Clemens didn't have his "A" game yesterday and he gutted out a big victory. I don't care how much rest or what his normal schedule is, Clemens gets the ball if there is a game 4. Mainly because I want Oswalt to pictch game 5. The playoffs are no time to worry about who is tired. This is no longer a marathon, but a sprint. You send your big guns out there as much as possible.
yeah but facing chipper jones with 2 on and a one run lead in the 6th inning is. pitchers can convince themselves they're not tired or try to play through it all they want but if the tank is getting empty, the tank is getting empyt and it's going to affect the pitching. if clemens and oswalt do go on 3 days rest, lets just hope it doesn't affect them much.
Here are the stats for Clemens for his last four starts on 3 days rest. Date Opp IP H R ER PC Dec. 08/15/93 TOR 3.2 9 6 6 087 L 08/31/93 TEX 6.2 9 6 6 108 L 07/18/01 DET 5.2 9 5 5 106 W 04/11/02 TOR 5.0 8 6 5 109 L This is the type of stat line I'd expect from Pete Munro. So I guess Clemens at least have a chance to be better. Also, Clemens has pitched pretty well at MM Park. So it might be better for him to start game 4 over game 5. Seriously crossing my fingers thoug. Hope he comes through with a solid performance.
I would start Clemens on 10 minutes rest before I even considered Munro. This is the playoffs. You do not f*ck around with the likes of Peter Munro when you are on the brink of winning your first ever playoff series.
Actually, the Astros shouldn't even be f*cking around with the likes of Brandon Backe in the playoffs. Had our staff been healthy, Backe wouldn't even have a chance to pitch, much less start, in the series. Are you suggesting that starting Clemens on 2 days rest today over Brandon Backe wouldn't be a bad idea? Perhaps Clemens will dominate tomorrow, ala Santana tonight, and I'll happily feel like an idiot for doubting him in the first place. But right now, I'm feeling like a pitching commitee of relievers would do a better job.
I would have Clemens on a strict pitch count. Nothing above 90 or 100 pitches. If he gets into trouble early, DO NOT send in Oswalt. He needs to saved for Game 5.
Why have him on a pitch count? As long as he is pitching well and they are winning, you keep him in. If he is pitching poorly you take him out. He is 42 years old, no need to worry about ruining his arm. This is the current "biggest game in team history" and they need to let the status of the game (i.e. close score or big lead/deficit) and the quality (not quantity) of his pitches determine things. If Clemens has thrown 100 pitches in 6 innings but is still mowing them down, leave him in for the 7th. They can't think about the NLCS until they get through the NLDS.
We shall see if I am right here shortly, but I believe Clemens is up to the task. Clemens may not have had much success in the past on three days rest, but this time is different. Clemens will be taking the mound for the team in the metro area where he grew up. Not just taking the mound in the playoffs at home, but in a game where the Astros can claim their first series victory in franchise history. I think his juices will be flowing today. Backe is also from the Houston area and look what he did yesterday. I wouldn't start anyone but Clemens, Oswalt or Backe the rest of the playoffs. That leaves more then enough pitchers in our bullpen to back them up if needed.
