Padres 5, Twins 3: Zebby Matthews Makes His Own Mess

[h2oface]

14 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

So glad Margot got a chance to PH - how did that go?  And Wallner is breaking out of his slump so they PH Jeffers for him.  What is this fascination with Pinch Hitting?  I know Margot stinks, but what is the PH success for the season?  

 

Makes we wonder what it takes for the Margot ineptitude when pinch hitting overrides all the rest of the platoon left right BS Baldelli and FO is using to justify continuing to have him pinch hit. A MLB baseball manager would probably use his override at some point, like at least 15 opportunities ago.

[2wins87]

6 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Matthews got squeezed on a few strikes up & down in the zone. In some AB’s he had trouble the count was 0-2……gotta be sharper with command. He hit Arraez in the foot in first and then had Merrill down and gave up the 0-2 double to clear bases. It’s his second start and nobody’s perfect. The TWO walks after the error really stung and made evident his struggles with command. He’s got 5 pitches……the change-up needs some work & maybe a couple more curve balls per inning?? He’s got nice potential!

Yeah, the changeup does need work, it was a consistent weakness in the minors too.  I do put some blame on Vazquez there.  Zebby needs to execute it better, i.e. below the zone, but in such a big spot, I don't know if going to his 5th best pitch is the best idea, even if it would be the best pitch for most other pitchers.  Maybe his cutter and slider don't play well against lefties either, but I think I would avoid the changeup in all RISP situations for the time being.  It looks like they actually have mostly avoided the changeup, mixing in the curveball and more fastballs to lefties instead, which kind of makes it more weird to call for it in such a high leverage spot.

Ideally he would be working on the pitch in AAA, but he's needed for the division/wild card race now.  I think in the short term he might be better just trying to keep hitters off balance with his other pitches even if the changeup will be needed long term.