that his mechanics are still jacked and he's had to become a finesse pitcher. I'm guessing KoKo fills in for Andy.
Sounds day to day, hope it is... Glad we won, we need a long winning streak to get some real confidence going. DD
As long as Hernandez is in the mid 80's he will NOT be brought up...He probably won't be up until September.
Do you even bother reading the threads before you post? That question was answered 3 posts above yours.
I don't think there has ever been a rule on the book regarding an injured starting pitcher getting the win with less than 5 IP. It was interesting how the official scorer handled this, though. They usually use the cookie-cutter method, which says that if a starter goes less than 5 IP and his team is winning without surrendering the lead at any point, the win will go to the pitcher who relieves the starter, which would have been Mike Gallo. However, the official scorer has the discretion to give the win to the 'most effective reliever' in that case, and he did just that, giving the W to Lidge, who was by far the most effective reliever of the night.
Why did Pettite leave the start before this last one early. I seem to remember turning that game on, and the opponent only had 2 runs, it was only the fifth inning, but Pettite had already been relieved.
