Very interesting ... in the postgame press conference Garner just said that he "has not said yet" who the Game 6 starter will be and, when asked if tonight's outcome influenced his decision, that "he'll announce it tomorrow." Munro time?
Clemens we have BIG MO on our side right now don't frick with a game where the Cards can get some momentum back put your foot on their throat and choke the life out of them
Ditto. Don't let them get back in this series - put the hammer down. One more win. One more win. Holy lord.
Munro. He'll get the bat support and pitch a great 6 or 7 innings... And Clemens and Oswalt will be well rested for the 23rd.
I think I agree. In all honesty, Clemens did not look too sharp on 3 days rest against the Braves. But I don't think Munro could last more than 6. But the law of averages says that our bats will explode after getting shut down tonight. And if something goes wrong, you've got a rested Clemens on the mound for Game 7. 7 innings of Clemens and 2 of Lidge.
That's exactly what I hope for. All they'd need is 5 solid innings. Then you could have Wheeler for 6 and 7. Then Lights Out for 8 and 9. I wouldn't wanna waste a Rocket start if he's not pitching well. I'd like to take the chance on Munro because then, as said before, Rog and Roy lead off the WS!
Clemens may struggle on 3 days rest. Unconventional strategy but I say pitch Munro for 3 innings (or once through the lineup). Clemens will get you 4 Lidge can get you 2. That's the best case scenario. We cannot expect Clemens to pitch on 3 days rest again without struggling to get past 5. It's better to have him in the middle where there is more pressure. If Munro completely falls apart and we fall behind big time, save Clemens for game 7 on full rest If this doesn't work, we still have Oswalt for game 7. If this does work we preserve Clemens somewhat and have Oswalt on 5 days rest which he'll need to be at full force. The only problem will be how Clemens could adjust coming from the bullpen - but he's a veteran who could understand the strategy. In extraordinary situations, think of any and all solutions.
I have to say Munro. I don't see it as a game to burn. You don't want STL to gain momentum. However, Munro pitched fairly well in 40 degrees and rain in STL. He is used to the noise. After the performances of Lidge and Wheeler the last couple of days, the whole pen is available and that should be Oswalt's day to throw on the side as well. He could be used for an inning or two if necessary. That leaves Clemens on normal rest for a game 7 OR BETTER YET Game 1 of the World Series
Munro. You try and steal game 6 in St. Louis. If you take it, you have alot of options to start the WS. If you don't, you have a rested Clemens and Oswalt as your guns in Game 7.
This is Roger Clemens' decision, not Phil Garner's. If Clemens demands the ball, he gets it. He is arguably the best pitcher of all time. You don't deny 6 (and likely 7) Cy Youngs.
i don't wanna throw this game away or give st. louis momentum but i just don't wanna see clemens back out there on 3 days just hoping he makes it through 5. and then if he sucks, then we've got oswalt who already got hit in game 4 going on 3 days and he may not be at full strength. that leaves a big chance the bullpen will pitch several non-lidge innings in each game and that scares the crap out of me. even though i wanna end this as fast as possible and have no concern for the rotation setup for the WS, i simply feel munro + rested clemens beats short rest clemens + short rest oswalt and thus want munro out there with all hands on deck in the bullpen and then clemens in game 7 if needed with oswalt there to bridge the gap to lidge if necessary.
Folks.. roger struggled to go 5 vs the ATL in Game 4, and told Garner that....so gotta go with munro here. I think Oswalt's performance in Game 4 is another reason to go with Pete
Clemens. If he manages to lose, you still have Oswalt to beat. You don't put the Cards against Munro and Clemens. You put them against Clemens and Oswalt. Beat that.
Don't forget, Oswalt could be used for an inning or possibly two Wednesday without jeopardizing a game one start in the world series. I say start Pete. Roy, Wheeler and Lidge would all be available, and could easily cover 5+ innings if necessary. Besides, as tonight proved, youneverknow. Would anyone have believed THIS a month ago?
I am for Munro, with him pitching you have a 50/50 chance of winning, and with Roger on full rest you have about a 90% chance. Let Munro clinch it and we have Clemens and Oswalt to start the World Series. If not, then we have Oswalt and Backe to start the series. As long as we get there. DD
He was coming off the flu though... Maybe Phil will ask Roger how he feels. Honestly, I would go with Munro, but if I was Phil and Roger said he wanted the ball, how could Garner refuse? DD
