OK, we're in the regionals and everything else regarding the season is behind us. We’re down to four possible starting pitchers. Through the year, our “ace” has been Merrill. Should he start the game against UNCW?
Merrill has a 2.04 ERA this year, which is, of course, outstanding. But recently his control has suffered. In his last five appearances, four starts, he’s walked 18 batters in 25.1 innings, a rate of 6.40 per nine innings. UNCW is a good hitting team and we can’t afford a bunch of free passes. Nonetheless, against USF, Memphis, UCONN, and a short relief stint against SELA, all good teams, his ERA was 3.20.
Duester has started all three games against UNCW and LSU this year with mixed results. His only “good” game was against LSU in Baton Rouge when he went 5 innings, allowed 4 hits, walked none and struck out three. He allowed two runs, but only one earned. He allowed 4 earned runs in 3 1/3 against LSU earlier in the year at home and allowed 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings in Wilmington when he struck out 8. In his last four games, two starts, his ERA is 4.50 with 6.89 walks per nine innings. Of course, his most recent appearance was against UCONN where he struggled, but only gave up one run in seven innings. But, again, the free passes are a concern.
Massey has been having the same control problems as Merrill and Duester. In his last four games, all starts, he’s walked 19 batters in 24.2 innings (6.93/9 innings), though his ERA during that period has been a respectable (though not great) 3.65.
Finally, Gibbs has started twice and relieved twice in recent games. He’s thrown 17.2 innings, walked 7 (3.67/9 innings) and has an ERA of 3.06 over those appearances. But for the home run he allowed against UCONN, he’s been really good lately.
So, who to start the first two games? I think we’re “in it to win it” and not simply to show up. I would throw Merrill the first game and expect a good performance. They haven’t seen him and he deserves the opening game shot. I’d bring Rankin in first out of the pen because he’s pitched well lately (1 earned run in 8.1 innings over last four appearances) but not be afraid to bring in Duester and/or Gibbs in relief. We need to win that one before sending Massey out against LSU. After that, we “play it by ear.”
Roll Wave!!!
Merrill has a 2.04 ERA this year, which is, of course, outstanding. But recently his control has suffered. In his last five appearances, four starts, he’s walked 18 batters in 25.1 innings, a rate of 6.40 per nine innings. UNCW is a good hitting team and we can’t afford a bunch of free passes. Nonetheless, against USF, Memphis, UCONN, and a short relief stint against SELA, all good teams, his ERA was 3.20.
Duester has started all three games against UNCW and LSU this year with mixed results. His only “good” game was against LSU in Baton Rouge when he went 5 innings, allowed 4 hits, walked none and struck out three. He allowed two runs, but only one earned. He allowed 4 earned runs in 3 1/3 against LSU earlier in the year at home and allowed 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings in Wilmington when he struck out 8. In his last four games, two starts, his ERA is 4.50 with 6.89 walks per nine innings. Of course, his most recent appearance was against UCONN where he struggled, but only gave up one run in seven innings. But, again, the free passes are a concern.
Massey has been having the same control problems as Merrill and Duester. In his last four games, all starts, he’s walked 19 batters in 24.2 innings (6.93/9 innings), though his ERA during that period has been a respectable (though not great) 3.65.
Finally, Gibbs has started twice and relieved twice in recent games. He’s thrown 17.2 innings, walked 7 (3.67/9 innings) and has an ERA of 3.06 over those appearances. But for the home run he allowed against UCONN, he’s been really good lately.
So, who to start the first two games? I think we’re “in it to win it” and not simply to show up. I would throw Merrill the first game and expect a good performance. They haven’t seen him and he deserves the opening game shot. I’d bring Rankin in first out of the pen because he’s pitched well lately (1 earned run in 8.1 innings over last four appearances) but not be afraid to bring in Duester and/or Gibbs in relief. We need to win that one before sending Massey out against LSU. After that, we “play it by ear.”
Roll Wave!!!