Playoff rotation

I see this sentiment often; I don't think it has even a marginal impact. Pay a player enough, and they'll gladly side-step any internal issues about previous player treatment. Plus, if the bottom line is to win, sitting a sub.700 OPS player is a smart, win-at-all-costs *baseball* decision. If your potential free agent would rather you play the worse player because of feelings, maybe he shouldn't be your first choice.

 

We have a sub .500 record vs lefties in general. I dont have a good feeling at all facing their starters.

 

Astros as a team have hit as well versus LHP and RHP. Most likely record is just a fluke.

 

Perhaps. But given the choice, everything else being equal, id rather face righties.

 

Hypothetical scenario, if us and the Inidans have the same record, do you pitch Dallas Keuchel the final game of the season, which is his spot in the rotation?

He would still be able to start game 2 on regular rest, but you would risk giving the Red Sox good look at him. As is, he's scheduled to get a 9 day rest, which for a feel pitcher like Keuchel may present a problem in itself.

 

I'm not sure how much it matters that the Red Sox will have seen him or what the disadvantage of extra rest might be. You manage the game like you are resigned to being the 2 seed, IMO.

 

No. Whose turn would it be regardless? Throw LMJ and see what his balls look like.

 

It's Keuchel's turn, but I think the decision has already been made to skip him.

 

Very good point. If he is rusty, the downside of this may counteract the downside of giving them a look. Maybe a simulated outing somewhere inbetween?

 

Managing the game somewhat depends on knowing the impact of those things.

 

Indeed. My comment is manage the game like the Indians have already clinched the #1 seed. If you think extra rest hurts more than being seen twice in a row, pitch Keuchel.

Now, if the Yankees close the gap, I'd find that more interesting.

 

I think he'll pitch, regardless - they'll likely want him to stay on his normal routine. And if so, then the question becomes will he be on a strict pitch count. If the game doesn't mean anything, likely.

If they skip him, BTW, it probably means Keuchel is their game 1 starter, right?

 

Pretty sure Verlander has cemented that position and will have adequate rest.

 

For multiple reasons, I hope Verlander is the announced Game 1 starter sometime this weekend.

 

I would hope. My thought was - if they skip Keuchel *and* hold him for game 2, you're increasing his number of days off. Granted, by 1 - but, still - I think they'd be concerned.

As is, if they skip Keuchel, Verlander would pitch game 1 with 7 days rest; Keuchel would pitch game 2 with 9 days rest. If they flip 'em, they'd both be on 8 days rest.

 

I think whether we see Keuchel or not will be decided after these first 2 games are played. If Saturday and Sunday have the potential to matter, I have a feeling we'll see Keuchel go for at least 50-60 pitches.

 

It would seem management has already made up their mind given that earlier in the month, we could have managed things so DK and V hit the the playoffs on regular rest.

 

I expect even if Keuchel is skipped, he'll pitch a simulated 2-3 innings such that too much rest isn't a concern.

 

Exacly. It's not a problem.