I disagree. He tried it in 2017 against Boston and it didn't go well. Framber and Javier have proven in the playoffs they can come out of the pen and deal.
Framber has not come out of the pen in the playoffs and if he's not this team's ace in the post-season (but is able to come out of the bullpen), something significantly wrong will have occurred. Javier, yes... and will continue to do it throughout this season. He's going to be the first out of the pen, especially if its the 6th inning or earlier, and he's going to go as long as he's effective. Regardless, Verlander's one appearance out of the bullpen on short rest during a season where he started nearly every game... and continued to make starts afterwards... is a completely different scenario than what could be the case for the 2021 postseason. Still a ways to go to see if its even possible (him pitching this year). And I would expect they'd let him pitch some regular season games in whatever role they agree upon before just making it up on the fly in the playoffs.
Ah, yes... forgot that there was an extra series last year. My bad. But I still stand by wanting Framber to start as many playoff games that he can... on full rest... and bridge the gap to Pressly (or just finish the game) with Javier, JV, and one of Garcia vs. LMJ vs. Urquiddy (the other two are presumably starting).
I picked Framber because he is the playoff starter I trust the most coming out of the pen. I would only pitch him on full rest. Honestly, it was just a quick brainstorm laying out the pitchers to be used in the playoffs. It's June... could totally change by October. Hell, we might have to play a 1 game Wild Card. Would throw Framber, Javier, and Pressly in that case... but again, that could change if we add someone at the deadline or if Baez comes back and looks good. Verlander said the Astros would have to go deep in the playoffs and needs everything to go right with his rehab for him to have a chance of coming back this year. To me that means he doesn't get in any regular season games to try coming out of the pen. That is why I would want him as an opener IF we use him at all.
I think that the Astros are looking very hard for Ryan Pressly v. 2.0. Playoffs are a ways away, but the trade deadline is closer than you think
Last year they underachieved during the regular season and finished under .500. They turned it on in the playoffs but fell short. One can only wonder if they might have won another WS if Click had made moves at last yrs deadline.
The Astros were one game away from the World Series. I would categorize that as a great run, deep into the playoffs.
They had a great run. No thanks to their GM. That's the point. This yr is beginning to look like a repeat of last yr. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Have the Astros thought about getting creative with certain members of the bullpen? Would it make a difference with Ryne Stanek and use him as an opener? He was solid in that role as a Ray. You think that might flip some sort of switch in him? Worth a shot to maximize what we have in the pen if we don’t upgrade with a trade. I’m under no illusions it will transform him but can’t hurt. Maybe it’s how he warms up and prepares that makes a difference.
Should the Astros take another flyer on Roberto Osuna?https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2021/...he-astros-take-another-flyer-on-roberto-osuna Turn over every stone. Yankees have Chapman on their team. Give a guy another chance?
Considering how well the pitchers played in the ALCS, odds are good that any moves would have hurt the team. Bregman, Tucker, and Yuli were not getting replaced.
