Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501
Yeah offense is down. Pitchers are throwing their arms out with 100+ mph pitching across the board and many batters have trouble quickly getting set with a pitch clock. Doing well on offense given that is impressive. Some hitters are eating because they're just really good
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I believe that adjusting to the pitch clock has affected hitters more than pitchers, but I feel like the quality of middle relief and set up men has improved across the board to a point where managers don't sweat pulling their starter after 5 or 6 innings.
Teams used to hold out and try to get their starter through 7 innings, because they didn't really have middle relief pitchers, or have a lot of them, as a lot of bullpens were set up with 8th & 9th inning guys.
Now, relief pitchers in general are more adaptable, and seem to share roles more freely, plus some relief pitchers have spent their entire time in the minors pitching in these various roles so they are better prepared.
Managers sometimes even start their relief pitchers now, with a preplanned replacement by the starter. I know it doesn't happen a lot, but the fact that it happens at all tells you how much managers have changed their approach to managing their staff.
I didn't watch every game, but I feel like Q is a mastermind when it comes to managing the pitchers on a game to game basis compared to Mike Matheny.