Quote from Brian Connelly on October 5, 2020, 12:07 pm

OK, I'll start speculating...  how about this:

Game 1:  Clevinger piggyback Richards?   Maybe 60-75 IP limit for Sunshine?

2:  Strahm opener for Davies

3:  Gore... "Surprise!"

4:  Strahm opener for Paddack

5:   Clevinger/Richards again....

"Sort of" takes two guys out of pen, but just deploying them strategically differently.  If winning or losing Game 1 big, could use Richards less so he's available for game 3, which might be the most "bullpen"game.  Would probably hope for 3, max 4 IP from Gore?   Is one short start "worth" the dramatic move of adding him?

Quote from Ben Davey on October 5, 2020, 2:43 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 5, 2020, 12:07 pm

OK, I'll start speculating...  how about this:

Game 1:  Clevinger piggyback Richards?   Maybe 60-75 IP limit for Sunshine?

2:  Strahm opener for Davies

3:  Gore... "Surprise!"

4:  Strahm opener for Paddack

5:   Clevinger/Richards again....

"Sort of" takes two guys out of pen, but just deploying them strategically differently.  If winning or losing Game 1 big, could use Richards less so he's available for game 3, which might be the most "bullpen"game.  Would probably hope for 3, max 4 IP from Gore?   Is one short start "worth" the dramatic move of adding him?

Not a bad idea.  Not counting Gore/Morejon  would you/Padres want to use one of their few lefty relievers early in the game or later in big spots?  I can see them move around Pom/Pag/Ros to make sure Pom faces the big lefties, but in innings 1-6 that leaves Strahm and Hill for those tough spots (and Morejon if he is not a starter).  But considering his injury last week, do you trust Strahm?

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 5, 2020, 4:09 pm

Quote from Ben Davey on October 5, 2020, 2:43 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 5, 2020, 12:07 pm

OK, I'll start speculating...  how about this:

Game 1:  Clevinger piggyback Richards?   Maybe 60-75 IP limit for Sunshine?

2:  Strahm opener for Davies

3:  Gore... "Surprise!"

4:  Strahm opener for Paddack

5:   Clevinger/Richards again....

"Sort of" takes two guys out of pen, but just deploying them strategically differently.  If winning or losing Game 1 big, could use Richards less so he's available for game 3, which might be the most "bullpen"game.  Would probably hope for 3, max 4 IP from Gore?   Is one short start "worth" the dramatic move of adding him?

Not a bad idea.  Not counting Gore/Morejon  would you/Padres want to use one of their few lefty relievers early in the game or later in big spots?  I can see them move around Pom/Pag/Ros to make sure Pom faces the big lefties, but in innings 1-6 that leaves Strahm and Hill for those tough spots (and Morejon if he is not a starter).  But considering his injury last week, do you trust Strahm?

Well, part of my thesis for Strahm as an opener is the idea that you'll know right away if he can get through the remainder of the series... if not, may have no choice but to call him what he actually is: "Injured"; which would allow Pads to replace him mid-series, but also would take Strahm out of the subsequent series.  But there might only be 1 day off between a 5 & a 7 game series; not the luxury of 3 days off between Wild card & division series to heal/rest up.

This is what I was talking about re getting guys up & in MLB games those last 8 games that were relatively meaningless.  They did it with Adams, and he's already played a key role.  But sure would have been nice for Jose Castillo or Gore to get their feet wet in meaningless games than as a call up to MLB 1st time this year/ever in the playoffs vs. LAD!

Quote from fenn68 on October 5, 2020, 4:51 pm

I know the high use bullpen worked in a 3 game set but a bit concerned in a 5 game set without any off days. Also, bring starters back on short rest (3 off days between game 1 and 5) usually does not work well.

Might there be an argument to structure game 3 with the starter that has the best chance to go deep into the game and follow him with a relief pitcher that could go multiple innings? Would give all the RP a day blow to have them fresh for games 4 and 5.

Have to balance that with game 3 being "critical" if they lose games 1 and 2 ... so really need a key starter in that role that can handle that pressure and go deep.

Makes me think Clevinger for game 3, if available ... plus he gets a couple extra days of recovery time. Have to win 3 so doesn't really matter which one.

Harder to place Paddack and Davies for game 1 and 2 since both could be hittable (or not). IF they go with Morejon to start one game might take the risk of him in game 2 (followed by a RP parade) and set up a R-L-R sequence with starters might give the LAD enough of a different look to throw them off.

Wild card is Richards who the Padres don't seem to want to start ... but he has the ability to go deep as a starter and relieve some pressure on the pen. Plus should have the experience to handle the pressure.

If they go with a bullpen day ... needs to be confident the next day the starter (and the 1st RP) can get them innings unless it is game 7.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on October 5, 2020, 10:11 pm

Let the kids play!  I just want to see fundamentally sound, competitive baseball, win or lose.  MLB network hosts seem to believe the Padres have no chance, but baseball makes players/teams humble.  Play hard, play smart.  Go Padres!

Quote from Ben Davey on October 6, 2020, 10:12 am

Interesting... Pollock, Beaty and Rios were the three best hitters against lefties this year, and Rios didnt make the ALDS roster.

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 6, 2020, 10:35 am

PADRES roster:   IN :   Clevinger, Greg Allen.............    and Ryan Weathers!

OUT:     Dan Altavilla, Greg Garcia, Jorge Mateo

Clevinger is Game 1 SP.  Sounds like from Hot Lava Podcast that Garrett Richards will not start.  Let's see if he piggybacks today.

I swear it HAD occurred to me that Pads could maybe do a "2 for 1" with Allen over Garcia & Mateo.  Not Mateo's speed of course, but COULD use him as a PR.  But much more likely to see the field as late inning replacement in LF > Pham & Profar defensively than GG or Mateo would have been.  But it's still a little surprising to leave Campusano on roster?  I guess for that RH with pop PH?  Leaving him on roster with 1 game/3 MLB AB over GG one of the best PH in baseball (vs RHP)... we'll see.

But.... Ryan Weathers?!?!?!  Did NOT see that coming.  Obviously must be holding that early season velocity everyone raved about.  Welcome to MLB Ryan!  COULD be long man in a garbage time situation to preserve other arms; more likely in a 5 game series than a 3 game.

Quote from Brian Connelly on October 6, 2020, 10:36 am

Quote from Ben Davey on October 6, 2020, 10:12 am

Interesting... Pollock, Beaty and Rios were the three best hitters against lefties this year, and Rios didnt make the ALDS roster.

Yeah, really surprised no Rios?  They must have their reasons.

Quote from BoosterSD on October 6, 2020, 10:38 am

With Clevinger on the mound, kind of has that 1998 feeling to it, when Kevin Brown took the mound against the favored Braves.

Here's to a fun, close, well played game that SD comes out on top!