When Britton returns...

[Matt P]

In a game like tonight where he had over a strike out per inning and didn't give up a HR he still was charged with 6 earned runs in 4.1 innings. This is why I care more about earned runs and consistency than stats like HR/9, K/9, etc.

[osforlife]

In a game like tonight where he had over a strike out per inning and didn't give up a HR he still was charged with 6 earned runs in 4.1 innings. This is why I care more about earned runs and consistency than stats like HR/9, K/9, etc.

I almost never look at stats like those either. I like to look at ERA and WHIP. Although I have been looking at FIP and xFIP alot lately too.

[legmason]

Now if only we can teach Britton to throw right handed too he can take over for both Hunter and Arrieta when he comes back. If not that, we can always fall back on plan B and slide Davis into the rotation.

[CSPitt17130]

I almost never look at stats like those either. I like to look at ERA and WHIP. Although I have been looking at FIP and xFIP alot lately too.

And where do you think FIP and xFIP come from? Why dismiss certain stats if you don't even know what they represent?

[birdwatcher55]

I don't understand why Arrieta is not even being considered as a candidate to be replaced. But I believe the obvious choice is Hunter; He's pitched the worst. He faces Toronto tonight...which I'am guessing will not go well. A fly ball pitcher vs. a homerun team usually doesn't go well. But like Buck says...these things usually work themselves out.

If you watched Arrieta shut down the Yankees earlier this season, you can understand the reluctance of many to close the book on his career as a starter. I would rather see him try and develop or perfect another pitch before we move him to the bullpen. I would even bring Peterson in to consult for a stretch

[osforlife]

I almost never look at stats like those either. I like to look at ERA and WHIP. Although I have been looking at FIP and xFIP alot lately too.

And where do you think FIP and xFIP come from? Why dismiss certain stats if you don't even know what they represent?

I guess I stand corrected. I had no idea what FIP and xFIP stood for lol. But i do mostly look at ERA and WHIP.

[Rising O's]

We desperately need him but more importantly, we need him healthy long term.

[CSPitt17130]

I guess I stand corrected. I had no idea what FIP and xFIP stood for lol. But i do mostly look at ERA and WHIP.

Here's a really good argument from the person who initially proposed the defense independent pitching statistics.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=878

[Matt P]

Matusz stops a 6 game losing streak and Arrieta comes out and has another bad game. He needs to be demoted and like I said Matusz is much more consistent.

[A_K]

Matusz is better. But without Arrieta and with Britton, that's still just four starting pitchers. Want to bring up Tillman? S. Johnson? Hunter again?

[Matt P]

I would bring up Tillman.

[A_K]

Fine with me. But how much of an upgrade is that? For how long? Remember, the conversation we're having about Arrieta is the same one we've had about Tillman every time he's been in the majors.

Seems like a frustration-motivated move, rather than one accompanied by legitimate expectations to improve the team. You can only swap disappointing former prospects for one another so many times.

[Matt P]

Peterson believes in Tillman and he just threw 8 innings giving up 1 hit against a good Pawtucket line up. I kept reading and hearing all season that his stuff has been great and the results were due to working on things and bad defense behind him.

[A_K]

Sounds like a lot of narrative construction. Maybe those things are true, but it sure sounds like "so and so reported to camp in the best shape of his life."

[Matt P]

That's what they said about Matusz this ST and it turned out to be true.