Pitching matchups this weekend

[57stratdawg]

So, South AL has seen Pilkington and Plumlee in starts. USM got McQuery in Jackson and roughed him up. I don't think you want McQuery going against USM again.

 

[Bulldogg31]

The way Cole Gordon threw against Florida I think I'd take a look at him. The guy throws strikes which is what we need.

 

[57stratdawg]

Yeah. Agreed. Then again, that would mean Pilk probably goes 10 days between starts.

 

[Bulldogg31]

I just think you gotta pitch Pilkington against the one seed. That's a MUST win in my opinion. We're not built for coming out of the loser's bracket. We should be able to beat a 3 seed (even South Al) with less than our best.

 

[patdog]

Agree. If you're playing to win the regional, you pitch your ace against the best team. If we can't beat South Alabama without using our ace, we aren't winning the tournament anyway.

 

[Todd4State]

It sounds like Cann is going to throw Gordon vs. South Alabama.

 

[patdog]

He looked real good in his last start. Hope he can do it again. We'll have more bullpen help for him this time.

 

[57stratdawg]

I like that move. Hopefully Gordon and Pilk can get deep enough in games that you're using McQuery and Plumlee in a regional championship game.

 

[Bulldogg31]

Thank goodness Cole Gordon raised his hand in that meeting.

 

[Hankp22]

Three things here

So, South AL has seen Pilkington and Plumlee in starts. USM got McQuery in Jackson and roughed him up. I don't think you want McQuery going against USM again.

First off, I am a big fan of starting Cole on Friday v USA. He typically throws strikes and you have to hope we get off to a good start at the plate. I like the aggressiveness and have confidence in Cole. That said, there are a few things to consider here with USM playing the first game:

1. If USM lost, do you change your strategy? Because a USM loss means you're playing UIC and their #2 if we win on Friday. I'd argue that game 1 becomes more important in that situation. And remember, ULL lost their first game to Jackson St when we played down there a few years back. It can happen. Given those conditions, I was shocked Southern opted to play game 1. I think there is an advantage, a slight one I might add, in knowing the result of game 1.

2. Assume USM wins and we lose against USA. In relation to the strategy to start Cole in game 1, you have to ride that strategy out and not start KP in game 2 if you're in the losers bracket. It is a gamble...but you're playing to win the tourney. And I like the gamble. You could even make that argument for game 3 as well. You would be going against someones number 3 at that point. I understand some would complain forever if we got sent home without using KP. But in that scenario, I feel it is the only way to win that regional. Coming in second is every bit as productive as coming in fourth.

3. If we lose game 1 or game 2, it is going to take 5 games to win the tournament. Can Mangum throw?

Cole
KP
Denver
JB
?

 

[Duke Humphrey]

Winning regional in 4 games is going to be hard enough...

3. If we lose game 1 or game 2, it is going to take 5 games to win the tournament. Can Mangum throw?

Winning through losers bracket is almost impossible. This is a tough regional with good teams and our lack of pitchers will be a challenge no matter how many games we play.

 

[Bulldogg31]

My opinion you have to throw Pilk in game 2 regardless of the game 1 outcomes.

If you win game 1, you're playing either the number 1 seed, or the team with the 2nd lowest team ERA in the nation. It's important to stay on the winner's side of the bracket at that point.

If you lose game 1 you're playing for your tournament life, and you don't want to go 2 and out with your ace never having taken the mound.

 

[Hankp22]

It is certainly going to be tough

Winning through losers bracket is almost impossible. This is a tough regional with good teams and our lack of pitchers will be a challenge no matter how many games we play.

But they are hypothetical questions that arise from the strategy we use in game one. And I feel once you make a commitment to a strategy, you have to ride it. A loss on Friday leads to a gamble in game 2.

I am all for Cole getting the nod on Friday. These are the hypotheticals that come along with it.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

The way Cole Gordon threw against Florida I think I'd take a look at him. The guy throws strikes which is what we need.

Cole might be the nicest surprise of this season. I want to see if he continues the pitcher route and trains for it in the offseason.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

My opinion you have to throw Pilk in game 2 regardless of the game 1 outcomes.

If you win game 1, you're playing either the number 1 seed, or the team with the 2nd lowest team ERA in the nation. It's important to stay on the winner's side of the bracket at that point.

If you lose game 1 you're playing for your tournament life, and you don't want to go 2 and out with your ace never having taken the mound.

^^THIS^^^

 

[gymdawg.sixpack]

Its always a gamble with pitching matchups. But i no way you throw your ace, your only "sure bet" in losers bracket gm 2 vs uic. No way. Even if you lose. Becausr if you win now youve got billingsley and whoever else for 3 more games.