Jim Parque is 24 and Mike Sirotka is 28. Garland is the fourth starter. Dealing with a younger staff means you don't have to worry as much about arthritic bones and broken-down bodies. But it does pose challenges. Seattle pitching coach Bryan Price said younger players may have hardier physiques, but their psyches are more fragile.
Pacing is also a problem with younger pitchers.
These young kids are not used to going through September. The older guy knows how to walk himself through a game, to keep the pitches to a minimum. The young guy pretty much just goes out as hard as he can as long as he can, and has a tendency to get tired earlier. What the staff may lack in knowledge, however, it often makes up for in effort, White Sox catcher Charles Johnson said. Seattle outfielder Jay Buhner said his team's younger pitchers have been helped by playing their home games at spacious Safeco Field, as opposed to the cozy Kingdome.