Jack Morris cites example of C.C. Sabathia to denounce Stephen Strasburg's shut-down-MLB Update
Former Minnesota Twins’ hurler, Jack Morris finds faults in the shut-down decision of Stephen Strasburg by Washington Nationals during the regular season.
He has quoted excellent jobs that C.C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander carried out for their teams in the season.
Both of these pitchers threw a great number of innings in almost every game.
The starting pitcher that can complete more than seven innings in a match lightens the burden on the relievers. As a result, he enhances the chances for victory by keeping the momentum going.
Whenever relievers step on the mound, there is every possibility that the runs which were few and far between earlier start coming and allow the opposition to get control of the game as a result.
Against this backdrop, Morris has criticised the excessive emphasis that the Nationals placed on the pitch count of their ace Strasburg in the season.
According to him, the Nationals should not have restricted Strasburg. Instead they should have asked him to throw as many innings per match as he could.
Strasburg was imposed an innings limit by the Nationals in light of the fears that he went through Tommy John surgery and may end up sustaining another injury if not taken care of properly.
Nationals view him as part of their long-term strategy with regard to improving the team’s performance.
Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo wants Strasburg to stay healthy and lift the team for a number of years as starting pitcher. He aims to increase burden on him gradually. For example, in the next season he may be asking Strasburg to throw a greater
number of innings than he finished this year.
Regardless of the rationale that the Nationals present in defence of their decision, Morris is cynical.
“I think everybody in the Washington Nationals’ front office should pay attention that guys should go deep into games … when I see CC complete a game two days after Justin did, and I see guys doing it, it reminds me that there’s still hope because — I can
say this, Phyllis, and you can’t tell me I can’t say this. I believe the pitch count is overrate,” Morris stated in reply to a question about Sabathia and Verlander.
Irrespective of the contention of the critics, Strasburg will be looking to work as per the plans of his team officials.
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