Quote:
Originally Posted by PuffyPig
You would have pitched Latos on 3 days rest notwithstanding that he has never done so and the history since the 1990's of pitchers doing so is very poor? And then pitch Bailey (who many are saying shouldn't pitch at home) also on 3 days rest?
If you are going to pitch Bailey 2nd on the raod, then you have to go with Arroyo in the 4th game, and your first game starter in game #5.
With your rotation, assuming Arroyo goes #5, you have used the same pitchers as Baker, only gotten Latos pitching with 3 days rest. Or if Bailey starts #5, you've managed to get an extra Bailey start at home on 3 days rest.
I can't see how that is an improvement.
There is only two viable scenarios, depending on whether you want/mind Bailey pitching on the road.
Cueto/Latos
Bailey
Latos/Cueto
Arroyo
Cueto/Latos.
Cueto/Latos
Arroyo
Latos/Cueto
Bailey
Cueto/Latos
It's clear all year that Baker wants Arroyo pitching between Cueto and Latos.
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It of course assumes there is a game 4 and 5, but anyway. Yep, I'd do it in a short series where the first 2 games are on the road against one of the great home pitching staffs. Bailey is clearly better on the road and I like Latos pitching in SF as well. Even though Bailey is in unchartered waters in terms of innings pitch, he's not a spring chicken here. Latos is a little dicier, but I have faith he could do it in 1 series. I would maybe considering throwing Arroyo out game 4 and Latos game 5, to give him that extra day of rest. It would also setup Cueto, potentially, to start the next series should the Reds make it.
But the idea here is to hope by throwing out the best guys first that you'll end the series quicker and not have to go to game 5.
If what Jon Miller set forth is true, that the Reds would put out Latos in game 2 if they lose game 1, I could be okay with that rotation as well.