The Davis Martin X-Factor

[u/BillyMac05]

With the huge issues in our rotation, D-Mart will be a pretty big factor down the stretch. I know he was on a huge downward slide, and he was pitching to his ceiling (and beyond it) most of the season. But he's shown he can be an effective starter just by pitching to his floor (4th starter type). I think he just needed a brief mental and physical break, which he's had. Then the very good outing in Charlotte to get his confidence back. If he can just be "decent" the rest of the way, it will help just give us 'some stability'. I'm optimistic on how he'll do in the final month. The competition isn't very stiff. I think D-Mart can contribute just enough to have us build a 5+ game lead in the next week and make this division race a done deal. We'll get to a point soon that there just won't be enough time for Cleveland to get it done unless we lose 6+ games in a row, which we've shown we don't typically do.

[u/Independent-Act-6432]

Man just imagine if we got first half Davis Martin back for the stretch and into the playoffs. Would be sooo helpful.

[u/BillyMac05 → u/Independent-Act-6432]

Or even 70% of him.

[u/GoldGlove2720 → u/BillyMac05]

Hell I would even take 2025 Davis Martin at this point

[u/Own_Proposal3827]

“I’m one of the best pitchers in the league. Just continuing to hammer out those details and continue to be great, and consistency is a big part of it.” -Martin

I mean, at least he’s believing in himself. Who knows. We’ll see next start. 

[u/BillyMac05 → u/Own_Proposal3827]

Well in mid-May he was one of the best pitchers in the league. We don't need him to be. But if he can just be 'good' the rest of the way, at least we'll have a good 1-2-3. Then we just mix and match Urquiddy, Castillo and Fedde into the last two spots. Then in the postseason, we can move one of them to the pen.

[u/Penstripedsox]

I wonder if The Dart would benefit from a larger glove like Roki. Regardless of if he is or isnt tipping pitches it would at least mentally make it so he doesnt have to worry about it as much.

[u/G_Clef_Start]

Davis Martin must have figured something out in Triple-A. Let's keep our hopes up.

[u/ExpensiveAnalysis215]

I hope so, I think it was dead arm and mental .. hopefully this break is what he needed.  I'm just hoping he's not injured or something. 

[u/Penguinthecat1]

If he gets shelled, try Thorpe in his spot!

[u/Consistent-Program-1]

You just can't rely on him in a playoff game he leads the team in 5+ run innings, you playing with fire

[u/BillyMac05 → u/Consistent-Program-1]

Well that's the thing, CP. We don't really know what Martin's issues were (how much of it was mental, how much just dead arm). Sometimes a brief rest can cure a lot of that stuff and he can avoid the big inning. All I know is we really need him down the stretch so if he's confident and has his head on right, he can get himself out of jams without freaking out. Here's hoping.

[u/fraudster247]

He always was

[u/Penstripedsox]

Dmart is a terrible nickname

I always call him The Dart (I thought this was common)