Jeff Samardzija saw all the excitement surrounding Anthony Rizzo’s Cub debut on Tuesday night. He decided that he needed some of that action, and proceeded to give up 9 runs in 4.1 innings. That makes a total of 25 runs allowed in his last four starts. Any ideas on why he’s becoming the starting pitcher we all expected to see at the start of the season?
“It could be (hitting a wall physically), it could just be confidence, it could be mechanical. It could be all of the above,” Sveum said. “Obviously the magic question is which one it is. That’s where you get in these scenarios sometimes, which one is it? There’s a number of things sometimes – concentration level, trust in your stuff. When he gets in trouble, he doesn’t get Strike 1, either. That’s a big thing. Today we didn’t get Strike 1 too often.”
Or could it be a case of the old “dead arm”? This is his first time as a full-time starter, after all.
“For me it’s more mental right now than physical,” Samardzija said. “My body feels great. That’s not the issue. My pitch count was down going into the fifth. You just have to make those in-game adjustments.”
Time for a visit to the old sports psychologist. Just because he sucks right now doesn’t mean that he intends on sucking in the future, though.
“I want to be a very huge part of this,” he said. “I’m not as young as those guys are age wise. I still have a fair amount to learn and I’m learning that right now. This is the process where we’re at.
“In the professional sports you have to win right now and you have to put up results now. This isn’t a two-year plan for me or a year plan. This is a four-day plan. When I come out the next time it has to be better and it’s going to be better.”
Inspiring words, Jeff.
Even though he managed to steal the front page of this post from Anthony Rizzo, we’ll check in on how the young first baseman’s day went yesterday.
Rizzo was 1-for-4 with a strikeout and a double to show for his second-game results as he watched the Mets use a friendly southwest wind to hit four home runs.
“Yeah, it was a good day to be a hitter,” said Rizzo. “I heard there haven’t been to many days like this (with the wind blowing out) then again that is the game.”
How did he look facing his first lefty starter as a Cub?
“He had some good swings today,” said manager Dale Sveum. “He stayed on most everything and every pitch. There were some fastballs, and he took some good swings while shorting up and hitting a double off of the wall.”
At least there’s that.
I suggest Spellcheck go see the movies, “Magic Mike” or “Rock of Ages,” to check out alternate career paths…
At this point, I can’t just give up on Spellcheck…he obviously isn’t as good as his stats showed for the first month and a half of the season.
At the same time, he isn’t nearly as bad as stats have been in his last 3 starts.
Listening to him speak in his post game interview yesterday, I was pretty encouraged by his mind set and by what he believes to be the problem right now. It will be very interesting to see what the second half has in store for him.
Another thing to remember is that Samardzija has never completed a full season as a starting pitcher…so he’s never thrown 180 to 200 innings for a year. He might have another month or two where he pitches well, but he might really struggle in September.
Yep – he’s had some success, and now hitters are adjusting. Keeping his delivery consistent will always be a challenge, plus battling the fatigue that comes with pitching more innings. He’s still learning – I’m trying to exercise patience…
Oh…and in case anyone is interested…the Cubs didn’t get Puig.
The Dodgers won the bidding for the kid for 7 years and $42 million. So be it.
I read that Cashner has been pitching in the minors training for role as starter when Padres bring him back either this week or next.
I’m pretty sure Cashner is already back and is starting tonight.
And it is with the greatest of pleasure that I watch the Giants catch the Dodgers. Can’t stand the Dodgers. Now to just hope they fall out of wild-card contention
I just don’t see the Giants pulling away in the division race.
Living in San Francisco one can only hope that they can, I can’t stand the Dodgers they also have not been hitting well at all so we can be happy about that.
Maybe now the LA sportfools will stop that “best record in the league” garbage now that the rest of the division has caught up…
Zombie Spellcheck!
Don’t go outside.
It’s beautiful outside
Is Zombie Samardzija out there?
It’s horrible out there. Feels like walking into a pressure cooker. God, I hate being hot.
No comment
Welcome to my world of perpetual summer. It’s 89 degrees, but the humidity has risen up to 24%. At least we don’t have the humidity. I also have a cold, which started after I left the doctor’s office….
Only 98 deg. w/9% humidity in Albuquerque. Gentle 10 mph westerly. Damn. I feel like a beer.
A.J. likes you hot.
My “no comment” comment was in reference to Julie saying she’s “hot” I still have no comment
I’m betting doc will have a comment.
Oh. Well I’m not sure what you are complaining about then.
I don’t complain much about intense heat…bitter cold…that I have a serious problem with.
Let’s return the favor and sweep the Astros. God! Can’t believe it. Swept by the AStros
I wonder if the cause of Samardzija’s recent failings is that he just sucks.
Now what reason, in his 5 years in baseball, has he given to make you think that?
Oh…wait.
17-1. lol
The Mets just scored again…it’s 18-1.