Miami vs Central Michigan (Sunday game)

[Really Clark?]

There was a lot of speculation of whether Pigott (who was considered to be our clear best pitcher in June 2006) would pitch against the 4 seed or we would hold him. Polk explicitly said in an interview something to the effect of "We came here to win a Regional, not just to win 1 game, so we're going to hold out Pigott for a later game." He acknowledged that if we lost to the 4 seed, that meant that Pigott wouldn't pitch the whole Regional, and he was willing to take the risk because he wanted to win the Regional, not just a game.

Thus I think it's pretty relevant to the discussion at hand. Even if we'd lost to the 4 (I believe it was UNC Asheville?), Polk made the right choice.

Pigott started and pitched the exact same game situation as Miami is playing today vs the same team they lost in the first round. Just like we did in 2006. So Polk did exactly what I said a coach has to do. In fact he pitched Pigott the final 1 2/3 inning the day before for the close in the elimination game against a 4 seed. So he pitched our best pitcher in 2006 the second and third game of the regional for 9 2/3 innings on back to back days when faced with elimination and the pitchers who had the most starts for us that year in the first 2 games. So you are arguing what? Polk didn’t let Pigott wait until a possible championship match up and used him in 2 games when faced with elimination. Against the #4 and #2 seeds. He didn’t wait to hope to throw him against the #1 seed.

[GreenheadDawg]

Everything I’ve seen so far says Van Bell is throwing. That sets up good for us

[Quaoarsking]

I never said that Miami or Polk or anyone else should necessarily "wait to hope to throw him against the #1 seed." I said that Polk did, and Miami should, do whatever they need to do to maximize their chances of winning the Regional. Polk felt that pitching Pigott in the third game (instead of the second) was the way to do that. I haven't done any number-crunching to say what the best way for Miami is to do that, but whatever it is, that's what they should do, even if it also increases their chance of losing the afternoon game today.

If Miami's head coach feels that pitching their best remaining pitcher in the afternoon game gives them the highest probability to win the Regional, he should do it. If he feels that saving the best remaining pitcher for a potential game tonight gives them the highest probability, he should do that. What should have no bearing is "oh no what if I lose without pitching such-and-such pitcher???" Maximizing your chances of winning the Regional is the only thing that should enter into the equation. Polk got it in 2006 after not getting it in 2003. Miami's coach probably doesn't get it, or he wouldn't have thrown a weekend starter against Southern, but maybe I'm wrong about that and he does get it.

[Really Clark?]

I never said that Miami or Polk or anyone else should necessarily "wait to hope to throw him against the #1 seed." I said that Polk did, and Miami should, do whatever they need to do to maximize their chances of winning the Regional. Polk felt that pitching Pigott in the third game (instead of the second) was the way to do that. I haven't done any number-crunching to say what the best way for Miami is to do that, but whatever it is, that's what they should do, even if it also increases their chance of losing the afternoon game today.

If Miami's head coach feels that pitching their best remaining pitcher in the afternoon game gives them the highest probability to win the Regional, he should do it. If he feels that saving the best remaining pitcher for a potential game tonight gives them the highest probability, he should do that. What should have no bearing is "oh no what if I lose without pitching such-and-such pitcher???" Maximizing your chances of winning the Regional is the only thing that should enter into the equation. Polk got it in 2006 after not getting it in 2003. Miami's coach probably doesn't get it, or he wouldn't have thrown a weekend starter against Southern, but maybe I'm wrong about that and he does get it.

But Polk didn’t wait until 3rd game. We were in a one run game vs 4 seed in an elimination second game and brought Pigott in that game as well.

But you have to get to that game to give yourself the best chance to win the regional. Once you gambled and lost a game early, you absolutely have to throw your best pitcher to stave off elimination BEFORE you get to a championship game. Do not overthink “the best chance to win” thought process. Your best chance to win is to throw your best starter. You play match up a little early but you can’t at this point. How many have ever done that and won? Your argument is based on who gives me the best chance to win the regional, the answer is Always your best pitcher to get to the championship game. You are in an elimination game vs a team that already beat you once. You have to pitch your best available pitcher.

[DownwardDawg]

He’s pitching if anyone is interested.

[Liverpooldawg]

Miami really had no choice. They lost to CMU by gambling. They can't afford to do it this time. CMU is a good club. If we hadn't got that double play in the 7th last night we would have been in a real fight. I seriously doubt CMU has much pitching left, but you never know.

[Liverpooldawg]

Miami 2-0 top of the 3rd.

[GreenheadDawg]

UM has some real power in that lineup. Plumlee better keep it down.

[DownwardDawg]

We need Central Michigan to score some runs. Keep Miami ace in the game

[Liverpooldawg]

CMU is out of pitching. Miami isn't.

[Saltydog]

It's a blowout. Miami beating them 8-0 in the 4th.

[DownwardDawg]

It's a blowout. Miami beating them 8-0 in the 4th.

Dang. We needed a tight game. Oh well, we should win either way.

[HereComesTheSpiral]

Dang. We needed a tight game. Oh well, we should win either way.

Got my fingers crossed, Miami is squaring everything up, don't know if that is because they can hit or CMU is completely out of pitching.

[DownwardDawg]

Got my fingers crossed, Miami is squaring everything up, don't know if that is because they can hit or CMU is completely out of pitching.

Probably more of the latter. But a little of both.

[GreenheadDawg]

Yeh Miami is completely smashing. We better keep it down.

[HereComesTheSpiral]

Yeh Miami is completely smashing. We better keep it down.

They're just taking batting practice right now.

[msudawg1200]

All four of their starters have pitched this weekend. Chris McMahon(3.73 ERA and 12 starts) threw 4.1 innings Friday, while Slade Cecconi(4.19 ERA and 12 starts) threw 2.2 innings. Against Southern yesterday Evan McKendry(4.41 ERA and 13 starts) threw 4 innings. Their ace, Brian Van Belle(3.40 ERa and 15 starts) has thrown 5 innings today. I’m assuming we’ll see Tyler Keysor(3.78 ERA and 5 starts), or they may come back with Cecconi.

[HereComesTheSpiral]

Jacksonville State up on Clemson 5-2, what a breeze of a regional.

[GreenheadDawg]

Jacksonville State up on Clemson 5-2, what a breeze of a regional.

Yeh they definitely stuck us with the toughest 2 seed. Miami has a lot of pitching ready to go.

ETA both LSU and OM were gifted their regional and neither deserved to even host. Love how that happens.

[GreenheadDawg]

UM has 5 freaking HRs today. They are just taking BP at this point.