Who is in your playoff rotation?

yes... that's right. Who is your "no. 3"?

  • EdRo

    Votes: 123 67.2%
  • Clay

    Votes: 29 15.8%
  • Wright

    Votes: 9 4.9%
  • Pom

    Votes: 12 6.6%
  • Julian Edelman

    Votes: 10 5.5%

  • Total voters
    183

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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Mar 11, 2007
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Obviously Price and Porcello are no.1 and no. 2, not in any specific order... but then?
The competition for a starting spot in the playoff rotation just got a little less clogged. While Edro had a pretty great start last night and has been "no. 3" quality since coming back, I think it has more to do with Pom looking exhausted than anything else.
I still think that the 3 spot is up in the air between Clay and EdRo (and perhaps should be adjusted per opponent) with the other ready to quickly step in with a quick Farrell hook (right?). I'm inclined at this point, but it might come down to their next starts, to go with EdRo as the No. 3 starter.
Additionally, if Wright can actually make it back as a starter soon, I might finish the season with him starting and having Pom move into 1-2 inning outings in the bullpen from here on out.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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Yeah.... I'm not a believer in jinxs, so after last night's victory... these guys are making the stinkin' playoffs, and more than likely as AL East Champs.
I'm also not sure how to post an additional question so who's your "no. 4" then also? Mine's obviously Clay.. but for the divisional round, I'd have EdRo (and Price and Porcello) for that matter on a super tight leash with Clay warming up early...
 

Byrdbrain

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Jul 18, 2005
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The answers you will get will obviously be different today than they were yesterday due to the work done by EdRo last night.
Hopefully Clay pitches great and changes things even more tomorrow.
It looks like Pom is done being an effective starter this year but hopefully I'm wrong about that.
If they can essentially wrap things up then I agree on getting Wright a couple of starts but I doubt he will end up being in the picture as a playoff starter.
 

grimshaw

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I had been looking at the overall numbers when I questioned whether he'd make the roster in a different thread.
I would have to say now that he has grabbed the #3 spot in my mind.
Since July 16th, in 12 starts he has only had two stinkers and in one he at least got through 5.1.
The others were 6 quality starts and all with 3 runs or fewer.
He also hasn't faced Cleveland this year, so he has that advantage on his side as well.

Clay is still Clay but has put up 4 QS in 7 starts, and the first was after having been a reliever. He also
has only gone beyond 6 in one start, so may never have 100% of his stamina.

Pomeranz has taken himself out of the running recently, and I think Wright has no crack as a starter.

There is no major platoon split with the Indians lineup so that won't really be a factor either.
 

mauf

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In 2013, we went into the playoffs with two excellent starters (Lester and Lackey), a serviceable one (Peavy), and two guys you'd rather not see starting a postseason game (Buchholz and Doubront). This year is shaping up the same -- Price and Porcello are strong, E-Rod is acceptable, and you need to squeeze one start per series out of either Buchholz or Pomeranz.

Obviously, it would be great to see Wright bounce back and claim that 4th spot, but I doubt he'll be ready for the ALDS, and it would be a big gamble to throw him out there in Game 4 of a later series (if we get there) without the benefit of a rehab start or two.
 

lexrageorge

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Jul 31, 2007
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Ed Rod answered any doubts about his being the 3rd starter in the playoffs. He's also healthy.

Ranking the #4 in order of probability:

Buchholz
Pomeranz
Wright

One of the above will start, one will be in the pen, and one will likely sit out.
 

bellowthecat

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It was EdRo yesterday and it's EdRo today. If it's against the Indians I start game 4 with Buchholz (or Wright if actually healthy) with a quick hook ready. The Indians have crushed lefties this year so that's why I go with Buchholz or Wright and avoid starting 3 lefties in 4 games against them. I am also pretty confidant in Pom, but breaking up the pitchers by handedness leaves him out.
 

Hendu for Kutch

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Apr 7, 2006
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Some food for thought, here are some numbers on the other teams in the AL playoffs as of today.

wRC+ vs LHP:

Texas - 99
Cleveland - 100
Toronto - 104
Baltimore - 82

wRC+ vs RHP

Texas - 99
Cleveland - 103
Toronto - 102
Baltimore - 108

The only team with a pronounced split is Baltimore, and if they should grab the #1 seed and face BAL in the first round, they'd be insane not to pitch E-Rod 3rd.

I was a bit surprised that Toronto didn't have a larger split, given all their right-handed power. Even with a slightly better performance against LHP, it's not so much that I'd factor it in much in making the decision. Ditto in the opposite way for Cleveland.

And on a side note, how about Texas? They have that smoke-and-mirrors vibe to them, don't they? Below average against both LHP and RHP, not to mention a pitching staff that's 28th in FIP, XFIP, and SIERA. A run differential of +10, yet 28 games over .500. I might have to hit the under on their win total next season hard.
 

johnnywayback

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Aug 8, 2004
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I'm on board with this
Me, too, especially against Cleveland. But I'd make sure not to use Pomeranz in Games 1 or 2, so that if either Rodriguez or (more likely) Buchholz looks like he just doesn't have it, as we've seen each do on occasion, Farrell can have a short hook.
 

BaseballJones

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Porcello, Price, Rodriguez, Buchholz. Pomeranz in the pen due to his inflated IP total.
Yeah, I think this is how it looks like it's gonna shake out.

The case for ERod:

- Last 4 starts: 3.18 era, 1.06 whip, 6.7 k/9
- 12 starts since the ASB: 3.21 era, 1.11 whip, 7.6 k/9

He's very capable of having a pretty awful start, as he's had three of them over that 12 game period. But I think all they need is him to give them six solid innings.

The case for Clay:

- Has championship postseason experience.
- As a starter since coming back out of the bullpen (6 starts): 3.90 era, 1.36 whip, 6.7 k/9

So again, very capable of getting totally blown up, but can he give them 5-6 solid innings? He may give them the next best opportunity for it.

If we knew Wright's shoulder was healthy and he could throw his fastball 84 mph like he could early on in the year, I'd happily throw him out there. But as of right now, we have no indication that this is the case.

Pomeranz to the pen, where he's had success already. His stuff may play up better in the pen anyway. Gives them another quality LHP too.
 

simplicio

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On merit I like this too however not sure you want to F with Price's ego by making him a 2.
At this point in the season, if Price still thinks he's the 1 then his ego is basically impenetrable. Wouldn't worry about it.
 

Koufax

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On the basis of what we now know, I'd say Eduardo gets the nod. He's a bit more reliable than Clay and has the potential to be almost unhittable. But it terms of what I think will actually happen (at least in the ALCS and WS), Wright. He'll be back, that's my speculation.
 

YTF

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For me it's between Clay and Eduardo and I don't think that at this point it's clear cut as to which it should be. There are considerations as to which gets the nod over the other. I think we need to see their final starts and also have to weigh the choice against whom the Sox might be playing. Do you want 2 lefties or 2 righties in your top 3? Does that matter?
 

keninten

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Nov 24, 2005
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I had been looking at the overall numbers when I questioned whether he'd make the roster in a different thread.
I would have to say now that he has grabbed the #3 spot in my mind.
Since July 16th, in 12 starts he has only had two stinkers and in one he at least got through 5.1.
The others were 6 quality starts and all with 3 runs or fewer.
He also hasn't faced Cleveland this year, so he has that advantage on his side as well.

Clay is still Clay but has put up 4 QS in 7 starts, and the first was after having been a reliever. He also
has only gone beyond 6 in one start, so may never have 100% of his stamina.

Pomeranz has taken himself out of the running recently, and I think Wright has no crack as a starter.

There is no major platoon split with the Indians lineup so that won't really be a factor either.
Doesn`t this give the hitters an advantage having already seen him. I remember Schilling not wanting to face AL East opponents in spring training which I thought was because of this.
 

FinanceAdvice

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On the basis of what we now know, I'd say Eduardo gets the nod. He's a bit more reliable than Clay and has the potential to be almost unhittable. But it terms of what I think will actually happen (at least in the ALCS and WS), Wright. He'll be back, that's my speculation.
I voted Rodriquez No. 3 but when healthy I don't think anyone here would deny Wright the No. 3 spot. I've been hoping he'd be ready for the ALCS. With Porcello, Price, a healthy Wright and Rodriquez I'd bet on the Red Sox winning it all.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I voted Rodriquez No. 3 but when healthy I don't think anyone here would deny Wright the No. 3 spot. I've been hoping he'd be ready for the ALCS. With Porcello, Price, a healthy Wright and Rodriquez I'd bet on the Red Sox winning it all.
I would. Even before he got hurt, he was trending in the wrong direction (last start in LA notwithstanding). If he had been healthy through out, I don't think it's a lock that he'd have stayed in the top three of this rotation.
 

Buzzkill Pauley

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At this point in the season, if Price still thinks he's the 1 then his ego is basically impenetrable. Wouldn't worry about it.
More than that, I hope the Sox don't tweak their rotation at all to try to line up anyone up in any particular order.

The advantage the offense has playing at Fenway is so pronounced (tOPS+ 111 H vs. 88 A) that the team's postseason prospects are far better served by pushing hard these last two weeks, to try to wrest the #1 seeding from Texas.
 

Plympton91

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Oct 19, 2008
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Buchholz and Rodriguez are earning the 3 and 4 slots. Pomeranz becomes the top left handed set up man. This isn't really that difficult a decision unless the next 2 starts for these guys are vastly different from the average of the previous 4.

What fraction is SoSH wanted Buchholz released in late July? Baseball is a game of random streaks. Every little thing can break and be put back together in a split second. You never give up on a healthy and talented player until you are absolutely forced to do so.
 

DeadlySplitter

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He often hasn't been healthy and he can mentally get in a place on the mound where his talent is masked/wasted. We've all seen it several times from him,.

That said, (I think me included?) you are right You can never have enough starting pitching, and regardless of Wright's injury I think he was slipping back to more pedestrian (but still good for a knuckleballer) numbers.
 

Flynn4ever

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I voted EdRo as 3 but if we get to at least the ALCS we'll need a 4th. I think I could trust Bucc more than Wright or Pom given his age and experience. Wright could be in the bullpen (remember how great it was to have Wake come in for the third time through the lineup and just throw everyone's timing off?) Pom can be involved in "all hands on deck" situations. Rodriguez has been so very inconsistent but the playoffs have a way of bringing the best out of young Sox (in the 21st century, less so before.)
 

Average Reds

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Buchholz and Rodriguez are earning the 3 and 4 slots. Pomeranz becomes the top left handed set up man. This isn't really that difficult a decision unless the next 2 starts for these guys are vastly different from the average of the previous 4.
Yup. Seems pretty straightforward to me as well.

What fraction is SoSH wanted Buchholz released in late July? Baseball is a game of random streaks. Every little thing can break and be put back together in a split second. You never give up on a healthy and talented player until you are absolutely forced to do so.
Yes and no. I mean, I didn't want Buchholz released, but I'll admit that I grew tired of hearing Farrell quoted as saying that the issue wasn't the stuff, but the command.

Thankfully, he made the necessary adjustments and now has much greater command. If there was a way to make sure he stays tuned correctly for a full season, we'd have something here.
 

Al Zarilla

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This poll was posted after Eddie pitched and before Clay. Fair? You can can change your vote, you know. I just did, from Eddie to Clay. I think they both can be very good, like their starts this week in B'more. I do like Clay's wide arsenal of pitches better. If one or two aren't working, he's got a few others to go to. If Eddie's not locating his fastball, he's pretty much screwed. I also like Clay's experience.
 

Doooweeeey!

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This poll was posted after Eddie pitched and before Clay. Fair? You can can change your vote, you know. I just did, from Eddie to Clay. I think they both can be very good, like their starts this week in B'more. I do like Clay's wide arsenal of pitches better. If one or two aren't working, he's got a few others to go to. If Eddie's not locating his fastball, he's pretty much screwed. I also like Clay's experience.
I voted for Clay before I read this post. Well put, Al. He had a lot of pitches working against the O's last night.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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This poll was posted after Eddie pitched and before Clay. Fair? You can can change your vote, you know. I just did, from Eddie to Clay. I think they both can be very good, like their starts this week in B'more. I do like Clay's wide arsenal of pitches better. If one or two aren't working, he's got a few others to go to. If Eddie's not locating his fastball, he's pretty much screwed. I also like Clay's experience.
I dunno..... they both have their respective weakness... that's why they're not being discussed in the no. 1 or no. 2 category obviously... but I don't think I've ever seen Clay readjust when something isn't working. While he has more in his aresenal, he seems to drop his guns when one bullet misfires. I'm still pulling for EdRo, but if both Clay and EdRo have repeat performances their next times up.... I think seniority might win out and Farrell will go with Clay (and I don't think Farrell has a "veteran bias").
 

dhappy42

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Maybe a topic for a new thread, but the playoff seeding is very much up in the air with Texas (91 wins) Boston (90) and Cleveland (90) as of today. Best record wins home-field advantage, but is there an argument to be made that the Sox would be better off facing Cleveland than Detroit or even Baltimore, despite (perhaps because of) the recent drubbing of the O's?
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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Maybe a topic for a new thread, but the playoff seeding is very much up in the air with Texas (91 wins) Boston (90) and Cleveland (90) as of today. Best record wins home-field advantage, but is there an argument to be made that the Sox would be better off facing Cleveland than Detroit or even Baltimore, despite (perhaps because of) the recent drubbing of the O's?
Where is Toronto in your scenario?
 

sheamonu

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I'm surprised at the lack of love for Wright here. We've all seen how having a knuckleballer available in the postseason can be useful even as a sacrificial lamb - and the guy was our best starter for whole stretches of the season before Farrell essentially decided to use a mint condition 1890 postage stamp to mail a postcard. If healthy I want him available as a fourth starter in any potential 7 game series and as insurance in the pen. Clay or Pom get to play golf - let 'em have a footrace to see who it is.
 

dhappy42

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I'm surprised at the lack of love for Wright here. We've all seen how having a knuckleballer available in the postseason can be useful even as a sacrificial lamb - and the guy was our best starter for whole stretches of the season before Farrell essentially decided to use a mint condition 1890 postage stamp to mail a postcard. If healthy I want him available as a fourth starter in any potential 7 game series and as insurance in the pen. Clay or Pom get to play golf - let 'em have a footrace to see who it is.
Agree, but given he hasn't pitched at all lately, it's kind of hard to pencil him in for a playoff start.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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I'm surprised at the lack of love for Wright here. We've all seen how having a knuckleballer available in the postseason can be useful even as a sacrificial lamb - and the guy was our best starter for whole stretches of the season before Farrell essentially decided to use a mint condition 1890 postage stamp to mail a postcard. If healthy I want him available as a fourth starter in any potential 7 game series and as insurance in the pen. Clay or Pom get to play golf - let 'em have a footrace to see who it is.
He was trending to mediocre before the injury, he's not healthy, and Pomeranz is fine as insurance.
 

Oppo

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Maybe a topic for a new thread, but the playoff seeding is very much up in the air with Texas (91 wins) Boston (90) and Cleveland (90) as of today. Best record wins home-field advantage, but is there an argument to be made that the Sox would be better off facing Cleveland than Detroit or even Baltimore, despite (perhaps because of) the recent drubbing of the O's?
Cleveland is very good against LHP tho
 

czar

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I'm surprised at the lack of love for Wright here. We've all seen how having a knuckleballer available in the postseason can be useful even as a sacrificial lamb - and the guy was our best starter for whole stretches of the season before Farrell essentially decided to use a mint condition 1890 postage stamp to mail a postcard. If healthy I want him available as a fourth starter in any potential 7 game series and as insurance in the pen. Clay or Pom get to play golf - let 'em have a footrace to see who it is.
And was also one of our worst starters for a stretch of the season.

If 100% healthy, you can make a pretty easy argument for Wright into the #4 spot. Unfortunately, it's way too late (unless something happens such that the Sox are desperate) to throw him into a playoff rotation when he's A) coming off a fairly major shoulder injury and B) had not been very good since the ASB (pre-injury and post-injury).

The starters by FIP since the ASB are: Porcello (2.85), Price (3.37), ERod (3.81), Buchholz (3.92), Wright (4.16), Pomeranz (4.85). To be honest, seems pretty cut-and-dried who the top 4 should be, and the order seems pretty square (ERod/Buchholz can probably be flipped if matchups dictate, seem somewhat interchangable).

EDIT: Just saw this -- the already long odds of Wright starting a playoff game decreased more today.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — What seemed to be positive momentum buildling for the injured Steven Wright was interrupted on Saturday.

The knuckleballer threw from 120 feet for a second straight day in Fort Myers, Fla., but he wasn't comfortable enough to be in position to throw a bullpen Sunday at Tropicana Field further north in St. Petersburg, as was the Red Sox' hope. Wright is trying to return from throwing shoulder inflammation.

"It was not to the point where he felt like he was going to throw his bullpen here tomorrow," manager John Farrell said. "So he’ll remain in Fort Myers and continue to progress. Logically, the days continue to come off the calendar, so where that puts him in terms of getting back on the mound, getting back to us, that becomes with each passing day a little bit less likely."