Does anybody "have" to pitch today?

[Just Regular]

Down 0-1 in the 3-game format, this is a scenario where if you have any elite relievers, many game theorists would suggest you ought to accelerate them into the competition.

Josh Hader in the 2018 NLCS Game 7 pitching the 3rd-5th innings a famous example by a Raysian organization in the other league.    The Rays themselves shortened Tyler Glasnow to 9 Batters Faced when they beat Gerrit Cole in 2020 ALDS Game 5.

It has been mentioned if you squint for a Witt weakness, maybe it is premium left handed velocity.    Are G. Soto or Cionel guys you have to think about if Eflin isn't dealing or the batters don't give him some runs to work with before the 2nd time through the order?     Cano's recent form hasn't been top notch, and Coulombe may still be slightly rusty, but those are guys who have largely been star caliber relievers for 2 years.

Zach Eflin is a very fine pitcher, but he isn't Corbin Burnes.

[Fiver6565]

There’s not a single pitcher in our bullpen who fits the description you’re talking about. Eflin going deep is our best and maybe only chance today. God knows we aren’t going to outslug anyone, and calling any of our relievers ‘elite’ is a serious stretch. 

[sportsfan8703]

I do think you're onto something.  Eflin's O/U today is 15.5 outs recorded.  That's 5.1 IP.  I don't think we let him get into trouble in the middle innings with a Lefty up.  I could see Perez coming into to get the last out of the 5th if it's a lefty up.  

[Spy Fox]

I think Eflin gets 2 times through the order unless there’s big trouble. 

I don’t think he gets 3 unless he’s totally dealing and/or there’s a big lead. 

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

If the offense doesn't wake up it isn't going to matter much who pitches today. For the record I think Eflin puts in a quality start today going at least 6 innings and hopefully he gets some run support.

[Warehouse]

We have 11 pitchers available today.  It’s all hands on deck. Getting length won’t be a consideration.  Ideally Eflin gets through at least 2 turns of lineup - Hyde will be wary about giving him a third.

We don’t have a specific elite pitcher who “has to pitch”. It will be about matchups and who gives us the best chance in a particular inning.

[Just Regular]

2 minutes ago, Spy Fox said:

I think Eflin gets 2 times through the order unless there’s big trouble. 

I don’t think he gets 3 unless he’s totally dealing and/or there’s a big lead. 

If it is Massey-Witt-Pasquantino 1-2-3 again, the day is ripe for one of those Third Time Through the Order pulls even if he has kept runs off the board, because you will want to be free to remove Cionel or G. Soto before Sal Perez at cleanup.

[Aristotelian]

4 hours ago, Just Regular said:

Down 0-1 in the 3-game format, this is a scenario where if you have any elite relievers, many game theorists would suggest you ought to accelerate them into the competition.

 

We literally do not have any elite relievers. I trust Eflin more than anyone we have in the pen as long as he isn't struggling.

[dtk9119]

Today is all about the offense. They need to score first. Otherwise, I see Efflin going about 4-5 innings before they get to him and eventually pull away regardless who Hyde brings in from the BP.

[Hallas]

I'd probably throw Burnes out there if he were up for it.  But I'm not sure he wants his arm to fall off for the wild card round, so I'd probably save that treatment for elimination games in the WS.

[Moose Milligan]

Eflin needs to go 6 today, minimum.

There's no one in our bullpen that's so elite that they absolutely have to pitch today.  All hands on deck, but they're not particularly great hands and any of those hands could be dominant or any of those hands could blow up and let the game get away without warning.