A week ago, Charlie Manuel said he couldn't name the reliever he'll use to set up closer Tom Gordon. Now he can.
"When you look at our bullpen, he's the ideal guy for the eighth inning," the manager said. "And he's also a guy who could step in and close for us if we needed."
As a rookie in 2004, Madson had a 1.65 earned run average in 51 relief appearances. The following year he made 78 appearances, but his ERA rose to 4.14. Last year he shuttled between the bullpen and the rotation (17 starts) and mastered neither as his ERA ballooned to 5.69.
So coming into this season, Madson was told two things. One was that he should focus on being a reliever. The other was that he should junk his big curve in favor of a cutter. And the results so far have been impressive.
"It's better [working out of the bullpen]. I don't have to prove anything to anybody," Madson said. "And the cutter is working good. I'm getting more comfortable with it."
And just maybe he's pitching with a little chip on his shoulder, which isn't a bad thing.
"I don't think we're one of the worst bullpens in the league," he said. "Far from it."
If he keeps pitching as well as he has, he just might be right.
My, oh, Myers
Opening Day starter Brett Myers ended his spring with a flourish yesterday, shutting out the Devil Rays on three hits through six innings at Bright House Networks Field. He walked two and struck out seven.
Opening Day starter Brett Myers ended his spring with a flourish yesterday, shutting out the Devil Rays on three hits through six innings at Bright House Networks Field. He walked two and struck out seven.
"I think I'm ready," he said after finishing the Grapefruit League with a 2.04 ERA.
Myers, 26, could be poised for a breakout season, but he won't talk about personal goals.
"I just want the team to win every game that I start," he said. "I know that's not realistic, but if I start 34 times I'd like us to win at least 25 of them."
