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I'm still not sold on Looper.

Through five, he had already thrown 70 pitches, and had 41-29 strikes/balls. I think if Looper is going to be effective in the sixth and seventh inning, he has to keep his pitch count down -- way down. I'm interested in seeing what happens when he's pitching with the weather above 40 degrees.

GatewaySnayke wrote:I'm still not sold on Looper.

Through five, he had already thrown 70 pitches, and had 41-29 strikes/balls. I think if Looper is going to be effective in the sixth and seventh inning, he has to keep his pitch count down -- way down. I'm interested in seeing what happens when he's pitching with the weather above 40 degrees.

But if you get five or six from him, that's much more than I ever expected.

And he may be, just maybe, better than Marquis.

Leroy wrote:

GatewaySnayke wrote:I'm still not sold on Looper.

Through five, he had already thrown 70 pitches, and had 41-29 strikes/balls. I think if Looper is going to be effective in the sixth and seventh inning, he has to keep his pitch count down -- way down. I'm interested in seeing what happens when he's pitching with the weather above 40 degrees.

But if you get five or six from him, that's much more than I ever expected.

And he may be, just maybe, better than Marquis.

Perhaps. Five to six innings every start wouldn't be a problem, but I'm hoping that by the time the end of May rolls around and Looper is already approaching his normal innings that his arm is still attached.

Leroy wrote:

GatewaySnayke wrote:I'm still not sold on Looper.

Through five, he had already thrown 70 pitches, and had 41-29 strikes/balls. I think if Looper is going to be effective in the sixth and seventh inning, he has to keep his pitch count down -- way down. I'm interested in seeing what happens when he's pitching with the weather above 40 degrees.

But if you get five or six from him, that's much more than I ever expected.

And he may be, just maybe, better than Marquis.

better than Marquis, better than Weaver and its all good

Pujols is now 74-for-185 (.400) at PNC Park since it opened in 2001.

GatewaySnayke wrote:I'm still not sold on Looper.

Through five, he had already thrown 70 pitches, and had 41-29 strikes/balls. I think if Looper is going to be effective in the sixth and seventh inning, he has to keep his pitch count down -- way down.

I don't think 14 pitches an inning is considered to be a lot. That would get you through 7 full innings at 98 pitches. A typical starter would probably be sent out to start the eighth, especially if he was shutting the other team out.

Richie Allen wrote:A typical starter would probably be sent out to start the eighth, especially if he was shutting the other team out.

Right, but Snayke is saying (and I agree with him) that Looper isn't a typical starter. As a converted reliever his attrition rate is going to be more extreme than a career starter.

thrill wrote:

Richie Allen wrote:A typical starter would probably be sent out to start the eighth, especially if he was shutting the other team out.

Right, but Snayke is saying (and I agree with him) that Looper isn't a typical starter. As a converted reliever his attrition rate is going to be more extreme than a career starter.

Perhaps, and I understand the point.

On the flip side, being more "economical" often means throwing less balls, or throwing more hittable pitches, which can result in more production for the opposing team.

I guess where I stand on Looper at this juncture is: we're asking him to start and he's responded remarkably. I'm hesitant to be critical of him and suggest, "could you go 7 shutout innings but possibly do it a little more efficiently?" And while I'm happy with him so far, I wouldn't be completely surprised if today was the best outing we'll ever see from him.

Richie Allen wrote:I guess where I stand on Looper at this juncture is: we're asking him to start and he's responded remarkably. I'm hesitant to be critical of him and suggest, "could you go 7 shutout innings but possibly do it a little more efficiently?" And while I'm happy with him so far, I wouldn't be completely surprised if today was the best outing we'll ever see from him.

I agree. Basically I don't think he is going to be good very often, let alone this good.

thrill wrote:

Richie Allen wrote:I guess where I stand on Looper at this juncture is: we're asking him to start and he's responded remarkably. I'm hesitant to be critical of him and suggest, "could you go 7 shutout innings but possibly do it a little more efficiently?" And while I'm happy with him so far, I wouldn't be completely surprised if today was the best outing we'll ever see from him.

I agree. Basically I don't think he is going to be good very often, let alone this good.

Yep. In the time being, however, I'll continue to cling to the delusion that "maybe this clown should have always been a starter."