We’ve hit that time of year where owners look for potential pitch and ditch options, trying to catch lightning in a bottle for a start, then move on to the next pitcher. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
Well, not all options are created equal. One name that may jump out at you for tomorrow’s games is Dustin Moseley of the New York Yankees. First of all, he pitches for the Yankees. Second of all, he is facing the Oakland A’s.
Is he worth using, however?
His overall numbers are not impressive, with a 4.53 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, but he has a huge advantage over the rest of the field in that he has the Yankees offense supporting him. If wins are what you are chasing, he is a solid option.
He is coming off one of his best starts (against the Blue Jays in Toronto). He allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, striking out 4, over 6 innings. Of course, you also have to keep in mind that in his six starts, he’s allowed 4 earned runs or more three times. Plus, even in a solid start, he had a WHIP of 1.50.
However, the A’s are one of the weakest hitting teams in the league. They have scored just 510 runs, 26th in the league. They also have hit just 79 HR, worst in the majors. That certainly seems to make him a strong flier, doesn’t it?
Before we get too excited, there is some downside.
He’s not a source of strikeouts, with just 23 Ks in 45.2 innings. At Triple-A, he struck out 55 over 72.2 innings. If that’s your angle in pitching and ditching, don’t bother.
He has also been destroyed by the home run ball at the new Yankees Stadium (7 HR allowed over 28.1 innings). While the A’s may not hit many, that doesn’t mean they can’t put the ball over the fence at all. Keep in mind that their home park helps to suppress power. They are 19th in the league in doubles (222) and 9th in triples (26). In a hitter’s park, it’s easy to imagine some of those flying over the fences.
He’s a huge gamble, despite the matchup and the offense he has behind him. If you are employing a pitch and ditch strategy, you may want to look elsewhere unless you do not care about strikeouts, WHIP and ERA.
What are your thoughts on Moseley? Would you consider using him for this start? Why or why not?
