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Jun 16, 2021Liked by The Apple

Just to add: It is possible that his poor outings have been a result of being overworked earlier in the season. In his best year, he pitched in 65 games and threw 64 innings. Even with the recent rest, he's on pace for more games and the same number of innings (after the abbreviated COVID-19 year of, I think, 22-24 innings). If he were getting more work recently, he'd be on pace for 80 games and 80 innings. In other words, toast by August.

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Jun 16, 2021Liked by The Apple

I don't buy your theory. He was overworked, to my eyes, and that was an unsustainable proposition. He began to look gassed to me, so the extra rest was necessary. Long season & postseason. I have a basic guideline: When a very good pitcher begins to get very poor results, the first question I ask is, "I wonder if he's hurt?" I also ask that question when an arm angle drops, which May has experienced. Of course, we don't know the answer to that -- but we do know that lots of pitchers continue on with nagging injuries that they never talk about. He's been off his game. If healthy, I expect he'll regain his form. The slider has not been crisp and, as you note, the changeup isn't working. Last note: I don't like him following Jake. His 97 high heat just don't look that tough after batters have flailed against the GOAT.

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