Is Pedro Strop out as the setup man?

[Matt P]

Saturday, with a 1 run lead, Buck went with Matusz vs two left handed hitters and O'Day vs a right handed hitter.
Sunday, with a 3 run lead, Buck left Saunders in vs Ellsbury and brought in O'Day to face two right handed hitters.

So much for all that talk about not moving Strop out of his setup role. I love that Buck is pitching the arms that have done best recently. This is a playoff chase and isn't a time to let someone work out of a recent funk. I was surprised that he didn't bring in Strop in the 8th and have O'Day warmed to come in if he struggles but I have no gripes against it.

In a perfect world, Strop is needed in the 8th vs Tampa at some point and pitches a perfect inning and gets his swagger back but I agree with Buck that being tied for the AL East is no time to let someone work his way out of a funk in a close game unless necessary.

[ofahn]

This is perhaps one of the defining differences between Buck Showalter and Dave Trembley. Buck was loyal to Pedro until he was concerned that it would hurt the team and then he did what he needed to do. Dave, as much as I respect his baseball knowledge, would almost certainly kept using Pedro until the season or division title was lost.

[birdwatcher55]

Solid move by Buck. Strop had run out of gas and was largely ineffective. I like this mix and match plan of attack he has adopted for the seventh and eighth innings

[A_K]

I'm fine with Buck adjusting his bullpen usage-- especially as Matusz, Arrieta and Hunter have proven to be valuable relievers over the last month-- but I suspect we'll see Strop pitch in a tough spot at some point in the playoffs. Maybe it's the 7th instead of the 8th, but he's still one of our best relievers and will be used as such in close games.

[osforlife]

It sure looks like it. Maybe he has just run out of gas. But I still see him as a impact piece in the playoffs and going forward.

[Matt P]

Another bad outing by Strop tonight

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Another bad outing by Strop tonight

Will be interesting to see who makes it onto the playoff roster. I think Strop does.

[birdwatcher55]

I think Strop is on shaky ground for making it. Just my two cents

[LA Detective]

If Hammel and Johnson are healthy he might not.... The pen would be JJ,Hunter,Oday,Matusz,Patton,Ayala, the dropped starter (Saunders or Chen or if Gonzo gets lit up maybe him)...thats 11..if they stick with 12 it would be between Johsnon and Strop.

[Matt P]

Looks like it's O'Day for the bottom of the 8th tonight with a 1-0 lead.

[R.martinez05]

Ok lets be honest Strop has done a lot for the. O's this season. Of course playing 162 games is gonna take its toll on all the players. But Strop not on the playoff roster? He's definitely going to be on that roster.

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Ok lets be honest Strop has done a lot for the. O's this season. Of course playing 162 games is gonna take its toll on all the players. But Strop not on the playoff roster? He's definitely going to be on that roster.

That's the thing. Has he been helpful over the entire season? Yes. Are there relievers currently performing better? Yes.

[R.martinez05]

That's the thing. Has he been helpful over the entire season? Yes. Are there relievers currently performing better? Yes.

Yeah Strop is in a little Slump. Other pitchers are doing better. But NO PLAYOFF ROSTER? Lets us an example so lets say J.J hardy was in a slump right now and Andino wasnt... Drop Hardy for the playoffs and let Andino Start? Somebody that got you there? you just cant drop them

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Yeah Strop is in a little Slump. Other pitchers are doing better. But NO PLAYOFF ROSTER? Lets us an example so lets say J.J hardy was in a slump right now and Andino wasnt... Drop Hardy for the playoffs and let Andino Start? Somebody that got you there? you just cant drop them

I'm not saying he should be left off the roster. It's something to consider. You want the best players on your team for the playoffs and Strop has not shown the ability to pitch successfully as of late.

[R.martinez05]

I'm not saying he should be left off the roster. It's something to consider. You want the best players on your team for the playoffs and Strop has not shown the ability to pitch successfully as of late.

I'm not saying he should be left off the roster. It's something to consider. You want the best players on your team for the playoffs and Strop has not shown the ability to pitch successfully as of late.

NO!!! lol you gotta be kidding me man that shouldnt even be considered... O'Day has been getting the job done... Yes he's on the playoff roster for sure... Besides Hunter/ Johnson no one has an arm like Strop. When he is on... HE IS ON. Strop is just tired. And this is his 1st full major league season. Everyone goes through slumps.