04-24-2009, 03:42 PM
<!--quoteo(post=32857:date=Apr 24 2009, 01:38 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 24 2009, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Lou managed game 1 of that series while looking ahead to game 4. That's a huge mistake in the postseason.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm of two minds on this, and here's why: Dusty did the exact opposite with Mark Prior in Game 2 of the you-know-what series. If you recall, we had an 8-0 lead after 3 innings, and I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if Dusty is thinking of pulling his young pitcher early, to save him for later in the series?"
After the 5th inning, it was freaking 11-0, and I thought <i>for sure</i> he'd pull Prior. No sir.
Then Prior, showing some fatigue, gives up a couple of runs. We get one back, so it's 12-2. But again, Prior comes out to pitch another inning. (at the time, I was incredulous.)
Finally, two innings later, a few batters into the <b>8th</b> inning, with Prior clearly gassed, Dusty pulls him from a 12-2 game.
Could Prior have benefitted from being rested in Game 6? Is there any doubt?
As a manager, you're trying to win the game, yes. But you'd be foolish to not be cognizant that you have to win the <i>series</i>, too.
I'm of two minds on this, and here's why: Dusty did the exact opposite with Mark Prior in Game 2 of the you-know-what series. If you recall, we had an 8-0 lead after 3 innings, and I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if Dusty is thinking of pulling his young pitcher early, to save him for later in the series?"
After the 5th inning, it was freaking 11-0, and I thought <i>for sure</i> he'd pull Prior. No sir.
Then Prior, showing some fatigue, gives up a couple of runs. We get one back, so it's 12-2. But again, Prior comes out to pitch another inning. (at the time, I was incredulous.)
Finally, two innings later, a few batters into the <b>8th</b> inning, with Prior clearly gassed, Dusty pulls him from a 12-2 game.
Could Prior have benefitted from being rested in Game 6? Is there any doubt?
As a manager, you're trying to win the game, yes. But you'd be foolish to not be cognizant that you have to win the <i>series</i>, too.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance