Two weeks ago Tiger Woods ended a winless drought that dates back to dinosaurs. Immediately after, he was dubbed to be “back”. He was the favorite to win the Masters this weekend and why shouldn’t he have been? Once upon a time Tiger couldn’t do anything wrong; he was untouchable. Then he peed on a porn star or two and his career became more normal. He was no longer far and away the best player on the tour. He was average at best. That all seemed to be hoopla after Tiger won. He was back and no one could touch him… Oh wait, I’m talking about Ubaldo. Two years ago, he was the best pitcher in baseball. He couldn’t do anything wrong; he was unhittable. Then something happened (no porn stars that I know of), but he became normal at best.
Well, Friday Ubaldo threw an absolute gem and now he’s back. Right? I’m still not so sure. Maybe it’s the Clevelander in me but I’m just not sold after one start. Ubaldo didn’t touch 95 once in one of his best starts as an Indian. In the seventh, he barely was hitting 90 mph. There was a pitch that Underwood called a changeup that was clearly a two-seamer at 88. I understand he may have been fatigued but it should still be alarming to more than just me. Ubaldo’s command was unbelievable. He hit almost every spot he wanted to and he mixed his pitches up incredibly well. Unless Ubaldo spent the offseason with Cliff Lee and learned how to have the same type of pinpoint accuracy, I don’t think his command will be consistent throughout the season- check the tape of any of his games last year. In order for Ubaldo to truly return to Cy Young form, he’s got to figure out where those 5 miles went on his fastball. He simply cannot become a pitcher with an average fastball. His command simply isn’t good enough and we gave up too much potential for an average pitcher.
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