Game Thread - 3/22 - Bucs vs Orioles

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:06 pm

1. Kevin Newman (R) SS

2. Erik Gonzalez (R) 2B

3. Phillip Evans (R) 3B

4. Colin Moran (L) 1B

5. Anthony Alford (R) RF

6. Dustin Fowler (L) CF

7. Jared Oliva (R) LF

8. Michael Perez (L) C

9. Tony Wolters (L) DH

Mitch Keller (R) SP

Trevor Cahill, Chris Stratton, Duane Underwood Jr, and Luis Oviedo will follow in some order.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:04 pm

Matt Capps is doing radio with Joe Blockhead.

MaineBucs · Post by **MaineBucs** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:22 pm

I know its only spring training, and part of spring training is ensuring that everyone receives ab's, but casting Tony Wolters in the role of DH is quite an oxymoron.

The only thing that is appropriate is batting him last, the pitcher's spot. With the exception of Brault, Wolters likely can outhit the other Pirate pitchers.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:28 pm

Another poor performance by Keller.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:01 pm

Watching Cahill pitch ,and for some reason reminded me of former Buc Rick Reuschel.

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:53 pm

Wehner was saying that Keller had good stuff today but the O's were able to handle what he was throwing. It seems that Keller needs to learn how to pitch and what pitches to throw to the hitter's weaknesses.

MaineBucs · Post by **MaineBucs** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:00 pm

Surprising that there was only 1 position player substitution, particularly in a home game for the Pirates.

Also, a .500 record in spring training. Doesn't really mean anything in the long run, but good to see that they are managing to win a few games at some point this season.

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:40 pm

Possum, doesn't the catcher guide the younger pitchers in pitch selection? That would seem to make sense to me since catchers have been watching these guys for a while now while it's all a lot newer for the pitcher (although I note that it was Perez and not Stallings doing the catching).

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 11:09 pm

He's got good stuff but the hitters handled it. Catchers' pitch calling. Seems like we're grasping at straws to avoid being very concerned that Keller has not made strides and has been enormously disappointing this spring. Bad in 2019. In 2020 he had 2 bad games and 3 good ones but in the good ones he walked 13 in 16 innings. Now a 16.21 ERA in 2021 ST. I wish we had reason to be excited about Keller at this point, but I don't think we do.