OnlyBucs

Hurdle has to use other guys too. Rivero can't pitch every relief inning. Funny how this came up again when Rivero wasn't used before the 9th. It is a no-win situation for Hurdle. Before when Rivero was used in those situations, someone blew the 9th and people got all over Hurdle. Now, he didn't use Rivero and people are on him again. Just can't have it both ways.



Hurdle used the match ups. Watson came in and got two lefties out even though a run scored (very good play by Mercer). Then brought in Hudson to face the righty. Hudson didn't throw a strike and Santana hit an outside pitch down the line for a HR. Isn't this what 30 out of 32 other teams do?



I was glad he lifted Watson for Hudson. I was worried Watson would stay in against the righty. If the lead was still intact, I wonder if Rivero would have pitched the 8th and 9th?

79727A767372692C2A5D647C757272337E721D0 wrote: Hurdle has to use other guys too.  Rivero can't pitch every relief inning.  Funny how this came up again when Rivero wasn't used before the 9th.  It is a no-win situation for Hurdle.  Before when Rivero was used in those situations, someone blew the 9th and people got all over Hurdle.  Now, he didn't use Rivero and people are on him again.  Just can't have it both ways.



Hurdle used the match ups.  Watson came in and got two lefties out even though a run scored (very good play by Mercer).  Then brought in Hudson to face the righty.  Hudson didn't throw a strike and Santana hit an outside pitch down the line for a HR.  Isn't this what 30 out of 32 other teams do?



I was glad he lifted Watson for Hudson.  I was worried Watson would stay in against the righty.  If the lead was still intact, I wonder if Rivero would have pitched the 8th and 9th?
Well Dog, you would never manage my team. But you could be my PR director. And I'll bet you can't name 32 MLB teams.

I am leaning to your side with the use of the bullpen. But people still can't have it both ways. Rivero was being used in high leverage situations most of the season then Watson was blowing it. Now, Rivero is the closer and Watson and company are blowing it before the 9th and people question where was Rivero. It's one or the other...



(You are right, I can't name 32 teams)

6368606C6968733630477E666F6868296468070 wrote: I am leaning to your side with the use of the bullpen.  But people still can't have it both ways.  Rivero was being used in high leverage situations most of the season then Watson was blowing it.  Now, Rivero is the closer and Watson and company are blowing it before the 9th and people question where was Rivero.  It's one or the other...



(You are right, I can't name 32 teams)
I don't think people want it both ways. There are just 2 different schools of thought. My preference is that the best reliever be used as needed. Last night they needed a strike out in the 7th vs LH batters. Watson did ok but the ground out scored a run. Then the struggling Hudson loses the game. Meanwhile they have a Chapmanesque LH reliever who throws 102 but doesn't get used. In games where Rivero hadn't been needed prior to the 9th. he can slam the door and get a save. But there are other times like last night when trying to avoid an earlier game threatening jam has to take priority.

Do the "only use Rivero in the 9th inning" people think Hurdle managed it right last night? Funny how they aren't speaking up...

I don't have an issue with how Hurdle has managed his bullpen this season.



I do, however, have an issue with the pathetic bullpen that NH built.

6545564B4A240 wrote: I don't have an issue with how Hurdle has managed his bullpen this season.



I do, however, have an issue with the pathetic bullpen that NH built.


The big failure so far to me has been Hudson.  Since he's not doing the job everyone else is mis-cast.  Watson's had a disappointing run but I feel like we had accounted for that possibility a bit.

Hudson has actually been very good since May 1 in terms of his ERA. It's just his April ERA of almost 10 which skews his stats.

6A474A5B5C4D5A1A19280 wrote: I am leaning to your side with the use of the bullpen.  But people still can't have it both ways.  Rivero was being used in high leverage situations most of the season then Watson was blowing it.  Now, Rivero is the closer and Watson and company are blowing it before the 9th and people question where was Rivero.  It's one or the other...



(You are right, I can't name 32 teams)
I don't think people want it both  ways. There are just 2 different schools of thought. My preference is that the best reliever be used as needed. Last night they needed a strike out in the 7th vs LH batters. Watson did ok but the ground out scored a run. Then the struggling Hudson loses the game. Meanwhile they have a Chapmanesque LH reliever who throws 102 but doesn't get used. In games where Rivero hadn't been needed prior to the 9th. he can slam the door and get a save. But there are other times like last night when trying to avoid an earlier game threatening jam has to take priority.






Its my fault dog said there were 32 teams. I keep getting MLB mixed up with NFL and said the 32 teams in a previous post. As to using Rivero in the 7th , those first 2 batters reached base pretty quickly. I think it would have been tough for Hurdle to have him ready to pitch in that inning. You and I disagree on when and how you should use a BP guy that is heads and shoulders better than the other pitchers but you have to consider that you can't just keep Rivero "warm" in the BP for high leverage spots. I do think there is good argument for both our views.

686D6A6C646E776A6370767B020 wrote: Hudson has actually been very good since May 1 in terms of his ERA.  It's just his April ERA of almost 10 which skews his stats.


I agree. It might just be my impression (haven't checked the game stats) but this might have been one if the first times they tried him back in one of those setup roles though.