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Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson predicts World Series, criticizes modern pitching strategies
The 2024 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees begins with Game 1 on Friday and one Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher is weighing in.
On Thursday, Randy Johnson spoke to "The Pat McAfee Show" about the "Fall Classic" matchup and who he's favoring as this season's champion.
"I just think the Dodgers have the same offense as the Yankees, maybe even more so," he said. "I think they have a little bit more pitching depth in the starting rotation and in the bullpen ... I would have to lean towards the Dodgers."
Johnson noted he didn't "want to rile up Yankee fans too much," adding he believes New York will win Game 1 on Friday with ace Gerrit Cole on the mound.
The 2001 World Series co-MVP said he could relate to what Cole and his fellow starting pitchers probably feel entering the biggest games of their lives, describing his own experience and mindset.
"When you're in the World Series you've gotta have blinders on & you're running on fumes..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 24, 2024
That year in Arizona I threw 249 innings & then I had the postseason starts as well..
It's an adrenaline rush & you try to use that to your advantage" ~ Randy Johnson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tjlTnjARBY
"You've got blinders on at that point," he described. "You're not letting outside interference come into play, at that point you're running on fumes ... It's an adrenaline rush as well and you try to use that to your advantage."
Johnson said he "really enjoyed" the quality of postseason games this year but has qualms with how managers utilize their starters, opting instead to tap into their bullpens "too early."
"What you're seeing now in the playoffs is here to stay..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 24, 2024
You just don't see pitchers going late into these games anymore..
I believe that these teams are going to the bullpen too early & you should try to get as much as you can out of your starter" ~ Randy Johnson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Rl9zzAFNAV
"Get the most out of your starting pitcher and then you get closer to your closer," he argued. "What is better in your bullpen if your starting pitcher's only given up two hits and he's pitched five scoreless innings, why would you be going to the bullpen? ... Just bridge the gap between you and the guy who has to get the last three outs, it's not rocket science, they've been doing it for 150 years."
Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, recorded 100 complete games and 37 shutouts in his career but admitted that his preferred pitching management is a thing of the past.
"What you're seeing now in the playoffs now is here to stay," he conceded. "[The bullpen] now is most organizations' strength."
More must-reads:
- Star power, future Hall of Famers give World Series fresh appeal
- Ranking the top 10 World Series MVP contenders
- The 'Last World Series champion manager for each MLB team' quiz
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