Who to start on the mound Tuesday?
The best thing about finishing the game on Saturday is our team “won” the conference championship on the field and didn’t “back into it” by not playing for whatever reason. The worst thing about it was that we had to use France for an extended period. Had we legitimately “rain shortened” the game without any controversy over the call, France would almost assuredly be starting the Tuesday game against UCF. He’d be fully rested and ready to go. Moreover, everyone else would be set to go over the rest of the tournament. That didn’t happen.
As it is, thanks to Thursday's rain out, Gibbs, Ross Massey, and Merrill all pitched on Friday. That would give them only three days rest to start Tuesday. Gibbs threw the most and might require more rest than the others but who knows? Major League pitchers used to pitch on three day’s rest routinely in the 1960’s, but it’s very rare now, except for playoff and World Series’ situations when “aces’ occasionally are asked to do such. But those guys are generally “grown men” of 30 years old, who normally come back on four days rest, not 20 year olds used to six days off between starts.
Still, who to throw? Alex Massey threw 63 pitches on Saturday and France threw 59, but they will only have two days rest come Tuesday. Of the “three-days rest guys,” Merrill threw the least but I’m sure we’re very protective of his arm. Gibbs threw the most and Massey is the youngest and least experienced so those have to be entered into any decision also.
The opposition may also make a difference. We’re playing UCF who we swept previously and they are, on paper, the worst team in the league, but… While we’ve shown we can beat anyone, we’ve pretty much established a capability to lose to anyone also. We’re in the regionals as a second seed virtually regardless—even going 0-2 in the AAC tourney. But we need to sweep the tourney to have a chance to “host.” Does that mean we save our best arms for Houston/Cincinnati and eventually a championship game against probably ECU?
Does that mean starting Duester? He’s well rested and probably wants to “make up” for walking in the winning run Friday night. I think it’s possible. Yandel? Wow; that would be risky. Anyone else?
I’ll be interested in seeing what Coach Pierce decides. He’s generally pushed all the right buttons since coming to New Orleans.
Roll Wave!!!
The best thing about finishing the game on Saturday is our team “won” the conference championship on the field and didn’t “back into it” by not playing for whatever reason. The worst thing about it was that we had to use France for an extended period. Had we legitimately “rain shortened” the game without any controversy over the call, France would almost assuredly be starting the Tuesday game against UCF. He’d be fully rested and ready to go. Moreover, everyone else would be set to go over the rest of the tournament. That didn’t happen.
As it is, thanks to Thursday's rain out, Gibbs, Ross Massey, and Merrill all pitched on Friday. That would give them only three days rest to start Tuesday. Gibbs threw the most and might require more rest than the others but who knows? Major League pitchers used to pitch on three day’s rest routinely in the 1960’s, but it’s very rare now, except for playoff and World Series’ situations when “aces’ occasionally are asked to do such. But those guys are generally “grown men” of 30 years old, who normally come back on four days rest, not 20 year olds used to six days off between starts.
Still, who to throw? Alex Massey threw 63 pitches on Saturday and France threw 59, but they will only have two days rest come Tuesday. Of the “three-days rest guys,” Merrill threw the least but I’m sure we’re very protective of his arm. Gibbs threw the most and Massey is the youngest and least experienced so those have to be entered into any decision also.
The opposition may also make a difference. We’re playing UCF who we swept previously and they are, on paper, the worst team in the league, but… While we’ve shown we can beat anyone, we’ve pretty much established a capability to lose to anyone also. We’re in the regionals as a second seed virtually regardless—even going 0-2 in the AAC tourney. But we need to sweep the tourney to have a chance to “host.” Does that mean we save our best arms for Houston/Cincinnati and eventually a championship game against probably ECU?
Does that mean starting Duester? He’s well rested and probably wants to “make up” for walking in the winning run Friday night. I think it’s possible. Yandel? Wow; that would be risky. Anyone else?
I’ll be interested in seeing what Coach Pierce decides. He’s generally pushed all the right buttons since coming to New Orleans.
Roll Wave!!!