Quote:
Originally Posted by One Red Seat
MDC keeps spitting the bit every time it's offered. They need to get Hansen back up as soon the 10 days pass and see what they've got there. MDC is looking more and more like a middle of the game reliever, and not an end game option.
I will say this in his defense last night. It made absolutely no sense to pitch MDC to Lind. I know JHB posted his power pitcher splits in the game thread, but he's got a pretty strong LH/RH split too, and Oki is just a better pitcher. I think the stronger power pitcher split is negated by the quality of pitchers involved. Oki hadn't thrown since 4/24, so he was well rested. When your usual 8th inning guy hasn't had work in 5 days, give him the ball to start the inning in a 1-run game. I'm pretty sure the intent was to buy an inning's worth of outs from MDC and not pitch Papelbon on consecutive days, but it almost blew up in his face, and luckily, Oki was able to shake off the rust and get the job done after coming in without his full warm-up.
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I played against MDC growing up, so you can imagine I would hope for nothing but the best for the kid......but like me and you talked about in the past.....he has every single tool and advantage to be a big time setup man, but is missing something that I cannot put my finger on. At times, like his stretch last year, he is awesome.....and looks like he is fulfilling the tools which he is blessed with, other times he looks no better than a mop up guy. The set-up guy needs consistency. Timlin did it for all those years. You dont have to be lights out dominating, but the manager needs to know what to expect out of you before he puts you in the game. He cant turn to MDC every eighth inning knowing what he gets will be a crapshoot. A good setup man gives you solid outings 7 outta 10 times at least. MDC is probably hovering about 5 outta 10. They are winning....so thats a bright side, but if he doesnt pick it up, you have to think Theo will explore other options whether is be Hansen, or guys outside the organization.