There is a massive difference, of course. It’s kind of like how some pilots know how to do what the computer and flight manuals tell them to do, but they don’t actually know how to fly the plane via instinctual “feel.”

Pitching, especially in tight relief/high leverage situations, is so much about strategy, setting yourself up, and getting inside the batter’s head. It’s not an easy skill to master, for sure, but the best of the best are amazing at it. We don’t need all of these guys to be (insert your favorite MLB closer here), we just need to directionally get a lot better. Right now, they are just out there throwing the ball like a heat seeking missile.

For the most part, this is a young group so my hope and expectation is that Fecteau will be able to coach them up. This off-season will be huge in terms of their development. If we can get those guys to pitch, and not just throw, I think we might have something special next year. I’m very bullish on the bats we have coming back and while we can still improve in the field, if we get the bullpen right, it could make all the difference in the world. I’m excited to see how they develop.

Now let’s go out there and get that third game tonight. May the bats stay lively!