Tonite - Two Young Pitchers to Watch (Tuesday)

Subject: Tonite - Two Young Pitchers to Watch (Tuesday) Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:30 pm

Joba Chamberlain will make his first "start" in what is known affectionately as the "Joba Experiment". The Yankees will face the Blue Jays and one of, if not, the best starting pitcher in baseball, Roy "Doc" Halladay. Halladay has 5 complete games in 12 starts. You just know the Yankee hitters want to support their budding star, especially in light of the failures of Kennedy and Hughes. To be sure, a game to watch.

Justin Masterson of the Red Sox will make his third start of the season against the American East leading Tampa Rays. Masterson has been overshadowed by Bucholz and Lester, the two "no-hitter" kids. Masterson could be the best of the three. This is third time he has been brought up to pitch one game, but he'll likely stay for a week or two until Dice-K comes off the DL. This is an "AA" kid, recently promoted to "AAA" after his last appearance.

MLB.com has a free trial subscription for tonight for those who may be interested in getting these games over internet tv.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Joba Chamberlain's gone after 2 and a third innings. He reached a pitch count of 62...

Masterton 6 innings. Pitch count 91 (61 strikes) 2 Balls 5 KO's & a 3 run lead

These two pitched again today:

Joba made his pitch limit in 4 and 1/3 innings. He did better this time but left the game behind. The Yankees went on to win the game.

Masterson pitched another gem. He pitched 6 innings allowing one run. He out-dueled one of the Mariners aces Eric Bedard, who left in the fifth inning. He has now 3-0 and it should be 4-0 as he left the first game that he pitched ahead and the Bosox blew the lead. Not bad for a guy who probaby has about 7 or 8 days in total on the big league roster. The other two times, he was called up for one day to pitch and sent back down again.

I think Masterson is a gem, especially remembering that he spent most of this season in Double A.

I agree with Jim Rome about Chamberlain. He'll be fine, give him time. Joba's problem is that he is too "wired" as a starter. He needs to control his emotions. I was watching some of his pitching today. After he walked a batter, he went off the mound and bent over. As he matures, he may gain a better temperment for starting. I wouldn't trade Masterson for Chamberlain as good as Joba is.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

How about this tidbit on Masterson...

These two are at again tonite (June 13):

Masterson pitched 6 2/3 innings with 9 K's 4 Walks and 4 hits, 98 pitches -60 for strikes. He faced the Red's ace Harang and took the loss. As the Red's play by play guy said at the end of the game "Harang was magnificent and Masterson almost as magnificent.

Joba Chamberlain pitched against the Astro's and did very well. 6 innings 2 K's; 4 Walks; 6 hits; 88 pitches - 54 for strikes. He leaves with the game tied 1-1.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Masterson pitched today, June 18, and Chamberlain gets an extra day rest as he goes tomorrow.

Justin Masterson pitched 5 innings (92 pitches with 53 balls). However, he allowed just 4 hits, two runs, 2 walks, 1 K.
He is in line for the win as the Bosox lead 7-2 against the Phillies. How's he done? Started 6 games with a record (assuming win today) 4 wins & 1 loss. His era for 6 games is 3.00. Not bad. In the no decision game, he had the lead but the Bosox couldn't hold it.

Now with Colon on the DL, Dice-K coming back, will they keep Masterson with the big team? With Bucholz nearing readiness to return, do you make room for Masterson?

Joba Chamberlain had an excellent outing pitching 5 and 2/3 innings. He allowed 4 hits, one run, 3 walks and 9 K's.
The relievers are holding the game for him to win. His pitch count was 100 with 58 strikes. He has an era of 2.36, but includes his relief appearances.

The play-by-plays guys are comparing him to Josh Beckett. (We'll see in the post-season).
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Masterson pitched (tonite) June 24 and Chamberlain tomorrow night.

Masterson pitched well but was hurt by a three-run homer. Otherwise, went 6 full innings leaving with the Red Sox trailing 1 - 4 against the Di-backs. 6 iinnings; 4 runs; 4 walks; 4 K's and now an era of 3.43. He tossed 100 pitches and 57 for strikes facing 28 hitters.

Joba Chamberlain had a terrific game. 6 & 2/3 innings leaving with an 8-0 lead. He allowed 6 hits; 0 runs, 1 walk; 7 strikeouts and now has a era of 2.03. He tossed 114 pitches and 76 for strikes. I would say that Joba is now a full-fledged starter for the Yankees.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Why these two young pitchers? Two different roads and styles, but both may play and are playing crucial roles for each team. Masterson started in AA, but because of DL situations has been thrust into the Bosox rotation.

Joba Chamberlain an ideal set-up pitcher has been thrust into the Yankees rotation because of Hughes and Kennedy disappointments.

Justin Masterson pitched again tonite (June 30). He went 6 innings... 5 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks, 5 K's and his era is now 3.75. Justin faced 28 batters and his pitch count was 105 with 57 strikes. He pitched well, but leaves with the Red Sox trailing 2-4. He gave up 2 homers accounting for 3 of Tampa Bay's runs.

Joba tomorrow nite.

July 1
Joba Chamberlain... not a good outing. He went 4 innings... 5 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 6 K's and his era is now 2.22. Joba faced 20 batters with a pitch count of 91 (49 for strikes). As play-by-play guy Kaye said "The Yankees are stopping him after 4 innings because they don't want him knocked out of the game"

I didn't watch this one, July 5 th. But here are his vitals:

Justin Masterson 6 innings pitched with 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 2 K and now an era of 3.67
He made 100 pitches with 58 for strikes and faced 29 batters. He loses the game 2-1 at Yankee Stadium.

Joba Chamberlain goes tomorrow nite.

Joba pitched very well to start, the best I've seen him as a started. But then in the 5th had that "fall apart" inning.

His vitals: 6 innings pitched with 4 hits, 3 runs, 4 walks, 5 K's and now a ear of 2.45.
He made 101 pitches with 63 strikes facing 24 batters. Game is going into the 10th inning tied 4-4.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Ironic, that Chamberlain has made the transition to starter from reliever. Now Masterson is in AAA training in transition from starter to reliever.

Clay Bucholz has been brought up as Boston's 5th starter now and both he and Chamberlain are pitching tonite, July 11, 2008.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Just an update on these two:

Joba Chamberlain is now 2 wins & 3 losses in 9 starts. He is pitching very well and will start off the series tomorrow (July 25) in Fenway Park against Josh Beckett.

In a role reversal, the Red Sox brought back Justin Masterson earlier than expected, as a reliever. In his first appearance as a reliever in the closing game against the Mariners last night (July 23), relieving Clay Buchulz. With one out in the 6th inning, Masterson went 2 and 2/3 innings, retiring 8 batters in a row. This is what the Red Sox wanted and needed.
_________________
"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy