Pedro: The cost of wanting to beat the Yankees

[Wolf Hopper]

Pedro threw 128 pitches last night in 6.2 IP v. New York.

In the last three years, Pedro (now) has only thrown 120+ pitches in a game FOUR TIMES - - three of them against NY.

On 5/30/01, Pedro threw 121 pitches v. the Yankees in 8 IP. The next start, he managed 90 pitches, then 110, and then dropped down to 89 and 81 pitches in the next two. He then went on the DL and missed all of July 2001 and most of August 2001.

On 8/28/02, Pedro threw 127 pitches v. the Yankees in 6.1 IP. He then could not make another start for 13 days.

On 4/22 of this year, Pedro threw 122 pitches in 7 IP (not v. NY). His PPG counts over the next four starts were 101, 108, 83, and 84 (sounds just like 2001!) and then he went on the DL for a stay.

It will be very interesting to watch Pedro's next 5 starts after last night.

His rage to beat NY is costing him, and the Redsox, IMHO.

[Craig S.]

I don't know if I'd call it "rage," but I agree that he has a certain intensity when it comes to trying to beat the Yankees. I know he wants to do it badly, but I hate seeing it done at the expense of his next few starts. If I'm in the Sox' shoes, I'm looking at the wildcard race and concerning myself with that more than the Yankees.

[JamesI]

Well, part of it may be Yankee hitters are more patient than most teams. Pedro needs to throw more pitches to them.

If he's hurting himself against them, the team needs to keep an eye on him...

[TimmyB]

You don't care much for Pedro, do you, Wolf?

I think Pedro's pitch counts against the Yankees comes less from his (did you say rage?) desire to beat the hated pinstripes as it does having a team that has been constantly chasing the Yankees having its best pitcher on the mound in a game that Boston feels it "must win". So, you leave your best guy out there, especially when, in this must win game, you have luke-warm faith in the bullpen.

This has happened under Jimy Williams and Grady Little. (And, yes, I'll be watching his next start with baited breath.)

[pathogan]

...everything on the planet revolve around the yankees?Yes he wants to beat them because they are the teams rivals, and yes if he played for the giants he woould do the same against the dodgers.i dont think it has much to do with anything besides a desire to win. check the pitchcount in his previous three starts...

[Ytown Tribe fan]

I think it's great. Wouldn't you want your best pitcher to get really pumped up about facing your most hated rival?

There is a good parallel here: think about the Dodgers and Giants of the '60s. Not only did Marichal do very well against the Dodgers, he really loved to face them too, JUST to beat them. No one in the Bay Area whined about "overusing Juan's precious arm against the hated Dodgers" -- I guarantee that.

Pedro has a winning record (and an ERA under 3.00) in his career against the Yanks -- that is better than most pitchers I am sure. He SHOULD be in there against them, as often and as long as possible.

[sweaver]

I was wondering, after Pedro's pitch count last night, if he would make his next start. But yes, if you define it as a "must-win" game, and I'm sure the Red Sox did, you ride Pedro a little longer. Especially given the state of their bullpen, and that Burkett was going today and would presumably require more relief.

[Wolf Hopper]

Originally Posted by pathogan

Why does...everything on the planet revolve around the yankees?

Pat - this is driven by stats and fact:

In the last three years, Pedro (now) has only thrown 120+ pitches in a game FOUR TIMES - - three of them against NY.

To your question - I dunno? Ask Pedro.

[Wolf Hopper]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

You don't care much for Pedro, do you, Wolf?

Yeah, I do pick on him - - - a tad.
Here's the thing - - if you knew a guy who was 5'8" 150 lbs, who stomped around all the time and beat his chest as if he was 6'4" 225 lbs, and who was always shooting off his mouth, half the time when not asked anything and usually on matters that have nothing to do with him, what would your opinion be of that person?

Some people would say that guy is a punk, no?

Gosh, this will probably just be signature quote material for the children, but, that's what I think of ol' 45. Probably just me.............

[TGwynn19]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

Some people would say that guy is a punk, no?

And next year, after a blockbuster trade, he ended up in the Bronx would he still be a punk?

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

Yeah, I do pick on him - - - a tad.
Here's the thing - - if you knew a guy who was 5'8" 150 lbs, who stomped around all the time and beat his chest as if he was 6'4" 225 lbs, and who was always shooting off his mouth, half the time when not asked anything and usually on matters that have nothing to do with him, what would your opinion be of that person?

It's all about the laundry.

If his shirt has pinstripes -- he's a punk!

If his socks are crimson -- he's the best!

[sweaver]

And Pedro's one of the top 20 pitchers ever, maybe top 10. He's a cocky little bantam rooster, but he's not the first one to play the game. He backs up the mouth with his arm.

[Wolf Hopper]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

It's all about the laundry.
If his shirt has pinstripes -- he's a punk!
If his socks are crimson -- he's the best!

we speak different languages but have the same codes!

Originally Posted by TGwynn19

And next year, after a blockbuster trade, he ended up in the Bronx would he still be a punk?

I have to be honest, right? OK, if this happened, you know how it goes - -- he becomes a tolerable punk every 5th day.

[hmrsf]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

we speak different languages but have the same codes!


I have to be honest, right? OK, if this happened, you know how it goes - -- he becomes a tolerable punk every 5th day.

.....and I will find him an intolerable sleeve slitting, head hunting jerk.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

if you knew a guy who was 5'8" 150 lbs, who stomped around all the time and beat his chest as if he was 6'4" 225 lbs, and who was always shooting off his mouth, half the time when not asked anything and usually on matters that have nothing to do with him, what would your opinion be of that person?

Some people would say that guy is a punk, no?

Some people would say that guy is Billy Martin.