Managing the Bullpen in Omaha

With the setup of the CWS at it is (every other day), I was thinking how we might manage the bullpen, which is clearly our ace in the hole. We've basically been using Mitchell and Girodo as long relievers and burning them in one particular game which I certainly don't have a problem with. But given the every other day thing, would it be better to try to use Mitchell, Girodo, and Bracewell two innings apiece so they will be available for every game or should we continue to go with the hot hand in relief burning him for the next game (obviously a guy could pitch on one day's rest but for all intents and purposes he is probably not going to have his best stuff on a Monday after throwing 60 pitches on a Saturday). I'll hang up and listen.

I kind of like the way we are doing it- tandem pitching. Start the righty and try to get 3-4 out of them- the opposing team has their line-up set- then come with the lefty for 3-4 innings- close it with Holder.

Saturday- Graveman/Mitchell/Holder
Monday- Fitts/Girodo/Holder

I guess a Game 3 would be Pollo/Bracewell/Holder or do we go Bracewell/Pollo/Holder

I'd cut Graveman off at about 60-70 pitches and bring him back for Game 3 if it were me. That would be 4 days in between starts- but you have to cut him off at 70 pitches

I like Bracewell as the 3rd guy. I think. I like Pollo, but if Bracewell is on he has great stuff. I wouldn't be upset either way.

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Originally Posted by Coach34

I'd cut Graveman off at about 60-70 pitches and bring him back for Game 3 if it were me. That would be 4 days in between starts- but you have to cut him off at 70 pitches

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That seems to be right when Graveman finds his groove. I don't know if I could justify pulling him if he was cruising- just take it one game at a time.

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Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

I like Bracewell as the 3rd guy. I think. I like Pollo, but if Bracewell is on he has great stuff. I wouldn't be upset either way.

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So are we just completely axing Lindgren. He has been kinda off lately but not terribly bad

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Originally Posted by hometowndawg

So are we just completely axing Lindgren. He has been kinda off lately but not terribly bad

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I imagine he'll just be on the "bench mob" unless we make a run from the loser's bracket.

We've essentially been starting two relief pitchers (unless Graveman's pitching), getting about 1-2 times through the lineup with each, and then going to the closer. It's weird as hell and definitely unconventional, but it's worked and you can't argue with results. I say keep doing it.

stupid question - why not start Girodo? The way he's pitching right now, we could expect to get 4-5 solid innings out of him, turn it over to Fitts or Gentry, then Holder (if we're ahead). Then we save Graveman/Mitchell for game 2. I think that gives us a great chance to come out 2-0. At least 1-1.

I don't see how you couldn't start Graveman in Game 1. He's been our guy all year- don't start getting too cute with everything.

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Originally Posted by PMDawg

stupid question - why not start Girodo? The way he's pitching right now, we could expect to get 4-5 solid innings out of him, turn it over to Fitts or Gentry, then Holder (if we're ahead). Then we save Graveman/Mitchell for game 2. I think that gives us a great chance to come out 2-0. At least 1-1.

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I'm not sure why people keep asking this question. We are 12-3 in our last 15 games beating some very solid competition...multiple times in some cases over that span - why would/should we change up the formula now?

But look at it this way - would you rather have Girodo or Mitchell for the 4th-8th innings when every successive pitch is more critical, or would you rather have Pollo, Fitts or Gentry? Think of Pollo and Fitts like a relief pitcher who instead of pitching the 6th, 7th and 8th innings will now pitch the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Our best pitchers are being used at the most critical times. Unless you dig yourself a hole in the first 3 innings (which we haven't been doing because we are hitting well too) then this formula is actually better. And if Fitts or Pollo or Lindgren give up a couple of runs in the first 2-4 innings we have a lot more time to come back than if they gave up those runs in the 6th or 7th.

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Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

I don't see how you couldn't start Graveman in Game 1. He's been our guy all year- don't start getting too cute with everything.

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my question still remains. Why not start Girodo? He has been better than Fitts and has been lasting longer per outing. Switch em.

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Originally Posted by PMDawg

my question still remains. Why not start Girodo? He has been better than Fitts and has been lasting longer per outing. Switch em.

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Because Girodo's effectiveness comes from him being murder on LH'ed hitters. By starting a Righty, the other team gets their lefty's in the line-up- then we bring Girodo in. Start him, and you will see a team combat that and start more RH'ed hitters

Because Girodo has been lights out in crunch time at the end of the game.

Have you also ever thought the reason these guys are effective is because A) they come out of the pen- different mindset than starting and B) because they are a complete change of pace from the starter.

At this point, I'm all in with whatever the hell Cohen wants to do.

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Originally Posted by Ghost of Hank Flick

I guess a Game 3 would be Pollo/Bracewell/Holder or do we go Bracewell/Pollo/Holder

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Lets just hope there is a game 3. If so, I like your first group

because fitts and pollo get bad fast when they tire and they either give up some runs or put is in very bad situations before exiting the game. it's an odd situation, and, yes, it's working right now. But how many jams can we get out of? 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. I just think Girodo would be a better starter than Fitts. If you get 5 out of Girodo, you only need two out of Fitts before you go to Holder. He usually tires out sometime around 3. We would'nt "have" to leave him in so long. I think it's worth discussing, but if you don't, then don't.

"Because Girodo's effectiveness comes from him being murder on LH'ed hitters. By starting a Righty, the other team gets their lefty's in the line-up- then we bring Girodo in. Start him, and you will see a team combat that and start more RH'ed hitters "


this is a good answer. take notes TCD.

This makes sense.

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Originally Posted by Coach34

Because Girodo's effectiveness comes from him being murder on LH'ed hitters. By starting a Righty, the other team gets their lefty's in the line-up- then we bring Girodo in. Start him, and you will see a team combat that and start more RH'ed hitters

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I don't think any team that we have recently played has started a player because we started a RH pitcher. Their lineups have been set for a while now- there were no surprises based on matchup.

If we win Saturday and Monday, we wouldn't play again until Friday, when I assume we'd pitch Graveman again

Big if, but something to keep in mind.