Sox Pitching Staff Discussion

[sk7326]

Right now, the Red Sox have a clear top 3 postseason rotation: Price, Porcello, Pomeranz ... now (if Wright gets back, which is an open question), Wright and Rodriguez for the #4 starter is the interesting question. Really the question becomes whose stuff can play up in bursts to punch up the bullpen.

[southpaw777]

Assign whatever number you want to them. With The way they are pitching It doesnt matter too much. I dont disagree.

[southpaw777]

Right now, the Red Sox have a clear top 3 postseason rotation: Price, Porcello, Pomeranz ... now (if Wright gets back, which is an open question), Wright and Rodriguez for the #4 starter is the interesting question. Really the question becomes whose stuff can play up in bursts to punch up the bullpen.

 

I believe Buch will win a spot. He will be back in the rotation full time.

[Slasher9]

Right now, the Red Sox have a clear top 3 postseason rotation: Price, Porcello, Pomeranz ...

 

the Killer P's....

[sk7326]

Step 1 is get to the postseason ... Step 2: See Step 1

 

That being said, the interesting question is which of Pomeranz, Rodriguez or Buchholz would you want to transition to a bullpen weapon if we get a chance to play some postseason ball. Pomeranz is experienced, but I could see Rodriguez' stuff playing up in the 3-6 out bursts.

[mvp 78]

Step 1 is get to the postseason ... Step 2: See Step 1

 

That being said, the interesting question is which of Pomeranz, Rodriguez or Buchholz would you want to transition to a bullpen weapon if we get a chance to play some postseason ball. Pomeranz is experienced, but I could see Rodriguez' stuff playing up in the 3-6 out bursts.

 

Put Buchholz back in the pen on Oct 1.

[southpaw777]

Put Buchholz back in the pen on Oct 1.

 

If his pitching continues like it has, that will NOT happen. And shouldnt.

[S5Dewey]

If his pitching continues like it has, that will NOT happen. And shouldnt.

 

How quickly things change in Major League Baseball!

[a700hitter]

If his pitching continues like it has, that will NOT happen. And shouldnt.

Who would you want to see as our 4 starting pitchers in the playoffs?

[sk7326]

If his pitching continues like it has, that will NOT happen. And shouldnt.

 

I don't think he means it as punishment ... it is about trying to find a guy who can do what Lincecum did for the Giants in 2012. If Buchholz can come in two or three times in a series and get 6 outs - that will be more valuable than one Game 4 start.

[sk7326]

Who would you want to see as our 4 starting pitchers in the playoffs?

 

It's Pomeranz-Rodriguez-Buchholz for two spots ... and "who can provide the most value coming out of the pen?" is a very meaningful question to ask (because Wright clearly is the long-man). What is interesting is that there are pretty good arguments for any of the choices.

[a700hitter]

It's Pomeranz-Rodriguez-Buchholz for two spots ... and "who can provide the most value coming out of the pen?" is a very meaningful question to ask (because Wright clearly is the long-man). What is interesting is that there are pretty good arguments for any of the choices.

Buch has shown that he can pitch out of the pen. Pom had been a bullpen pitcher. I am not sure whether ERod has been a bullpen pitcher at any level.

[mvp 78]

To me, it just makes more sense to put Buchholz back in the pen during the playoffs. As previously stated, ERod really doesn't have a bullpen track record. Pomeranz is too good to take out of the rotation.

[FredLynn]

To me, it just makes more sense to put Buchholz back in the pen during the playoffs. As previously stated, ERod really doesn't have a bullpen track record. Pomeranz is too good to take out of the rotation.

 

Once you get into the playoffs roles tend to become less defined for some pitchers. Starters can come out of the pen and pitch an inning or two-or more. How many innings did Baumgartner pitch in relief the last time the Giants won the WS? I don't recall exactly, but it was a lot.

 

The turnaround in the Red Sox pitching has been nothing short of amazing. After languishing around 10th in ERA for the first half of the year they are now SECOND in ERA since the all star break. This despite the bullpen underperforming. I didn't see this coming.

[Slasher9]

Put Buchholz back in the pen on Oct 1.

 

or DFA him. or when he's pitching like an Ace just change your signature!

[sk7326]

Once you get into the playoffs roles tend to become less defined for some pitchers. Starters can come out of the pen and pitch an inning or two-or more. How many innings did Baumgartner pitch in relief the last time the Giants won the WS? I don't recall exactly, but it was a lot.

 

The turnaround in the Red Sox pitching has been nothing short of amazing. After languishing around 10th in ERA for the first half of the year they are now SECOND in ERA since the all star break. This despite the bullpen underperforming. I didn't see this coming.

 

He made one 4 inning relief performance in the last baseball game of the season - obviously rules change in elimination scenarios ... and if that means starting Derek Lowe on 2 days rest because there was literally no other choice, you do it and hope for (and perhaps even get) the best.

[moonslav59]

Who would you want to see as our 4 starting pitchers in the playoffs?

 

1) Price

2) Porcello

3) Pomeranz

4) ERod (4-5 innings)/Buch 4-5 innings

 

If a 1-3 starter needs to be yanked early, and we use Buch in relief, he may not be available for game 4.

[illinoisredsox]

Question:

 

How do you handle the staff down the stretch? Do you keep with the rotation as is or do you send Price and Porcello every 5th day (off days could affect this) and pencil in the other 3 in between?

 

The former gives Price, Porcello, Pomeranz and ERod 5 starts each with Buchholz/Wright getting 4. It also means Buchholz/Wright would pitch a potential Monday game in case of a tie for the final wildcard playoff spot, but puts Price in line to pitch the Tuesday one-game wild card playoff game.

 

The latter gives Price 6 starts, Porcello 5, with Pomeranz, ERod and Buchholz splitting 13 games (I assume Pomeranz would get 5 and the others 4 each). One of them would get a potential Monday game with Porcello set up for a Tuesday game.

[a700hitter]

1) Price

2) Porcello

3) Pomeranz

4) ERod (4-5 innings)/Buch 4-5 innings

 

If a 1-3 starter needs to be yanked early, and we use Buch in relief, he may not be available for game 4.

I could see piggybacking starters in the playoffs.

[sk7326]

Question:

 

How do you handle the staff down the stretch? Do you keep with the rotation as is or do you send Price and Porcello every 5th day (off days could affect this) and pencil in the other 3 in between?

 

The former gives Price, Porcello, Pomeranz and ERod 5 starts each with Buchholz/Wright getting 4. It also means Buchholz/Wright would pitch a potential Monday game in case of a tie for the final wildcard playoff spot, but puts Price in line to pitch the Tuesday one-game wild card playoff game.

 

The latter gives Price 6 starts, Porcello 5, with Pomeranz, ERod and Buchholz splitting 13 games (I assume Pomeranz would get 5 and the others 4 each). One of them would get a potential Monday game with Porcello set up for a Tuesday game.

 

Really a matter of where they are ... now there is real value in getting the division (e.g. automatic ALDS qualification). But management will have an interesting calculation to make. If they are down say 2 games with a week to go but comfortably in the wild card spot, perhaps the impetus to burn through the staff is not quite as great. I don't know.

 

When we get to October (and late September and beyond) you probably shorten the leash across the board - be ready to pull Price and Porcello 4th time through the order, 3rd time through for anybody else.

[Slasher9]

none of the 5 are pitching like they need a day off or deserve to be skipped. keep it as is and see where we are after another couple times through the rotation....

[sk7326]

For me the two big questions in September (aside from the obvious - are we getting in) is

 

1. Uehara's health. If he is healthy and good to go - enough that he can retake his late inning role - that simplifies a lot of the bullpen stuff.

2. Joe Kelly. Anybody who has seen him knew that this might be his ultimate destiny. Can he consistently deliver in shorter bursts.

[FredLynn]

For me the two big questions in September (aside from the obvious - are we getting in) is

 

1. Uehara's health. If he is healthy and good to go - enough that he can retake his late inning role - that simplifies a lot of the bullpen stuff.

2. Joe Kelly. Anybody who has seen him knew that this might be his ultimate destiny. Can he consistently deliver in shorter bursts.

 

Uehara wasn't exactly tearing it up before he got hurt. It might be a stretch to think that he will be better than that now.

[sk7326]

Uehara wasn't exactly tearing it up before he got hurt. It might be a stretch to think that he will be better than that now.

 

there were some bad outings ... essentally an extreme homerun spike - but the other stuff was same as ever (striking out plenty of dudes)

[a700hitter]

If Koji gives us anything, it will be gravy. I don't think we should expect much from him.

[southpaw777]

Who would you want to see as our 4 starting pitchers in the playoffs?

 

Ill answer that at the end of September

[southpaw777]

I don't think he means it as punishment ... it is about trying to find a guy who can do what Lincecum did for the Giants in 2012. If Buchholz can come in two or three times in a series and get 6 outs - that will be more valuable than one Game 4 start.

 

I understand that, but if hes lights out at the end of september there will be a desicion to be made. I think if Clay was at his best and Pom at his best, Clay has the better stuff and a bunch of playoff experience. Id go with him

Also, Pomeranz is going to be at a career high in IP come October.

Edited September 8, 2016 by southpaw777

[sk7326]

I understand that, but if hes lights out at the end of september there will be a desicion to be made. I think if Clay was at his best and Pom at his best, Clay has the better stuff and a bunch of playoff experience. Id go with him

Also, Pomeranz is going to be at a career high in IP come October.

 

Pomeranz is entirely possible. As I noted above, all three pitchers have good cases to be moved to the pen for the big show - it's an interesting question.

[Bellhorn04]

Ill answer that at the end of September

 

Good answer, you belong in politics.

[mvp 78]

or DFA him. or when he's pitching like an Ace just change your signature!

 

When I said they'd pick up his option, everyone said I was being foolish.

 

How about your declaration that Price should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs?