So one of the first things I noticed about the MLR is how some of the pitchers are being used.

For instance someone like Sal Shark of the A’s has pitched every single inning this year. But then on some other teams like Baltimore it’s almost like you pitch this game, now you pitch this one. Now you pitch this one. It’s interesting, Let’s break it down.

Approaches:

Pitcher + Closer – One solid pitcher unless they get in trouble pitches most of the game and the closer comes in.

Switch Pitchers – Different pitches pitch whole games unless in trouble.

1/2 game + Closer- The pitchers pitch a half game each, and the closer comes in so everyone gets a chance to pitch in a game.

1 pitcher – Just one guy who handles just about everything

Rotation – A rotation of pitchers

Arizona: This is one you can’t figure out my guess is it’s based on people who are around. Kidd pitches most of the games with Eihorn coming in for a inning or two. So you have a primary starter and a closer type. Pitcher + Closer

Baltimore: I talked about them before but its kind of a switch between games, you start one, then you start one. It all depends on who gets the nod. Switch Pitchers

Boston: After all the craziness in Boston it’s hard to tell really who’s doing what. Bargeparge takes up a lot of the pitching when people are cheating. The rest come in and close. Pitcher + Closer

Cleveland: Ugh Cleveland – Their approach is to ride Big Tuna til he dies. Pitcher + Closer

Colorado: This is again between Evans and Murphy it’s back and forth equal number of innings. Switch Pitchers

Detroit: This is a one pitcher affair. Just one the closer comes in to pick up saves. Pitcher + Closer

Houston: Willoughby and Con go back and forth, but Con did come in once and pick up a save. Either way it’s very much like Switch Pitchers.

Dodgers: Two pitchers with equal records. The Dodgers employ the switch pitcher effect as well.

Twins: So this is where everything gets a little different. They have three pitchers. It seems that Tim Burr and Dickshot go back and forth as starting pitchers but the other will come in and pitch an inning or two. On top of that Nina Nuckolls comes in as a closer. Actually the closest to a real life bullpen. Scott is employing a very interesting technique here. They get their own category 1/2 game + Closer

Brewers: One man, that’s it. One man who comes in and rides it until he does. Dan Gerzone is very good. But how long can he hold up? 1 pitcher

Expos: Again one guy, Tiberius has been quality though. Like Gerzone before he is a very good pitcher but how long can he go? 1 pitcher

A’s: I guess I put them all together without noticing. But it’s been all Salsa Shark. He hasn’t been the sharpest. Maybe it’s time to move to a new approach? 1 pitcher

Phillies: This is another team that has an actual rotation. They seem to actually pitch the full games moving from one to the next unless someone gets in trouble. Like Hudson Quinn did. Rotation

Padres: The Padres have three pitchers but only two have pitched to this point. Tincecum has pitched most games but Grimes came in and pitched the last. I imagine they will go with a Switch Pitchers approach.

Mariners: Another rotation in the making with three players they have all equally thrown in their time. It looks to be a Rotation with Frankie Stickyfingers leading.

Giants: The Giants have moved two a two Switch Pitchers after losing one of theirs. It looks like Sonny and Peters will be trading off as the season continues.

Cardinals: One pitcher the great this year JimBob Cooter again like most of the other guys who roll in one pitcher rotations how long can they stand up and do it? Poe should help out a lot here. 1 pitcher

Devil Rays: Turner has started and faced the lions share of the innings. McElroy has come in but has also started games as well. The closest I could see is the Switch Pitchers format. But with the addition of Donked it could be moving to a very Twins like atmosphere.

Rangers: Rode Superbone for a little while, and I wonder how long they will. Like all the single pitchers in here. One pitcher has to eventually start falling into a pattern. 1 pitcher

Blue Jays: Very even split on pitching. But it seems they have a rotation implemented unless someone struggles. They are not afraid to pull their pitcher. Rotation

Nationals: The Nats seem to be going with a Rotation of their own now that they have 3 pitchers. Rotation

Pirates: I was told on Twitter I missed the Pirates. I can’t ever forget about the fabled Darth Vader! Statistically top 5 in the league. Last year he showed he could be the only player pitching. This could be a 1 man rotation that works.

That took a lot longer then I thought it would. What I learned is a lot of teams like a rotation or 1 pitcher. Two teams stand out as being different. The Twins and the Devil Rays. I have no idea what that means!

Thanks for reading!

Yolanda