If we get rained out, I would rather see Zack in game 4 and still do the bullpen in Game 5, leaving Verlander/Cole at home in games 6/7. Verlander has given up some deep fly balls to RF, and that really concerns me in Yankee stadium (not that Minute Maid is much deeper). I think I'd just like to give us the best chance to win with Verlander and Cole since that is all we need to win, and giving them the best opportunity means letting them do it at home. If we can steal game 4 or 5 without them, then that is an added bonus.
Hmm, I guess that's another approach that could work, but it is kinda settling for a 7-game series which could impact the next round if the Astros advance. If Greinke loses Game 4 and you throw the bullpen out there for Game 5 in order to save Verlander for Game 6, then you're likely dooming yourself to a 3-2 deficit heading back to MMP. And even if you get out of that jam with Verlander and Cole winning their starts, that leaves the Astros going into the World Series with Greinke starting Game 1 on full rest and the bullpen going in Game 2. The way the Nationals starters are going, you could be down 2-0 heading back to DC.
Don’t forget Cole in Game 6 equals short rest. Fully rested, I think most would start JV Game 5 (Cole 6) no matter what.
Red dog out here gettin that Jackie Robinson treatment. Springer ahead of the curve? maybe, someday, we’ll have a number 22 day league wide.
In a way, if every pitcher that the Astros face is worried about tipping pitches, it may be a good thing. Could cause them to over think their mechanics and make mistakes.
Assuming rain out today, I keep picturing in my head Verlander's reaction to Hinch telling Verlander, "We don't trust you to start on full rest against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium for Game 5". Why do Astros fans hate Hinch and want to subject him to this kind of violence?
If Greinke wins tomorrow I could see Verlander trying to close out on Friday. If Greinke loses I’d save verlander/Cole for games 6/7. But if Greinke wins that’d be so awesome. Then Verlander could try to close out Friday and still be available to pitch WS games 2 and 6. Cole would pitch WS games 3 and 7.
Baseball is a business, and they're not going to keep these games out of primetime. Regardless, win tomorrow night and gain flexibility on how to treat game 6.
