Pet te gave up only 2 runs in game 5 against ST. Louis. That is freakin awesome!
Keep in mind they're saying Backe is "scheduled" to start game 4. That means nothing, of course he's "scheduled" to start it. That doesn't mean he will. We're not going to announce in advance we've decided to go to a three man rotation, especially when it's still up in the air. The people writing this article know nothing more than you or I.
The Astros certainly have the starting depth to run 4 different pitchers out there. The critical innings for Clemens in my opinion are the 1st inning and the 6th. The 1st inning, because over the years, he's not into his full rhythm early (He's not the only great strikeout pitcher with that tendency). The 6th inning because this season, that is when he typically starts to struggle with command and his pitch count/batter increases.
Pet te is a good choice for Game 2. He pitched Game 2 of the 2003 WS for the Yankees and he was 1 batter shy of pitching a complete game (W, 6-1). Technically, Garner could go with Oswalt in Game 2, since Roy would have 3 days rest, but Pet te is more familiar with pitching in US Cellular in an American League setting.
I like the Astros' options just the way it is, right now. Two starters with lots of AL experience pitching in Chicago against DHs. The 2 young NL Astros' "system" pitchers opening up at Minute Maid Park. Backe and Clemens have the better batting averages of the 4 (nothing to get excited about though) and they would project to be hitting in Games 4 and 5.
Strategy changes with injuries or poor starts, so all of that could go out the window, but as it stands now...the Astros are hot and hey, Wild Card teams seem to be the trend on WS winners lately!
Well sure, but I don't see it as much of a stretch that the rotation goes Clemens, Pet te and then Oswalt, as well as that Backe gets the start in a home game. Otherwise, Clemens will have 2 prospective starts on 3 days' rest.
Yep. Even more reason for the Clemens/Pet te/Oswalt/Backe order.
Yeah, I think the only way Clemens goes in Game 4 is if he gets s ed in Game 1 and only pitches 3 or 4 innings.
I believe the exact opposite. I think if he looks good in game 1 he's more likely to pitch game 4. If we're down 2-1 in the series, you really think we're going to trot Backe out there with Clemens sitting on the bench? Three days rest is enough, he'll want to pitch. Besides, it's not like we're saving him for something.
If we did that then Pet te and Oswalt would have to pitch on 3 days rest as well. Unless you brought Backe out for Game 5 or 6.
Backe was awesome his last start, wasn't he?
I posted that line-up way earlier in the thread but it wasn't official I just knew that is how it would be.
Yep. If he can do that again that's like getting another start out of one of the Big 3. The Big 3 would also have a full rest between each of their prospective starts in the series.
... Of course if he's really hurt, he may not pitch at all.
Looks like now we may be using Backe AND bringing back Andy and Roy on three days rest. Hopefully Roger can make it back, but it doesn't look good. Maybe the warmer weather in H-town will help keep his hamstring from tightening up. Although if he's healthy enough and can make it back, money says he pitches game four.
Why are all of you acting like pitching on three days rest is so crazy? It used to be pretty commonplace. It's the World Series, you get the entire offseason to rest afterwards.
Roy O can not pitch on 3 days rest. You act like it was commonplace in Roy's time. He never pitches on 3 days rest, he throws too hard to do that. Someone like Wakefield or another knuckleballer could, but not a power pitcher. Clemens' record on 3 days rest is horrible, and so would Roy's if he tried it. It is mental too, if you never have done it.
The Astros can platoon pitchers in Clemens' spot with Rodriguez, Astacio and Co.
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