9/27 Other Games

[Schwarber Fan]

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7504/motivator978140je0.jpg

[CubColtPacer]

And I actually like what the Mets did in throwing Santana today rather than tomorrow because if they make the postseason, it helps them a lot.

 

The schedule goes Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday for both NL series. That means they have the option of throwing Santana on three days rest in Game 1 on Wednesday as well as potentially on three days rest for Game 4 or five days rest for Game 5. They could also throw Santana on regular rest in Game 2 and bring him back on regular rest for a Game 5 if it gets played.

 

If they pitched Santana tomorrow, however, there's no way he pitches on two days rest in Game 1 and if you throw him in Game 2 it's on three days rest. At least now they have the option of Santana going in Game 1.

 

Excellent move by the Mets. Plus, today was more of a must win at the time than tomorrow. They didn't have the luxury of seeing how the Brewers did first. If they didn't win today, then they could have been eliminated by a Brewers win then saving Santana for tomorrow would have been pointless. Kinda like saving Zambrano for Game 4 last year then getting swept.

 

There is no way that today was more of a must win than tomorrow. The Mets still have to win the maximum number of games they can win this season.

 

For example, let's say they were planning on starting Niese today and pushed him back to tomorrow for Santana. That fits your scenario...need to move Santana up because today is a must win game, and then take your chances with the inferior pitcher tomorrow.

Now let's say your chances of winning are 40% with Niese and 80% for Santana when pitching on normal or extra rest. Your chances of winning with Santana on 3 days rest are 70%. What do you do? (obviously all those numbers are approximations..but I think you'll agree with me that Santana is hurt more by going on 3 days of rest than Niese is helped by an extra day of rest).

 

In that scenario, you have to go ahead and pitch Niese on Saturday. Yes, you could get eliminated before Santana even pitches. But your overall chances of making the playoffs are higher by doing it that way than if you move Santana up. And isn't that what you always strive to do..improve your chances of making the playoffs over the course of the season? The fact that it also means you have a greater chance of getting eliminated before the final day of the season means absolutely nothing.

 

Just because you could get eliminated doesn't mean you should start playing for a small increase today at the greater decrease for tomorrow. It has nothing to do with luxury.

 

That being said, I approve of the Santana move because that means they get to pitch Oliver Perez on Sunday instead of Jon Niese. Perez wouldn't have been available to pitch today, so they had to move Santana up in order for that to happen. Plus, it helps Santana have more rest before the playoffs as an extra benefit.

 

So I agree with you that what the Mets did is correct. But I disagree with you strongly that one of the reasons they needed to do it was because today was a must win due to them possibly getting eliminated. Unless you believe strongly in momentum, that doesn't really hold up.

[Sammys Boombox]

Maddux threw only 47 pitches over 6 innings. That's less than 8 per inning.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Has their ever been a less coveted title than 2008 American League Central Champions?

[splintersag]

Has their ever been a less coveted title than 2008 American League Central Champions?

I present to you, the 2005 NL West!

 

That division was simply horrible. I remember rooting against the Padres even after they clinched in hopes of having a division winner under .500. Sadly, they finished 82-80 and promptly got swept by the Cardinals.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm officially rooting against the Cubs tomorrow

 

So you'd rather play the Phillies in the first round than the Mets? That's sure smart.

[Ski]

I'm officially rooting against the Cubs tomorrow

 

So you'd rather play the Phillies in the first round than the Mets? That's sure smart.

Phillies clinched today. The Cubs will play either the Mets or the Dodgers in the first round.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm officially rooting against the Cubs tomorrow

 

So you'd rather play the Phillies in the first round than the Mets? That's sure smart.

Phillies clinched today. The Cubs will play either the Mets or the Dodgers in the first round.

 

I'm the idiot here, sorry Aramis Fan.

 

I'd still rather the Mets get the WC than the Brewers, just because I know we can beat the Mets with our 100% lineup in there. I mean we nearly swept them this past week with many of our AAA guys playing out there while they were fighting for their lives. I think the Brewers could be a very scary team if they make the playoffs.

[Guest]

I'm officially rooting against the Cubs tomorrow

 

So you'd rather play the Phillies in the first round than the Mets? That's sure smart.

Phillies clinched today. The Cubs will play either the Mets or the Dodgers in the first round.

 

I'm the idiot here, sorry Aramis Fan.

 

I'd still rather the Mets get the WC than the Brewers, just because I know we can beat the Mets with our 100% lineup in there. I mean we nearly swept them this past week with many of our AAA guys playing out there while they were fighting for their lives. I think the Brewers could be a very scary team if they make the playoffs.

 

They could have been scary. Sure they have CC, but after that they don't have much in the rotation. Sheets is hurt, Gallardo just came back and is on a limited pitch count, Parra has been average this year and has thrown 27 more innings than his previous high back in 2003, Bush is decent and Suppan sucks. And even with CC, he's going to be making his third straight start on 3 days rest today so who knows how much he's got left in the tank.

 

With a healthy Sheets, they're really good. But he's done.

 

I don't see any more reason to fear the Brewers than any other team in the playoffs.

[C.C.]

Brewers or the Mets are both first round knockouts. No way either of these teams get past the first round...

[Guest]

Brewers or the Mets are both first round knockouts. No way either of these teams get past the first round...

 

No team is a guaranteed first round knockout.