Comments on: WS Coverage: Philadelphia’s Game 7 Pitcher

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:34:13 +0000

whoops, that needs to be “if you win TODAY there will be a game tomorrow.”

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:28:35 +0000

Yeah, if the Phillies are down early, everything is going out the window, or out on the mound if needed. Obviously you have to win 2 in row and have to manage understanding that if you win tomorrow there will be a game tomorrow, but if your chances of winning tonight start falling throughout the game, tomorrow’s game becomes less and less relevant.

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:22:17 +0000

Just ran through the calculation, CC has a career 2.9 FIP (assuming about 4.11 PA/IP based on CC’s career average) the 3rd time through the order over the last 3 years. He actually does worse the 2nd time through the order, though not by much. So, obviously you don’t take out your 2.9 FIP pitcher for someone like Hughes unless you got a pretty good reason.

By: BIP

BIP — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:35:03 +0000

Joe R- You’re quite wrong about football, with the most obvious example being coaches’ aversion to going for it on 4th down, even though research shows they don’t attempt the conversion nearly often enough.

By: Xeifrank

Xeifrank — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:49:27 +0000

True, but the author says “There is absolutely no reason, in a Game 7 … that a starting pitcher should be allowed to face the lineup more than one time”. I think think Nick was responding to this blanket statement that covers both Hamels, Happ, Sabathia or any other Game 7 starter. I immediately had the same question too and searched to see if anyone else had commented on it.
vr, Xei

By: chuckb

chuckb — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:47:57 +0000

WY, that’s why he ought to be fired. Relax!

By: Rob in CT

Rob in CT — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:46:32 +0000

This was my thought as well. I get the general argument, but the nagging counter to it is that one of these guys may simply have nothing that day. You always run that risk when you bring in a reliever. By committing yourself to bringing in several relievers FOR SURE, you are running the risk of finding that guy. I think limiting a pitcher to 1 time through the order is excessive. If he struggles, fine, absolutely pull him. Quick hook, definitely. But if he breezes through the order once, gosh, I can’t see why you would pull him. Burning through pitchers like Girardi on speed is a good way of seeking out the guy who sucks that day and putting him in a world series game.

As for using guys on their throw day, the Yankees actually did that with Pettitte in the regular season (either 2007 or 2008, can’t remember which). He pitched an inning or two in 1 or 2 games, and as I recall he pitched well.

By: Joe D.

Joe D. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:39:02 +0000

As a Yankee fan, I strongly support Mr. Moore’s plan to get Blanton, Happ and Lidge some innings in a potential game 7.

Particularly Happ. The Gods of BABIP Regression are ready to fix up some minor errors in J.A.’s 2009 line.

By: Joe R

Joe R — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:26:35 +0000

Don’t think they have pre-2002 playoff data, so here’s the best I can do:
http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2004-10-17&team=Red%20Sox&dh=0&season=2004

http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2004-10-18&team=Red%20Sox&dh=0&season=2004

By: WY

WY — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:24:32 +0000

I already did read it. It’s a silly argument to begin with.