I agree we should take advantage of our Starter depth. And don't forget Brown if the chosen 4th starter runs into problems early. However; My preference is to WIN TOMORROW. You cannot change yesterday or game 4. Looking past the next game is looking past VICTORY in the next game.
While this may have been an injury related choice, I'm OK with it even if it wasn't. Javier has shown he can bounce back on short rest. Theoretically the Astros could go short tandem with him and Hunter Brown for games 3 and potentially 7 with Luis Garcia in reserve instead of putting all the pressure on him for a possible game 7 (that we won't need but still). LMJ on short rest simply isn't something they are likely to even try with his injury history. On top of that Javier has been flat out better than LMJ this season. There's also less pressure in game 3 for Javier's first postseason start. That game is far more important for the Yankees.
Declaring him to be the game 4 starter makes me suspicious his mishap is simply to cover his decision to start Javier rather than any type of injury. I can imagine something like, we don't want to lose McCullers by pitching him on short rest and he'll want to do it. Javier at worst is our third best pitcher and lights out if he is on. Have Urquidy and Brown prepare so we can make a game out of it if Javier isn't on. But his leaves McCullers in a position to close it out in NYC if we beat Cole.
Both Javier and McCullers need to start a game between games 3 and 4. Both will be at Yankee stadium vs the same team. Game 5 is JV on full rest Game 6 is Framber on full rest. Game 7 will be all hands on deck if needed. Because of injury risk/history, Lance can not pitch on short rest. Javier can if needed. That gives the Astros another pitcher for a game 7 if something strange like 18 innings happens again. This is the right move for me regardless of any questions about his elbow. It's the same reason they started Framber instead of him in game 2 of ALDS.
Yeah, this seems like a really straightfoward call for the Astros. The dumb elbow thing gives them an excuse, but they should be going this route regardless.
You’re right. Much more believable that he was injured by an errant champagne bottle to the elbow and his start pushed back, versus having an issue with his index finger which was wrapped up during the game. I’m too gullible I guess. Silly me.
