Wait, so aren't you, in fact, questioning it?I wouldn't question Francona's decision here at all but not starting off your first playoff series with your ace is at least somewhat questionable. Bauer is nothing to sniff at but they're favored in almost every matchup regardless.
I guess what I’m saying is I trust Tito here but I am scratching my head. What’s the justification?Wait, so aren't you, in fact, questioning it?
I think the move of starting Bauer in game 1, gives the Yankees a chance to take this in 4.Cleveland in 4.
It's certainly a questionable, but defensible move.I guess what I’m saying is I trust Tito here but I am scratching my head. What’s the justification?
On the other hand, a loss by Bauer puts a lot more pressure on Kluber who didn’t look great in his tuneup start Sunday. It’s win-win for Cleveland but conventional wisdom says game 1 is pretty important.It's certainly a questionable, but defensible move.
I would guess that the justification is that the bullpen will be fully rested heading into the first game, so if Bauer can even go 4 strong innings(maybe even 3+), it will be a success and the bullpen can take over. Then with Kluber in the second game, the bullpen shouldn't, in theory, be needed much. The bullpen will be fully rested for game 3 with an off day. And Kluber would still be available for a Game 5 on regular rest.
I totally agree with you and it wouldn't be my preference.. But that's the only justification I could come up with. In essence, make Game 1 a bullpen game and then count on Kluber.On the other hand, a loss by Bauer puts a lot more pressure on Kluber who didn’t look great in his tuneup start Sunday. It’s win-win for Cleveland but conventional wisdom says game 1 is pretty important.
The justification is he will be on normal rest for a possible game 5, so that he doesn't overthrow with adrenaline (with extra day of rest). You would have everyone in the bullpen ready to go so he wouldn't have to pitch deep into the game if high on the pitch count. Basically Tito thinks this will make him more likely to be sharp should there be a game 5.I guess what I’m saying is I trust Tito here but I am scratching my head. What’s the justification?
This clarifies it for sure but it’ll come back to bite him in the ass if they need Kluber for a short rest elimination game 4 and not game 5.The justification is he will be on normal rest for a possible game 5, so that he doesn't overthrow with adrenaline (with extra day of rest). You would have everyone in the bullpen ready to go so he wouldn't have to pitch deep into the game if high on the pitch count. Basically Tito thinks this will make him more likely to be sharp should there be a game 5.
edit: what MR T said.
Ugh....or game 4? Pretty sure you need to win game 4 before you win game 5.You can't win a 5 game series down 2-1 without winning game 5. It's just math.
Everything I've read about Kluber suggests he really, really thrives on an established routine. Good on Francona to make that a priority. I think managers can sometimes get carried away with tactical decisions during the playoffs.
And Severino looked great in his. I wouldn’t hang my hat on that.Kluber who didn’t look great in his tuneup start Sunday
This is cool, thanks for posting it.Yep. The nickname of Klubot isn't just because of his complete unflappable demeanor on the mound.
http://www.cleveland.com/budshaw/index.ssf/2017/10/corey_klubers_two-seam_fastbal.html
Kluber doesn't "kind of" work on anything. Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway says you know where you can find Kluber based on the day and the hour. His schedule doesn't vary. Gotta go to work. He punches an internal clock.
"It's that calculated," Callaway said. "(Between starts) it's the full routine precisely every time. It's a long season. He's the only guy I've seen who's been able to do it."
3.22 ERA at home, 6.48 on the road, wow.Tanaka 9-5 at home, 4-7 on the road this season. .
This is a storyline I can get behind.CC going back to Cleveland, that's a nice story line too.
I think there's no chance he starts Tanaka game 3 if they are down 2-0. Perhaps I'm wrong but saving your ace until game 4 when he realistically could pitch in game 2 is really crazy.Hopefully NY doesn't get swept and Severino gets another chance, it would suck if last night's start was the end of his fantastic season and he had to sit with that all winter.
Just because he didn't throw many pitches doesn't mean he can come back on short rest for game 2, he's still 23 and close to 200 innings. I mean of course he could, but it doesn't mean it's the right move, especially when his last start was as bad as NY has had all year and Tanaka's last start was as good as NY has had.I think there's no chance he starts Tanaka game 3 if they are down 2-0. Perhaps I'm wrong but saving your ace until game 4 when he realistically could pitch in game 2 is really crazy.
It's the playoffs. I'm not saying it's a good idea to sacrifice a pitcher's future but throwing him in the second or third game doesn't get his innings any higher than throwing him in the 4th (unless there is no game 4). There has been no indication all year that they're trying to be careful with him, otherwise they might have skipped a start or two in August/September.Just because he didn't throw many pitches doesn't mean he can come back on short rest for game 2, he's still 23 and close to 200 innings. I mean of course he could, but it doesn't mean it's the right move, especially when his last start was as bad as NY has had all year and Tanaka's last start was as good as NY has had.
I can't say I'm confident in any of these starters against CLE, but at least the other guys have more experience, especially CC obviously.
FWIW, Severino was voted onto Jeff Passan's All-MLB first team by "players, general managers, executives, scouts, analysts, writers, broadcasters and other major league personnel surveyed by Yahoo Sports.", beating out Greinke, Strasburg and Verlander for the 5th spot behind Kluber, Scherzer, Sale and Kershaw (nice company!!!). He obviously has much less of a track record than the rest of those guys, but amazing to be in that company already.Seems like the Yankees do not really have an ace. Most successful playoff teams do.
Need him in case of a blowout or super long game.I hated the Garcia trade, I hated watching him pitch, and I hate that's he on this roster. If he pitches, that game is a loss.
Isn't that Montgomery's job? It feels like he and Garcia are there for the same reason and Shreve was left off as a result. Don't like it.Need him in case of a blowout or super long game.
Yea, I suppose you'd rather have an extra pitcher than another outfielder?Isn't that Montgomery's job? It feels like he and Garcia are there for the same reason and Shreve was left off as a result. Don't like it.