Enough Already

"Only 53 pitches, I have a lot of arm left, man." Those are the words of the delusional Vince Velasquez, alluding that he should have been able to stay in last night's game. Double V gave up 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 2.1 innings. 

In his last 10 starts, Vinny has a 7.74 ERA. His ERA for the season ballooned to 5.54. He's not very good, has never been very good, and probably won't be very good ever. So why in the ever-loving hell does this clown still have a job as a major league starting pitcher?

There are other options. Christopher Sanchez, who was one a of a handful of relievers to pitch after Vince last night, is one possibility. Ranger Suarez is another. But Ranger is doing really well as the closer and should stay in that role in unless the Phils grab someone like Craig Kimbrel before the trade deadline.

But enough of Vince. Enough of his career 4.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and OPS of 7.88. Enough of wasting a starting pitching spot every fifth day when you're almost assured of a terrible outcome. 

There are only 65 games left in the season. Somehow, the Phillies are only 4.5 games behind the first-place Mets. There's a chance they could win the division. But that's not going to happen if Velasquez goes out to pitch every fifth day serving all-you-can-eat meatballs to opposing hitter. 

Send him to the bullpen. Send him to the minors. DFA him. But for the love of the Phillie Phanatic, do not, under any circumstances, let him start any more games for the Phillies.