OnlyBucs

243C3E39392E3F38252432570 wrote: I've got no problem with the way they used LeBlanc tonight. None. He saved the bullpen in a stretch when we have a bunch of games in a row until our next off day, and on a night when Rivero already wasn't available and probably Williams, too. Hurdle abslolutely made the right call, IMO.
Wow, bases loaded a chance to get back into a game and send a relief pitcher up to bat, incredible.




No, it's not incredible. It's being realistic and acknowledging that you aren't going to win every game, and you do have to punt on some games. It's losing the battle in order to win the war. Because of LeBlanc's outstanding effort tonight, we probably have our entire bullpen available the next two games. That could lead to two wins. If they take him out, who throws next? As I said, Rivero and Williams were already unavailable. Bastardo? Get an inning, maybe two out of Nicasio? You know they aren't going to use Hudson or Watson. It wasn't our night. Conservatively, it's going to happen another 60 times this year. Probably more.

I still think Glasnow should have started the season at AAA and should now be sent there ASAP. For those who insist he's got nothing more to prove at AAA, maybe so. But what he needs is the confidence to be gained by again dominating there before facing MLB hitters. He struggled with the Pirates last year and had a pretty bad spring this year but was handed the #5 spot despite being out pitched by Williams and Brault. So he enters the season knowing he's been handed the spot based on potential even tho he's looked bad. How can he have any confidence on the mound? Let him dominate AAA hitters and then return feeling like he's ready. Right now as he looks back on last year and this ST he must feel like he can't get MLB hitters out. Plus, this team knows its best chance is to win enough games to be a WC team. Having Glasnow blow games because he clearly isn't ready or able hurts that chance.

466B66777061763635040 wrote: I still think Glasnow should have started the season at AAA and should now be sent there ASAP. For those who insist he's got nothing more to prove at AAA, maybe so. But what he needs is the confidence to be gained by again dominating there before facing MLB hitters. He struggled with the Pirates last year and had a pretty bad spring this year but was handed the #5 spot despite being out pitched by Williams and Brault. So he enters the season knowing he's been handed the spot based on potential even tho he's looked bad. How can he have any confidence on the mound? Let him dominate AAA hitters and then return feeling like he's ready. Right now as he looks back on last year and this ST he must feel like he can't get MLB hitters out. Plus, this team knows its best chance is to win enough games to be a WC team. Having Glasnow blow games because he clearly isn't ready or able hurts that chance.    


Can't really argue with that tonight.

202C3E3E2F382E3E2B2C234D0 wrote: I've got no problem with the way they used LeBlanc tonight. None. He saved the bullpen in a stretch when we have a bunch of games in a row until our next off day, and on a night when Rivero already wasn't available and probably Williams, too. Hurdle abslolutely made the right call, IMO.
Wow, bases loaded a chance to get back into a game and send a relief pitcher up to bat, incredible.


I have to agree with skinnyhorse on this one your objective in every game is to win we are already worried about saving the bullpen I'm sorry I just don't get that
If it's the 8th or 9th inning I could see it but not that early in a game. That is a defeatist attitude if I ever saw one, not me, never, never, never. I want my team to know I'm out to win every game, and if they aren't with me then I don't want them on my team.

7D71702B222B232E29362C1B0 wrote: I've got no problem with the way they used LeBlanc tonight. None. He saved the bullpen in a stretch when we have a bunch of games in a row until our next off day, and on a night when Rivero already wasn't available and probably Williams, too. Hurdle abslolutely made the right call, IMO.
I totally agree with you. LeBlanc saved the bullpen and possibly saved someone from going down to AAA in order to get a fresh arm added to the bullpen just in case they would need one tomorrow.  Here's hoping Taillon throws a gem tomorrow night.


At this stage of the season it should be possible to get someone from Indy to help out if needed. Otherwise raise the White Flag and take out Cervelli to get some rest (prevent him from getting injured in a lost game). Let Bastardo pitch 2 or 3 innings if needed (especially if pinch hitter fails and it remains 5-1). With bases loaded you need to try and get back in the game. LeBlanc has a 250 lifetime average but hasn't had a hit since 2013.



Hopefully Reds bullpen will fail them tonight.

2D353730302736312C2D3B5E0 wrote: I've got no problem with the way they used LeBlanc tonight. None. He saved the bullpen in a stretch when we have a bunch of games in a row until our next off day, and on a night when Rivero already wasn't available and probably Williams, too. Hurdle abslolutely made the right call, IMO.
Wow, bases loaded a chance to get back into a game and send a relief pitcher up to bat, incredible.


I have to agree with skinnyhorse on this one your objective in every game is to win we are already worried about saving the bullpen I'm sorry I just don't get that
If it's the 8th or 9th inning I could see it but not that early in a game.  That is a defeatist attitude if I ever saw one, not me, never, never, never.  I want my team to know I'm out to win every game, and if they aren't with me then I don't want them on my team.
Yeah, there comes a time when the best move is to punt and save the pen for another day. But that time is not the 3rd inning when you're down by 4 with the bases loaded and the other team has already gone to their bullpen. Maybe a pinch hitter only makes the 3rd out there. But if he drives in 2 runs, it's 5-3 with 6 innings to play. Hurdle clearly punted in the 3rd innings when there was still a chance. It's no wonder the Bucs have looked so flat since then. They saw their manager pack it in before the 4th inning.

715C51404756410102330 wrote: I still think Glasnow should have started the season at AAA and should now be sent there ASAP. For those who insist he's got nothing more to prove at AAA, maybe so. But what he needs is the confidence to be gained by again dominating there before facing MLB hitters. He struggled with the Pirates last year and had a pretty bad spring this year but was handed the #5 spot despite being out pitched by Williams and Brault. So he enters the season knowing he's been handed the spot based on potential even tho he's looked bad. How can he have any confidence on the mound? Let him dominate AAA hitters and then return feeling like he's ready. Right now as he looks back on last year and this ST he must feel like he can't get MLB hitters out. Plus, this team knows its best chance is to win enough games to be a WC team. Having Glasnow blow games because he clearly isn't ready or able hurts that chance.    


Here is the problem. The numbers suggest he has nothing to prove in the minors. He was pretty darn dominant. Yes, confidence can be gained mowing down AAA hitters. But, there is still a problem ... he can't get out MLB hitters. He simply isn't ready to pitch in the majors, but what does he gain by going back down and mow down AAA hitters?

0C212C3D3A2B3C7C7F4E0 wrote: ....he must feel like he can't get MLB hitters out.    


I see nothing to suggest he can. Poor control. Nothing special when he does throw strikes. Can't hold runners.



Does anyone see anything to suggest he has amazing potential?

466B66777061763635040 wrote: I've got no problem with the way they used LeBlanc tonight. None. He saved the bullpen in a stretch when we have a bunch of games in a row until our next off day, and on a night when Rivero already wasn't available and probably Williams, too. Hurdle abslolutely made the right call, IMO.
Wow, bases loaded a chance to get back into a game and send a relief pitcher up to bat, incredible.


I have to agree with skinnyhorse on this one your objective in every game is to win we are already worried about saving the bullpen I'm sorry I just don't get that
If it's the 8th or 9th inning I could see it but not that early in a game.  That is a defeatist attitude if I ever saw one, not me, never, never, never.  I want my team to know I'm out to win every game, and if they aren't with me then I don't want them on my team.
Yeah, there comes a time when the best move is to punt and save the pen for another day. But that time is not the 3rd inning when you're down by 4 with the bases loaded and the other team has already gone to their bullpen. Maybe a pinch hitter only makes the 3rd out there. But if he drives in 2 runs, it's 5-3 with 6 innings to play. Hurdle clearly punted in the 3rd innings when there was still a chance. It's no wonder the Bucs have looked so flat since then. They saw their manager pack it in before the 4th inning.   


the other part is that it is hard to expect someone like LeBlanc to be effective for several innings. He has done a good job tonight but I would expect him to be toast the second time through the line up most games.

And why is Bastardo on this team?