Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 08, 2007
Playoffs Today
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Paul Byrd
Photo: Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI

The Cleveland Indians send Paul Byrd against Chien-Ming Wang tonight in New York. The decision to pitch Byrd is causing some controversy, as Byrd was lit up by the Yankees in the regular season. Paul is a control artist, who survives by not giving up free passes while allowing a lot of hits. Even though opponents hit .301 against him, they only managed a .329 OBA, and that's what really matters. He's the kind of pitcher who works well against a high OBA, low batting average team, as he takes away their main weapon. But against a high OBA, high BA team like New York, he'll be in a bit of trouble. The Yankees are perfectly happy to take a walk, but they are also perfectly happy to pound the ball if you put it in the strike zone.

The downside of starting Sabathia comes if C.C. loses. Then Carmona pitches on Wednesday, and Wedge will have burned both starters for the series opener in Boston. However, if Sabathia win, Carmona goes in game 1 and C.C. goes in game 2 on normal rest.

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Chien-Ming Wang
Photo: Jeff Zelevansky/Icon SMI

Wang starting on short rest is no sure thing. This game might end up 5-5 after three innings with the teams in the bullpen, and in that case, Cleveland has the advantage. Wang did pitch very well at Yankee Stadium this season, posting a 2.75 ERA and allowing fewer base runners per nine, his batting average and OBA allowed both 65 points lower.

I can't blame Wedge here. He has two shots at winning this series, and why not take the first with one that puts you in better shape for the LCS? Torre has no choice, and has to hope Wang won't wilt two games in a row. Sabathia is probably the better move, but these games can be so dependent on luck, Byrd could end up pitching a magnificent game. We'll see in a few hours.

Enjoy!


Posted by David Pinto at 03:21 PM | League Division Series | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Great breakdown, David. If I were managing the Indians, I'd want to finish the Yankees off NOW, and be set up for the ALCS. I see Byrd getting pounded by the Yanks, so I'd go with Sabathia tonight and have Carmona as my Game 5 insurance.

Either way, I'd have a short leash on Byrd, and pull him bfore things get out of hand.

But, of course, I'm a just an idiot and basing my decision on emotion...

Posted by: Mr. Furious at October 8, 2007 04:34 PM
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