Guaranteed Loss

The lineup, with starting pitcher in the 9-hole:

A Pagan LF
F Martinez RF
C Beltran CF
F Tatis 3B
D Murphy 1B
R Martinez 2B
B Schneider C
W Valdez SS
T Redding P

You have what resulted in a 7-3 loss in a lifeless Citi Field today, on such a beautiful spring day.

This was an absolute throw-away game. For a team that missed out on a playoff spot by one game in each of the last two seasons, you can't have any of these. Do both David Wright AND Gary Sheffield need a rest on the same day? Sheffield is going to be treated like a catcher rest-wise. There's one problem. He's not a catcher. He's a 40+ year old outfielder who we need (who'd a though when we signed him) out there as much as possible. He can rest when he retires. If he asks out and says he needs a break, fine. If he can go, he has to play. Same goes for David.

Which leads to the 5th starter situation. Tim Redding should pitch only when he has to. If there's a day off in the schedule- take Monday, June 8th for example- you have to avoid that spot in the rotation at anytime possible. Redding is slated to start Thursday the 4th. With the day off on the 8th, do you want him pitching in that three game series vs Philly as he is scheduled to do so if they stick with a strict 5-man rotation? Enough of this giving the starting pitchers as much rest as they can get business.

Baseball players do strange things. Licking a bat?

Remember this game at the end of the season. Make today worse for a better tomorrow? I'm sorry Gary, I disagree.