2057.17: Bears on a Poll: Who Moves to the Bullpen?

[BaseClogger]

9/26/2057


Usually teams reduce their rotation from five starting pitchers to four starters when they enter the playoffs. Which starting pitcher should the Bears move to the bullpen? This assumes ace Arnold Cantrell is a lock to start their first playoff game. Below are the arguments for and against moving each pitcher to the bullpen.

Dan Small - 13-6, 151 IP, 4.23 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 3.4 WAR
For: averages the lowest innings per start, injury prone
Against: best ratings, left-handed (already plenty of southpaws in the bullpen), lowest FIP, longest track record of success

Alexander Swanson - 9-13, 181 IP, 4.77 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 3.4 WAR
For: Highest ERA of the group
Against: was the team's best starter last year, works deep into games, stuff unlikely to play up out of the bullpen

Fernando Ferretti - 17-5, 175 IP, 4.47 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 2.8 WAR
For: highest FIP, bad ERAs the last two seasons, could get lit up by playoff offenses
Against: stuff unlikely to play up out of the bullpen, look at that W/L record!!!

Morgan Tomsett - 5-4, 60.1 IP, 2.98 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 1.1 WAR
For: a rookie, smaller sample of innings to judge, his third pitch is mediocre, spent most of his minor league career in the bullpen and his pitch mix still kinda looks like a reliever
Against: lowest ERA of any Bears starter, arguably best ratings of the bunch

[Jwalk100]

He looks like a reliever and he did have a good season. But I wouldn't ride with him as starter in the playoffs.

[trmmilwwi]

Small seems like he could be due for a meltdown or two. Just saying.

[BaseClogger]

He looks like a reliever and he did have a good season. But I wouldn't ride with him as starter in the playoffs.

Arnold Cantrell has shown me the light with two pitch fastball/curveball starters.

[Dington]

Ferretti or Tomsett

[ae37jr]

Small should be a lock under just about every circumstance IMO.

Going by the current matchups and assuming you will play Omaha, I'd pitch Small in games 1 and 4, Cantrell in games 2 and 5 and do a bullpen game with the highest movement pitchers you have in game 3. They have a lot of splitsy hitters. Take advantage of the extra off days in the post season and use your whole pen to lefty/righty them into making tough decisions.

[BaseClogger]

Small should be a lock under just about every circumstance IMO.

Going by the current matchups and assuming you will play Omaha, I'd pitch Small in games 1 and 4, Cantrell in games 2 and 5 and do a bullpen game with the highest movement pitchers you have in game 3. They have a lot of splitsy hitters. Take advantage of the extra off days in the post season and use your whole pen to lefty/righty them into making tough decisions.

Isn’t it most likely you play Omaha and I draw Vancouver?

I’m nervous, I’ve never messed with weekly lineups or anything like what you describe.