Playoff Rotation

by sofladude77 on Sep 25, 2008 8:46 PM EDT

I think after seeing Kazmir struggle yet again, he can not be the game 1 starter, he has been too homer friendly and seems to be throwing a lot instead of pitching. This kind of a start is a concern for a team trying to get their rotation in order. So even though Kaz stunk today, I would pencil him as the game 2 pitcher for a few reasons. After game 2 there is a day off. Kazmir is taxing on our bullpen. The BP won't be fresh if he doesn't produce in game 3 going on to game 4. You can make a case for Garza pitching game 2 because he is better at Tropicana Field, but he has improved a lot on the road in the 2nd half of the season. Here's my rotation for the playoffs.

1. James Shields
2. Scott Kazmir
3. Matt Garza
4. Andy Sonnastine

Edwin Jackson and David Price will be available in the bullpen as needed.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

I wonder if we should roll with 11 pitchers.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 25, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

FWIW, they said Maddon's leaning towards 10.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Sep 25, 2008 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the definitely have only 11 at the most

Its only a 5 game series

by Sveet on Sep 26, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

If Minnesota is our opponent

we may wanna consider Garza for game 2 and Kazmir for game 3, so the fans can’t get riled up over Garza in the Metrodome.

by sofladude77 on Sep 25, 2008 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

Good call.

The line it is drawn/The curse it is cast/The slow one now/Will later be fast/ As the present now/Will later be past/The order is/Rapidly fadin'./And the first one now/Will later be last/For the times they are a-changin'..- Bob Dylan

by thebaddancingraysfan on Sep 26, 2008 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I could see this benefiting Garza though

but if he gets hit early it could be a disaster.

by Dbullsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Starting Kaz in game 3 would mean 9 days rest

would that be a good thing or bad thing?

plus if Shields has to throw Sunday, he will prolly go in game 3.

My guess, if Shields goes on Sunday

Kaz
Garza
Shields
Sonny
Kaz
Garza
Shields (gm 7 or gm 1 of ALCS)

if Shields doesn’t go

Shields
Kaz
Garza
Sonny
Shields
Kaz
Garza

by Dbullsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

you want shields on the road? b/c i don't...

by davidsmarch on Sep 26, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

the problem is

Kaz, Garza, or Shields are all a zillion times better at home.

by TallMatt on Sep 26, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Game 7?

by steve-o1285 on Sep 26, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

9 days rest is perfect

Have him throw a bullpen session and it would be like normal.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Sep 26, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

the 1st rd is best of 5

"It felt good to be out there, I wasn't nervous anymore, and I felt like I belonged out there." -David Price after his ML debut.

by RaysOfHope on Sep 26, 2008 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you have to go

Shields
Garza
Kazmir
Sonny
Shields

Shields and Garza have been our best 2 pitchers.

I don’t like how Joe has Shields going on Sunday. Either he will be on short rest or more likely on really long rest. Maybe he lets him throw just 3 innings on Sunday to keep him from being too rested

by Sveet on Sep 26, 2008 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Works for me

For whatever reason, Shields is just significantly better at home (I think it has to do with the wind/humidity neutral environment), and it would be good to get him as many home starts as possible.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Sep 26, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

It may just be because I love Kaz,

but he’s the guy I want throwing at the first playoff pitch in the team’s history. We’re going to need him to be good Kaz in the playoffs or we won’t be going very far. Good Kaz is very, very good. If he throws game 1 he’ll get somewhere between 6 and 8 days off, plenty of time for him to recover from throwing lots of sliders.

by rglass44 on Sep 26, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

*throwing out

by rglass44 on Sep 26, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Shields has been the best and most consistent starters

He’s the one who should start twice — Maddon needs to set this up.

I don’t think it’s worth throwing Garza or Kazmir AND Shields on short rest in order to go to a three-man rotation, either. And I really like that everyone so far in this thread agrees that Sonny should be in the rotation.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Sep 26, 2008 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Saw your shoutout on Baseball Analysts

$$$$$$$$$$$$

by rglass44 on Sep 26, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

$$$$$$$$

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 26, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

huh, and I didn't even know it...

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Sep 26, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I only skimmed that post on B.An.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 26, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He linked the MVP post

and gave you some props.

by rglass44 on Sep 26, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

sonny is #4 because he has stepped up in big games down the stretch and ejax is still way too inconsistent

"It felt good to be out there, I wasn't nervous anymore, and I felt like I belonged out there." -David Price after his ML debut.

by RaysOfHope on Sep 26, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Sonny is #4 because he's better than EJax.

by Peter Bendix on Sep 26, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Price in game 4

because he is better than Sonny and EJax.

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Sep 26, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

No thoughts on going 3 man...

depending on what series we get?

Boom. Outta Here.

by Ryan Gilliss on Sep 26, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

I think we will know by what happens sunday

If we have already clinched before sunday and shields still pitches then Kaz will be Game 1 starter. If we have already clinched and Shields doesnt start I think we’ll see him in Game 1 and Kaz game 2. If we don’t clinch by sunday which would really suck Kaz game 1 Garza game 2

by KazforPresident on Sep 26, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions