Isn't McHugh hurt too? Though I guess his fingernail should be ok by playoff time. Fiers is still a couple guys behind being the 4th playoff starter and they'd probably bring back whoever starts in game 1 than trot him out there anyways. I feel just as good about Peacock starting game 3 as I do Lance. Verlander Keuchel Peacock McHugh That rotation is playoff worthy. Just need the bats and bullpen to join in.
Yeah, agreed. Failed to address the 3 days rest factor. Depending on how the guys do in games 1/2, and the scope of the series, you certainly entertain bringing them back on 3 days rest (especially if LMJ/McHugh are still not 100% right). The only scenario I wouldn't see that happening is if the series was 3-0. Most certainly 2-1, 1-2, or 0-3.
Anybody hear McCullers' comments about being scratched? He threw before the game and said he felt good and could've started. We know athletes aren't always honest about injury, but it seems he completely disagreed with the decision.
Good, we need him to have a live arm and be ready for the playoffs. Indians won't lose a damn game anyway seemingly. Seeing Verlander pitch last night at 34 makes me appreciate him even more. Lance is young and non-durable.
Agreed.... who knew that it was in fact possible to upgrade from Mike Fiers... and all the hullabaloo about no true difference makers being available was just that.
So, 4 starts? Nobody is denying that Fiers had a good stretch.... but that was also coming off a pretty horrible stretch... and plenty forecasted regression even when he was going good. To his credit, he's never failed to take the ball when called upon.... and part of his inconsistency is that he actually does have a good performance from time to time (last one was against the Nationals right before Harvey). He's a 5th-6th starter... usually needed during the season (and he's definitely been needed this year).
I think Houstunna was kidding. But if not, he may also be part of the crowd that tried to tell us Collin McHugh is a better pitcher than Sonny Gray.
We had just discussed the franchise's best playoff trio -- Roy-Roger-Andy vs JV-Keuchel-Lance -- for 2 pages last week. Last week. Now, suddenly I think Fiers>JV Whoever said McHugh>Gray must've been considering money/losing prospects.