Kazmir v Fiers is the only real question. Fiers has been better, but not great. As poor as he has been, I think I would go with Kazmir. If he struggles at all, Fiers comes in.
Kazmir's fastball has been running 3-4 mph lower in recent starts when he has struggled than earlier in the year when he was dominating. No way I throw him out there. He cost himself a ton of money in the last 1.5 months.
Wasn't it rumored Fiers would have started the 163 game? Makes me think he would get the nod. Kaz had a great first start for us in KC... but that seems like a lifetime ago.
How can any of you even consider having Kaz start a game in the playoffs? 6.52 ERA in 6 starts in September…and he hasn't made it out of the 4th inning in any of his last 3 starts (Edit: I checked, he made it to 4.1 innings last start). He falls apart towards the end of the baseball season…you can't trust him at a moment like this. What is a short leash supposed to mean? 3 runs in 3 innings? That'll be a loss in the playoffs. Not saying any of our other pitchers will be lights out, but at least they have been better than what Kaz has shown us over the last month. I'd keep Kaz off the roster at this point. I could be wrong, but I'd guess he's already pitched his last inning as an Astro. He's done.
With the Astros, Fiers ERA of 3.32 would be good enough for 7th in the league if he qualified. His WHIP of 1.06 would be third or fourth.
Anyone feel that if you win game 1 you go with with Kazmir game 2. Sure he's pure crap right now but with that lineup and he has decent numbers with them, why not?
No. Fiers and McCullers are both better than him right now. Why would you bench one of them for the series just because you won 1 game? You still need to win 2 more.
Dont get that feeling at all and I'd seriously question the coaches if they went with Kazmir for game 2. He sucks right now.
I think the only questions are Fiers or McCullers in game 2, and if they are down 2-1, McCullers, Fiers (whoever doesn't start game 2) or McHugh on short rest in game 4
Pretty sure Luhnow will have a huge say in who the rotation is AJ will handle the in game stuff but the rotation Jeff will have a huge say
Mccullers has a 4.60 ERA on the road, Fiers is 3.86 on road. Combine that with Mccullers stark contrast at home (1.86 ERA) and I think you have your rotation set right there. Fiers game 2, Mccullers game 4. Should be noted that Fiers gave up 6 ER in 5.0 IP against KC this year, though, complicating the decision. My hope for Kazmir is that should we advance, sitting and resting him through this series would allow us to get a solid performance out of him if called upon in the next.
He pitched well against them when he was pitching well against everyone. There's nothing unique about Kazmir vs KC.
Nah, he was pretty selective in putting Neshek in when lefties were due up... Harris has been this team's best pitcher against lefties all season. Neshek is still going to be used... but probably just against right-handers.
