Mets Considering Starting R.A. Dickey Every Fourth Game
NEW YORK (WFAN) - The New York Mets are considering putting R.A. Dickey on the mound every fourth game instead of the traditional five.
"It's going to happen," manager Terry Collins told MLB.com. "I think there's going to be a time when we are going to try it. When that is, I don't know yet."
Plans have been drawn to expand Dickey's work load, but neither Collins nor pitching coach Dan Warthen have had a discussion with general manager Sandy Alderson about the matter. But the Mets are curious to see if their Cy Young candidate can continue pitching well on short rest.
"It's possible the more often we get him out there, the better we're going to do," Alderson said. "But we've got to take into account what effect that would have not just this year on R.A. and on the rest of the pitching staff, but also what effect that would have on R.A. going into next year. So that's very much just in the discussion stage at this point."
Matt Harvey has a pitching limit of 165-170 innings and Johan Santana is just coming back from the disabled list, so having Dickey pitch every four games could help the Mets if he keeps his numbers up.
Having the knuckleballer pitch on shorter days rest was brought to the table in May, but the idea was dismissed because the Mets did not want to disrupt his routine.
With nine weeks left in the season, Dickey is six wins away from being the first Mets pitcher since Frank Viola in 1990 to win 20 games. He holds a 2.83 ERA and a 14-2 record in 21 starts. His next scheduled start is on Friday when the Mets take on the Padres in San Diego.
Do you think Dickey should pitch every four games instead of five? Be heard in the comments section below...
