Some meanderings on the subject of the pitching staff….
–Well, the Reds bullpen narrowly averted yet another meltdown disaster last night. One of the primary culprits was someone called “Micah Owings.” Evidently, he plays for the Reds, but I had never seen him before last night.
–As everyone — including Cincinnati’s brain trust — knows, the Reds are going to have to do something about the bullpen. GM Walt Jocketty has made an offer to Jason Isringhausen, one of his old Cardinal buddies who underwent Tommy John surgery at age 37. Ridiculous! No one can come back effectively from that surgery at that age!*
Taking a flyer on Isringhausen is a fine idea; low risk, with at least some chance of panning out. They liked the way Isringhausen threw during a workout session at GAB yesterday, and I’ll trust the guys who are paid to make those evaluations. It’s going to be a while before Isringhausen is ready, though. What do the Reds do in the meantime?
–Here’s another question: what does Jared Burton have to do to get another shot at the big leagues? He just keeps getting people out in AAA, he’s over his injury problems, and this guy has some great stuff. I just can’t fathom why the Reds refuse to give him a chance, especially given the bullpen woes.
–Corky Miller on last night’s starter, Mike Leake: “It’s not surprising anymore, people know what he’s got. But his pitches are tough to hit. I don’t want to say it, but he’s kind of like Maddux where the ball moves so much where it’s hard for guys to square up.”
–Everyone is excited about Stephen Strasburg’s start in Cincinnati tonight, for good reason. The kid is special. But I have a sneaking suspicion that the wily veteran Bronson Arroyo is going to have a trick or two up his sleeve for Strasburg. Tonight’s pitching matchup will be a fascinating contrast of styles. Should be a fun time (too bad I’ll miss the game; going to the DMB show).
–All five of the Reds current starting pitchers have ERA’s below 4. When’s the last time we could say that? (Sure, small sample size with Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood, but still…)
* Yes, that’s a joke. The Man, the Myth, the Legend — Arthur Rhodes — had the same surgery at the same age, and he’s better than ever.