Shouse never make the plane back from Denver?

[endaround]

Or do we have another case where a guy just stops being in Yost's relief rotation for some unknown reason? Shouse last pitched August 8th. And its not like there haven't been opportunites, say for example against the switch hitting Berkman to lead of an inning after your 1B was ejected and your current pitcher hasn't pitched well in over a month.

[RightFieldCoder]

Without looking, iirc Berkman has more power hitting righty so you don't want to throw a lefty against him in Houston and a tie game. Being the only lefty except long man Parra I think he just hasn't had a situation to use him.

[endaround]

2007

Berkman as LHB : .256 .375 .469

 

Berkman as RHB: .279 .366 .413

 

2004-2006:

Berkman as LHB: .320 .439 .625

Berkman as RHB: .277 .396 .425

 

Berkman's power side has always been from the left.

[Ennder]

regardless of the specific example, we've had plenty of bullpen usage since August 8th and I have to believe there was at least one or two situations that he'd have made sense in.

[Boy Jeenius]

So maybe there's a reason, like he's nicked up a bit or something else that's not reported. Just because we don't read about it doesn't mean something might be amiss. Shouse had been a pretty productive and trusted guy lately. I doubt he suddenly fell out of favor.

[JohnBriggs12]

That 8th inning that decided the Astro game, had Berkman leading off followed by Lee and Scott. I could see sticking with Villanueva (who was sharp in the 7th) for Berkman and Lee, but once he got Lee, he should have brought on Shouse to face Scott (who walked). He later made the fatal mistake of bringing in Spurling with 2 on and 2 out and the inning (and game) blew up right there.

[endaround]

I would have understood staying with Villy to an extent if Prince wasn't already ejected meaning you had to make a position move anyway. And by not double switching you in essence allowed to position player to be burned since the pitcher's spot was up the next inning.

[RightFieldCoder]

I just seem to remember that he hit righty during the HR derby in Houston. I assumed he had more pop from that side. I did qualify that I didn't look at the numbers.

[zzzmanwitz]

well, i think that is because of the short porch in Houston. It only makes sense.

[dadofandrew]

So, you use Shouse for one batter and that's it? Talk about second guessing. Personally, I think every pitcher should have been removed before they gave up a HR the entire season.

[endaround]

Who said one batter?

[dadofandrew]

So, you feel the best move would be to have Shouse come in and face Berkman, and then Lee?