Opinion: Stay Healthy, Pedro
Prior to last night’s game, Willie Randolph told reporters that Pedro Martinez will be allowed to throw between 90 and 100 pitches in his start against the Giants tonight.
I keep hearing a lot about expectations for Martinez. Some people expect him to throw six innings, some expect him to do this or that – frankly, I expect him to stay healthy, and be some one this team can rely on game in and game out.
The Mets are 15–7 in games when Maine and Santana are the day’s starting pitcher, meaning they are 13–21 when some else takes the ball.
Given the way Oliver Perez pitched last night, and the way he has pitched in the last month, the Mets, who are struggling to stay above .500, need another stable starting pitcher. They need another guy, besides Johan Santana and John Maine, who can take the ball and be counted on to deliver a stable, reliable, strong outing.
Pedro can be that guy…as long as he’s healthy.
