I'm not disagreeing with anyone's opinion here ... they are all valid. I would be ecstatic if he pitched 3 clean. I'm just cautioning to separate what some people want to happen vs what will happen so when Ashby gets pulled after 1 inning and 19 pitches or 2 innings and 26 pitches people don't get over emotional about it for their own sake. I've been on the record multiple times this year saying I don't love the opener concept because I'd rather the starter just be in his routine ... but that's not how the Brewers have operated with Priester and lineups that have gashing top of the order splits. So I no longer get upset because I know how they are going to pitch their guys, because they have been consistent about it.
The Brewers have viewed Priester as a "twice through the order" guy almost exclusively this entire season. So if they are going to give him 20-22 hitters tonight ... they want Busch and Tucker to each only be 2 of those guys. They want Priester to get through the 6th so we can go Koenig/Mears, Uribe, Megill to finish it. The best way to get him through the 6th is to skip the first run of lefties for him.