Locke has two-part wish in 2015
Jeff Locke has a two-part wish for this season.
The left-hander wants his Pirates to be in contention in September for a third consecutive postseason. He also wants to be a factor in the pennant race after being more of a detriment than catalyst in 2013 and 2014.
Two years ago, Locke was 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA in 12 starts after the All-Star break while trying to pitch through a lower back strain. That came after he was selected to the All-Star Game for going 8-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 18 first-half starts.
Locke began last season on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, but went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in eight starts before the All-Star break once he was healthy. However, he faded to 5-5 with a 4.66 ERA in 13 post-break starts.
“It’s been frustrating,” Locke said. “I’ve had some success at the major league level, but not when my team really needed me the most. I want to be winning important games in a pennant race this season. That’s my goal.”
Locke added weight to his 6-foot frame in the offseason in an effort to stay strong for a six-month season.
Of course, Locke must stay in the rotation for that to matter.
Right-hander Charlie Morton will likely be activated from the disabled list next week after beginning the season on the sidelines while recovering from hip surgery. Locke or right-hander Vance Worley will be moved to the bullpen to open a spot in the rotation.
Locke and Worley are both 2-2 through their six starts and their other statistics are relatively similar.
Locke has a 4.71 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.7 walks per nine innings.
Worley has a 4.63 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9
History suggests Locke will retain his spot. Before it was deemed on the last day of spring training that Morton would need to start the season on the DL, the Pirates tabbed Locke for the fifth starter’s job over Worley.
Locke showed great competitiveness Sunday when he held the St. Louis Cardinals, who have the best record in the major leagues, to three runs in 6 2/3 innings in no-decision while throwing a heavy diet of changeups.
A night earlier, Worley was tagged for five runs in five innings to the Cardinals, also not factoring in the decision.
“He continues to grow and learn,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Locke “It’s not his best stuff against a very good lineup. He still holds them down and keeps us in the game.”