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Pittsburgh Pirates: Starting Pitching Struggles & More Takeaways From Embarrassing Series Loss vs A's
By Marty Leap
Two relievers do NOT belong in the majors
While Contreras was charged with 7 runs in Wednesday's loss, not all of the runs scored with him on the mound. The last 2 of those 7 runs crossed the plate due to Rob Zastryzny issuing back-to-back bases loaded walks. Sure, Contreras put Zastryzny in a terrible spot by loading the bases with no one out, but a reliever simply can not walk a batter in that situation let alone two.
In Monday night's victory Zastryzny was terrible as well. He was summoned with the Pirates lead 4-3 in the 8th inning and quickly allowed the A's to tie it. He was pulled with just one out and two runners on base. Thankfully, Angel Perdomo was able to prevent any further damage.
Zastryzny owns a 4.97 ERA and a 4.86 FIP in 12.2 innings pitched this season. He's allowed 14 hits, walked 12 batters, and struck out just eight. He is showing why he was available as a minor league free agent this past offseason and that he does not belong on a MLB roster.
Believe it or not, Zastryzny is not the worst reliever in the Pirate bullpen. That distinction belongs to Chase De Jong. After allowing 6 runs on three home runs in 2 innings pitched on Tuesday night, De Jong now owns a 13.50 ERA, 11.05 FIP, and has surrendered 6 home runs in 11.1 innings pitched this season.
Both Zastryzny and De Jong need to go. Prior to the start of Friday's game against the Mets both of them need to be desiganted for assignment. It would be almost impossible for anyone to be worse than those two. The first reliever the Pirates should give the call to in order to replace them is Carmen Mlodzinski.