The starters need to consistently give more length or it won’t matter who’s in the BP. Another concern I have is why don’t any pitchers we draft ever turn into good relievers? The guys we call up are usually waiver claim guys who we know aren’t good.
What they should try is what the Cardinals have successfully done for so many years. Starting pitchers, like Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn, worked out of the bullpen in the early part of their careers.
Quite simply, unless they consistently get more length from their starting staff, it really doesn't matter how Stearns manipulates the roster. The bullpen is shot from overwork. Being relied upon for 4+ innings on an almost daily basis is unsustainable.
Part of the blame falls on pitching coach, Jeremy Hefner, who preaches strikeouts over pitching to contact, which helps drive up their pitch count and contributes to them leading MLB in walks.
The starters need to consistently give more length or it won’t matter who’s in the BP. Another concern I have is why don’t any pitchers we draft ever turn into good relievers? The guys we call up are usually waiver claim guys who we know aren’t good.
What they should try is what the Cardinals have successfully done for so many years. Starting pitchers, like Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn, worked out of the bullpen in the early part of their careers.
Quite simply, unless they consistently get more length from their starting staff, it really doesn't matter how Stearns manipulates the roster. The bullpen is shot from overwork. Being relied upon for 4+ innings on an almost daily basis is unsustainable.
Part of the blame falls on pitching coach, Jeremy Hefner, who preaches strikeouts over pitching to contact, which helps drive up their pitch count and contributes to them leading MLB in walks.