Do pitchers just not want to pitch this year?

[ejd_5277]

5 scratches yesterday, including 2 at the last minute: DeGrom, Junis, Montas, Chatwood, Kikuchi.

I'm used to maybe 2-3 late scratches in a week, if that.

Are managers just looking at this as kind of a lost season and being super cautious, or are the pitchers themselves asking off?

Either way, it's a nightmare for the books and for totals bettors.

 

[Valuist]

Could make the thread title "do players just not want to play this year". I'm sure some want to play. But that number is well under 100%. What has the NFL had, 65 defections so far? It's just like exhibition games. Hard to bet if you don't believe everyone wants to be there.

 

[WildBill]

Despite the late scratches unders ahead of overs even with adding a DH to NL. I think the reality is the innings eating starting pitcher in general is going to be a declining species and this probably is the start of it. Unless you are a give me the ball for 100+ pitches every five games kind of guy, you might as well take the scratch if you don't feel 100% because every pen has a lot of arms this season and can do a bullpen game effectively with no notice.

 

[Valuist]

Despite the late scratches unders ahead of overs even with adding a DH to NL. I think the reality is the innings eating starting pitcher in general is going to be a declining species and this probably is the start of it. Unless you are a give me the ball for 100+ pitches every five games kind of guy, you might as well take the scratch if you don't feel 100% because every pen has a lot of arms this season and can do a bullpen game effectively with no notice.

This year is totally different. No fear of burning out bullpens. Next year, when it's back to 162 games, innings eaters will still be needed.

 

[WildBill]

This year is totally different. No fear of burning out bullpens. Next year, when it's back to 162 games, innings eaters will still be needed.

They are nice to have, but I think the age of twice through a lineup max pitchers is a trend that isn't going to stop. The math is just too effective not to have them to fill 1-3 starting slots on a team.

 

[Valuist]

They are nice to have, but I think the age of twice through a lineup max pitchers is a trend that isn't going to stop. The math is just too effective not to have them to fill 1-3 starting slots on a team.

But it isn't just limited to starters. When a team finds itself down 9-1 in the 3rd inning, they aren't going to come back and win. Just put some rube out there to go 4-5 innings and give a break to the quality bullpen guys.