Scouting Report Joel Pineiro

The 32-year old RHP is in his 12th major league season, spending most of his career in Seattle, before signing with the Red Sox in 2007; he didn't succeed in the AL East and he was dumped to the Cardinals, where Dave Duncan worked his sinker ball magic, and revitalized his career. He was signed before the 2010 season to a 2-year, 16 million dollar deal. He's searching for his 100th career win (99-89), and has a 4.33 ERA and 1.34 WHIP for his career. Sounds like a #4 or #5 starter, but he's had multiple DL stints with Shouilder tightness, and has thrown 200 innings only twice in his career, and once since 2004.

Pineiro is a 4-pitch pitcher, but he is known for his sinker. His sinker's velocity has continued to drop, and now averages 87.6 mph (down from 91 in 2007), and he throws it 64% of the time. His slider is his most effective pitch this year, throws it 16% of the time, 84 mph. His change has been good in the past, but he rarely throws it (83 mph), and it acts like a splitter. His curve averages 77 mph (11%). He increases his use of his slider with 2 strikes. He throws 1st pitch strike 57% of the time, but he heavily relies on his defense since he rarely gets swings and misses (5%). Since he can't get swings and misses, it's no surprise that he has one of the lowest K/9 rates in the majors this year (3.7%). He does minimize walks, 2.2 BB/9, but it's tough to succeed with not being able to miss bats like he does.

For the year, he's 2-3 in 9 starts (58 innings), with a 4.03 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, and is winless in his last 6 starts. He's been very consistent this year, and has allowed 4 earned runs in each of his past 5 games.

In his career against the Mets, he's 3-0 (6 starts), but he didn't face the Mets last year.