[tdarko]

ES,

The evidence leads to the guys that can throw only two pitches exceptionally well tend to have a hard time as starters, of course, like in anything there is exceptions but starters need to have three pitches. A starter could get by for 3-4 innings with 2 dominating pitches but the problem is that he is going to box himself in a corner without a 3rd pitch the more times he gets through the lineup. Relievers can get by with two pitches b/c they are seeing batters once, but of course there are relievers/closers with 3 plus pitches as well.

As a hitter its hard to center a guy like Lidge with an explosive fastball and great slider if you only get one at-bat, but if you get 4, Lidge is going to have to learn a Change/Split, instead of throwing everything hard, when everything is coming at you hard and the difference in speed isn't at 3 levels sometimes this can be a bad thing for pitchers. For instance, if a pitcher throws a fastball at a range of 95-97 and a slider at 87-88, the difference in speed isn't that great but the pitches may be dominant at first. Once the hitters get the timing, say the 4th inning, is when a change up around 79-81 would completely muck them up. Starters usually need 3 different levels of velocity. May not be a good example b/c I am not sure if he has more than 2 pitches, he may have a chang-up?