You act like its commonplace to ask a relief pitcher, who's been nothing but shaky all year, to try and go two innings like its normal.... especially a pitcher who hadn't pitched in over 3 weeks. Especially one who was not particularly sharp the inning before, and went on to give up consecutive hits before the eventual HR, and there wasn't much of a plan in place to bring anybody else in (till the **** started hitting the fan). If you don't want to place blame on the manager for putting him in that position, and you feel its better to blame the pitcher being asked to do something he's not conducive to doing, I guess that's your stance... can't say it makes much sense though. The fact that Greinke is pitching today also speaks volumes that they feel Javier is certainly better suited to relief right now, with his low stamina. They certainly are being tasked to split the game up today... or Javier could have conceivably taken the end of the game yesterday.
Point of Order: James pitched into a 2nd inning 4 times this year (2 starts, 2 pen) and had last pitched 2 weeks ago (Sept 22)
Ok, now that we know Grienke is starting, it makes what happened yesterday make a little more sense in my mind. The plan today will likely be Grienke/Javier tandem, with Paredes and Pressly also available since they did not pitch yesterday. Zach just needs to give us 4 solid, hopefully 5. Then ride Javier as long as you can.
This would be ideal. They better win this game, I do not want to see a Game 5 given our pitching options.
Does this count that time James came out for 9th after pitching the 8th, loading the bases to create a save situation, and Pressly had to come and get 3 outs?
Even if you agree with sending James back out for the 7th, the fact that Dusty didn't have someone already warming to begin the inning is totally indefensible.
Nope, I had blocked that game from my memory. James and Pressly combined for an ugly 9th...iirc the 3rd out was a ball smoked to CF that Springer caught with the tying runs on base.
I don't remember the details much except it was ugly. I thought James had walked the last batter before getting yanked. Last night reminded me of that night.
That's been his MO all year. I was flummoxed at how often someone wasn't ready. I have no idea if that has been his style throughout his managerial career.
Looking at the pbp, our recollections are mostly correct. Ugly. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU202008100.shtml
Oh well, as Willie says "yesterday is dead and gone". Just win this damn game. After a Saturday-Tuesday of daydrinking and sportswatching, I went beer-free yesterday, and was seriously regretting it. No way in hell I'm doing that today. Please let me take tomorrow off, Astros.
