Matz

[Kelledr]

Not sure I have an opinion on the closer in the 10th discussion. What drove me crazy was we had a pitcher who was stretched out as a starter who came in and retired 8 in a row, not even a hard hit ball. The two hitters doing damage were both left handed and Oli takes Matz out after 2 2/3 innings and 3 batters later we lose the game. You could keep an eye on him but there is no reason Matz couldn’t have finished the game.

[imadangman]

It was very cute management

[rockondlouie]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

[Basil Shabazz]

Anytime we are in a tie game or losing by a few and the starter doesn't get through 6, Matz should get the call and be left out there as long as he is effective within reason. Obviously, he couldn't do that without 2-3 days rest in between, but there will also be LOOGY situations needed for 1 or 2 batters late to set up the close as well. He is a free agent year, he is pitching great, thus he should be utilized a lot!

[BrockFloodMaris]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

I've been wondering the same thing, Rock, about both Matz and Maton. The thing I always try to remember is that the public doesn't get to hear about all the soreness and inflammation that occurs in a relief pitcher's body through the course of a 162 game season. Another thought I had is that Matz has been in a starter's routine for most of his career. Has this made him less able to pitch consecutive (or near consecutive) days?

[rockondlouie]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

I've been wondering the same thing, Rock, about both Matz and Maton. The thing I always try to remember is that the public doesn't get to hear about all the soreness and inflammation that occurs in a relief pitcher's body through the course of a 162 game season. Another thought I had is that Matz has been in a starter's routine for most of his career. Has this made him less able to pitch consecutive (or near consecutive) days?

Given Matz has been and trained as a starter his whole career I doubt he's experiencing much soreness given how little he's being used.

He's also use to pitching out of the pen' so being used a couple times a week shouldn't be an issue.

My only thought BFM is their AFRAID to push him fearing he'll get injured (given his history) since they want to trade him!

[JDW]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

[sikeston bulldog2]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

That kinda thinking is needed. I’d trade Helsley at deadline. Fill a hole. Matz to closer. Might work.

[scoutyjones2]

Not sure I have an opinion on the closer in the 10th discussion. What drove me crazy was we had a pitcher who was stretched out as a starter who came in and retired 8 in a row, not even a hard hit ball. The two hitters doing damage were both left handed and Oli takes Matz out after 2 2/3 innings and 3 batters later we lose the game. You could keep an eye on him but there is no reason Matz couldn’t have finished the game.

This is way past Monday morning QBing...good for you

[JDW]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

That kinda thinking is needed. I’d trade Helsley at deadline. Fill a hole. Matz to closer. Might work.

Always risk, but that's part of the landscape. As far as that goes, so is good fortune, luck or whatever you want to call it.
Mo just needs to get lucky ...............................

[sikeston bulldog2]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

That kinda thinking is needed. I’d trade Helsley at deadline. Fill a hole. Matz to closer. Might work.

Always risk, but that's part of the landscape. As far as that goes, so is good fortune, luck or whatever you want to call it.
Mo just needs to get lucky ...............................

We used to call it- you make your own breaks.

[renostl]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

They both have a dynamic that the other does not.
The return for them may not be drastically different. I would make Matz
a priority to move before the deadline.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

I've been wondering the same thing, Rock, about both Matz and Maton. The thing I always try to remember is that the public doesn't get to hear about all the soreness and inflammation that occurs in a relief pitcher's body through the course of a 162 game season. Another thought I had is that Matz has been in a starter's routine for most of his career. Has this made him less able to pitch consecutive (or near consecutive) days?

Given Matz has been and trained as a starter his whole career I doubt he's experiencing much soreness given how little he's being used.

He's also use to pitching out of the pen' so being used a couple times a week shouldn't be an issue.

My only thought BFM is their AFRAID to push him fearing he'll get injured (given his history) since they want to trade him!

I’ll bet you are right. Protect the asset. Maximize the return. Makes sense.

[Strummer Jones]

So IF Helsley was traded before the deadline, could Matz be an effective closer for the rest of this season?
Just thinking Helsley's trade value is much higher than Matz, so if you kept Matz and fortified the BP with some other more minor trades before the deadline, couldn't the Cards still strive for success this year while also trading for some good prospects to aid in the reset?
To my first question of whether Matz could be an effective closer, guess none of really know, but he's been lights out so far.
Sure, there's risk in whatever road you take, but to be too afraid to make any moves doesn't work either. Helsley could also get hurt if you keep him, and wouldn't be surprised if last year was his career year. Just the reverse, would be surprised if last year wasn't his career year.
Luv Helsley, he was awesome last year, but would be pretty neat to be able to compete and continue the "reset" in the same season.

That kinda thinking is needed. I’d trade Helsley at deadline. Fill a hole. Matz to closer. Might work.

First time I've heard this...but I don't hate it...?

One wonders if Steven would mind. On one hand, he could make bank if he were a starter and seeing some success, but does that change if he's successful in the bullpen, especially in leverage spots? Who was that, Clay Holmes who got a fairly fat contract from the Mets this offseason? If it works, it might line up Matz to another deal similar to what he's playing under now.

Don't misunderstand me, I certainly wouldn't pay that if I were us. But maybe someone else who's desperate enough would.

[rockondlouie]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

I've been wondering the same thing, Rock, about both Matz and Maton. The thing I always try to remember is that the public doesn't get to hear about all the soreness and inflammation that occurs in a relief pitcher's body through the course of a 162 game season. Another thought I had is that Matz has been in a starter's routine for most of his career. Has this made him less able to pitch consecutive (or near consecutive) days?

Given Matz has been and trained as a starter his whole career I doubt he's experiencing much soreness given how little he's being used.

He's also use to pitching out of the pen' so being used a couple times a week shouldn't be an issue.

My only thought BFM is their AFRAID to push him fearing he'll get injured (given his history) since they want to trade him!

I’ll bet you are right. Protect the asset. Maximize the return. Makes sense.

And "they're", not their.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Matz (1.74 ERA/1.85 FiP/0.90 WHiP) needs to be pitching a h e l l of a lot more than Oli's been using him.

Only been in 4 game and thrown 7 IP this month, way too little usage for a pitcher stretched out to start and who's been lights out!

Only thrown 4 1/3 innings the last eight days, he doesn't need three-four-five days between appearances.

Use Matz more!

I don't pretend to know all the details- but perhaps this is what it takes to keep him healthy?