Weekend Rotation and Pitching Roles

[PigWig]

With us playing our final midweek game tomorrow, now is the time to hammer out our pitching roles.  Based on my observations thus far, I would like to see something like this down the stretch...

I want Alberius to move back to the pen.  He has been far more effective in relief than as a starter.  In his last 4 starts, he has 11.0 IP, 19 H, 3 BB, 10 ER (8.18 ERA, 2.00 WHIP).  In contrast, he pitched two perfect innings in his last relief appearance, and has at least 4 relief appearances this year without allowing a run.  He would be a guy who you would like to see come in in the 7th or 8th inning on Friday if you're up 5-1 and finish off the game or come in during a close game and give you an inning.

I think that Reindl has earned the closer's role at this point.  He has been one of our most reliable arms out of the bullpen and has proven he can shut down some very good SEC offenses (3.0 IP with 2 H and 0 R against Auburn, 5.2 IP with 2 H and 1 R against LSU, 2.0 IP with 1 H and 0 R against Georgia, 2.2 IP with 2 H and 0 R against Mizzou).  I probably trust him the most out of our bullpen right now to close out a 1 run game in the 9th inning.

Chadwick and Cronin look to be perfect for 1-2 inning setup roles at this point.  They can be used along with Alberius, to bridge the gap between our starters and Reindl.  Lee looks to be a solid situational lefty specialist.  Taco, Kopps, and Loseke are guys I wouldn't bring in with the bases juiced, but I would be ok with using when a starter got run early, we are behind a few runs, or we need someone to eat a few innings. 

That brings me to the weekend rotation.  Bad outing aside, Knight has been money all year and is a legit Friday night ace.  I think I would actually throw Murphy on Saturday though.  He is a nice change of pace between two flame throwing righties, and going R-L-R could help keep opposing offenses off balance.  Then Stephan would start Sundays.  I'm hoping back to back short appearances will get him fresh and ready to get back to form down the stretch. 

Friday- Knight
Saturday- Murphy
Sunday- Stephan

Primary Middle Relief- Chadwick, Alberius, Cronin
Lefty Specialist- Lee
Closer- Reindl

I would like to hear what you guys think as well.

[PintailKiller]

Good thoughts PigWig.  I agree with Alberius going back to the pen and I like your thoughts on moving Stephan to Sunday, though I doubt that will happen.  I think Murphy has earned a chance to start against a SEC opponent.
I would like Lee to get a shot as closer.  Not sure how Reindl would fare pitching on back to back days when he has shown the ability to go several innings at a time, though that may be a benefit with 6 out+ saves.

[bhogs05]

I think it is time to give Murphy a shot on Sunday's.  I am hoping Knight can get it going again(he really wasn't that sharp against Georgia either..compared to what he was all his other starts that is).  Stephan has been really shaky in SEC play so he has to step up.  The biggest reason we lost the Auburn series is b/c none of our starters went more than 3 innings and when our bullpen is as thin as it is we were very fortunate to get 1 win.  I wouldn't mind Reindl being the long relief guy..Chadwick is more of a closer as far as the # of pitches he can throw before he starts losing control. 

[Kevin]

Knight
Murphy
Stephen

Reindl
Chadwick
Cronin
Alberius
Lee vs lefties

That is really thin. Need starters to go lots of innings

[hawginbigd1]

From what I have seen Reindl needs to be the back-up to the starters who can't make it through 5 or 6 instead of trying to be the closer. He is too valuable in that 3 to 4 inning relief role.

[tennesseehogwild]

I agree with Murphy being the Sunday guy to start out and if Stephan continues to slide move Murphy to Saturday. Guys right now I am not sold we can win a regional with our thin pitching.  A really good ace pitcher could potentially shut our offense down. And coming out of the LB would be tough. Hopefully the arms come together again. Just one series but it was alarming how Auburn hit our starting pitching.

[bhogs05]

We have to have Knight and Stephan start going at least 5 innings..preferably 6 or 7 again like they were earlier in the year with our thin bullpen.  The preseason injuries may start to really show and hurt now that we are getting later in the year when arms are getting a little tired. 

[Kevin]

Not just the he pre season injuries, but taco has not gotten back to what he was

[lstewart]

I'm concerned that the lack of pitching depth is about to catch up with us. We'll have guys step up and look good for an outing, but we don't really seem to have anyone who can take the step to move up longer term and take over as a third starter, or consistently dependable in relief. Of additional concern, we have been shaky with our second starter for a couple of weeks now. Hopefully we can keep scoring enough runs to hang on and ride it out. Sure would be great if one or two of the guys really got it going for the stretch run.

[hogman64]

With us playing our final midweek game tomorrow, now is the time to hammer out our pitching roles.  Based on my observations thus far, I would like to see something like this down the stretch...

I want Alberius to move back to the pen.  He has been far more effective in relief than as a starter.  In his last 4 starts, he has 11.0 IP, 19 H, 3 BB, 10 ER (8.18 ERA, 2.00 WHIP).  In contrast, he pitched two perfect innings in his last relief appearance, and has at least 4 relief appearances this year without allowing a run.  He would be a guy who you would like to see come in in the 7th or 8th inning on Friday if you're up 5-1 and finish off the game or come in during a close game and give you an inning.

I think that Reindl has earned the closer's role at this point.  He has been one of our most reliable arms out of the bullpen and has proven he can shut down some very good SEC offenses (3.0 IP with 2 H and 0 R against Auburn, 5.2 IP with 2 H and 1 R against LSU, 2.0 IP with 1 H and 0 R against Georgia, 2.2 IP with 2 H and 0 R against Mizzou).  I probably trust him the most out of our bullpen right now to close out a 1 run game in the 9th inning.

Chadwick and Cronin look to be perfect for 1-2 inning setup roles at this point.  They can be used along with Alberius, to bridge the gap between our starters and Reindl.  Lee looks to be a solid situational lefty specialist.  Taco, Kopps, and Loseke are guys I wouldn't bring in with the bases juiced, but I would be ok with using when a starter got run early, we are behind a few runs, or we need someone to eat a few innings. 

That brings me to the weekend rotation.  Bad outing aside, Knight has been money all year and is a legit Friday night ace.  I think I would actually throw Murphy on Saturday though.  He is a nice change of pace between two flame throwing righties, and going R-L-R could help keep opposing offenses off balance.  Then Stephan would start Sundays.  I'm hoping back to back short appearances will get him fresh and ready to get back to form down the stretch. 

Friday- Knight
Saturday- Murphy
Sunday- Stephan

Primary Middle Relief- Chadwick, Alberius, Cronin
Lefty Specialist- Lee
Closer- Reindl

I would like to hear what you guys think as well.

Good thinking I would only disagree with put Murphy on Sunday and leave Stephan on Saturday with a very short leash.
If Murphy pitches like he has been and Knight goes back to three games ago that would give us an advantage on Friday and Sunday against most teams....Taco needs to be able to give us two innings somewhere , especially if Stephan goes out early.

Also don't leave in a guy who is getting nailed like Alberius was to try to squeeze one more batter out of him when the batter is a hitter like Jonah Todd, I was giving Alberius zero chance to get him out in the second.  Don't bring in a pitcher who has pitched 50+ the day before, especially when he seems to be prone to wildness after many  less pitches than 50..

[BroyledNutts]

Knight
Murphy
Stephen

Reindl
Chadwick
Cronin
Alberius
Lee vs lefties

That is really thin. Need starters to go lots of innings

It's quickly becoming time for the lesser seen guys in the pen to prove they have what it takes to pitch in the SEC. Even if its for a single inning, go out and do the job without getting mashed. The team needs them to step up immediately.

[DiamondHogFan]

Good thinking I would only disagree with put Murphy on Sunday and leave Stephan on Saturday with a very short leash.
If Murphy pitches like he has been and Knight goes back to three games ago that would give us an advantage on Friday and Sunday against most teams....Taco needs to be able to give us two innings somewhere , especially if Stephan goes out early.

Also don't leave in a guy who is getting nailed like Alberius was to try to squeeze one more batter out of him when the batter is a hitter like Jonah Todd, I was giving Alberius zero chance to get him out in the second.  Don't bring in a pitcher who has pitched 50+ the day before, especially when he seems to be prone to wildness after many  less pitches than 50..

I agree with this last part, although I don't like to question DVH or Coach Johnson.  Chadwick seemed to be worn down after Saturday.  Either Tacco is hurt or the coaches really just don't trust him to throw strikes.  I hope he can get it straightened out to help us eat up some innings down the stretch.

[jry04]

I agree with this last part, although I don't like to question DVH or Coach Johnson.  Chadwick seemed to be worn down after Saturday.  Either Tacco is hurt or the coaches really just don't trust him to throw strikes.  I hope he can get it straightened out to help us eat up some innings down the stretch.

I don't think it is as big of a deal to bring up a discussion on whether the coaches made the right or wrong decision on pulling Murphy or bringing in Chadwick. Every coach makes mistakes, and nobody on here knows more than our staff obviously. However, Chadwick threw a lot pitches the day before, and hit 3 batters in his last inning before Lee came in to get the final out. Bringing Chadwick back in when we had all the momentum and he wasn't fresh is definitely a very risky move. I would love to hear if Murphy was experiencing any discomfort, because if not it seems he should have been left in for another inning. He had an easy 1-2-3 6th inning, and had 4 full days of rest since his previous outing. I am just curious what DVH's reasoning was for pulling Murphy.