...Great article from the NY Times regarding the battle for the 5th spot.
A stark contrast of styles was on display when the main challengers for the No. 5 spot in the Mets’ starting rotation opposed each other Tuesday, a day off for the team. The veteran Hernández, who relies on changing speeds and location, faced the 24-year-old Mike Pelfrey, who thrives on velocity.
Pelfrey’s fastball stayed in the 90s as he went six-plus innings and threw 90 pitches. He gave up a run in the second inning and a two-run homer to catcher Brian Schneider in the fifth, but Pelfrey indicated Schneider’s hit should have an asterisk next to it.
“Last week he showed me a backdoor slider, and today he hit it out,” a smiling Pelfrey said of a lesson Schneider had given him. “I asked him, ‘What’s up with that?’ and he said, ‘I thought it was a sinker.’ ”
“Last week he showed me a backdoor slider, and today he hit it out,” a smiling Pelfrey said of a lesson Schneider had given him. “I asked him, ‘What’s up with that?’ and he said, ‘I thought it was a sinker.’ ”
Hernández lasted four-plus innings and used his 80 pitches to see what movement they would have in game competition if he did not use his signature high leg kick. He focused on his changeup in one inning and on his fastball in another, and Schneider said that was why his results might look deceiving. Hernández allowed two home runs and, in the first inning, walked in a run against minor league hitters.
Results do not matter at this point, Hernández said. “I don’t worry about nothing now. I only worry that I am focused on my windup. I feel pretty good. It’s not bad. I feel very comfortable.”
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