Wedge changes things up against knuckleball pitcher
TORONTO – With the Blue Jays starting knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey on Saturday, Mariners manager Eric Wedge made some lineup adjustments.
“We mixed it up a little bit today and we’ll see what happens,” Wedge said. “I’m hoping we get a good look at him early and see where we’re at.”
He had catcher Kelly Shoppach, designated hitter Raul Ibanez, shortstop Robert Andino and left fielder Endy Chavez, none of whom started in Friday’s 4-0 win over the Blue Jays, in Saturday’s starting lineup
Wedge has some more experienced players in the lineup because handling the knuckleball can be a problem during the game and also have some lingering effects on hitters’ swings beyond that game.
“It’s difficult,” Wedge said. “You just try to make him get the ball up and try not to chase but it’s hard. There’s no rhyme or reason to what it’s doing. And this guy is even a little bit different because he has a little more on it when he wants to. We’ve got a couple of veterans in there.”
