Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge finds himself confronting a situation I refer to as "The George Stone Quandary."
In 1973 the New York Mets continued their epic comeback from last place in August and took their 82-79 regular season record into the World Series against the heavily favored Oakland A's. After losing 2 of the first 3 games the Mets took games 4 and 5 to take a 3 games to 2 series lead heading back to Oakland.
Manager Yogi Berra decided to bring back Tom Seaver and Jon Matlack on 3 days rest to start games 6 and 7 respectively. His other option was to pitch George Stone in Game 6 and Seaver in 7. Stone was 12-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 1973. Matlack was 14-16 with a 3.20 ERA. Stone had pitched one inning in Game 2 of the World Series, so he had plenty of rest. Complicating matters was the fact that Matlack had pitched 2 great games in the series against the A's. In Games 1 and 4 he allowed 0 earned runs (3 unearned) and only 6 hits in 14 innings, while going 1-1.
Berra obviously thought his best chance to take one game was to pitch his better pitchers. As it turned out Seaver pitched well in Game 6 but the Mets got nothing off Catfish Hunter, and Matlack got bombed (4 runs in 2 2/3) in Game 7 costing the Mets the series.
Eric Wedge must decide whether to pitch Paul Byrd in Game 4 and give himself only one shot with one of his two best pitchers, or bring back Sabathia and Carmona on short rest (correction: Carmona would be on regular rest). In this day and age pitchers, even the best pitchers, have done poorly coming back on 3 days rest in the playoffs, probably because they do it so infrequently.
I would go with Byrd in Game 4 and give myself the best chance to win a Game 5 with a fresh Sabathia.
Monday, October 08, 2007
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3 comments:
This situation is different because Carmona would be pitching Game 5 at home on his normal rest. Matlack and Seaver were both on short rest. I would rather have CC on 3 days than Byrd on full. Don't let the Yankees off the mat by throwing Byrd, who they will clobber.
I agree with Master Bates. Paul, it would be an absolute forfeit to pitch Paul Byrd. I know he threw a couple of good games this year and actually ended the season with decent numbers but he's the type of pitcher who feasts on inexperienced or impatient batters. He tries to peck away at the corners and good hitters like the Yankees will wait him out till he has to come in with his pitches, which have far below average stuff.
As for the short rest, sinkerballers actually pitch better when they're a bit tired, so I'd have no reservations throwing Carmona on short rest if he did have to start after only 3 days off.
Guess Wedge was right
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