Game Thread: This opener thing is really working out well.....

[Danchat]

Well, for all the negatives about this game, Stewart threw some good innings against a really good offense. Kudos to you, Kohl!

[Vanimal46]

Well, for all the negatives about this game, Stewart threw some good innings against a really good offense. Kudos to you, Kohl!

That's good for him! I'm not sure what we're supposed to call him now is the problem... Primary pitcher? Secondary pitcher? The ol' #2?

[Mike Sixel]

Whoever thinks Gimenez should be playing over the future should be fired. Now. There is no plan here at all.

[David HK]

 

Whoever thinks Gimenez should be playing over the future should be fired. Now. There is no plan here at all.

Ditto Ditto Ditto.

 

Both Garver and Astudillo on the bench, and here's Gimenez being run out there again, ffs. 

 

First is was automatic out BWilson on a daily basis, now it's his replacement. Does MoY hate all the fans, or is it only me?

[Winston Smith]

 

Whoever thinks Gimenez should be playing over the future should be fired. Now. There is no plan here at all.

Him and Grossman are building blocks for the future.

 

I should add Petit, Field and Belisle all building blocks.

[S.]

 

Ditto Ditto Ditto.

 

Both Garver and Astudillo on the bench, and here's Gimenez being run out there again, ffs. 

 

First is was automatic out BWilson on a daily basis, now it's his replacement. Does MoY hate all the fans, or is it only me?

Maybe he figured getting fired would be his easiest way to retirement. He sure doesn't seem particularly interested in decent baseball.

[Danchat]

Bregman with his 3rd double of the game... he now passes Escobar with the lead in doubles in all the MLB. 

[David HK]

 

Maybe he figured getting fired would be his easiest way to retirement. He sure doesn't seem particularly interested in decent baseball.

And while I'm at it- all those arms from Roch now in the pen, and who do we go to?

 

The guy on his eleven-teenth team this year.

 

Don't bother having a look at the young guns, nothing to see here, folks, move along.

 

Any bets on Field pinch-hitting later?  I swear to God, if he puts Belisle in this game, too....

[yarnivek1972]

Why wouldn’t Pressly strike out the side?

[Danchat]

Pressly with the revenge inning, striking out the side. Now that's the pitcher I thought he could be...

 

And now time for the 8.31 ERA Tyler Duffey!!

[Kelly Vance]

 

I know there has been talk over the years about the ‘specialization’ of relief pitchers and getting them to pitch in different roles, but I think it’s really bad to all of a sudden tell them they are starting. I think that’s a good way to mess with them and potentially ruin them.

Carole, its worse than that. The "Opener" is a trend, so people follow it. But don't you think if it were a smart play someone woulda thought of it in the first 120 or so years of pro baseball? 

[wavedog]

Verlander went through the order 3 times and finished by retiring the last 13 batters which is very anti-opener. Refreshing to watch a quality pitcher instead of gimmicks.

[wavedog]

Let’s see our opener gave up 4 runs and we lost 5-2 - in this case an epic failure.

[jokin]

 

 

First is was automatic out BWilson on a daily basis, now it's his replacement. Does MoY hate all the fans, or is it only me?

 

Especially you.

[Twodogs]

Pressly sure looked good. Stupid trade, still had a year left with him.

[jokin]

 

 

Him and Grossman are building blocks for the future.

 

I should add Petit, Field and Belisle all building blocks.

 

Good, thanks for the fresh metaphor, because the broadcast boys wore out the "take off the training wheels" for Stewart by the 3rd inning.

[Twodogs]

May was going great in the bullpen until this opener thing. Whatever we do is the wrong thing. Now it looks the big guy is hurt bad - bringing the cart out.

I wonder if they have room on the squad for Buxton now?

[Mike Sixel]

Carole, its worse than that. The "Opener" is a trend, so people follow it. But don't you think if it were a smart play someone woulda thought of it in the first 120 or so years of pro baseball?

Until the 70s, taking a walk was a sign of bad batting. We learn over time. It's working in Tampa, there will be more and more bullpen games as we move along,imo.

[Twodogs]

I actually think the wacky lineups are the result of “other info”. This whole 3 groups of 3 thing. Hence Grossman is the lead off hotter for the second group of 3. I’m guessing Molly isn’t a fan but may not have a choice

So when the first 3 guys get out Grossman is then the leadoff hitter in the 2nd inning?

[Twodogs]

Until the 70s, taking a walk was a sign of bad batting. We learn over time. It's working in Tampa, there will be more and more bullpen games as we move along,imo.

It's perspective, a lot of Reds fans are constantly infuriated because Joey Votto takes so many walks?

[Danchat]

 

Pressly sure looked good. Stupid trade, still had a year left with him.

Well, it depends how the prospects pan out, and he certainly wasn't going to help this team go anywhere. Next year, though? Perhaps...

[Rosterman]

Opener is like that dang shift. Whatever.

 

Yes, starters hate to come in as relief, although Kohl Stewart showed he can (long relief guy in the future perhaps).

 

May needs to be groomed as a setup, or a closer, now.

 

 

[h2oface]

Just because our guys can't step up, doesn't mean the opener isn't a good and valid game play. May just choked. An inning is an inning is an inning, except the 9th in a close game and extra innings. And a person that knows he is just going to go one doesn't have to pace himself. Plus, Sano should know how to slide better. That was a horrible slide. Now we traded one .160 hitting catcher for another, and he gets to play. This team really is achieving pathetic status.

[Platoon]

So when the first 3 guys get out Grossman is then the leadoff hitter in the 2nd inning?

Seems so. The problem with this theory is that you build the first three to get someone on base in the first inning. Then if you succeed, instead of one of your best hitters coming up, you have your #2 leadoff hitter? Odd concept, built on the expectation that your first three will fail consistently. Which, IMHO, begs this question.: Why are they the first three then? On one side of the equation we are using the "starter" to combat the loaded top of an opponents order? On the other side of the equation we are hitting our #2 leadoff hitter in an RBI spot so we get a good start on the second inning, in the first inning. I need an analytical expert, or a couch.

[notoriousgod71]

Another annoying thing about the opener is it needlessly adds another pitcher. The "starters" aren't going an inning deeper into the game than they'd normally go.

 

Stewart was taken out after about 70 pitches. He was going to go six innings max as a starter so now he goes five and we just waste another pitcher.

 

 

[jokin]

 

Until the 70s, taking a walk was a sign of bad batting. We learn over time. It's working in Tampa, there will be more and more bullpen games as we move along,imo.

 

I don't "Like" the inevitable trend, but your post is spot on. Economies of Scale practically demand it.

[jokin]

 

. This team really is achieving pathetic status.

 

"Achieved"

[jokin]

 

 

 

May needs to be groomed as a setup, or a closer, now.

 

Sorry. Get used to him probably being groomed for "Lead" opener in 2019.***

 

*** May's is likely one many agents who are going to be screaming bloody murder in the offseason.

 

[snap4birds]

 

Sorry. Get used to him probably being groomed for "Lead" opener in 2019.***

 

*** May's is likely one many agents who are going to be screaming bloody murder in the offseason.

Easy solution to that-just have his agent negotiate bonuses for games started.  As on "opener" he could probably have 50 or so 

[SwainZag]

 

I know there has been talk over the years about the ‘specialization’ of relief pitchers and getting them to pitch in different roles, but I think it’s really bad to all of a sudden tell them they are starting. I think that’s a good way to mess with them and potentially ruin them.

 

How is a guy starting a game and pitching an inning any different than a guy starting the 7th inning and throwing an inning? How is that messing with them and potentially ruining them?  The guy's job is to go out and throw the baseball and get guys out.