The LoHud Mets Blog

Fifth starter decision not that hard

March

Of course, the Mets didn’t make a decision as to who their fifth starter would be, but Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey each had comments to suggest what the outcome would be.

Hernandez: “I feel good today. I don’t know about tomorrow.”

Pelfrey: “I always felt that if he were healthy it would be his job. Looking back (on this spring), I didn’t perform.”

Even if Pelfrey giving up three runs in the ninth inning isn’t the deciding factor (it has to play some part), if Hernandez can get out of be in the morning it will be his job.

Agreed?

This entry was posted on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 4:42 pm by John Delcos.
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9 Responses to “Fifth starter decision not that hard”

dave March 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Pretty obvious.

I wonder if Mike is still tipping. He just needs confidence, however that may come to him.
Gil in Savannah, Ga. March 28th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Pelfrey faltering?
Imagine that.
He needs someone else from another organization who can get through to him. He may eventually realize his potential, but I doubt he'll do it as a Met. Trade him for some other player of value.
scoopcoop March 28th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
It is like you said JD, or meant to say I think, that if Eldud gets out of bed tomorrow then it is his.

If he can't, then the prize goes to Pelf (or maybe the secret stealth guy, Hitman Stokes).
Stillsane March 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I agree that in the Met's opinion the job is Duque's if he is without pain tomorrow. Getting people out is the name of the game. I think that Dave's point is a good one, and someone should be looking into whether or not Pelfrey has a tell on his pitches.
benny blanco from da bronx March 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Despite El Duque's velocity he still struck out as many as Pelfrey. SURE he did it in an inning and a third more but c'mon now. He also gave up less hits. He walked less batters.
All this in his low to mid 80's velocity.
Pelfrey, Pelfrey, Pelfrey…
Annie Savoy March 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hi John –

Did you say that El Duque is back to his old wind-up? If that's so, then he will be OK – until he isn't.

OT – I read an article about Willie, Omar and the Mets and the Civil Rights Game tomorrow in Memphis. I had not heard of it before Willie spoke about it. Does the whole Mets team go?
tomg March 28th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
My take on Pelfrey is his fastball is good, mid nineties with a sinking motion, unfortunately he can't control it. The other problem is pelfrey does not have a second or third pitch. This is why IMO he gets hit and gives up runs. Until he can control his fastball and develop a second and maybe a third pitch he will never be effective.
scoopcoop March 28th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Stillsane, "whether or not Pelfrey has a tell on his pitches."

Don't know if you saw the article, but it was reported earlier this spring that Pelfrey was told by several other players that he was tipping his pitches. Don't know if they resolved that completely.

He needs to go to NO and work on a breaking ball pitch. Needs a shrink too.
Stillsane March 28th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Did not see it Scoop. I had only heard some talk about it on the radio early in Spring Training. Thanks for the FYI. I definitely agree he needs both those things in NO. His lack of confidence is always going to be a stumbling block for him unless he can get over it.

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