Starting Struggles: Joba Is Not Fit For Role Right Now
July 6, 2009 · Kevin Rozell · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
(The Voice of Yankees Universe)
We all thought Joba Chamberlain was a starter, but as of right now he has shown us nothing but mediocrity since joining the rotation. There are no excuses for it either. Do you guys realize what Joba said after the game?
Here is a blurb of what he was quoted as saying:
“I did a good job today, I felt like,” Chamberlain said. “They’re great hitters. I threw good pitches and they put good swings on it. They’ve been doing it all year. And they’re going to continue to do it.”
His line: 3.2 IP, 9 hits, 8 runs, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 2 home runs and 86 pitches (53 for strikes).
If he thinks he pitched a good game today than he is in denial. He was dreadful. The earned runs sure don’t show how bad he actually was. It is very misleading. He gave up eight runs over 3.2 innings, but an error by Cody Ransom changed everything.
After the error, Joba gave up a double, a single, a homer and then another single. It’s not like the home run wasn’t his fault. It’s not like Ransom’s error made him give up the long ball. In my mind they were given up by Chamberlain.
How can you say “I did a good job” when you threw 86 pitches and you didn’t get through four innings! This was by far his worst game of his career, but he hasn’t been anything special in any of his other starts.
Here is another interesting fact: Joba has started 16 games this year. In those 16 starts, he has recorded an out in the seventh inning in only 3-of-16 starts.
Yankees fans have to realize that he isn’t the same guy coming out of the pen. You aren’t going to get the 99-100 MPH fastball that you got pitch after pitch out of the bullpen. He has lost velocity on his pitches, he nibbles on the corners, he doesn’t challenge hitters, he hasn’t won a game at home, he has a WHIP of 1.52 and he thinks he is pitching well.
Clearly, he is also delusional.
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