How much longer for Jeff Suppan? -- Latest: Suppan signs with STL, starts 6/15

[Funketown]

Clearly Peterson was affecting Soup from a distance prior to his arrival, as well.

My thoughts exactly. I'd like to see an actual study of the effects of Duncan's coaching conducted, rather than simply say 'hey, this guy sucked somewhere and Duncan fixed him'. J.C. Bradbury did something like that for Leo Mazzone, and argued that pitchers actually did benefit from Mazzone. I never saw the actual study, so I can't really say whether I agree with his findings or not...

[TooLiveBrew]

I think the Orioles' pitchers' success under Mazzone speaks for itself on that one. You always look like a genius when you've got 3 future HoFers in your starting rotation.

[joepepsi]

Mazzone ruined as many pitchers as he helped. Well, maybe ruined is too harsh a word, but I think there is something to the idea that heavy handed "my way or the highway" pitching coaches are of questionable value. Great talent, like what Mazzone had in Atlanta and Peterson in Oakland, can be successful despite a coaches teachings. It's what the coach does with fringey types that is truly telling.

 

Mike Maddux has been successful taking fringe talent and turning it into valuable assets. This year's Baseball Prospectus Annual points out Maddux doesn't try and change a pitcher. He refines what the pitcher brings to the table, may work on another pitch with them like his famous cutter, but mostly is about preparing the pitcher by studying opposing batters.

 

I think there is some evidence coaches like Peterson and Mazzone may have a positive effect long term on a organization's pitching, but the short term results can be terrible. When Mazzone felt the heat in Baltimore he responded by throwing his pitching staff under the bus. His excuse for the poor pitching results included angry outbursts that he wasn't responsible, his pitchers just weren't any good. Peterson is probably the wrong guy for the current Brewers' pitching staff.

[geddymd73]

3 more scoreless innings for Suppan. Gotta love it. I guess he gets a little rough by the 4th inning, but certainly very serviceable and way better than before

[PrinceEatMeat]

Don't worry he just gave up a bomb to Kouzmanoff. That's the Soup we are used to.

[geddymd73]

Good recovery though. He's not getting bit for multiple runs anymore.

[trwi7]

I'd like to see how he does when he doesn't face the 25th and 27th ranked offenses in runs scored and the 24th and 29th ranked offenses in OPS.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Soup just got pulled after 4.2 IP, 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 BB, 1 HR. Left runners at 1st and 2nd.

[geddymd73]

Not too bad. He's improving that's for sure. He'll still get another start.

[trwi7]

He still gave up a ton of hits. Still not striking anyone out. Quick FIP calculation is 5.77.

[geddymd73]

6 strikeouts in his last two starts. He's striking out more than he has been doing all season long.

[crewcrazy]

The stats make the start seem better than it really was. The PbP for his start against Oakland:

 

1st

Rajai Davis flies out to center

Daric Barton singles on a line drive

Daric Barton caught stealing

Conor Jackson grounds out

 

2nd

Kevin Kouzmanoff singles on a line drive

Ryan Sweeney grounds into force out

Adam Rosales flies out to center

Landon Powell grounds out sharply to first base

 

3rd

Cliff Pennington singles to center

Trevor Cahill sacrifice bunt

Rajai Davis flies out to right

Daric Barton flies out to center

 

4th

Conor Jackson strikes out looking

Kevin Kouzmanoff homers to left

Ryan Sweeney singles on line drive to left

Ryan Sweeney out at 2nd, catcher Jason LaRue to first baseman Albert Pujols

Adam Rosales strikes out swinging

 

5th

Landon Powell doubles to center

Cliff Pennington singles on line drive to right

Trevor Cahill bunts, Pennington out at second

Rajai Davis lines into force out

Suppan wild pitch

Daric Barton walks

 

Not exactly a dominating effort, and he had the advantage of the A's basically giving him 4 free outs with the bunts and outs on the bases. His location wasn't any better than what we saw in Milwaukee...still way too many fastballs left over the plate:

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/location.php-pitchSel=122987&game=gid_2010_06_20_oakmlb_slnmlb_1&batterX=0&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=2.gif

[endaround]

So 2 Hrs in about 8 innings? That's our Suppan!

[Funketown]

So 2 Hrs in about 8 innings? That's our Suppan!

First off, it's 8.2 innings. Second, Duncan fixed Suppan. He is clearly back to being an all-star quality pitcher.

[TooLiveBrew]

Not too bad. He's improving that's for sure. He'll still get another start.

Say hi to Jeff for me the next time he's at your house for a barbeque. He's not improving, he's the same pitcher he's been the past few years in front of a better defense.

[RockCoCougars]

His WHIP is still off the charts, but I have to give him credit that he made another start and didn't give up any crooked numbers. That will probably change in the near-term, but I hope these first few starts convince the Cardinals to keep him around for the rest of the year.

[Invader3K]

Not too bad. He's improving that's for sure. He'll still get another start.

Come on, what's your deal?

[rwa12]

My son went to the game yesterday. I asked him how Suppan looked, his response? "Awful"

[MkeSouthSide]

Not too bad. He's improving that's for sure. He'll still get another start.

Come on, what's your deal?

He's a troll from the JS/Sportsbubbler boards. People over there aren't feeding him as much these days, so I guess he's decided to take his act to BF.net.

[sheethead]

Not too bad. He's improving that's for sure. He'll still get another start.

I hope he gets another 15+ starts. 4 IP will quickly burn out the Cards pen. LaRussa knows Suppan can't go 3x through the order, and is lucky if he gets through it twice without putting the game out of reach. I look forward to every start he makes with the Cards, because he will complete multiple objectives.

 

1) will burn up plenty of the pen

2) will likely serve up one or more home runs

3) gives the Cardinals an excellent chance of losing the game

 

I hope they keep trotting him out there. At least we are getting something for that $14.5 million, even if its in the form of a rival team's sabotage.

[Fatter than Joey]

I hope he gets another 15+ starts.

 

I don't think this will happen. I think he is a stopgap until Penny comes back or the Cards make a trade

[sheethead]

But they are working a 4-man rotation right now with Suppan the #4. Even if Penney comes back they still need a #5 unless they can swing a trade. I hope Suppan is their guy.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Suppan is starting on Wednesday meaning he'll miss the whole series against the Brewers. I wonder if this was done on purpose?

[RightFieldCoder]

Darn it! Facing Soup was the only thing I was looking forward to in the series.

[Hofbraunhaus]

It sucks that the Brewers won't get a chance to destroy Suppan but I guess it's also good that the possibility of him somehow shutting us out isn't going to happen yet.