What Would You Do?

by Peter Bendix on Oct 28, 2008 10:20 AM EDT

Let's say you're Charlie Manuel or Joe Maddon. How would you manage the rest of Game Five?

Keep in mind, technically this is a continuation of yesterday's game, so you couldn't re-insert Cole Hamels or anything like that.

But James Shields is on regular rest for the Rays. Would you use him for a few innings? Would you just play it "by the book" and use your bullpen based on matchups?

If I was Joe Maddon, I think I'd put David Price into the game as its "starter," and ideally get a few innings out of him.

If I was Charlie Manuel, well, I'd turn it over to my great-but-pitching-over-its-head bullpen.

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Maddon: Balfour for an inning, then Price -->

Manuel: Durbin, Romero/Madson, Lidge

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 28, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

Any you wonder why Phillie fans are pssd

“Keep in mind, technically this is a continuation of yesterday’s game, so you couldn’t re-insert Cole Hamels or anything like that.”

Hamels would still be eligible to resume: he’s due up to bat first in the bottom of the sixth.

If they’re really “resuming,” I want the infield and outfield, for that one half-inning Philadelphia is batting, to be in the same condition it was in the top of the inning. Anything else is just cheating.

Oh, wait, Bud Selig is running the game? Sorry; forgot that cheating is the rule, not the exception.

by klhoughton on Oct 28, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with you on the Rays situation...

No reason to keep Price on the pine, let him start this half game and perhaps finish it for you. No way I’m putting Shields on the mound, he’s probably not a major upgrade from Price in this situation and you need him to start a potential game six.

by BraveBronco0121 on Oct 28, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Don't want to put Price out there to start

Especially since the Rays have 3 fewer outs than the Phillies do, you need the offense of a pinch hitter. If you start Price and have him go the whole rest of the way, that means he is basically a free out in the top of the 7th. I agree with R.J., have Balfour pitch the 6th and Price finish it out.

by staplemaniac on Oct 29, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Someone feel like explaining why "Price" is better than "the bullpen at large", including Price?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 29, 2008 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Price has the best stuff of anyone in the bullpen

And can throw for longer because he’s a starter in reality. So compared to the rest of the “bullpen at large,” which I’m guessing to mean the rest of the bullpen average, he’s better. Perhaps only Balfour can be more effective against both righties and lefties. The thing with Balfour is that he can’t throw for as many innings, as effectively as price can.

by staplemaniac on Oct 29, 2008 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions