As The Rotation Progresses

I'm a little short on topics this morning, so let's just have some fun with small sample sizes.  Ivan Nova's start last night was by far his best of the early spring and signified the start of the 3rd time through the rotation this spring for the six guys "competing" for a spot.  The first time through, including Hughes' "relief" start behind CC, the combined pitching line looked like this:

11.1 IP, 16 H, 8 ER, 0 BB, 10 K

Not too shabby for the first outings of the spring.  Most everybody was focusing on a particular pitch or two and pitch counts were pretty low.  Here's the line the second time through:

17.1 IP, 16 H, 6 ER, 9 BB, 8 K

Not exactly what I expected to see, although the overall numbers are a bit better; same number of hits and fewer earned runs allowed in more IP, with all 6 of the runs and 10 of the hits coming from Nova's and Pineda's second outings.  What's stands out to me is the walk totals.  For as much as the general theme was guys not having great command the first time through and having improved command the second time, not a single batter was walked in anybody's first outing and every single pitcher walked at least one batter the second time through.  I also would have expected to see a few more strikeouts the second time through, but it's still early.

If Nova's 4 shutout, walkless innings last night are any indication, this third time through could be even better.  Stay tuned.