Juggling the Rotation
by Brew Angel on Sep 8, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
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PrintAfter an abyssmal last couple of series against the Mets & Padres (mainly due to the lack of offense), we're looking at two key series against the Phillies & Cubs, sandwiched between six games against the Reds. Should Ned consider making an adjustment to the rotation to ensure that our best pitchers throw against the teams we're battling for the playoffs?
Right now, we're scheduled to throw Bush, Suppan, & CC against the Reds this week. With no rest days between now and the 15th, that means CC will miss the Phillies series. CC and Sheets are aligned nicely to throw against the Cubs on the 16th & 17th, and again on the 27th & 28th to close out the season. (With one start each in between against the Reds (CC) and Pirates (Ben)).
But here's a crazy idea: With the bullpen reinforced with September call-ups, why not throw a spot-starter (McClung?) against the Reds in the day game on Wednesday this week? This has the effect of giving the primary rotation a rest day, and then you're putting your best starters out there against the Phillies. CC and Ben would pitch on the 11th & 12th., and would then come up again on the 17th & 18th (Cubs). The drawback is that Ben doesn't line up to pitch against the Cubs in the last series, but he WOULD be available on the 29th or 30th if we wind up in a wild-card tie (not to mention he'd be well-rested for game 1 of the playoffs). Alternatively, with the rest day on the 15th, CC and Bencould go against the Cubs on the 16th & 17th on normal rest, and the rest of the rotation lines up as before, with the two of them closing out the season on the 27th & 28th. The bottom line is that if you use a spot starter this week on the 10th, you're essentially creating a rest day for the rotation this week and putting your best starters in the higher-leverage games against the Brewers closest playoff competitor.
What do you think?
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Depends
If the offense is still scuffling, then you need your better pitchers out there to give you a chance to win every game you can.
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If Ned is going to start juggling the rotation (which he has said he doesn’t want to do), why not move CC back a day to the Phillies series and then skip Parra’s next start to put CC and Ben back on schedule to pitch the 16th and 17th?
They should also look at skipping Bush’s turn against the Pirates the second to last series to move CC and Ben up to the first two games of the following Cubs series. That would put them on normal rest for the playoffs October 1 and 2.
by Rooster Cogburn on Sep 8, 2008 11:47 AM CDT reply actions
A win is a win is a win...
Let’s make the playoffs before talking about fiddling around with the rotation. I have no problem using CC to pick up a win against a weaker opponent like the Reds. McClung and half the bullpen have less chance of winning than CC has. A regular five man rotation had success and a solid ERA up until a few days ago, Lets stick with what’s working.
If you want to change the rotation, why not try to get CC and Ben facing the weakest possible opponents so we could rely on at least those wins? Of course, this all ignores the big problem – what can we change to get some MORE HITTING???
Leave it be
For no other reason than Ned has shown he has difficulties in ‘dynamic’ situations, where having to make more than one decision per game qualifying as dynamic. A Ned decision is like a backup catcher, don’t want to use it too early in the contest and you’re better off not tempting fate so you let it spend the entire game unseen.
I actually had a similar thought
Have McClung take CC’s spot, and have CC take Parra’s next turn against the Phillies. I think Parra may benefit from skipping a turn. The only downside is you are pushing CC back a couple days and maybe this would eliminate CC’s last start … that wouldn’t be wise. Hmmm… keep it the same, I guess.
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