I apologize for the majority of my Angels posts being either about rookies or pitchers, but that's just the slant that we have going on right now in Haloland.
What the heck is going on with Joel Piñeiro? I'm kind of getting sick and tired of hoping that he will come around start after start. It's just one let down after another with this guy this season, and I'm starting to wonder if La Piñata is headed down the same path as our dearly departed friend, Scott Kazmir.
The last time Jo Jo picked up a win was way back on July 9, and since that win, things have been really, really bad.
July 17: 0.3 IP with 8 runs allowed
July 23: 5.3 IP with 3 runs allowed
July 28: 3.3 IP with 6 runs allowed
August 3: 4.3 IP with 7 runs allowed
Over those previous four starts, Piñeiro is 0-3 with a 14.85 ERA. That's just a flat out disgusting line. Also over those games, he has just 2 Ks, while allowing 6 walks. And it isn't just now. Earlier in the season, back toward the middle of May to the first part of June, the Halos lost in 5 consecutive Piñeiro starts (remember when he was trying to get win #100 and just couldn't seem to do it?). While he has had moments of success, he has only pitched beyond the sixth inning in 4 out of his 18 starts this year, and comparing that with the terminal illness that afflicted Scott Kazmir at he end of his Angel career is just scary.
Overall, Joel is 5-6 with 5.31 ERA and a 1.587 WHIP. His WAR is -1.2 right now, and when you compare that to Jeff Mathis' -0.2 WAR, you start to get even more nervous about our #4 starter. Last year as an Angel, Joel had a +3.1 WAR, and I was kind of expecting a similar thing this time around. I don't think he has a shot to get back to that here in 2011, and while I may not be ready to just cut him like we did with Scottie, I'm getting close to pinning my hopes on possible AA callup and Riverside native Garrett Richards (12-1, 3.04) to fill his spot (or technically, to fill Chatwood's spot, with Chatwood slotting up to #4).
By the way, in case you are wondering, I think Joel's decline goes all the way back to July 28, 2010, when he got scratched from a Red Sox game due to a shoulder injury while warming up (remember, they gave Gas Can Shields the start, and I got all excited that it would be the return of Scottie 2 Hottie, and it didn't work out?). Piñeiro was supposed to miss the rest of the season, but came back early, and was pretty effecitve. However, one has to wonder if that decision has come back to bite him, and sent him to the brink of oblivion.
Let's hope not.
Texas lost last night, so despite dropping to 60-51, the Angels are still just a game off the pace. Tonight the series with the Twins finishes up as Dan Haren (11-6, 2.89) takes the hill against Francisco Liriano (7-8, 4.67). The Chessmaster has only allowed 2 runs over his last 16.67 innings, and he'll be looking to stay on a roll against these Homer Hankie loving freaks from the Twin Cities.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
0 comments:
Post a Comment