2052.5: Closer Conundrum

[Rubaboo]

Manuel Cruz is a quality closer. He has been for 5 seasons in Mexico City and was for 7 seasons in New Orleans before that. He's simply been great for his whole career.

The 2052 playoffs, however, are a different story. Cruz has been alternately brilliant and bewildering, both shutting out opposing 9th innings and allowing opposition offenses to take games from Mexico City. His maddening 2052 has his sitting on an 0-2 record with 3 saves to go with a ghastly 7.84 ERA. The mantra in the playoffs is to keep it simple. Trust the process. Go with what got you there. Moreso with pitchers, who can be strange creatures when it comes to habits and preparation. Can the Aztecs continue to trust Cruz in the 9th against the Bluebirds?

The thing with trust is that either you have it or you don't. Cruz's struggles combined with the fact that Richard Lawrence has pitched very well in the playoffs after being the 9th inning guy while Cruz was recovering from shoulder surgery could push the Aztecs to make a change at the back end of the pen. Would it be wise to make a change like that heading into the final series of the season? Conventional wisdom probably says no. Conventional wisdom also may not hold much sway in a front office that tends to trust its gut.

We may not know where the Aztecs have landed on Cruz's struggles until he strides out of the 'pen against the Bluebirds. They may choose to ride or die with him. They could also pull the plug. This time of year, strategy maneuvers are held close to the vest, and this particular instance is no different. The Aztec brain trust is being exceptionally tight lipped on this front. We'll all find out together when Cruz gets the ball against the Bluebirds.

[Dington]

I hope we make the decision easy for you and remove him from the situation. Actually, I hope he never gets the ball because Nashville is up big at the end of the game.

[GoldenOne]

Might just be a little tired or maybe just teams getting to see him too often. Eight games in 2 weeks, against only 2 opponents. Definitely need to limit his pitches and keep him fresh if you are going to use him.

[Jwalk100]

Can't ignore his almost 30% K rate.

[Rubaboo]

Can't ignore his almost 30% K rate.

In the regular season, sure. He's only struck out 5 in 10.1 innings in the playoffs.

[Jwalk100]

Can't ignore his almost 30% K rate.

In the regular season, sure. He's only struck out 5 in 10.1 innings in the playoffs.

Small sample size.

[Rubaboo]

Can't ignore his almost 30% K rate.

In the regular season, sure. He's only struck out 5 in 10.1 innings in the playoffs.

Small sample size.

So was his 30% during the regular season. Hence, conundrum.

[Jwalk100]

Those two bad playoff appearances skew his stats. It could be he is injured or tired. He was out last season with a shoulder issue.

[Rubaboo]

Those two bad playoff appearances skew his stats. It could be he is injured or tired. He was out last season with a shoulder issue.

He could be hurt or tired, yeah. He's allowed multiple runs in 3 of his 8 outings. Ks are way down in the playoffs. Without an active way to manage his workload do I trust him going into the biggest series of the season? It's not his first time struggling in the postseason. Does that matter? He dumped 3 points on his curveball after he got hurt, is that what's causing this? If I make a change and Lawrence blows it, will I regret it forever? If I leave him in and he blows it, will I regret that more?



I clearly need more practice at this whole 'handling success' thing...

[Dington]

Just remove Cruz and Lawrence from your roster to be safe.

[Dington]

And OMG do you really wanna risk a CEI to Corfield? Better rest him too.

[Jwalk100]

Those two bad playoff appearances skew his stats. It could be he is injured or tired. He was out last season with a shoulder issue.

He could be hurt or tired, yeah. He's allowed multiple runs in 3 of his 8 outings. Ks are way down in the playoffs. Without an active way to manage his workload do I trust him going into the biggest series of the season? It's not his first time struggling in the postseason. Does that matter? He dumped 3 points on his curveball after he got hurt, is that what's causing this? If I make a change and Lawrence blows it, will I regret it forever? If I leave him in and he blows it, will I regret that more?



I clearly need more practice at this whole 'handling success' thing...

[Rubaboo]

And OMG do you really wanna risk a CEI to Corfield? Better rest him too.

And Roman... what better way to show him I mean business in extension negotiations than to sit him down for a few games? Probably about 7 or so ought to do the trick.