One Overlooked Source of Struggles

May 12, 2025, 2:32 PM

Everyone has been saying that the bullpen, defense, and hitting have caused the team to slump over the last 3 series, but one area that I haven't noticed (not to say there isn't discussion about it) is the struggles with our starting pitching.

Starting with the NC State series, starters have only had one quality start, and three starts go longer than 5 innings. In each of these starts, the ERA is 8.48, and even if you take out the two worst (Knaak @ NCSt and Bailey vs Duke), the ERA still ends up at 5.13. The troubling part is that they cannot even chalk it up to bad luck, as their overall FIP is 8.03, showing that they are indeed getting crushed in all facets. I don't know if they are tipping pitches, or the opponent scouting plan has figured them out, but when you have an opponent batting average of ~0.350 over the last 10 games, something has to change.

When they give up runs, hits, and walks at the rate they do, they have to then give it up to an already slim and inexperienced bullpen. This year they have 6 guys who have pitched over 20 innings (and one over 30), and they have an average of a 4.02 ERA (Garris, Allen, Mahlstedt, McGovern, Dvorsky, and Fitzgerald). If you take out Mahlstedt due to him being a strict closer/stopper, you have 5 relievers left, which of those, only 2 have an ERA below 4.50. Now with Garris maybe out, you have 4 middle relievers left, which if you have to use 4 guys every game, they are going to be overused, leading to Bakich running out >7.00 ERA guys, resulting in run-rule games. They have seen positive performances from McGovern and Lee recently (and even Dvorsky against Duke Sunday), but other than that, they don't have anybody who I would feel comfortable holding leads.

I don't think the offense is necessarily struggling at this point, as the last 7 games, they have definitely scored enough runs to allow for a win (6.5 runs over the last 7 should result in a better record than 2-5), but the offense is what it is at this point. If you look over the whole season, we have really only two guys decline in performance, that being Purify and Listi. Also, the psychology of hitting probably tanks when you have to overcome 6+ run leads every game, which I'm sure is some of the reason for the lackadaisical attitudes out of the hitters.

All in all, they can make a run, although at this point, I can barely see them winning a regional. We are 5.5 wins above what their run differential would suggest, so I do think Bakich is making it work as best he can. However, I do think the pitching approach and strategy needs a complete overhaul in the offseason, as Knaak has taken a step back into just average Saturday starter, with nobody behind him much better. I think Belanger has one more season to prove his worth, or they need to move on with a more robust development program and coaching philosophy. If Wake Forest can do it, I don't see why Clemson can't either. I'm tired of the pitchers who were touted as having upper 90's velocity dip and barely struggle to reach 95 with no command at all.

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Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

So youre saying if we pitch good and hit good we will be fine? Brilliant!

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

Excellent observation. Our starters pitch count goes up fast. And it doesn't equate to free passes or hits. Seems like we're battling a 3-2 count a lot... and we start with 1-2 counts. Sure, some of that is attributed to our competition going up but not all.

And I agree with pocono. We got some great relief from titsworth and Bailey. But Darden and LeGuernic started off great.. but I think that was mostly due to competition. Earlier in the season, wake, Stanford, and the cawks were thought to be excellent series wins. Turns out, not much at all.

We've known since early on that we're a weak hitting team. Doesn't mean we can't score, just not a lot of stringing hits together.

I hope he sticks with giving Bell starts. He's got good stuff. I just think he's green.

One Overlooked Source of Struggles

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

So youre saying if we pitch good and hit good we will be fine? Brilliant!

Re: One Overlooked Source of Struggles

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