The rest of their careers, or in 2025? I'm going Whitley on both actually But they are starting to get to me!! 2025: Whitley 75 innings, McCullers 60 2026: McCullers 125, Whitley 75 2027: Whitley 75 2028: Whitley 75 2029: Whitley 75 2030: Whitley 75
I would like to see McCullers as the swing man, like how Javier used to be and Brad Peacock before him. Spot starter, multi innings of relief, would the way I'd use him. This is also the year I think Whitley can really establish himself as a shut down reliever in the majors. I can see him as the 7th inning guy if things work out right.
I completely disagree with trying or expecting McCullers anywhere that does not have a set schedule and routine or where he may have to warm up under any kind of stress or hurry. As for Whitley, I agree and have high hopes.
I'm just trying to limit his innings and deploy him the best way possible. He does not have starter endurance, he never will. If he can't make it as a reliever then he's done anyway.
Endurance is not his problem. It's the strain his pitches put on his arm. He has pitched into the 6th inning in 2/3 of his career starts. He has pitched into the 7th and/or thrown over 100 pitches in 30%.
So what's your point exactly? Pitching less would reduce strain no? The Astros seem to understand as Espada said they may try out Lance in the bullpen.
It would. I simply said that the statement "He doesn't have starter endurance. He never will" is untrue. And then added statistical evidence to my point.
I disagree. His career high IP is only 162.1, below league average, and that was more than 3 years ago, before missing 2 full seasons. His next highest IP was only 128. It doesn't matter at all how deep he pitches into a game if he can't handle a starter's workload.
But endurance has nothing to do with how many innings he has pitched over the course of a season- injury does
The application of "endurance" over the course of a game vs. "endurance" over the course of a season is but a matter of perspective - Zoom in. Zoom out.
I swear I remember seeing something when he came up or was drafted that his motion would destroy his arm.
That motion helped get the Stros a ring. For this I will be forever greatful. Problem is they signed the guy with this motion to a 2nd longterm contract.
He was awesome in 2021... till he got hurt again. In the end, its all about if the flexor surgery allows him to throw anything close to what he was able to throw in 2021. Once the league (i.e. - Phillies) figured out what he was throwing in 2022 and beyond (i.e.- junk ball stuff), as he was injured that entire time and his arsenal was an adjusted/neutered version of himself, it was hittable. Everybody here trying to figure out if bullpen strain is worse than starting pitcher strain... has me strained. Most pitchers who were starters say its harder. Bullpen guys get used to it because they don't have the stuff to be a starter as is. Javier didn't like the inconsistent "bridge" role... but his arm gave out anyways. Smoltz said he'd have been able to be a starter much longer without his conversion to closer. I tend to believe the starting pitchers more than Espada or GM's who've never thrown a baseball.
He looked pretty d@mn good when he came back in Aug of '22. He had eight starts down the stretch and looked really good. Then he looked fantastic against Seattle in the playoffs (think he pitched 6 innings without giving up a run). Didn't look good against the Yankees in the ALCS or against Philly in game 3 of the WS. Not expecting anything from him but it sure would be awesome to see him back out there and doing his thing. He helped us win two WS and I'm definitely pulling for the guy.
