Playoff thread

[thedddd]

As long as Liriano pitches the play in game I am happy. The best pitcher at home (record wise) this season in the majors.

 

[mtm166]

Yep, I take my chances with Liriano at home. The record doesn't lie. The only thing I worry about is pitch count. Liriano seems to consistently crap out at 100. I don't let him get past that. I know historically, we've been terrible against Cueto, but he is still feeling his way back from injury. I've got a good feeling about this.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I'm just happy to see the Pirates in the post season. Never thought I would ever see that again. Everything they do from now on is a bonus to me. Would suck if we lose to the Reds tho.

 

[steelparrot]

The roster for tonight:

Pitchers (9)

Francisco Liriano – Starter

Gerrit Cole

Jason Grilli

Mark Melancon

Tony Watson

Justin Wilson

Jeanmar Gomez

Vin Mazzaro

Bryan Morris

Catchers (3)

Russell Martin

John Buck

Tony Sanchez

Infielders (8)

Justin Morneau

Garrett Jones

Gaby Sanchez

Neil Walker

Josh Harrison

Jordy Mercer

Clint Barmes

Pedro Alvarez

Outfielders (5)

Starling Marte

Andrew McCutchen

Marlon Byrd

Jose Tabata

Travis Snider

 

[dare2be]

Since both Liriano and Cole are on extended rest, I wonder if we might see Cole come in for middle relief in case Liriano gets in trouble early? I can see 4 innings for Liriano and 3-4 for Cole.

 

[element1286]

Since both Liriano and Cole are on extended rest, I wonder if we might see Cole come in for middle relief in case Liriano gets in trouble early? I can see 4 innings for Liriano and 3-4 for Cole.

Yea, even if Liriano goes 5 I can see them bringing Cole in for two, to bridge to Melancon, Watson, and Grilli.

Although I'm hoping Lirano goes much deeper than that.

 

[thedddd]

I truly hope Liriano can go all nine but as long as they win I will be happy.

And honestly seeing playoff baseball again is joy in itself.

 

[Etrius24]

Good call MTM

Kept Liriano under 100 pitches and Got to Cueto early on...

Go Bucs Go

 

[Etrius24]

Element

would it really have bothered you had they pulled Liriano after 5 or 6 innings and let Cole pitch a couple of innings tonight?

More than anything I wanted to keep the pitch count down for Liriano and avoid using Melancon and Grilli....

Just my opinion though.

 

[Darkstone42]

Element

would it really have bothered you had they pulled Liriano after 5 or 6 innings and let Cole pitch a couple of innings tonight?

More than anything I wanted to keep the pitch count down for Liriano and avoid using Melancon and Grilli....

Just my opinion though.

When your guy is going like Liriano was going, you stick with your guy until he can't go any more. You don't save guys in the playoffs, you lock up each and every game with as much certainty as possible.

 

[dare2be]

So, do we see Cole this series? Game 1 or 2?

 

[dare2be]

I think Cole could have spelled Liriano just so both could be in the rotation for game 3 or 4.


/drunk post

 

[Darkstone42]

So, do we see Cole this series? Game 1 or 2?

I probably go Cole, Burnett, Liriano for the first three, then maybe just cycle those guys.

Morton doesn't pitch well to the Cards. Locke's been bad. Johnson is a possibility, but only at home, and only if we're in a comfortable spot in the fourth game.

 

[sychmd]

playoff schedule
tues (H): liriano (5 days rest, hope he's not too rested making slider and change ineffective)
thurs (A): burnett (5 days rest)
fri (A): cole (9 days rest)
sun (H): liriano (4 days rest)
mon(H): burnett (3 days rest) or morton (8 days rest)
wed (A): Cole (5 days rest), burnett (4 days rest)

looks like we have to pitch morton one game unless we pitch burnett on 3 day rest instead of usual 4.

too bad we dont have locke as cards are terrible against lefties. wonder if they will keep him in hte BP, or just go with their BP people plus pimentel that are used to BP.

Liriano was awesome, was only 90 pitches.
glad we didnt use cole because we need him for game 2.
the schedul above still works, liriano to start game 3 at home on normal rest.
big issue is game 4. if we are up 2-1, pitch morton, if we are down 2-1 pitch burnett.
a case could be made to pitch burnett in 4 and cole in 5 to avoid morton and pitch the 2 best available.

it will come down to 3 points:
1. how well burnett dominates in game 1
2. how many pitches he throws in game 1. might go to pen earlier to allow him quicker turnaround unlike liriano last nite (which i was OK with)
3. hurdle's gut
4. whether we are up 2-1 or down 2-1. (unless he really gets shelled or throws 120+ in game 1, i cant imagine burnett not throwing game 4 if we are down 2-1)

that would be my strategy.
obviously our BP is well rested, and only a max of 2 in a row from here out unless rain. so use them to best ensure a 3 man rotation.

 

[steelparrot]

The roster:

A.J. Burnett – Starter

Gerrit Cole – Starter

Francisco Liriano – Starter

Charlie Morton – Starter

Jason Grilli

Mark Melancon

Justin Wilson

Tony Watson

Jeanmar Gomez

Vin Mazzaro

Bryan Morris

Catchers (2)

Russell Martin

John Buck

Infielders (8)

Justin Morneau

Garrett Jones

Gaby Sanchez

Neil Walker

Josh Harrison

Jordy Mercer

Clint Barmes

Pedro Alvarez

Outfielders (4)

Starling Marte

Andrew McCutchen

Marlon Byrd

Jose Tabata


I guess Harrison and Buck are debatable for sure.

 

[Darkstone42]

Harrison's a spark plug and Buck's the veteran backup catcher. I like the roster overall.

 

[thedddd]

I would take Harrison over Snyder (more versatible OF and IF) and yeah Buck over Sanchez is fine with me.

 

[sychmd]

cards have all righties starters and only 2 LHP in BP.
having another LH on hte bench would be good (snider instead of harrison).
but harrison can play OF and all IF positions(and pitch!). snider only corner OF.

overall i like harrison versatility and spark.
also would pick harrison because snider lkely to be gone next year and harrison will still be on our bench (in the organization) and good to invest in him and get him experience that will help next year when we are knocking on the WS door again.