Quote:
Originally Posted by Brutus
There could be dozens of explanations for why they did it that way. I don't think anyone should reach a conclusion based on how they set it up. Maybe they don't think Latos pitches well on six days rest? Maybe to set the rotation up this way, they felt more comfortable moving Arroyo up a day to push back Bailey?
There's nothing definitive about this. I don't see any reason why you should conclude that because Arroyo is pitching a day before Latos to end the regular season, it automatically means that's the Reds' preference for the LDS. It might be their preference, but you can't know that based on this... not without knowing their rationale for stacking it up this way.
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A few weeks before the playoffs the Reds moved their rotation around.
They decided rather than pitching Cueto and Latos back to back, they would stick Arroyo in between.
I think it's a fair assumption they thought it was the most effective rotation going forward. Including the next set of meaningful games, the NLDS.
Generally when a team moves the rotation around before the playoffs, they do so looking toward the oncoming playoffs.
And it makes sense - in case of a Game 1 loss, the Reds might think the veteran Arroyo will handle the Game 2 pressure better than the others. But whatever the reason, it's a fair assumption the Reds made the switch with the playoffs in mind.
They might change it again. But I doubt it.