The last thing any starting pitcher wants to do is get off to a bad start. It puts your team behind, and potentially forces you out the game early and puts added pressure to the bullpen.
Every now and again is fine, but when it consistently happens that becomes a problem.
For Altoona, they’ve had their fair share of strong pitching performances. Quinn Priester was solid all of July, Mike Burrows was outstanding during his time in Altoona. Even Kyle Nicolas and Luis Ortiz had their moments.
Oddly, though, since the start of July it’s been rough sailings for the start during the first game of their week-long series.