An absolute NO-DOUBTER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0VAd6E6vlQ

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 19, 2023

Completed the sweep in shutout fashion ❌

ICYMI, highlights from Sunday’s 9-0 victory over Wagner at #TheDoak. pic.twitter.com/zI8DU7AKia

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 20, 2023

Dominated on the mound all weekend long 💪@NCStateBaseball allowed just three runs in its three-game sweep of Wagner, which is its lowest number of runs allowed over its first three games since allowing only two runs in a 3-0 start in 1968 🤯#Pack9 pic.twitter.com/6dwt16seDf

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 20, 2023

rbaker said:

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JC who starts vs Coastal?

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tau06 said:

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Don't think i've missed anything but didn't see Britton, Payne or Highfill this weekend best I can tell. Any insight on if that is not good for anyone's chances of being impact guys this season? I know Highfill still figuring back injury out and having to live with it. Maybe Wagner not good enough to use them against?

On opposite side we saw Nelson twice in a row which was probably not needed this early in the year....

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pack2010 said:

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tau06 said:

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Don't think i've missed anything but didn't see Britton, Payne or Highfill this weekend best I can tell. Any insight on if that is not good for anyone's chances of being impact guys this season? I know Highfill still figuring back injury out and having to live with it. Maybe Wagner not good enough to use them against?

On opposite side we saw Nelson twice in a row which was probably not needed this early in the year....

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Payne is out for the year. But you are correct on no Highfill. I would THINK Britton starts against coastal, but not entirely sure why they are holding Sam, maybe just going to wait as long as they can?

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braz213 said:

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Hate to hear that about Payne. Is this a recent injury and surgery? Our pitching depth takes a hit losing him.

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

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Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

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Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

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Jtilley said:

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

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Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

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I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

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pack2010 said:

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Shaffner is a weekend guy next year, IMO. Has the stuff to really be big time

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CLTWolf said:

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pack2010 said:

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Shaffner is a weekend guy next year, IMO. Has the stuff to really be big time

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Kid is 20 years old or close to it. I would've guessed he's still 18, barely. WOW

He's definitely got a big arm.

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Jtilley said:

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CLTWolf said:

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pack2010 said:

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Shaffner is a weekend guy next year, IMO. Has the stuff to really be big time

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Kid is 20 years old or close to it. I would've guessed he's still 18, barely. WOW

He's definitely got a big arm.

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I didn't realize Serrano will be a draft eligible sophomore next year.

I was looking at a random mock draft last night and he was on there.

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Got 'em at the dish ☑️#Pack9 | @PaytonG08 pic.twitter.com/SwHU4ZZsMl

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 21, 2023

His first in 𝐑𝐄𝐃 & 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 🔴⚪️#Pack9 | @tricecarter0 pic.twitter.com/DYluABh3BP

— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) February 21, 2023

CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

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Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

---

I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

---

What's odd? We've played 3 games total and none needed any long relief or was a high leverage situation. I think you answered your own question with your last sentence in the first paragraph.

Dom gave up 1 hit although he walked 3 and hit one guy. He plunked a lefty with a hammer that didn't ham and that will happen, it's fine. haha. Sucks tho b/c he had the dude down 0-2 with two outs. Does come back and strikes out the next dude.

We saw 10 different arms throw over the weekend. I forgot to mention that I thought Shaffner threw the ball pretty good as well. Kid looks like he's 15 but he can sling it.

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tau06 said:

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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CLTWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

---

Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

---

I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

---

What's odd? We've played 3 games total and none needed any long relief or was a high leverage situation. I think you answered your own question with your last sentence in the first paragraph.

Dom gave up 1 hit although he walked 3 and hit one guy. He plunked a lefty with a hammer that didn't ham and that will happen, it's fine. haha. Sucks tho b/c he had the dude down 0-2 with two outs. Does come back and strikes out the next dude.

We saw 10 different arms throw over the weekend. I forgot to mention that I thought Shaffner threw the ball pretty good as well. Kid looks like he's 15 but he can sling it.

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I mean we were down 2-0 going into the 7th of game 2 and took the lead late. That's literally the definition of high leverage situations, no?

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wilmwolf80 said:

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I don't think the second game of a three game series against Wagner the first weekend of the year really qualifies as a high leverage situation. I'm sure if the coaches thought Sam was ready and was needed, he would've pitched, but I'd rather have him available at the end of the year than the first weekend.

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CLTWolf said:

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tau06 said:

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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CLTWolf said:

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Jtilley said:

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If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

---

Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

---

I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

---

What's odd? We've played 3 games total and none needed any long relief or was a high leverage situation. I think you answered your own question with your last sentence in the first paragraph.

Dom gave up 1 hit although he walked 3 and hit one guy. He plunked a lefty with a hammer that didn't ham and that will happen, it's fine. haha. Sucks tho b/c he had the dude down 0-2 with two outs. Does come back and strikes out the next dude.

We saw 10 different arms throw over the weekend. I forgot to mention that I thought Shaffner threw the ball pretty good as well. Kid looks like he's 15 but he can sling it.

---

I mean we were down 2-0 going into the 7th of game 2 and took the lead late. That's literally the definition of high leverage situations, no?

---

2nd game of the year against Wagner in Feb, no. Not even close. Lol

Do you want to see Sam in Feb or in May and June?

Edited to add that Wilm beat me to it.

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CLTWolf said:

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tau06 said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

tau06 said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

---

Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

---

I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

---

What's odd? We've played 3 games total and none needed any long relief or was a high leverage situation. I think you answered your own question with your last sentence in the first paragraph.

Dom gave up 1 hit although he walked 3 and hit one guy. He plunked a lefty with a hammer that didn't ham and that will happen, it's fine. haha. Sucks tho b/c he had the dude down 0-2 with two outs. Does come back and strikes out the next dude.

We saw 10 different arms throw over the weekend. I forgot to mention that I thought Shaffner threw the ball pretty good as well. Kid looks like he's 15 but he can sling it.

---

I mean we were down 2-0 going into the 7th of game 2 and took the lead late. That's literally the definition of high leverage situations, no?

---

2nd game of the year against Wagner in Feb, no. Not even close. Lol

Do you want to see Sam in Feb or in May and June?

Edited to add that Wilm beat me to it.

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Meh. Not really laughable. Stinks he's not ready for opening weekend after like 9 months off. Just sucks he's got the injury bug after the promise he showed as a freshman. Hope he is still able to contribute this season.

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It's laughable that we've all been told that Sam is going to be handled carefully early on in the year yet people are still asking why we didn't see him against Wagner in the first series of the season, in February. He's been in school for 4 years now, he doesn't need to throw against Wagner. I mentioned load management several posts above with regards to Sam, get used to that.

Back issues are tough injuries to come back from. He's been dealing with this for a while so temper expectations regardless. Not seeing him against Wagner doesn't mean anything.

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tau06 said:

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CLTWolf said:

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tau06 said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

tau06 said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

If Sam is healthy why didn't he pitch Saturday in a close game?

---

Did he need to? Baker and Justin shut it down, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings after Willy went 6. We know what Sam can do, do you want to see him throw against Wagner in the middle of February or do you want to see him toss in April against FSU and Clemson and into May? We're probably going to see some load management when it comes to him.



Rando thoughts:
Baker is now 2 years removed from an arm injury and should have it behind him. You could see him getting worn out being less than a full year removed from surgery last year so I'm all for him getting innings. He's a key piece to that bullpen, IMO, and needs the work. Lawson is most likely going to be the closer this year (2022 Villaman) so Sam is more 2019 Johnston to start the season, until we had to move him into the weekend rotation.

I want to see Britton, Halford and Derrick Smith sling it. We definitely have two guys that will eat innings in Whitaker and Willadsen on the weekends. Fritton looked pretty good but I admittedly was watching more of the basketball game than baseball. He was cruising pretty good until the questionable error on Gino and then he made a poor throw to first that was just a FR mistake, he had plenty of time to gather himself. If Dom turns two there, he probably goes another inning or two, maybe? If he can give us 5 or 6 on Sundays, that would be huge for the staff. Good news is that Lawson is able to go 2-3 innings if needed. If Watkins can harness that gas, he and Lawson are gonna be tough dudes to face.

---

I just find it odd we have heard he will be a swing guy/high leverage for multiple games and not see him in a close game or the entire weekend. Maybe they are saving him and working him back or waiting for warmer weather.

I agree on Baker, he looks much better than last year. Same with Lawson as closer.

I thought Fritton looked good for most part. He seemed to be using his fastball a ton and couple off speeds I remember was either nasty or a bad bad miss.

I will say I thought we would have seen more pitchers throw this weekend than we did. Baker on back to back days, no Britton (Week day starter?), no Halford, the Clemson transfer etc.

---

What's odd? We've played 3 games total and none needed any long relief or was a high leverage situation. I think you answered your own question with your last sentence in the first paragraph.

Dom gave up 1 hit although he walked 3 and hit one guy. He plunked a lefty with a hammer that didn't ham and that will happen, it's fine. haha. Sucks tho b/c he had the dude down 0-2 with two outs. Does come back and strikes out the next dude.

We saw 10 different arms throw over the weekend. I forgot to mention that I thought Shaffner threw the ball pretty good as well. Kid looks like he's 15 but he can sling it.

---

I mean we were down 2-0 going into the 7th of game 2 and took the lead late. That's literally the definition of high leverage situations, no?

---

2nd game of the year against Wagner in Feb, no. Not even close. Lol

Do you want to see Sam in Feb or in May and June?

Edited to add that Wilm beat me to it.

---

Meh. Not really laughable. Stinks he's not ready for opening weekend after like 9 months off. Just sucks he's got the injury bug after the promise he showed as a freshman. Hope he is still able to contribute this season.

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It's laughable that we've all been told that Sam is going to be handled carefully early on in the year yet people are still asking why we didn't see him against Wagner in the first series of the season, in February. He's been in school for 4 years now, he doesn't need to throw against Wagner. I mentioned load management several posts above with regards to Sam, get used to that.

Back issues are tough injuries to come back from. He's been dealing with this for a while so temper expectations regardless. Not seeing him against Wagner doesn't mean anything.

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It may not mean anything and I surely hope it doesn't. That said, using a guy who has back injuries and who will need to be carefully managed as a bullpen high leverage guy makes very little sense. Look at how the Braves are handling Mike Soroka. They are adamant that they won't have him as a bullpen arm as it's just too hard for guys coming back from injury to get hot, not go in, cool down, potentially have to get warmed up again etc. Just makes little sense to use him in a bullpen roll if he's not back full recovered IMO. Really tough on him and his body. Makes more sense as a starter. So thus the questions on if he's not healthy and why he wasn't used etc.

Far from laughable but i'll leave your ideas of humor to you and you alone.

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tau06 said:

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Glad to look very wrong on Sam and see him out there pitching strong yesterday from what I can tell. Hope he's ready to roll the rest of the season!

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