More baby steps for Max the Giant killer. About time they put a beating on cement head Webb. F Freeman isn't human. He's a machine. First inning aside, a nice outing for Heaney. Just needs to be a little more efficient. Not sure Almonte is ready for prime time assignments, but he's been lights out in the role he's been given. Re-sign Trea T, please.
Caleb is a dependable, tough minded piece of the bp. Killer instinct. Always liked him. Almonte was my choice for closer when Kimbrel made the hairs on my neck stand up with dread.
Outman appears to be a business - like hardass, with no bullshit in his playing abilities. Sees the ball real well, and has a n excellent approach to the the ball and seeing him in that welcoming clip between innings last night, he's obviously a powerful, physical monster. Like Mookie, he looks, initially anyway, like a guy after a great day,that would say, "that's what they pay me for". Damn, it's good to be young. Carpe diem, James.
Slowly, the pen is strengthening. No more Moronta. Cleavinger has essentially been replaced by Martin, who should be an improvement (home run allowed yesterday but on a decent pitch aside). Vesia seems to be trending back to his last year version. Even Price got his ERA below 3.00. Phillips, Almonte, and Caleb are trustworthy. Bickford is good enough when we have a cushion. And hopefully Trienen is on schedule for a return. Add Mitch at some point and possibly a second starter from the rotation. The only real weakness is that ninth inning guy.
Hmmm...Idk, statman. I think Martin is a guy you use like last night, when you are ahead 7 or 8 to 2. If he gives up a dinger, like he did, no real harm. But this is not a guy you use in a high leverage situation. He is another arm...maybe slightly better than Reed or Cleavinger, but no more. Imo, it solves no problems, just shuffles them around a bit. With the Padres getting Soto and Hader, he's not what I consider an insurance move at all.
Trienen interview sounded great and he appears to be on the way back soon so there's your potential new closer hopefully as far as paltrow goes that was a really good pitch that the guy turned on and hit out his other stuff looks fine and the bp looks pretty good after all the damage...hoping for a Kahnle return as well
No not a high leverage guy. Just a small improvement overall, thereby contributing to my "bullpen slowly getting better" take.