SoxBlanco

You're right. It could really go either way. The way I see it is that anybody could be off, including Dunning. It's a crapshoot...so the best option is to just go inning by inning and pitch the best possible option in that particular inning. If all that mattered was getting through the first inning scoreless, who do you pitch? Whatever the answer is, that's who you go with. I'd rather have Foster than Dunning. But like you said, it's a coin flip. I wouldn't want to be the one making the decision.

After sleeping on it, I think I would actually start one of the bullpen guys and go inning by inning. Sure, you run the risk of running out of quality guys, but you then still have Dunning if necessary. I’d rather choose an option where there’s a chance we get through a game with our six best bullpen pieces and Dunning is there as an emergency to pitch 3 or 4 innings than choose an option where you start Dunning just because it’s possible something could go wrong. If you’re Oakland right now, what are you hoping we do? I think they are hoping we start Dunning and they can get to him early.

If Dunning starts, I think the biggest question mark is when to pull him. We can all say that a "quick hook" is needed, but what exactly does that mean? If he gives up a run? If two guys get on base in an inning? Let's say he pitches a scoreless first inning, giving up one single. Then to start the second inning, he gets an out and then walks a guy. Then the next guy lines out, and the guy after that singles. 2 on, 2 out. Are you pulling him there? RR is going to have a tough decision, unless he's lights out. The only guarantee is that people will complain about the decision based on the outcome.

I've thought about this idea too, but it's tough when you don't know how Dunning will respond to coming in relief. I know he did it in college, but to be a starter this year and then be asked to enter in the 2nd or 3rd inning could be tough. I think I would start Dunning and let him go once through the lineup. Then you use the pen to cover 6 innings or so.

Zero chance.

Yeah, there can’t be a rule against waiting until the last minute, is there? If so, it would be too easy to get around. Just announce Keuchel as the starter and then change your mind last minute.

Bump. Idiot!

I just really want Grandal in the lineup today. We are facing a rookie who could get a little rattled, and I want a guy like Grandal who is going to make him work and see a lot of pitches.

The delay has to be because of Eloy. The last time the lineup was released late was when Timmy got injured and they were seeing how he would feel.

You said "turned playoffs back" as if they were going back to the old format. In that case, we would be the 5 seed.

We would still be in the playoffs if that were true.

Shane McClanahan is the surprise guy Tampa added.

Lineup prediction (hoping Eloy can play LF): Anderson SS Grandal DH Abreu 1B Eloy LF Moncada 3B McCann C Robert CF Engel RF Madrigal 2B

We cant realistically expect to win a game where we are running a pitcher out there who has World Series experience and a 1.99 ERA this season because we are facing Chris Bassit?

Did anybody actually expect EE to start tomorrow? Seems obvious that McCann will catch Lucas and Grandal will be the DH. Not sure how anybody could think EE starts over Grandal. Ricky continued to play EE in the regular season in hopes that EE would catch fire. Well he didn’t. I’m not saying he’ll be on the bench all postseason, but I certainly never expected him to play tomorrow.

So he'll be just like Mazara, except he'll be able to hit singles ?

Do we have any idea of game times yet?

DH. I would try to get that really good hitter...what's his name again? Andrew something?

True. Sox could win the first two and then patiently wait to see who their next opponent is.

Hopefully Keuchel pitches deep in game 2 and we have our full bullpen available for game 3 (if necessary). Then you don't even have to worry about Cease or Rodon coming in. Even if Dunning only went 2 innings, then Heuer comes in for the 3rd and 4th, Crochet pitches the 5th, Foster the 6th, Marshall the 7th, Bummer the 8th, Colome the 9th. Now, I don't expect Dunning to only go 2 innings, but the options are there if necessary. Hell, we could go a full bullpen game and I would feel good about every inning.

I think you missed the sarcasm. Either that, or I misread it.

I apologize for this loss. I put the game on my shoulders by starting my first ever game thread. I thought I could get things turned around, and I f***ed it up. Completely on me. Now somebody pick me up tomorrow, please.