4/20/08 Brewers (Gallardo) at Reds (Harang): 12:15 PM CDT

[mikerollins]

No I was being serious just because there are enough save situations over the course of a season. If you pitch your closer in "non-save" situations too you are going to burn them out.

Obviously I'd like having Cordero go against Braun, Fielder, Hart, but I just think that closers are geared to close and if you pitch them in tie games also, you will wear them out.

I could be wrong on this, but just my opinion.

[dlk9s]

Well, if we get through the 9th, I'm liking our chances in the 10th with Hill leading off.

 

10th inning + Hill + Reds = W.

[lcbj68c]

Am I the only one that was hoping Prince would have laid down a bunt there? He has been rolling grounders all day, GIDP was inherent.

[And That]

So you would not use your best relief pitcher in a very tight spot just because its not a save situation? Isn't the goal here to get the game tied into the bottom of the 9th or, at worst, into extra innings?

[phxMILWfan]

I'm impressed with Stetter so far...

[Schlitz001]

Am I the only one that was hoping Prince would have laid down a bunt there? He has been rolling grounders all day, GIDP was inherent.

Maybe with anyone besides Prince or Braun. I'm not even sure Prince knows how to bunt.

[TheCrew07]

Saying it's not Weeks' fault for a weakly hit grounder is like saying it's not Sheets' fault for being frail... I've never been a believer in luck, at some point there should be a realization that we all have ownership of the situation we find ourselves in...

 

It's one thing to hit a ball hard right at someone, it's another to meakly groundout, which is what Prince just did at the worst possible time. That DP was a killer.

[And That]

As Chris Welsh put it, Stetter is "nails" against Reds batters, especially lefties.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Stetter! This crow tastes mighty fine!

[bucks2281]

a.) How many extra-innings games can one team play?!

 

b.) Mitch Stetter = Brian Shouse, Jr.

[adambr2]

Wow. I'm pleasantly surprised with how Stetter has looked today.

[giffted1]

Wow, Stetter is looking as good today as he looked bad the other day.

[brettac1]

That was awesome.

[mikerollins]

So you would not use your best relief pitcher in a very tight spot just because its not a save situation? Isn't the goal here to get the game tied into the bottom of the 9th or, at worst, into extra innings?

Fair question. I guess if it were September. Yes. Or playoff baseball, ABSOLUTELY.

 

But in April, on back to back days, I just think doing that every time the situation arises will burn out your closer. (unless you plan on your team being bad and not having a whole lot of save situations).

 

Mabe this is bad logic. I don't know. I'm just thinking long-term.

I have NO problem with the premise of bringing him in being the "right" move. I just feel like it runs the risk of burning him out.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Votto had absolutely no chance against Stetter right there

[phxMILWfan]

So if we don't score in the top of the 10th, who pitches? I'm guessing he goes with Riske. I'd like either Riske or Mota.

[Bernman23]

I'm hoping to see Craig Counsell bat this inning. I'd even pinch him for Weeks in a clutch situation.

[steve267268]

Why are you guys so negative on Stetter? While i trust Shouse a little more (and believe me, that took a LONG time), Stetter looks great against lefties.

 

Okay, so, when is Billy up?

[dlk9s]

Wow, Stetter is looking as good today as he looked bad the other day.

Don't forget that after allowing the first two guys two reach in his other appearance, he did K the next two before coming out.

 

[And That]

But in April

Games count the same in April as they do in September.

[lcbj68c]

Cordero only goes 1 inning, that's awesome. A little more credence to what Ned was thinking last year in not bringing in Cordero in 8th inning jams. Maybe there's a book out on Cordero that says he doesnt do well beyond 3 outs.

[JohnBriggs12]

Something tells me Stetter isn't going anywhere.

[TauPentaRei]

I would give Shouse the save opportunity.

 

For reasons of the lefty heavy line-up and these clowns have already gotten 2 looks at Gagne.

 

As far as Prince bunting goes... take the player's name and the player's place in the batting order completely out of context to see.

 

runners 1st and 2nd with no outs; need a run. 99 times out of 100 you see a sacrifice.

 

but as soon as you know it's the biggest power hitter and the clean-up spot and all of a sudden it doesn't make baseball sense.

[Ennder]

I also don't imagine Fielder is a very good bunter. It is a skill afterall.

[adambr2]

So you would not use your best relief pitcher in a very tight spot just because its not a save situation? Isn't the goal here to get the game tied into the bottom of the 9th or, at worst, into extra innings?

Fair question. I guess if it were September. Yes. Or playoff baseball, ABSOLUTELY.

 

But in April, on back to back days, I just think doing that every time the situation arises will burn out your closer. (unless you plan on your team being bad and not having a whole lot of save situations).

 

Mabe this is bad logic. I don't know. I'm just thinking long-term.

I have NO problem with the premise of bringing him in being the "right" move. I just feel like it runs the risk of burning him out.

 

The "burnout" argument holds merit, it's really the only argument I can understand for why you shouldn't do it. Mathematically, if we were assuming any pitcher can throw an unlimited amount throughout the year, it would be in a team's best interest to use the better relievers first to ensure that the tie is not broken and therefore the offense continues to get chances to win.

 

But if you're saying that doing it throughout the course of the year may put too much of a strain on your closer and make him ineffective later in the year, I can buy that.