Simulated game
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- March
- 18
Mike Pelfrey threw 90 pitches and Orlando Hernandez threw 80. Brian Schneider caught Hernandez and said they were working on spotting his fastball. Apparently, that’s why Hernandez wasn’t alarmed when a couple of minor leaguers tagged him deep.
Both Hernandez and Willie Randolph said velocity is no big deal, which can only mean one thing – he has nothing on the ball.
Anyway, the plan is for Hernandez to pitch Sunday. And, Randolph said two starts would be enough for Hernandez to get ready.
Randolph isn’t saying anything about Hernandez not starting the season until a fifth starter is needed, but that seems the obvious choice.
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on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 11:20 am by John Delcos.
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I just have a bad feeling that Duque will just be a shell of his former self this year.
Get used to seeing him try to sneak by with nothing (probably throwing all off speed slop). And I don’t think it is going to work.
I know he pitched well in stages (when he could stay on the field) last year, but the lingering injuries + new pitching mechanics don’t give me a warm and fuzzy.
He should stay behind for more work, since they don’t need him for 2 weeks, and the team will likely need an extra bench guy until the regulars (and some of the bench guys) can prove that they are healthy enough to stay on the field.
I understand Randolph not wanting to sound too negative in regards to El Duque and widespread injuries among Mets regulars, but the nonchalant attitude is really starting to bother me. It’s almost similar to last seasons collapse, Randolph had the same attitude with the whole “Champagne going to taste that much sweeter” or whatever it was nonsense. All I’m saying is to be a little more honest with your fanbase. If El Duque looks bad and is getting lit up by minor leagers, then just say it, don’t try to portray something that’s obviously not reality. Lets be honest how many simulated games has Duque thrown already and he still hasn’t seen any real game action yet? He was supposed to pitch last weekend in a real game and that never happened. Something is up here and when you can’t throw your fastball higher then 80 MPH there’s a problem. Pedro can get away with throwing 88-90 MPH, Duque can’t get away with an 80 MPH fastball, there’s just not enough difference with his offspeed stuff.
We will know with more certainty what Elduqe’s status is come Sunday (if he actually pitches). If he can’t get guys out, then you’ll be able to draw your own conclusions that he is either not ready or not able.
The key to Mets SP is Pedro. If he is healthy, then the 5th starter does not have to do too much. If he is not, Mets will have troubles.
80 pitches is about the best news that could come out of this. It reminds me of 2005 when Pedro had all of the foot issues and went 5 or 6 innings in his first spring start.
this xbox flash amination is making it impossible to post right now, wtf?
I don’t believe El Duque will be able to pitch well with his new delivery, and I expect Pelfrey to get most of the starts as the #5 starter, which I’m fine with. I think he can take the next step and improve upon last year’s numbers.
As for Willie, he has to remain positive. It serves little purpose to tell the press that El Duque is not looking good. On the slim chance that he can still be an effective starter, you’d want to encourage him and pump him up, not tear him down.
JK, same reason that the team (and any team for that matter) usually gives a positive spin. You should not expect a completely honest answer about the status of players. It just isn’t going to happen.
I don’t really have a good feeling about El Duque either. I want to see him throw in a game at least once before I completely write him off, but I’m afraid that the 2008 version of Orlando Hernandez is going to remind people of the 2006 version of Jose Lima or the 2007 version of Chan Ho Park.
Hopefully Mike Pelfrey will be ready when he finally gets the call.
The problem with “spotting” El Duque’s fastball is that is usually traveling at least 10mph going out as it was coming in. I agree with almost all who have posted that El Duque is going to try and get by with whatever he can throw up there and hope that the “smoke and mirrors” will keep the batters off balance. The loss of his trademark high leg kick is huge because it is not only a timing device for him, but, it was also a major distraction to the hitters. Hopefully, Pelfrey gets ready in a hurray, bacause if Hernandez falters I see him ending up as the long relief man.
Please excuse the poor english in the last post. I must still be getting over St. Patrick’s Day also!