I think there is still a chance Framber has another level he can get to. Underdiscussed player since Lance will likely be out awhile and there are questions on JVs workload capacity. Framber and Garcia may have to carry the rotation in the early going.
The "another level" you speak about to me with Valdez is in the playoffs. He was ALL over the place last year.
When Valdez has command, he is a top of the order type pitcher. He lost his command after the crack down on sticky stuff last season. Hopefully an entire off season has allowed him to get used to it.
Valdez averaged over 2,570 RPM on his fourseam (averaged 2180 last season) while averaging 1,500 RPM on his changeup. That's a surprising development if accurate.
Yeah but only the fourseam picked up spin from last year. If he was cheating it should show up with the curveball too I would think.
The obvious non-conspiracy theory reason is because he had a badly broken finger and lost some of his grip las spring training. Now that it has been a year since the injury he regained strength in his hand/finger
Dusty has me flummoxed about the opening day starter vs Ohtani. until yesterday, Verlander was on his routine to start. But being moved to today means he will either have seven days rest, breaking his routine or he won't start until game 3. I guess I needed a reminder that trying to figure out Dusty's management moves are fools errands.
For regular season, he is not tactical at all. He is thinking big picture and playoffs. The past 2 post season has given me enough goodwill towards him that I don't really question is regular season moves as long as we make the playoffs.
I still think Dusty is contemplating Altuve at leadoff and Pena batting 9th. After the first inning, the order is the same. But the only thing I've figured out about Dusty is I can't figure out Dusty. Favorite Managers: 1. Hinch 2. Dierker 3. Virdon
