Starting Pitching

[BridgeportHeather]

I think this is the time where Jerry Manuel must decide to go with the 4-man rotation. Danny Wright clearly doesn't cut it as a starter, showing that he's a much better long reliever than anything. There's nobody else whom I'd like to experiment with at this point of the season. We can't be allowing ourselves to get into tough situations down the stretch just because we stay with the 5-man rotation.

 

So, you pitch Loaiza, Garland, and Colon in Minnesota, completing the 4-man rotation with Buehrle on Friday at home against Kansas City.

 

This is the best way to go down the stretch, IMHO.

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

Well, I agree with you. This means that on Saturday, Elo goes on 3 days rest. I think you'll have to watch him carefully, and use a quicker hook if he gets into trouble. When you give these guys a day's less rest, you're gonna have to be careful with their careers. Also, Colon going on Thursday is still 4 days rest, but with 3 straight complete games, again, Manuel has to be careful. A lot of the 4 man rotation has to do with a deep bullpen, which we have, and good management of it, which is....debatable.

[southsider2k5]

Once again IF we are going to go with a four man rotation SOMEONE has to step up out of the pen, if not more than one. We can't have a four man rotation with just Sullivan, Marte, and Gordon pitching decently out of the pen. The middle relief becomes so huge, almost more important than the end guys, because if they aren't effective, it won't matter what the end guys do!

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

Absolutely right.