So many things could happen!.... I have no right answer. A lot of how we play the next game depends on how St. Louis reacts to a loss like this... They could be very well demoralized, and thus any pitcher could just go out there and beat them because there's no way they can win after a game like tonight's. OR The law of averages comes into play, and the fact is that NOBODY will hold down that St. Louis lineup this next game... even if it was Clemens on 3 days rest, 4 days rest, 5 days rest, Cy Backe, Randy Johnson... nobody. In that case, again it doesn't matter who pitches... hmm.. I guess I just answered my question.
I don't think Roger will demand the ball, but I could be wrong. I'd go with Munro all the way. If he loses, you've got Clemens on full rest for Game 7.
Check it out Our starters have not lost a single game in the post season, all of them have been lost by the bullpen. Miceli has lost 2, Qualls 1 and Springer 1. Wheeler has been filthy with a .000 ERA, and Lidge's is now at .900 too. Backe's drops to 2.89 with tonights effort. Maybe we can get Munros to drop on Wed? DD
When you're this far into the playoffs, you ride your allstars (or in this case, hall of famers) as far as they will take you. You do not give the cardinals any opportunity by putting Munro out there. Let Roger take us home.. Besides, there's still a chance the Bosox could extend the ALCS out, allowing Roger to rest more going into the world series should we win.
Munro's first start was ok. He's earned another shot. To me the Stros have 2 great pitchers - Clemens (on full rest) and Oswalt (on full rest). Clemens on short rest is a very ordinary pitcher, and not a big upgrade over Munro. OTOH, Clemens on full rest in game 7 is much better than Oswalt on short rest. You've got to win one of these next two, and I'll take my chances with Clemens on full rest in game 7 of the LCS any day of the week. And that's without conceding anything - I think the offense could carry you in game 6 to a win regardless of who's pitching.
clemens... He's a big time pitcher who was still feeling the effects of the flu during his last stint on 3 days rest. I look at it this way...you have two opportunities to slam the door on them. You go with Roger for as many innings as he can give you and then if you got a good lead bring in Munro to relieve. You guys may argue that Roger isn't real sharp after 3 days rest but I'll argue he looks alot better than Munro on fullrest following a solid outing.
Unless Clemens says he is unable to go, you pitch Clemens. We can't risk having St. Louis regain the momentum by facing Munro out there. They've already seen him once this series, so there will be no surprises there. I don't want to watch Pujols and Edmonds tee off against Peter. Clemens is the clear choice in my opinion. I think that people really overrate how hard it is to pitch on 3 days rest. Hell, Cy Young used to pitch both games of a double header! Clemens wins game 6, Astros win the world series, then Bagwell, Biggio, Clemens and Kent (and hopefully Milo, too) retire and we all live happily ever after.
But Cy Young was used to doing that, Clemens isn't used to pitching on three days. The stats are stacked against going on three days in the postseason, and we've already seen how it's affected Clemens and Oswalt earlier, it wasn't pretty. You pitch Munro Wednesday, worst case scenario is you have a fully rested Clemens start Game 7, with Oswalt on three days giving you any relief you need to get to Lidge. Remember, Munro didn't pitch bad in game 2. However, if you start Clemens, and we lose, we have to come back with Oswalt on three days rest in a must win game 7. It's just too risky. Plus, if we can win with Munro on the hill, the rotation is set up perfectly for the Series with Clemens, Oswalt, and Backe pitching games 1-3.
I voted not a clue because I want to live it up to The Rocket and Scarp Iron. But in response to the highlighted take, it is safe to state that our Clemens and Oswalt on 3 days of rest is not the same Clemens and Oswalt on normal rest. Conversely, the awe and confidence those guys generate for our team is indeed undeniable. The only reason I hate to go with Pete in game 6 is the fear of losing momentum. But you know what, getting a day off logically breaks that momentum ....thereby making the case for momentum maintenance a little debased For now, I am leaning toward starting Pete in game 6 and stack it all up with Clemens at the helm for game 7 should need be. The I think is the prudent choice since we are playing with house card. This way you put you athletes and pitchers in this case in the best possible situation to perform at their peak. Few people will second guess Garner is the Pete Munro game 6 start backfires but many many more will question Phill if going with Clemens on short rest backfires. History says pitch Clemens in game 7 - no need to push it or be macho when one is playing with house cards [no pun intended].
After reading all the responses, there are good arguments on both sides. I'd go with Munro, but I have a feeling after a sitdown with Roger, Garner will go with him.
After listening to all of the stuff on ESPN I wonder how that is going to play in his decision. They are telling the whole country that it is a no-brainer to start Munro, while they think he is going to start Clemens. I know Garner won't base his decision on what media or public opinion wants him to do, but he may feel a little pressure to start Munro so he won't get second-guessed for it on national TV. He's really taken a beating lately. I think I am for starting Munro for the simple fact that I like his chances just as much as I like Clemens on 3-days rest. And the cherry on top of that sundae is that if you win, your rotation is set like a champ for the World Series. A long way to go before we think about the series however. I won't second guess Garner whichever way he goes on this. It's not like hes going to throw Miceli out there in a tie game in the 8th with a rested Lidge in the bullpen again
The ESPN Baseball Tonight guys made great points. They said you can't start Clemens tomorrow, you just don't. 1. If Munro wins, you got Clemens on full rest for game 7. -- That's what they said, my take is Roger is way better on full rest. Don't give me this, "He was still feeling the effects of the flu bs" 2. Clemens will struggle to go past 5/6 innings on short. On full, you could easily have him for 7 or 8. Look at what happened to Roy in game 4; he said he was still feeling the effects from starting on 3 days in his previous start. Neither Rog or Roy got the win in their 3 days starts. 3. Like said before, if you go with Munro in 6 and the 'Stros win, the rotation is set up perfectly. 4. If you lose game 6 with Munro, then you got Roger perfectly ready and even Roy to come in from the pen in game 7. I love Roger and I know he'll be pitching with all he's got if he were to start, but he'd be better in 7. I'll be very dissapointed with Garner and question him endlessly if he were to start Roger in game 6 and the Astros lose.
The fact that there is a day off between games is HUGE. Whatever decision is made, will only be made with 100% conviction. That couldn't be said the other times, because those decisions had to be made w/in 24 hours because there was a game the next day. It happened as a knee-jerk against Colorado, and likewise in the aftermath of the game 3 blowout against the Braves... this time, they're going to exhaust every possibility, weigh each outcome, consult all parties involved... and come to a unanimous final decision. Whatever they go with, I'll support... I just like the fact that they get to think about it this time.
I REALLLLLY hope so. I think if the Astros start Clemens in game 6 on short rest and they lose, that's the season. Roy wasn't himself in his short rest game or in the game after it because of it. If it was game 7, then I'd say go with Roger no matter what, but since we could have him a day later, why not wait on him. I hope Roger doesn't sit with Garner and convince him to start 6. I don't doubt Roger at all, let me get that straight. But, I think it would be much safer to use him in game 7.
Go for broke!! pitch Clemens, Oswalt and Lidge all in one game. HAHAHAHAH j/k . I'm just happy that history made be made =)
My heart says Clemens but my head says Munro! I'm going with Munro. I like our hitters chances of winning this game for us even if Pete lets a few go.
They have to start Pete Munro tomorrow. They have no choice in the matter. Clemens would only last 4 or 5 innings. It isn't worth it. Better to have Clemens on full rest for game 7 if necessary or game 1 of the World Series. Besides, Munro just might have a Backe-like game, knowing that it's the biggest start of his life.
Munro. Clemens has been asked to pitch a lot of innings and this would be the second time pitching on short rest. Munro may step up again and besides, the relievers will now have had two days rest. And if (what if, WHEN) the 'stros win game six, that sets up Roger to start the world series, followed by Oswalt and Backe, all rested. And helps Munro develop more confidence and experience.
