Newk’s Usage Isn’t Problem #1
Sean Newcomb’s MLB struggles are as well-known in Braves Country as it gets. Outside of his one shining moment against the Dodgers years ago, he’s been counterproductive & a liability to the Braves pitching staff.
He wasn’t even bad last night, to be honest. A Dodgers hitter put his bat on a good pitch, that’s the long & the short of it.
Newcomb’s continuous usage in ballgames that are not out of reach or even when the Braves have a lead however, are…questionable.
But his usage isn’t the worst on the team…
Huascar Ynoa
Look, I understand that for a good little while last season Huascar start days were our only hope. That run by Huascar is comparable to Eddie Rosario’s 2021 NLCS & Jorge Soler’s 2021 World Series. It was the best he’ll ever be.
His three scoreless innings last night would be all that I’d ask of him as an opener should he remain in the rotation going forward.
He has two pitches. Two pitches will not get you through an MLB lineup more than once, some days not even once.
It’s been reported that even after the upcoming off day, that Atlanta will continue to deploy a 6-man rotation (I outlined how that should work in my latest PAID article).
Should Huascar remain in the rotation in Spencer Strider’s stead, he should be nothing more than an opener that’s capped at three innings or three innings + a baserunner.
Keeping Huascar in the 6-man rotation as an opener still accomplishes the extra day of rest that Atlanta’s looking for. BUT, Spencer Strider in the 6-man with Huascar in the pen as a long reliever makes more sense. ESPECIALLY with the health benefits Strider would gain (also outlined in my last PAID article).
But what do I know? I’m not a World Champion.