Franklin Pitching to Bonds?

pchibbard · Post by **pchibbard** » April 19 07, 5:38 pm

Fanklin has been excellent out of the pen this year. And I think Larussa, and many managers encouraged by experts rely too heavily on the leftyv.lefty rightyv.righty match ups. Hell Larussa's loyalty to it is the reason Duncan is unfortunately not allowed to start some games. When it was happening I did not think it was out of the ordinary.

TGantz · Post by **TGantz** » April 19 07, 9:07 pm

Franklin has had really nasty stuff so far this season in the eigth inning role. He used to be a starter, so it's assumed he can get LH's out more efficiently than your average RH reliever. Part of the set up role is that you pitch the whole eigth inning. I wouldn't have been mad if TJ came in to face Barry, but I didn't question it when Franklin stayed in.

I_Bleed_Red · Post by **I_Bleed_Red** » April 19 07, 9:53 pm

As I said the only reason I was wondering about the non move was because of who was in the dugout. It doesn't bother me that franklin was pitching to bonds.

Remember Franklin is a former starter. Who had a pretty good year with seattle then followed up by a bad one that left him on the outskirts pitching in bullpens. He is used to facing both righties and lefties.

Magneto · Post by **Magneto** » April 19 07, 9:54 pm

Franklin pitching to Bonds makes absolutely no sense, no matter how you cut it. It's just a dumb decision to let a mediocre at best righty face Bonds in that situation.

TGantz · Post by **TGantz** » April 19 07, 10:00 pm

That "mediocre at best righty" is our set up man right now. Set up men pitch to RH and LH. He has done well so far this season.

He has made one mistake the entire season so far. It just happened to be one of the best hitters ever at the plate.

I still want Franklin to be our set up guy until he proves he can't do it.

TGantz · Post by **TGantz** » April 19 07, 10:11 pm

BTW... It was a solo shot when we were leading, which tied the game. It's not exactly like it was bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. There wasn't anyone on and I think there were two outs. Homeruns happen. The offense shouldn't have made it that close of a game.

clement · Post by **clement** » April 19 07, 10:44 pm

I think it's a legit question as it was something I also questioned at the time, though I didn't have a definitive opinion at the time.

But I was more confused by Franklin throwing a tater down the middle when he had an 0-2 count on him. He got away with the first one, but not twice (granted I didn't see the location of the second pitch, only heard the radio broadcast... but according to the broadcast, the pitch Bonds took for strike two was one that Franklin got away with. I would think you would be awfully careful after that).

TGantz · Post by **TGantz** » April 19 07, 10:48 pm

clement wrote:I think it's a legit question as it was something I also questioned at the time, though I didn't have a definitive opinion at the time.

But I was more confused by Franklin throwing a tater down the middle when he had an 0-2 count on him. He got away with the first one, but not twice (granted I didn't see the location of the second pitch, only heard the radio broadcast... but according to the broadcast, the pitch Bonds took for strike two was one that Franklin got away with. I would think you would be awfully careful after that).

It was supposed to be a splitter down and away. But it was a flat fastball in the happy zone.

Magneto · Post by **Magneto** » April 20 07, 6:28 am

TimmyG wrote:That "mediocre at best righty" is our set up man right now. Set up men pitch to RH and LH. He has done well so far this season.

He has made one mistake the entire season so far. It just happened to be one of the best hitters ever at the plate.

I still want Franklin to be our set up guy until he proves he can't do it.

There's lefties and then there's BARRY F'N BONDS!

And you say he's been good? He's pitched 7 innings so far. lol. I mean, he hasn't been bad yet, but it's April 19th.

Dwtlr · Post by **Dwtlr** » April 20 07, 9:43 am

Richie Allen wrote:
Dwtlr wrote:The team needed to win a game..

There's perhaps a time and place to "see what you got" but this wasn't it and I'm pretty sure most of the league (both of them) know about Franklin..

I believe experiementing with a lesser hitter would make more sense..It doesn't prove anything if he gets him out anyway..except that we got away with it this time..whci of course we didn't.
How do you create a pressure situation without it being a pressure situation? And how do you test Franklin's wares against a great hitter without matching him up against a great hitter?

The up side to Franklin getting Bonds out is, possibly a win, yes. But additionally, could be the type of confidence booster that, coupled with his early success, could pave the way for a very productive year out of him. One that we, in fact, desperately need out of him.

The down side is giving up a homer and subsequently losing a game. And Franklin's confidence may be a little rattled. Hopefully he'll move on.

But I don't think the move, or lack thereof, should necessarily be scrutinized as being vitally important. It's still April. We may need Franklin to get important LHers out in September and October. Or we may need to know that he can't in September or October. Best to find out now rather than later.

Franklin is 34-years old and has been in the league I'm guessing nearly 10-years..lefthanded batters have a lifetime average against him of .269..Lefties batting average against Johnson is considerably less..

Franklin isn't some guy we plucked out of the minors in ST with a lot of unknowns..

I would think by this point in his career there are few if any surprises left or information to gather..

The ballclub was not put in the best position possible to win that battle in a game albeit April we needed to win..