And thats the way it was when Sanchez was healthy back when out bullpen was rocking in 06. Sanchez took the 8th and Aaron Heilman the 7th. Always worked out better that way.
That said, I have faith that Heilman is a head case, and has his stints of giving up runs EVERY outing, and then has periods of time where hitters can't touch his running change-up. Right now, we are in the bad zone, but he'll get to the good zone. You don't consistently have an under 4 ERA by giving up runs every outing, yet every Mets fan who follows regularly remembers the times Heilman goes day after day sucking.
I don't think that any team's set-up man can be effective where his best pitch is a change-up like Heilman has. He just hasn't been getting the job done and I know it is early but he has been consistently bad this season.
Last night I also think Wagner could have been brought in the 8th and work 2 innings and it might have made the game a lot easier.
From what I've heard, I think they are trying to save Wagner's arm. Only using him in situations that they need him, therefore limiting his innings.
Also, this is the reason he is developing all the other pitchers to go with his fastball. He is now less interested in K's and more interested in getting easy inning ground outs and pop ups.
Hopefully this works for him, and hes fresh down the stretch.
Last night I also think Wagner could have been brought in the 8th and work 2 innings and it might have made the game a lot easier.
Thats the way the game was played as recently as 10 years ago and more. And it makes sense. Now its all about pitch counts and protecting the big money investments, which is understandable, if impractical at the same time.
Willie does what many other managers do: they let the relievers dictate how the game is played, not letting the game dictate how relievers are used. For example, if the opposing team has the bases loaded with one out and is down by one in the 8th, you bring your closer in, not "save him for the ninth" and put a "setup" guy in. Use the closer, he should be the best reliever, use him in the most important situation. And conversely if a guy can shut a team down in the 7th with a 1 run lead, he can do it in the 8th or 9th as well.
This whole "inning specialization" concept is ridiculous.
Until we get Duaner Sanchez back, I think I want a platoon for the 8th inning of Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano. The Mets cant afford Heilman's long-ball tendencies this year, since we're going to play the Braves and Phillies a lot, and many of those games will come down to the wire.
I personally think that Heilman need a little bit of rest(he's been used a lot the past couple of years) and maybe some psychotherapy. Yadier Molina's home run seems to still stick in his mind.
Meatpipe - I agree with what you are saying, but I don't see it happening. Closers have become such prima donna's, they want the save. Stats make them more $$$.
One week into the season and the frustration continues.
The New York Mets biggest weakness last season was the bullpen. This weakness was not addressed in the off-season. It appears it will be our biggest problem this year.
We eliminated Guillermo Mota, who had some terrible second innings. But I believe he would have been better if we limited him to one inning per outing. They were hoping to get Sanchez back, and we are still hoping. Joe Smith is a question mark, he has yet to prove he can continually get batters out. Then we have another side arm pitcher, Aaron Heilman, who is unreliable. One day he is good, the next he is giving up home runs. I think we do teams a favor by sending back to back side armers at them. I am scared anytime Schoenweiss enters the ballgame. I think if he was used to face one or two lefties only, he might have a chance. But he should NEVER pitch a full inning. Feliciano has been great and Wagner needs to be dominant. But this is the same bullpen that failed us last year, and things are not looking good.
