2017 Postseason Bullpen Usage

[roadrunner]

Does anyone else think these quick hooks are getting a little out of hand?  A lot of them are 50/50 calls but they are almost always leaning towards pulling the pitcher rather than leaving him in - including Hinch in the ALDS.  Last night the Nats pulled Scherzer after he gave up his first hit in the 7th inning and then the bullpen immediately gave up the lead.  Only in the 2017 baseball world does it make sense to take out a top 3 pitcher in the game when he is dealing his 98th pitch (and he's got his best stuff) to bring in a reliever.  There are only a handful of relievers in baseball I would do that for and the Nats don't have any of them.

That said, I feel like this trend is at its extreme and will swing back the other way.  Everyone is trying to recreate what the Indians did last year but most teams (including the Astros) don't have a bullpen of that caliber.

Anyways, that's my random rant...go Stros

[Andyzipp]

I assume that the managers of the teams (especially those I don't follow) know far more than I do about their pitchers.  On the other hand, Dusty Baker has never ever been good at handling pitching staffs.  Ever.

[Lefty]

Saw it mentioned that Scherzer has a 100 pitch limit.  In the ALDS.  And apparently Wieters helped talk Dusty into bringing in Solis.

[doyce7]

Saw it mentioned that Scherzer has a 100 pitch limit.  In the ALDS.  And apparently Wieters helped talk Dusty into bringing in Solis.

Was watching the game, dusty asked scherzer how he felt, then immediately turned to wieters and asked him something, when wieters answered, dusty signalled to the pen.

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[Mr. Appropriate]

Liriano pitching in an Astros uniform make my stomach churn. Hoping he is a stealth Astro in training.

I'd like to read about what other people think about using Verlander in relief. Bold move by Hinch. "WTF" captured my sentiments well when it happened. What do you think about using the game five starter for his very first start in middle relief in game four?

[JimR]

How often is this dead horse going to be beatened before someone drags it off?

[Ebby Calvin]

I'd like to read about what other people think about using Verlander in relief. Bold move by Hinch. "WTF" captured my sentiments well when it happened. What do you think about using the game five starter for his very first start in middle relief in game four?

I wasn't a fan of it when it happened, mainly because I wanted him to start Game 5 if needed.  I thought it was a knee-jerk reaction to Sale pitching and a bad one at that.  I thought Morton was doing ok and Musgrove could've put in a few innings when he faltered.
After watching Hinch's presser yesterday I'm not as annoyed though.  Maybe it's because they won the damn game and everything looks rosy now.

[Ebby Calvin]

How often is this dead horse going to be beatened before someone drags it off?

Simple, harmless discussion the day after a playoff game.  The horse will be served at a local Taco Bell shortly.

[Mr. Appropriate]

Simple, harmless discussion the day after a playoff game.  The horse will be served at a local Taco Bell shortly.

with Rick and Morty Szechuan sauce for select fans.

[NeilT]

Liriano pitching in an Astros uniform make my stomach churn. Hoping he is a stealth Astro in training.

I'd like to read about what other people think about using Verlander in relief. Bold move by Hinch. "WTF" captured my sentiments well when it happened. What do you think about using the game five starter for his very first start in middle relief in game four?

I was for it until I was against it.  Hindsight is the fan's prerogative. 

[Ebby Calvin]

with Rick and Morty Szechuan sauce for select fans.

I think that's the funniest show on TV, but this McDonald's backlash is ridiculous.

[Mr. Appropriate]

I think that's the funniest show on TV, but this McDonald's backlash is ridiculous.

yes. and generating gobs of free press for the show and the clown. all hail the idiocracy.

[JimR]

Simple, harmless discussion the day after a playoff game.  The horse will be served at a local Taco Bell shortly.

A playoff game I think we won. There is a 30 page GZ with about half dedicated to this.

Taco Bell you say?

[MusicMan]

How often is this dead horse going to be beatened before someone drags it off?

This just in: pitcher usage is different when you play 3 times a week than when you play 6 times a week.


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[JimR]

How often is this dead horse going to be beatened before someone drags it off?

That’s beaten, dummy.

[drew corleone]

FWIW... on MLBXM today Hinch said they told Verlander yesterday morning that they were looking at him as a bridge to Giles and planned to put in Giles for two innings. Once Sale entered they decided that the rain wasn't going to be a factor and while he wanted to start Verlander clean in an inning, Hinch didn't want to wait. This was all a possibility, Hinch said, because they had confidence in Keuchel as a Game 5 starter back in Houston.

[AtascAstro]

Meanwhile....in Dusty Baker's world, Stasburg declines to start the rain postponed game tomorrow.

[NeilT]

That’s beaten, dummy.

I'm still happy we beatened the Red Sox. 

[JimR]

I'm still happy we beatened the Red Sox.

Yup, me too.

[jbm]

Meanwhile....in Dusty Baker's world, Stasburg declines to start the rain postponed game tomorrow.

Wow, can't remember this happening before.  The article mentions that Dusty is protecting him, but this quote feels like he is somewhat throwing him under the bus, probably deservedly:

“He’s under the weather,’’ Baker said, “like a lot of my team is.’’

Probably a Boras thing.

[Fredia]

I can not think of a single guy on the Astros who would not crawl  through mud to get to the field to play. There is no place for prima doonas in baseball.

[BUWebguy]

And now reports say Strasburg WILL start:
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/918137187367047168

[drew corleone]

And kicked ass.

[JimR]

And kicked ass.

Close to unhittable. Madson ain’t helping him now.