Some say David Cone has too many pitches and not enough good ones. His out pitch, the slider, is flat and very hittable. Cone also throws a sinker, cut fastball and two different curves. He used to change speeds better than anyone, although his fastball has lost enough life that hitters sit on the other stuff. Cone rushes too much when fielding, and he rarely bothers with holding runners on. That's the bad news. Now for the good.
Cone is 2 - 1 in 6 starts this year with a 4.71 ERA. He is 2 - 0 his last three games with an improving 3.50 ERA which is in line with his career ERA of 3.41. Cone is a proud veteran who wants to pitch, but is nearing the end of his major league journey. The Yankees were talking about signing Cone in the off season to a minor league deal until Boston finally resigned him in a one year provisional deal where he has spent most of his time in the bullpen (thus only 6 starts). The 38 year old veteran knows that every start is precious in keeping his career alive.
Cone faces a formidable opponent today in Ryan Rupe. Rupe has a free and easy motion that allows him to throw a mid-90s fastball with movement, as well as a slider that can be flat-out nasty when he can keep it down and bury it. His best pitch is a changeup that frustrates hitters. He tends to leave the ball up and over the plate which is why he has given up 64 hits and 44 runs in only 56 1/3 innings pitched and has an ERA of 6.71 . . . although that has improved to 4.50 his last three outings. Rupe is a fierce competitor and is not afraid to go right at hitters and work aggressively, but he still suffers from a lack of confidence.
I like the seasoned veteran with a lot at stake over an up and coming youngster who doesn't have the poise of Cone. The line offers a good value in a game that I think Boston should win at least 60% of the time which would equate to -150.
I'm playing Boston -135 . . . but then again . . . I'm Never Caught Up.
[This message has been edited by Never Caught Up (edited 06-20-2001).]
Cone is 2 - 1 in 6 starts this year with a 4.71 ERA. He is 2 - 0 his last three games with an improving 3.50 ERA which is in line with his career ERA of 3.41. Cone is a proud veteran who wants to pitch, but is nearing the end of his major league journey. The Yankees were talking about signing Cone in the off season to a minor league deal until Boston finally resigned him in a one year provisional deal where he has spent most of his time in the bullpen (thus only 6 starts). The 38 year old veteran knows that every start is precious in keeping his career alive.
Cone faces a formidable opponent today in Ryan Rupe. Rupe has a free and easy motion that allows him to throw a mid-90s fastball with movement, as well as a slider that can be flat-out nasty when he can keep it down and bury it. His best pitch is a changeup that frustrates hitters. He tends to leave the ball up and over the plate which is why he has given up 64 hits and 44 runs in only 56 1/3 innings pitched and has an ERA of 6.71 . . . although that has improved to 4.50 his last three outings. Rupe is a fierce competitor and is not afraid to go right at hitters and work aggressively, but he still suffers from a lack of confidence.
I like the seasoned veteran with a lot at stake over an up and coming youngster who doesn't have the poise of Cone. The line offers a good value in a game that I think Boston should win at least 60% of the time which would equate to -150.
I'm playing Boston -135 . . . but then again . . . I'm Never Caught Up.
[This message has been edited by Never Caught Up (edited 06-20-2001).]
