Front Page: Looking at When Odorizzi Should Pitch in the Playoffs

[DocBauer]

Gut tells me Berrios starts game 1. I don't know what the Twins braintrust and analytics tell them. If my crystal ball was working, and it told me a "sharp" Berrios would be on the mound for game 1, I'd definitely go with him. One game this season in Yankee stadium, vs career numbers, tells my Odorizzi and that short RF porch aren't a great match.

 

I think Brock is right about game 2.

 

I HATE to do this, but let us assume the "sharp" Berrios, pen and hitters win game 1. It would seem natural to put your next best SP out there for game 2. But again, history, I think I agree on Dobnak, more of a groundball pitcher, for game 2 and a potential bullpen game.

 

That puts Oddo in charge of game 3 at home, with a day of rest for guys used in the pen to be ready to go.

[Zephrin]

 

Two trips through the order is 70+ pitches.
Zero chance Berrios throws 70 pitches, then starts again on 2 days rest.

 

Yes, but I was suggesting that Berrios goes 2 trips through the order and turns it over to Odo for a couple innings.  If Odo throws 30-35 pitches over 2 innings he could come back and pitch Game 3.  I agree that if either pitcher goes 2 trips/4-5 innings they are done until at least Game 4.  

[Mr. Brooks]

Yes, but I was suggesting that Berrios goes 2 trips through the order and turns it over to Odo for a couple innings. If Odo throws 30-35 pitches over 2 innings he could come back and pitch Game 3. I agree that if either pitcher goes 2 trips/4-5 innings they are done until at least Game 4.

Ah, my bad, misread it.

 

I think I'd rather have Odor for 100 pitches once, than 35 twice.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Ah, my bad, misread it.

I think I'd rather have Odor for 100 pitches once, than 35 twice.

Especially on a team that plans to throw two bullpen games in a five game series. Odorizzi and Berrios are needed to stabilize the bullpen and not burn the wick at both ends.

[ashbury]

Especially on a team that plans to throw two bullpen games in a five game series. Odorizzi and Berrios are needed to stabilize the bullpen and not burn the wick at both ends.

Agreed, but it's in some ways even simpler than that. During the long season the manager and pitching coach make compromises between winning an individual game versus conserving the arms. This is the time of year they've been saving for. We want the maximum number of effective innings, and Odorizzi and Berrios represent our best chances for getting them. If it doesn't work, then the braintrust goes to Plan B, but the easiest path to a title involves these two guys pulling a heavy load.

 

If they are making their pitches, then leave them in, even if the results don't match up. At least, for longer than for anyone else on the staff.