Miles Mikolas on his last inning. Like to not hit a batter. Put him in rough spot. But kept ball on ground. Didn’t leave the infield. Probably DP on normal day. Allowed him to get pitch count up, which was good.
Routine to stretch and get loose is important at age 32. Can’t just fall out of bed and pitch like when younger.
Plan is to mix up pitches, keep hitters off his fastball. Throw strikes with breaking ball. “Any pitch, any time mentality.”
Facing teammates is different. Immediately talk trash or not. Still enemy, trying to get outs. As games get longer, they should be more of an edge, guys getting grittier.
Still thinking of DeJong’s HR in first game. Had to commit more to inside fastball today. Rather hit batter than give up HR. Held back 1st game because teammates. Today: “Get off the plate.”
Fun to pitch against Carp, Wong – good eyes. Thomas is a good hitter. Molina looked at him before game knowing they would face off. Guys coming at each other is fun.
Not concerned about shorter camp. Guys stayed ready.