Who do you start in Game 1?...

[maroonmania]

If you are in the losers bracket you HAVE to win today. You can say that winning game 2 doesnt matter if you lose game 3 but we have a better shot of winning game 3 with McQuary than we do if our team is back in Starkville having the end of the year family picnic.

My logic is we HAVE to win today AND we HAVE to win tomorrow to have a real shot of winning the regional. In other words, because of our lack of pitching depth we HAVE to win the first 2 games. The BEST chance for that to happen is Gordon in game 1 and Pilk in game 2 (unless USM somehow loses their first game). I've said it before but seriously, if we can't beat USA with Gordon starting what chance do we have of beating USM with Gordon starting? Not much. And if you win Game 1 and lose Game 2 you are no better off than if you had lost Game 1 and win Game 2.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

If you're in the losers bracket after game 1 you have to win today, twice tomorrow and again the next day. Winning today and the expense of tomorrow does nothing. You have to play to win all 4 games. We have a better shot of doing that if McQuary pitches against the #4 seed and Pilkington goes against the #1 seed.

You are correct that Pilkington has a better shot against a 1 than McQuary. But you have a better shot at winning a regional that you are still than one you are eliminated from. Again if you go with your method and it works we are in a really good spot. But if we bow out without pitching Pilk that would really really suck.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

My logic is we HAVE to win today AND we HAVE to win tomorrow to have a real shot of winning the regional. In other words, because of our lack of pitching depth we HAVE to win the first 2 games. The BEST chance for that to happen is Gordon in game 1 and Pilk in game 2 (unless USM somehow loses their first game). I've said it before but seriously, if we can't beat USA with Gordon starting what chance do we have of beating USM with Gordon starting? Not much. And if you win Game 1 and lose Game 2 you are no better off than if you had lost Game 1 and win Game 2.

The scenario we are talking about is if you lose game 1 with Gordon who do you pitch game 2. I say pitch Pilkington game 2 no matter what. Others have daid hold him out until game three if we are in the losers bracket.

 

[maroonmania]

The scenario we are talking about is if you lose game 1 with Gordon who do you pitch game 2. I say pitch Pilkington game 2 no matter what. Others have daid hold him out until game three if we are in the losers bracket.

If its UIC I would probably hold Pilk until Game 3. My mindset though, right or wrong, is that if we don't win the first 2 games its all over but the crying anyway. We certainly won't win the regional using up our ace against the 4 seed.

 

[8dog]

I know pomeranz did it

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I think he did it to a guy 2-3 years ago as well. The guys name was Chesterton Van Higgingbothom III or something like that.

 

[thekimmer]

I suppose it would suck but...

You are correct that Pilkington has a better shot against a 1 than McQuary. But you have a better shot at winning a regional that you are still than one you are eliminated from. Again if you go with your method and it works we are in a really good spot. But if we bow out without pitching Pilk that would really really suck.

We are playing to win the tournament not to make sure a certain player gets to pitch. If our objective is to win the tourney then at least two pitchers not named Konnor Pilkington is going to have to win a ball game. Now, would you rather have the first one of those pitchers face the #3 seed's ace on a neutral field or the #1 seed's ace on their home turf?

Using such a strategy does carry the risk of losing to #3 and then either burning our ace against the 4 seed in an elimination game or go all in, hold him out and and risk not pitching him at all which would indeed suck, especially for the young man, but if it comes down to that we were never going to win the tourney anyway.