The Reds have the worst pitching staff in the league, and you want to blow your closer in the 3rd inning? Or should that have been in blue? If Knebel gets 3 outs at any point of the game then he is not being "blown", just randomly saving your best pitcher until the 9th inning is not a good strategy. If we had a bases loaded situation with a pitcher due up in the 4th inning, should we use our best pinch hitter or someone else so we can save our best one for later? There is no better possible scenario to use your best pinch hitter than bases loaded, and there is no better time to use your best pitcher than with the bases loaded, needing a strikeout with the season on the line. In addition, it is better to use Knebel earlier because if he has a quick inning he can be used to face more hitters than only 3 if was saved for the 9th.