Skip Houser Starts in August/September?

[Brewcrew82]

Look, Adrian Houser is a solid option for the #5 spot in the rotation, but he's clearly a step below the other 4 guys. We have some off-days coming up, starting with tomorrow and then again Monday. This begs the question: do we skip some Houser starts to maximize what could be the final run for our Big 3 and help compensate for a subpar offense?

For example, provided everyone stays healthy: you could easily do something like this: 

8/11 @CWS: Burnes.               8/20 @TEX: Miley               8/30: @CHC: Peralta

8/12 @CWS: Woodruff          8/22 vs. MN: Burnes            9/1: vs. PHI: Miley

8/13 @CWS: Peralta              8/23 vs. MN: Woodruff        9/2: vs. PHI: Burnes

8/15 @LAD: Miley                  8/25 vs. SD: Peralta             9/3: vs. PHI: Woodruff

8/16 @LAD: Burnes               8/26 vs. SD: Miley             

8/17 @LAD: Woodruff           8/27 vs SD: Burnes

8/18 @TEX: Peralta               8/28 @CHC: Woodruff

8/19 @TEX: Houser/Gasser  8/29 @CHC: Houser/Gasser

That's two extra starts for a non-Houser pitcher, when the division is likely going to come down to a game or two. Of course, keeping our SPs healthy takes precedence above all, but I think it's something you have to consider. 

FWIW, if you inserted Houser in the San Diego series, you could also set up Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta in Chicago. That would give back one start to Houser and is obviously worth considering, too, as a series win in CHC would mean the Cubs would have to sweep us in the last series of the season to get the tiebreaker. 

[rickh150]

Good thoughts. I would also like our big boys lined up for the Cubs.

[Robocaller]

Definitely not. We have one starting pitcher who has been healthy and consistently good during the last couple of months.

We might need a 6th starter once or twice when there are no off days during a week.

Plus, we are no longer in the 1970s.

[Jake McKibbin]

5 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Look, Adrian Houser is a solid option for the #5 spot in the rotation, but he's clearly a step below the other 4 guys. We have some off-days coming up, starting with tomorrow and then again Monday. This begs the question: do we skip some Houser starts to maximize what could be the final run for our Big 3 and help compensate for a subpar offense?

For example, provided everyone stays healthy: you could easily do something like this: 

8/11 @CWS: Burnes.               8/20 @TEX: Miley               8/30: @CHC: Peralta

8/12 @CWS: Woodruff          8/22 vs. MN: Burnes            9/1: vs. PHI: Miley

8/13 @CWS: Peralta              8/23 vs. MN: Woodruff        9/2: vs. PHI: Burnes

8/15 @LAD: Miley                  8/25 vs. SD: Peralta             9/3: vs. PHI: Woodruff

8/16 @LAD: Burnes               8/26 vs. SD: Miley             

8/17 @LAD: Woodruff           8/27 vs SD: Burnes

8/18 @TEX: Peralta               8/28 @CHC: Woodruff

8/19 @TEX: Houser/Gasser  8/29 @CHC: Houser/Gasser

That's two extra starts for a non-Houser pitcher, when the division is likely going to come down to a game or two. Of course, keeping our SPs healthy takes precedence above all, but I think it's something you have to consider. 

FWIW, if you inserted Houser in the San Diego series, you could also set up Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta in Chicago. That would give back one start to Houser and is obviously worth considering, too, as a series win in CHC would mean the Cubs would have to sweep us in the last series of the season to get the tiebreaker. 

 

They're working off four days rest however, I could see this happening, but I'm unsure Counsell will, however I do imagine he'll try and lineup well for the Cubs series.

Houser could help out as well while the inning totals are being restored for Woodruff in his next start, but I really don't mind this idea at all, a great eye for the potential with the off days, good job!

[Outlander]

These off days allow them to do away with the 6 man rotation, which prevents Rea and Teheran from starting. I am more interested to see if he goes back to the six man when there isn't so many off days. Don't see them removing Houser at this point.

[torts]

So instead of skipping houser, you're actually saying bring up gasser, and then only have him pitch once every ten days, off rhythm of the entire season?

[Brewcrew82]

5 hours ago, torts said:

So instead of skipping houser, you're actually saying bring up gasser, and then only have him pitch once every ten days, off rhythm of the entire season?

No I’m saying Houser. But Gasser is an option, too.

[edfunderburk]

9 hours ago, Robocaller said:

we are no longer in the 1970s

Such a sad but true reality 

I miss the days of starters going 8 innings almost every time out & throwing 300 innings per year 

[Brewcrew82]

9 hours ago, Robocaller said:

 

Plus, we are no longer in the 1970s.

I understand that. But, last time I checked, pitchers make starts on 4 day's rest even in the year 2023. 

[duewizard]

It's not a terrible idea but I'd prefer to keep Houser on the rotation and give guys like Woody and Miley more time in between starts. Miley is injury prone and Woody is coming back from a looong stint on the IL

[Robocaller]

6 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I understand that. But, last time I checked, pitchers make starts on 4 day's rest even in the year 2023. 

they make starts on 4 days rest when there is no off day within 5 days of their last start. and they generally get an extra day off fairly regularly. It's about workload. (Possibly) Excluding Burnes, the rest of the staff need to be handled gingerly.