Karstens Has Been Amazing
Pittsburgh (KDKA)- Pirate fans have mentioned Charlie Morton and Kevin Correia when talking about the team's biggest surprise. Jeff Karsten's name should be included in that conversation.
The results he's produced through the first 3 months of the season have been amazing.
At the start of the season, who would've thought that the Pirates could legitimately claim to have the best 5th starter in baseball? Well that's what they have.
Thanks to the pitching of Karstens, the Pirates have evened their record a .500 (33-33).
Karstens extended his streak of scoreless innings to 14 2/3. He has allowed one earned run in his past 22 2/3 innings and 11 hits and one walk in his past three starts.
Here's some other impressive numbers for Karstens:
*Made his 53rd start with the Pirates and has been charged with 3 earned runs or less in 37 of those starts.
*In his last 6 appearances, he's pitched 37 innings and has issued just one walk.....He's has walked more than one batter just once in his first 11 starts.
*After last night's start, Karstens now has the best ERA (2.66) in the Pirates rotation.
How's that trade with the Yankees looking now?
In case you forgot:
Yankees received: Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte
Pirates received: Jeff Karstens, Jose Tabata, Daniel McCutchen and Ross Ohlendorf.
If Karstens continues to pitch this way, I wonder what kind of offers GM Neal Huntington will receive for him at the trade deadline.
Should make for an interesting month of July!
