01-22-2019, 07:59 PM
(01-22-2019, 12:30 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: With Derek Johnson as the pitching coach, I expect to see a very interesting mix of "openers" (relievers that start the game, allowing the starting pitcher to come in during the 2nd time through the batting order, extending their ability to go further into the game, since the 3rd time through is often when starters start giving up higher average and OBPs) and starters. We have a lot of pitchers with starter experience that look to be on the outside of the rotation looking in who would make perfect openers. Reed, Mahle, Stephenson and Romano all have potential to be openers or long relievers.
Our pitching staff and how they are used is going to be an extremely interesting thing to watch this coming season.
This concept makes no sense to me and throws off the starter knowing exactly when he’s inserted into the game. The players union would hate it and fans would too if it back fired. Everyone wants to be revolutionary and change the game. It would make as much of a dent as hitting the pitcher 8th wins tons more games. The starter is still gonna pitch as long as he’s pitching well. A setup or closer isn’t going to “open”. That means that you start a guy every game that wasn’t good enough to be in the starting 5 or be a setup guy or closer. It sounds like a great plan to get a coach and manager fired. That’s called outsmarting yourself.
