Game 108: Dodgers @ Cincinnati Reds 3:0
That's the now famous first Dodger game by Greg Maddux. A no-hitter through six innings with a rain delay. Wow.
Since so much has been already written about this game, let me give you another spin. I believe it might be (as we look upon this season from more perspective) a pivotal game in the Dodger starting pitchers' understanding of the protection someone like Maddux provides.
Neither Penny nor Lowe did have that protection in the starting five before. On the contrary, they were supposed to provide it, as veteran pitchers, to the rest of the starters. They were heavily counted on as pitchers who would win ballgames or at least keep the team in a game for as long as they could. If they faltered, there was little hope the bottom of the starting five could provide any consistent wins (regardless of a good stretch from Aaron Sele at the beginning of the season).
Now Penny and Lowe have someone who could stand in for them on rainy days, so to say. While I do not think Maddux will be anywhere close to as perfect as he was in his debut, I believe he's going to give the Dodgers a chance to win on most nights. Thus taking some of the pressure off our vets.
At the same time, now the Dodgers have both Rick Honeycutt (official pitching coach) and Greg Maddux (future HoF-mer) to help the young arms. Hopefully, beyond this year only.
Since so much has been already written about this game, let me give you another spin. I believe it might be (as we look upon this season from more perspective) a pivotal game in the Dodger starting pitchers' understanding of the protection someone like Maddux provides.
Neither Penny nor Lowe did have that protection in the starting five before. On the contrary, they were supposed to provide it, as veteran pitchers, to the rest of the starters. They were heavily counted on as pitchers who would win ballgames or at least keep the team in a game for as long as they could. If they faltered, there was little hope the bottom of the starting five could provide any consistent wins (regardless of a good stretch from Aaron Sele at the beginning of the season).
Now Penny and Lowe have someone who could stand in for them on rainy days, so to say. While I do not think Maddux will be anywhere close to as perfect as he was in his debut, I believe he's going to give the Dodgers a chance to win on most nights. Thus taking some of the pressure off our vets.
At the same time, now the Dodgers have both Rick Honeycutt (official pitching coach) and Greg Maddux (future HoF-mer) to help the young arms. Hopefully, beyond this year only.
posted by Harry | 6:57 AM
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