Maddux is the epitome of consistency, while Kazmir has been maddeningly inconsistent. Kaz has outings where he beats Cy Young winner Johan Santana in Minneapolis (throwing 8 innings, giving up 2 runs while striking out 6 and walking none) and then he has a game like his last outing in Toronto (5 innings, 2 runs, walked 5 while striking out 4).
In 13 starts, Kaz has pitched 5 or less innings 5 times. Every time but one he's thrown over 100 pitches (and that one was 96 pitches).
IMO Kazmir's problem is not throwing strikes, it's getting cute after he gets two strikes on a hitter. I cannot count the number of 1-2 counts he's turned into walks over the last two years.
Maybe he'll learn from Maddux tonight how to be more economical with his pitches. Greg will never be considered a strikeout pitcher. Yes he's struck out over 3,200 in his career, but remember that he's pitching in his 21st season. That's under 150/year - not exactly Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens numbers.
Maddux has made his career by painting the edges and keeping hitters off-balance. His four Cy Young awards have been earned by allowing his teammates to help him by making plays behind him.
I can recall in the mid-90's while watching the Braves on TBS seeing Maddux throw one 3 and one 4 pitch inning in the same game! Kazmir rarely throws less than 3 or 4 pitches to any one batter.
It should be a fun game to watch. The DVR is set!
If Kazmir can get deep into the game, he will be working with a revamped Rays bullpen.
- Gone are Tim Corcoran and Chad Orvella - they of the combined 9.24 ERA.
- Gone from the rotation is Jae Seo who was sent down to Triple-A Durham.
- Moved to the pen from the rotation is Casey Fossum.
- Added to the pen from Durham is Chad Hammel who was 4-5/3.42 as a starter there this year. He will provide help in long relief.
- Throwing in extended spring training today is Jay Witasick who was recently released by Oakland although he'd produced well in their pen (1-0, 3.60, 14 hits and nine walks in 15 innings). Expect Witasick to be added to the bullpen today or tomorrow and (hopefully) Shawn Camp will be sent down.
- New to the rotation are J.P. Howell (obtained in the Joey Gaithright trade last year with KC) and Andy Sonnanstine who "allowed just two runs on solo homers while striking out 10 - including a team-record seven straight from the second through the fourth - and not walking any, throwing 99 pitches." (St. Pete Times) in his last outing against the Marlins in Miami.
Things are looking up in Tampa Bay. The team is 28-33, and with just two less blown saves would be 30-31 and in second place in the AL East (and James Shields would be 8-0 instead of 6-0). Hopefully these changes to the pitching staff will allow them to close out games better and climb into wild card contention.
