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I said it a couple of weeks ago - the bullpen, even when it's getting outs, is constantly behind in the count. Hicks and Hudson are the worst about it, Norris was getting more and more wobbly. Last night it looked like Leone was making a concerted effort to just fire strikes with a big lead but suddenly he couldn't throw a strike that wasn't a BP fastball.
Brebbia pitched poorly enough to get cut, IMO. Weaver just cannot throw strikes without guiding his pitches and so he can either have good stuff or good command but hasn't been able to demonstrate both (that was Tui's biggest issue). Martinez has been a godsend out there but we all know how he will occasionally just lose the thread.
If they can't start throwing strikes, especially strike 1, they're going to be lucky to back into the playoffs. I don't think it will impact them in a WC game because I think you'll see Shildt try to ride his SP and Martinez for as many innings as possible in that game. But if they manage to get past it, I just don't see how they can win a short series with a bullpen that just cannot get ahead of hitters.
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