Looking Forward: A Hitting Pitcher?!

I’ll admit it: off-days feel like an eternity. Lucky for me, the DBacks are one of the few teams that do not have today off. They’ll be kicking off their series against the Cinnicnati Reds tonight with John Garland taking to mound. But wait, who’s pitching tomorrow for the Reds? Micah Owings.

Crap.

If you’re not familiar with Micah Owings, let me introduce you: he’s a pitcher with a big stick. When Micah was with the DBacks the last few years, Bob Melvin

Spring Loaded: Pitcher Micah Owings Also Features a Big Bat.

would use him as a pinch-hitter so he wouldn’t have to deplete his bench. When was the last time you’ve ever heard of a pitcher being used to pinch hit?

Either way, it brings the Reds an actual 9th batter to the lineup. I will point out that Owings ERA has steadily been climbing the last few years, ultimately leading to his trade last September: 4.30, 5.93, and currently 5.08. Sure, he can hit. But once he begins to struggle in a game there’s no getting out of that funk. In the back of my mind, anytime he issued two consecutive walks, you knew it was time to get a guy up in the bullpen (Bob Melvin never necessarily thought so).

Speaking of changes, AJ Hinch seems to slowly be finding his groove within this team. I will admit that I don’t think he’ll bring enough firepower to the table to help the “Struggle Backs” make the post-season (let alone a winning season). I’ll just start acting like a typical Cubs fan: there’s always next year!

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