Starters: Bradish game 1, GRod game 2

[Sports Guy]

 

[dystopia]

I was really warming up to the idea of starting Means in game 2 because of the wall. But I assume the O’s know what they’re doing. 

[Justinlstn]

Yeah, I'm kind of surprised. I'd have Means going game 2 the very least.

Edited October 6, 2023 by Justinlstn

[Justinlstn]

Just looked up GRods stats vs Texas this season. Last time he faced them, was May 10. 3.1 in innings 6 hits, 9 runs, 3hrs and 3 walks. Obviously that was a different time for him during the season but still is worrisome.

[glenn__davis]

3 minutes ago, Justinlstn said:

Just looked up GRods stats vs Texas this season. Last time he faced them, was May 10. 3.1 in innings 6 hits, 9 runs, 3hrs and 3 walks. Obviously that was a different time for him during the season but still is worrisome.

Not worrisome at all.  He's a completely different pitcher than he was in May.

Now he may still get roughed up because it's baseball, but I'm not remotely concerned about what he did 4 months ago at this point.

[CallMeBrooksie]

11 minutes ago, Justinlstn said:

Yeah, I'm kind of surprised. I'd have Means going game 2 the very least.

Grayson is the second-best starting pitcher on the team. It would be a surprise if they held him back until Game 3. 

[dtk9119]

Bad decision IMO. Means better for game 2 bc he's a fly ball pitcher w the wall. Now he's pushed to game 3 likely in TX in a much smaller ballpark. Sure hope we're up 2 0 headed to TX.

[btownoriole]

8 minutes ago, Justinlstn said:

Just looked up GRods stats vs Texas this season. Last time he faced them, was May 10. 3.1 in innings 6 hits, 9 runs, 3hrs and 3 walks. Obviously that was a different time for him during the season but still is worrisome.

It was actually May 26 and it was his last game before being sent down.  He's a completely different pitcher.  Doesn't mean the Rangers won't get to him, but his approach and mindset is not the same.

[EdwinRip]

The Ranger’s park favors left handed batters over righties.

[Justinlstn]

9 minutes ago, btownoriole said:

It was actually May 26 and it was his last game before being sent down.  He's a completely different pitcher.  Doesn't mean the Rangers won't get to him, but his approach and mindset is not the same.

You're right, I miss read. Was 10th game he pitched.

[SteveA]

2 minutes ago, EdwinRip said:

The Ranger’s park favors left handed batters over righties.

So does ours, probably moreso.

I would have started Means in game 2 but I can see points on both sides.   While I disagree with the decison I don't think it is a horrible one.

[baltfan]

Also they may want to have Grayson available for an inning out of the pen in Game 5 if necessary.  He would probably be pumping 101. 

[jabba72]

Kind of a foregone conclusion here that Bradish would go for Game 1. I wasnt entirely sure they would choose GR for #2 but I'm glad they did. 

I think those two can go up against any other rotation. 

[AdamK]

Go get em, boys.

[e16bball]

As I said in the other thread predicting the starters, I don’t think there’s enough evidence there to suggest that there’s some strategic advantage to using Means at OPACY that would outweigh the fact that Grayson is simply the significantly better pitcher at this point.

Yes, OPACY is a better park for LH power hitters. But I don’t see any evidence in the small samples we have with both guys (Means post-injury and Grayson 2.0) that suggests that Means would be better at suppressing lefty power. With his changeup humming (and his curveball not), he’s actually had reverse splits thus far in his brief return — and he’s given up 2 HRs in the 23 PAs he’s had against LHH.

The Rangers are better against finesse pitchers (like Means) and flyball pitchers (like Means). His curveball, their biggest (and only?) weakness this season, has been his worst pitch thus far. It gives me serious concern about how he’ll hold up. The Rangers typically pulverize the ball in their stadium, so we’ve got to maximize our opportunities to grab wins while we’re at home.

I think the goal has to be to try to jump out to a lead in the series, and Grayson is just better than Means. And the chance to have him come back and pitch a couple piggyback innings behind Bradish in Game 5 is the icing on the cake that seals the deal for me.