Leave it to a St Louis Cardinal, Mr Tony LaRussa, to screw the Mets over during the All-Star Game. He’s decided that R.A. Dickey will not start for the NL in tomorrow’s game, San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain will start instead.
The numbers are close, though no matter how you slice and dice them, R.A. Dickey has been the better pitcher all season. True that Matt Cain threw a perfect game, though R.A Dickey almost through two of them consecutively resulting in back-to-back one hitters. Lets not forget about Dickey’s record setting 44 1/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
Dickey holds an advantage in most pitching categories. In terms of appeal, there’s no denying who’s been one of the biggest stories of Major League Baseball this year.
2012 by-the-numbers:
| Dickey | vs Cain | |
| Starts | 17 | 17 |
| Wins | 12 | 9 |
| Losses | 1 | 3 |
| CG | 3 | 2 |
| Shut outs | 2 | 2 |
| IP | 120.1 | 120 |
| Hits | 86 | 91 |
| Runs | 34 | 39 |
| Earned Runs | 32 | 35 |
| Home Runs | 9 | 12 |
| Walks | 26 | 24 |
| Strikeouts | 123 | 118 |
| ERA | 2.4 | 2.62 |
| WHIP | 0.93 | 0.96 |
| BAA | 0.203 | 0.209 |
LaRussa has made comments in the past being worried about Buster Posey catching a knuckleballer which leads me to believe this was the biggest reason to shaft Dickey, the Mets, and baseball fans in general. Though he will tell you he’s basing his decision on giving the NL the best chance to win.
So Mr. Tony LaRussa, can you explain how exactly does starting Matt Cain give the NL the best chance to win the game?
Thought so.
Hope Cain geats roped in the first inning and Tony eats his actions…
Yeah there are so many reasons this sucks. Number one is I’m disappointed FOR Dickey. He’s more than deserving to start, and this might be his only chance to start an ALL-Star game (which is becoming more like a Mostly-Star or even Some-Star Game) while cain has many years ahead of him.
Also, this would have been such a great story for MLB to have on display on a National stage….but they really blew it.
It’s ok though. Dickey will get his shot when he starts Game 1 of the World Series baby.