Sox "Opener" strategy

[iWiN4PreP]

3 minutes ago, ptatc said:

i like the corpse reference. In this scenario, they are maximizing their strengths and minimizing their weakness because the starting staff is the weakness. You make reference to the Sox not willing to try it, they shouldn't. The Sox weakness is the bullpen not the starting staff. I would much rather have Lopez in there than most of the crap the Sox have had in the bullpen. If the bullpen improves, then it changes. 

This is not just about maximizing the bullpen, but also the starters. The starters and BP would benefit from something like this. I'm trying to find some statistics now.

[ptatc]

Just now, iWiN4PreP said:

This is not just about maximizing the bullpen, but also the starters. The starters and BP would benefit from something like this. I'm trying to find some statistics now.

I think your statistics will depend on the quality of the pitchers as well though. A generalization of "pitchers struggle facing a lineup the third time through" is a no brainer. The pitcher will be tired and the hitters will have seen what he has. The true question is, is there enough quality in the bullpen to regularly take a pitcher out in the 4th or 5th inning? Teams may have two or three good ones but will they have the depth to cover 4 to 5 innings 3 out of 5 nights. This wouldn't include the top starters when they have an off night and they need to make up those innings.

[Jack Parkman]

Wow. Was listening to Sox Machine Podcast, and Eno Sarris thinks that both Giolito and Lopez are not likely to stick in the rotation. I'm surprised. I thought that he'd think that at least one of them would stick. 

[southsider2k5]

2 hours ago, Jack Parkman said:

Wow. Was listening to Sox Machine Podcast, and Eno Sarris thinks that both Giolito and Lopez are not likely to stick in the rotation. I'm surprised. I thought that he'd think that at least one of them would stick. 

It is way too premature for that.

[Jack Parkman]

19 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

It is way too premature for that.

Completely agree. I maintain that Giolito is probably going to take a big step forward next season. I'm not sure about Lopez. 

[ptatc]

4 minutes ago, Jack Parkman said:

Completely agree. I maintain that Giolito is probably going to take a big step forward next season. I'm not sure about Lopez. 

anyone can have an opinion. However to state that pitchers who have 36 and 40 total MLB starts respectively, won't improve and need to go to the pen is a little premature. They need to allow for a little learning. It probably means they won't be Cy Young candidates but it doesn't rule out being good starters. Like all MLB players they need to learn to adjust.

[Jack Parkman]

4 minutes ago, ptatc said:

anyone can have an opinion. However to state that pitchers who have 36 and 40 total MLB starts respectively, won't improve and need to go to the pen is a little premature. They need to allow for a little learning. It probably means they won't be Cy Young candidates but it doesn't rule out being good starters. Like all MLB players they need to learn to adjust.

No doubt. What is really encouraging about Giolito is that his velocity is returning to him and he's holding it later in games. Also, for some reason he still gets swings and misses on his fastball despite the low spin rate, it has been more noticable now that he's sitting 93-94 for most of the game. Another encouraging sign was during the first four innings of his last start, he was sitting 95-96. If he can get it there with a few pops at 97-98 regularly again, then you're starting to talk about the stuff that made him the top pitching prospect in baseball. 

Edited August 27, 2018 by Jack Parkman

[Jerksticks]

11 minutes ago, Jack Parkman said:

No doubt. What is really encouraging about Giolito is that his velocity is returning to him and he's holding it later in games. Also, for some reason he still gets swings and misses on his fastball despite the low spin rate, it has been more noticable now that he's sitting 93-94 for most of the game. Another encouraging sign was during the first four innings of his last start, he was sitting 95-96. If he can get it there with a few pops at 97-98 regularly again, then you're starting to talk about the stuff that made him the top pitching prospect in baseball. 

Absolutely.  Man anybody wish he would work out a little bit?  I’m familiar with the arguments against pitchers working out but shit it’s 2018.  He could be a beast.  

[GreenSox]

I've tried to work this out.  I guess you'd need 6 starter-relievers; plan on 3 innings each (that may be too many innings) and they can pitch every other day.  And then a bullpen as, inevitably, some will need relief.  That would leave a pen of 7 or so.  
You can do that relatively cheap in terms of talent and $.
Trade your good starting pitching prospects and put most resources into hitting and defense.
It might work...something I can see why a team like the Rays would try.

[ptatc]

19 hours ago, GreenSox said:

I've tried to work this out.  I guess you'd need 6 starter-relievers; plan on 3 innings each (that may be too many innings) and they can pitch every other day.  And then a bullpen as, inevitably, some will need relief.  That would leave a pen of 7 or so.  
You can do that relatively cheap in terms of talent and $.
Trade your good starting pitching prospects and put most resources into hitting and defense.
It might work...something I can see why a team like the Rays would try.

Every other day is probably a little unrealistic. If they throw around 50 pitches, I think it's more likely every 3rd day. If they only throw 30 pitches or so then they could come back with one day off.