Yes, for the post season. How he pitches may be indicative of how to best use him. If he gets bombed in the first inning, then that is one thing. If he doesn't get into trouble until the 4th or 5th, then a reliever role may suit him. But despite my original question, I am really wary of defining his post season role based on one start, or even two. Unless he gets totally hammered the next two starts, my guess is we put him on the playoff roster and hope for the best. But this uncertainty is one reason I lean towards putting Peacock in the pen as a backup plan in case LMJ craters, especially with the promising outing Morton had yesterday.
But why? You're saying we should start LMJ and then keep Peacock in reserve if he gets blown up. Why not just start Peacock in the first place? He's been as good as good-LMJ. It's seems like you're coming up with a solution where there is no problem. Seems like the best strategy is to put the guys out there that are least likely to get blown up and Peacock is far more reliable on that front than LMJ right now, regardless of how he performs this week. Verlander Keuchel Peacock Morton LMJ and McHugh in reserve if people get blown up.
I think the Peacock deal is we are still scarred from his pre drop of arm slot days when he would get thrashed around. This guy is the real deal. I would trust him more so than McCullers in a game 3 out of consistency alone. Having a guy like LMJ as your fourth is a wild card.
Sure, that makes sense as well. What I was trying to make work is keeping LMJ in a role he is familiar and comfortable with.
Fair enough. But honestly, I think that should be at the bottom of the priority list for the Astros. They should aim to get the most innings out of their best players. If a player doesn't fit otherwise, so be it, unfortunately. I think it would be different if he came back a few weeks ago, but at this point, no way you take the risk given how he's performed the last couple of months when you have better healthy options right in front of you. Maybe if you're up 3-0 or 2-1 in a 7-game series, you take the risk, but even then, I see no reason to do it.
Unless LMJ just looks like complete trash, I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt over the likes of Martes,Fiers, Feliz and Sipp for that last bullpen spot.
If LMJ is solid/healthy over his last starts, I see no problem with starting Peacock game 3, and having LMJ ready to go in case he’s not doing well (and the same would apply for Morton, if the Astros don’t turn to Verlander on shorter rest). Then, if they happen to advance, you consider starting LMJ over whoever of Peacock/Morton didn’t have it in the ALDS.
this is LMJs last chance at a spot in the playoff rotation imo he hasn't proven he can be trusted since getting hurt
I'm big fan of Peacock. That said, good LMJ can put up a 1.21 FIP (or 0.98 ERA if you prefer that stat) in a month. Peacock hasn't quite been that good. Not that it matters much as I don't think LMJ is going to pitch that much in playoffs.
Good to see the good curve early. His control/mechanics have always been his biggest struggling aspect... to the point that I wonder if they'd ever have him going from the stretch exclusively. Worked for Peacock...
Peacock's consistency ALL season is one of the more underrated story lines. LMJ's ceiling is obviously higher (not by that much)... but going forward, his floor is unfortunately lower if his mechanics get out of sorts (or he re-aggravates the back).
