[St Charles Owl]

Why do the pitchers need so much rest?

Teams generally have 5 starting pitchers who do the bulk of the work, the teams play a 162 game schedule with about 15-20 off days, teams generally play at least 6 times a week, that's why they have the rest.

A starting pitcher will throw roughly 225 innings these days which equates to 30 games per starting pitcher.

It was different when Baseball began in the late 1800's, some pitchers threw 600 innings and played 60-70 games.

The starter is just about the  only pitcher who needs a few days rest.  For most games the starter will throw between 80 and 120 pitches, and for most of those they are throwing at full velocity, nowadays they really don't have much chance to toss a few slower ones in, everything is done at full speed.  If you don't give the pitcher at least a couple of days rest after that he will blow his arm out, usually at the elbow, and when that happens they will require surgery to rebuild the elbow and will miss more than a full season!!  Check out this video of Zack Greinke pitching for the Dodgers, you can see the whole body effort that is put into each pitch, and every pitch is delivered with the same effort.



For pitchers, think Sam Hutchinson and his knees, don't give him rest and he will get injured!!!

[consilio]

I was just thinking about the comparisons with fast bowlers in cricket. They can bowl for three days in a row with the huge strain upon there bodies and they seem to withstand the pressure/strain most of the time.

[St Charles Owl]

I was just thinking about the comparisons with fast bowlers in cricket.  They can bowl for three days in a row with the huge strain upon there bodies and they seem to withstand the pressure/strain most of the time.

Yes, but the bowling motion of a cricketer is much less damaging on the arm than a pitcher in baseball.  Cricketers do not throw the ball, their motion is like a windmill with the arm more or less straight.  A pitcher in baseball throws the ball and the torque put on the shoulder and particularly the elbow is a lot greater.  I think most pitchers would tell you that their muscles could cope with throwing far more often than they do but their joints would be destroyed.

[Statesideowl]

Torn rotator cuffs aplenty...

[St Charles Owl]

Go Cubs!!!!!!!! Cubs take series in 4, onto the NLCS!!!

[peiowl]

Keep explaining the game to consilio and he'll see what a great sport it is. Thurny meanwhile will continue to call it rounders because he's a young lad and his mind isn't as developed.

Well done cubs.

[Owlkev71]

I was just thinking about the comparisons with fast bowlers in cricket.  They can bowl for three days in a row with the huge strain upon there bodies and they seem to withstand the pressure/strain most of the time.

Yes, but the bowling motion of a cricketer is much less damaging on the arm than a pitcher in baseball.  Cricketers do not throw the ball, their motion is like a windmill with the arm more or less straight.  A pitcher in baseball throws the ball and the torque put on the shoulder and particularly the elbow is a lot greater.  I think most pitchers would tell you that their muscles could cope with throwing far more often than they do but their joints would be destroyed.

Some of the best pitchers are on $20 million dollars a year, that might be another reason.

A big well done to the Cubbies for beating the Evil Empire in 4 games.

Game 5 decider this evening Pei, can your Blue jays complete the comeback????????????? Glad we have Hammels on the mound should give us a chance.

[consilio]

Much more strain on the body as a whole for the fast bowlers though. Knees, ankles, back etc.

[peiowl]

Keep asking the questions consilio. You'll get hooked on it. As for Thurny.....????  

Yes, tonight's the clincher Kev. Thanks for being such a good sport and putting up with my tirades against the umps. There is a feeling up here though that Americans look down on Canadians. Harold Reynolds the sports announcer caused a furor when he said that Toronto fans wouldn't be able to catch baseballs in the stand "because they don't play baseball much up there." Even made the national newscast.

Tell that to Rusell Martin, Brett Lawrie, Eric Gagne, Larry Walker or the great Fergie Jenkins!!!

Who will win tonight? Anyone's game. Gibbons made a controversial decision in G4 using Price in middle relief. So Stroman gets the nod to start tonight. He's been in great form since coming back from injury late in the season. Last 2 games Jays have played well like they have in last half of season. But then you have that guy Odor.

Whoever wins, good luck to them. I'm just happy that we're in postseason play after 22 years absence.

[Thurnscoe_OWL]

as for thurny? he doesnt give 2 shit who wins what in some shit sports tbh. Baseball, American football, rugby, cricket, F1 can all do one (along with others I may have missed