Barnes for Opener?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

A shutdown first frame can set the tone for the entire game, so I thought I'd contrast first-inning numbers for the 2019 starting rotations of Boston and Tampa.

 

The differences are stark; as great as night and day, north and south, big market and small market:

 

1st IP ERA, BA, K/BB:

Sale 3.60/.174/5.75

Price 4.98/.222/2.2

ERod 5.03/.300/2.71

Eovaldi 5.25/.279/2.33

Porcello 6.32/.311/4.5

 

And the Rays:

Chirinos 2.00/.117/4.67

Glasnow 2.25/.186/3.4

Morton 2.45/.167/5

Stanek 2.67/.222/3.3

Snell 6.45/.271/3.2

 

Snell had an injury-filled season, so his stats are closer to the unhealthy Bosox... but we all should be glad the Sox made pitching coach changes their first offseason priority and then also hired a GM with different staff philosophies, as well.

 

The intriguing guy was Stanek, the opener who was second on Tampa with 27 starts to Morton's 33. Stanek's numbers were even better in the second inning: 1.12/.130/4. Such improvement is most likely attributed to facing the second half of the order -- or not the top or heart like in the first frame.

 

So how about trying out Matt Barnes as an opener? He throws harder than any Red Sox except maybe Nate, could let it all hang out, and may respond better without late inning pressures. He's less effective on back-to-back days anyway, so a start every fifth day or so, plus a few mid-game appearances in between may maximize his value.

 

If not Barnes, who would you like to see used as an opener (it's not a question of whether you like openers, because it's a-happenin', barring a major trade or unexpected rookie promotion)?

[moonslav59]

Nope.

 

Maybe DHern or Walden?

[notin]

I figure Hernandez opening and Perez pitching innings three through six or seven...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I have doubts about DHern as opener. His biggest issue is control, and that's why they like him in relief (but not yet closer material). If he could produce quality starts he'd be exactly the best young hope to join the rotation, and with his arm, could be a monster...

 

But giving him the ball in a one or two-inning opening, where guys get to throw as hard as they can and not hold anything back, may not be the best way to harness control.

[moonslav59]

I have doubts about DHern as opener. His biggest issue is control, and that's why they like him in relief (but not yet closer material). If he could produce quality starts he'd be exactly the best young hope to join the rotation, and with his arm, could be a monster...

 

But giving him the ball in a one or two-inning opening, where guys get to throw as hard as they can and not hold anything back, may not be the best way to harness control.

 

Doesn't DHern throw just as hard in 1-2 innings later in the game, too?

[Bellhorn04]

I've accepted the idea of bullpen games, but I don't really get the 'opener' concept, other than it can throw off the other team's L-R lineup strategy.

[moonslav59]

I've accepted the idea of bullpen games, but I don't really get the 'opener' concept, other than it can throw off the other team's L-R lineup strategy.

 

That might be incentive enough, especially when the best alternative is to start Velazquez.

[notin]

I've accepted the idea of bullpen games, but I don't really get the 'opener' concept, other than it can throw off the other team's L-R lineup strategy.

 

The idea is to use a closer-quality pitcher in a role where he is facing the best hitters in the opposing lineup. WIt until the 9th, and plenty of times your closer s facing the 6-7-8 hitters or 7-8-9 hitters. Is this really the best usage of your best reliever?

 

The opener concept is about taking the bats out of the hands of the best hitters at least one time guaranteed...

[notin]

I've accepted the idea of bullpen games, but I don't really get the 'opener' concept, other than it can throw off the other team's L-R lineup strategy.

 

Unless dictated by injury, teams should NEVER do bullpen games. Dumbest pitching strategy ever...

[moonslav59]

The idea is to use a closer-quality pitcher in a role where he is facing the best hitters in the opposing lineup. WIt until the 9th, and plenty of times your closer s facing the 6-7-8 hitters or 7-8-9 hitters. Is this really the best usage of your best reliever?

 

The opener concept is about taking the bats out of the hands of the best hitters at least one time guaranteed...

 

The first inning often sets the tone of the game, too. I also think the mediocre pitchers who come in after the opener probably will do better without the pressure of starting and, as you pointed out, starting out against hitters that are not the 1-2-3 in the line-up.

[Bellhorn04]

The idea is to use a closer-quality pitcher in a role where he is facing the best hitters in the opposing lineup. WIt until the 9th, and plenty of times your closer s facing the 6-7-8 hitters or 7-8-9 hitters. Is this really the best usage of your best reliever?

 

The opener concept is about taking the bats out of the hands of the best hitters at least one time guaranteed...

 

Have any teams actually been using a closer-quality pitcher to do this?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Doesn't DHern throw just as hard in 1-2 innings later in the game, too?

 

Probably, but there's such a different mindset in preparation and approach to starting and relieving. Guys who know they're starting have days and nights to get on their game-face, then try to pace themselves following a plan. Relievers sit around for hours spitting and waiting, and don't even get up to stretch until around mid-game, lest they waste adrenaline.

 

I don't how a starter-turned-reliever-turned-opener thinks, but it could be an interesting interview topic to read around mid-summer this year.

[moonslav59]

Probably, but there's such a different mindset in preparation and approach to starting and relieving. Guys who know they're starting have days and nights to get on their game-face, then try to pace themselves following a plan. Relievers sit around for hours spitting and waiting, and don't even get up to stretch until around mid-game, lest they waste adrenaline.

 

I don't how a starter-turned-reliever-turned-opener thinks, but it could be an interesting interview topic to read around mid-summer this year.

 

D Hern was a starter for a while.

[notin]

Have any teams actually been using a closer-quality pitcher to do this?

 

Sergio Romo went directly from closer to opener.

 

Last year, Diego Castillo had 6 starts and 8 saves...

[Swiharts Ghost]

What about Workman as a spot opener

[moonslav59]

What about Workman as a spot opener

 

I wouldn't mess with him, but he was a starter once.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I wouldn't mess with him, but he was a starter once.

 

Almost all start out as starters; there's not many Feltmans in the world... there's not even a Feltman in our world, yet.

 

And of course you want your best pitchers to be starters that go deep into games, since they're entrusted to get the most batters out. But when a starter struggles in the minors to keep his K/BB ratio above 2:1 (like DHern), it just isn't working out; there's not many Pedros or Schillings... but they were both in our world.

[fxkatt]

I think a team like TB is good with this pitching strategy because they're a dark horse team without high-priced talent or star players. They rise to the occasion because the season is a challenge so they learn to fight and have each others' backs. Normally if you throw 5-6 pitchers a game, you got yourself a tired staff, and a team which is never ready for an extra-inning game that goes beyond 10 innings. Only a team like TB can bring this off--or maybe only TB itself (a rare team).

 

The term "opener" is a bit weird too because it reminds older fans of double headers and also the starter for the opening of a series, and to boot doesn't describe what it actually is.