FanPost

Rest for the Weary

Mulder and Macha both insist he's not tired, but the evidence suggests rest is needed...and the time is now.

Mulder's performance his last several starts is the most concerning issue the A's face.  If they play reasonably well over the next week their place in the post season is guaranteed--barring a run by Texas or California that their recent histories don't suggest is likely.  But how far can the A's go with Mulder at this level of performance?  Not very.  His velocity is off.  His control is off.  His mechanics keep changing.  He's tired.  He looks it, and shows it.  And he should be rested while there's still time to get ready for the post season--he doesn't need to miss his last two starts, but should be strictly limited on pitch count.  

Right now, the big three for the A's are Zito, Hudson and Harden.  They're pitching well enough to give Mulder a break.  Relying on that old saw about riding the horse that got you here ignores the reality of the current situation.  Young and Macha have had lots of opportunities to work on mechanics and other approaches, to no avail.  Give the man a couple of short starts so that when we really need him to perform there's some gas in the tank.  Another three and out playoff series will not be fun.