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Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 01:42 am
by Whatashame
Listening to Marmol after the game and reading the post game write up about the game, Marmol brings up how short they were in the bullpen tonight, especially right handed. I don’t know what Marmol expects and frankly not sure how they were looking at the usage last week. Going back the last eight games, including tonight (Monday 9/1-Mon 9/8) here is the breakdown.
Romero (L) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T W Su)
Leahy (R) 4 innings 56 pitches (W Sa)
Svanson (R) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T Su)
O’Brien (R) 2 innings 19 pitches (Sa Su)
In the last eight games only Romero threw 3 times. The righties each threw only twice. It would be hard to use them much less. Now I will say that maybe part of Marmol’s problem is using any of the relievers more than one inning at a time but they weren’t overused over the last eight games. Only O’Brien was used back to back days and in those two games (Sat-Sun) he threw a total of 19 pitches and only after having at least 5 days off.
I find it hard to believe that someone other than Graceffo wasn’t available for that crucial sixth inning after Mikolas walked the nine hitter and bringing the top of the order up. If there’s a silver lining to this Graceffo has to know that what he’s bringing to the table just isn’t enough. He’s had a rough go of his time here since being called up.
If Marmol didn’t think he had his righties available he has to figure out a better way of using them I guess. They haven’t been overworked the last eight games. Being used twice over that period surely doesn’t seem excessive.
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 06:35 am
by sikeston bulldog2
Whatashame wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 01:42 am
Listening to Marmol after the game and reading the post game write up about the game, Marmol brings up how short they were in the bullpen tonight, especially right handed. I don’t know what Marmol expects and frankly not sure how they were looking at the usage last week. Going back the last eight games, including tonight (Monday 9/1-Mon 9/8) here is the breakdown.
Romero (L) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T W Su)
Leahy (R) 4 innings 56 pitches (W Sa)
Svanson (R) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T Su)
O’Brien (R) 2 innings 19 pitches (Sa Su)
In the last eight games only Romero threw 3 times. The righties each threw only twice. It would be hard to use them much less. Now I will say that maybe part of Marmol’s problem is using any of the relievers more than one inning at a time but they weren’t overused over the last eight games. Only O’Brien was used back to back days and in those two games (Sat-Sun) he threw a total of 19 pitches and only after having at least 5 days off.
I find it hard to believe that someone other than Graceffo wasn’t available for that crucial sixth inning after Mikolas walked the nine hitter and bringing the top of the order up. If there’s a silver lining to this Graceffo has to know that what he’s bringing to the table just isn’t enough. He’s had a rough go of his time here since being called up.
If Marmol didn’t think he had his righties available he has to figure out a better way of using them I guess. They haven’t been overworked the last eight games. Being used twice over that period surely doesn’t seem excessive.
Exceptional write. Completely agree. I would have stayed with the hot pitcher a bit longer. Only 77 pitches.
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 07:03 am
by hmoss859
Nice research…
Graceffo has not impressed lately, at all
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 07:08 am
by The Nard
How does anyone in this “modern” (sic) era run out of arms, with a 13or more man staff?
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 07:09 am
by sikeston bulldog2
hmoss859 wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 07:03 am
Nice research Bulldog
Graceffo has not impressed lately, at all
I have this thing about bench or cold players entering a game. They may seem game faced, but who knows yet. They may come in cold.
Pitchers. When you have one throwing a shutout in the sixth, with a runner on, no out, I’d go with the lathered up guy batter by batter. Then make my move.
Different strokes.
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 07:15 am
by Jatalk
Whatashame wrote: ↑09 Sep 2025 01:42 am
Listening to Marmol after the game and reading the post game write up about the game, Marmol brings up how short they were in the bullpen tonight, especially right handed. I don’t know what Marmol expects and frankly not sure how they were looking at the usage last week. Going back the last eight games, including tonight (Monday 9/1-Mon 9/8) here is the breakdown.
Romero (L) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T W Su)
Leahy (R) 4 innings 56 pitches (W Sa)
Svanson (R) 3.2 innings 56 pitches (T Su)
O’Brien (R) 2 innings 19 pitches (Sa Su)
In the last eight games only Romero threw 3 times. The righties each threw only twice. It would be hard to use them much less. Now I will say that maybe part of Marmol’s problem is using any of the relievers more than one inning at a time but they weren’t overused over the last eight games. Only O’Brien was used back to back days and in those two games (Sat-Sun) he threw a total of 19 pitches and only after having at least 5 days off.
I find it hard to believe that someone other than Graceffo wasn’t available for that crucial sixth inning after Mikolas walked the nine hitter and bringing the top of the order up. If there’s a silver lining to this Graceffo has to know that what he’s bringing to the table just isn’t enough. He’s had a rough go of his time here since being called up.
If Marmol didn’t think he had his righties available he has to figure out a better way of using them I guess. They haven’t been overworked the last eight games. Being used twice over that period surely doesn’t seem excessive.
Excellent info. Thanks. Couple of thoughts. I sort of understand Oli going deeper in pen. Unfortunately you have to keep all these guys in some kind of usage rotation. Not good to just let them set. Also I have been amazed on Cardinals staff at how non durable they are. I get pulling MM. He just can’t go deep. Also it appears to me that the pen has some issues going back to back on short innings. I always got frustrated at Helsley even when he was pitching well. He had trouble with multiple innings or coming back next day. Or at least it seemed that way to me.
However I get you point.
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 08:48 am
by ScotchMIrish
We traded 3 relief pitchers in late July. We threw in the towel on 2025 and now are trying to figure out who can pitch at this level.
I would assert we need to clean house with the coaching staff but perhaps they have nothing to work with.
Re: Bullpen usage
Posted: 09 Sep 2025 08:54 am
by rockondlouie
Graceffo has been scored on in five (5) of his last nine (9) outings.
During that time
9 G
14 1/3 IP
6.91 ERA
14 KO's
3.35 FiP
2.02 WHiP
The KO's are intriguing but he's way, way to hittable.
Not sure if he's a part of the 2026 bullpen.