Blanco has the best overall numbers for the team for the year. You could make a strong argument #6, but I’d take JV before Blanco.
We need to have a serious conversation about Pena's huge drop off on defense. That percentage only got worse today.
Part of it is losing first baseman that can scoop... some of it is getting to balls that no one else can... and some of it is just... brain farts.
Am I the only one that fears Correa revenge games if we face the Twins in the playoffs and he is healthy...?
Maybe there's a stretch earlier I'm forgetting about, but this is the most dominant I can recall Framber ever looking. Last 9 starts 1.98 ERA, 2.38 xFIP, 0.81 WHIP, 11.3 K/9. I wonder if he's just in a groove of if they've honed in on something.
I'm assuming they get the #3 seed. Verlander is the 5th or 6th best SP on this team, but there is no way he isn't in the rotation. But I think because of the depth, everyone but Framber and Brown should be told to just pitch balls to the wall for 3-4 innings. JV's stuff should play up, especially. Framber and Brown are expected to go at least 5 innings, Verlander and Arrighetti thru 3 or 4 and Kikuchi and Blanco start in 4th or 5th inngs throwing 3 or 4. This is a scenario where every series goes the distance and none of the starters throw on short rest, eventhough they are throwing fewer innings. WC 10/1 = Framber 10/2 = Verlander /Kikuchi 10/3 = Arrighetti / Blanco * ALDS 10/5 = Brown 10/7 = Framber 10/9 = Verlander / Kikuchi 10/10= Arrighetti / Blanco * 10/12=Framber * ALCS 10/14= Brown 10/15= Verlander/Kikuchi 10/17= Framber 10/18= Arrighetti/Blanco 10/19=Brown 10/21=Verlander/Kikuchi 10/22= Framber WS 10/25=Arrighetti/Blanco 10/26=Brown 10/28= Framber 10/29= Verlander/Kikuchi 10/30=Arrighetti/Blanco 11/1=Brown 11/2= Framber *Brown is available in emergency Framber is available for game 5 ALDS, and game 7 of ALCS and WS - again, no short rest. 6 bullpen guys Hader - closer Pressly- 8th and 9th if Hader is down Abreu - 7th+ wherever need is Neris - 6th+ wherever need is Scott - mid inning guy if a rotation guy needs help. Final guy from: King, Ort, Whitley, Ferguson, Dubin, Martinez depending on the need as determined by the pitching nerds.
Houston is the favorite with a healthy Tucker and this pitching staff. They will need to get the notorious good Astros defense back in the fold though if they want a shot. Defense is the second most important thing in baseball October.
