Matt Strahm has struggled recently in the rotation, and Dinelson Lamet is returning this weekend vs the Dodgers so it seems he belongs in the San Diego Padres bullpen.
Dinelson Lamet was the San Diego Padres best starter before the 2018 season but plans changed when he underwent Tommy John surgery after tearing his UCL in Spring Training. Lamet added a great curveball in addition to the already filthy slider.
Well, Lamet is about to make his much-anticipated return when the Padres make the bus trip to play their rival the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-game series to close out the first half of the 2019 season.
Of course, that means one starter in the rotation will be going to the bullpen: Matt Strahm.
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After Strahm was traded to San Diego from Kansas City in a trade that involved ex-Padres Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter, he pitched great out of the ‘pen.
In 2018, he posted a 2.05 ERA while in the bullpen in addition to striking out nearly 30% of the batters he faced.
Manager Andy Green then let him return to the rotation where he has struggled. Strahm is 3-6 with a 5.42 ERA. In his last start on Tuesday vs the San Francisco Giants, he gave up three long balls including two to Evan Longoria.
The second home run for the Giants third basemen was a 91 mph fastball that was in the middle of the plate and up in the zone, and in the third deck of the Western Metal Supply Company building in left field.
Strahm’s velocity has been down since he went to the bullpen. I am guessing the velocity change is due to him trying to pace himself so he can pitch deeper into games, but a lower-90 mph fastball in the heart of the plate is not going to have much success against the best players in the world.
When he was in the bullpen last year, his fastball velocity was around 95 mph.
Another reason why he should be in the bullpen is the bullpen.
Other than Kirby Yates who leads the league in saves, the bullpen has been anything but consistent.
They have been without key relievers due to injury including Jose Castillo and Aaron Loup. San Diego has been without a consistent 7th inning reliever, as they have been splitting the duties between Brad Wieck, Luis Perdomo, and Cal Quantrill recently.
Strahm would have an uptick in his velocity and could be the 7th inning guy handing the ball to Craig Stammen and Yates to secure more wins for the San Diego Padres in the 2nd half of the season.