I don't get this decision. They have two very good SPs, but they will only get 3 starts out of them. Sure, both could pitch in game 5, which will happen with Byrd going, but what good is that? Carmona only sees a second game of the series if CC sucks, and that's in the all or nothing game. Makes zero sense.
I agree, Kilo. If they are going to punt, they need to punt all the way.
I'm not sure I'm sold on the 3 days of rest thing being "good" for a sinkerballer. One of Wang's issues this year was fatigue in games. He held the opposition down fairly well for the first 75 or so pitches, but the OPSA jumped about .150 from 76-100. That fatigue point will only come sooner with less rest. Cleveland needs to try and wait him out early like they did in game one. Where the ump's bottom of the zone is will be crucial to the Tribe keeping pace with what they do to Byrd.