Playoff-Bound Teams Have Rotation Questions
Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com
Sep 21, 2010
Rest that knee, Joe Mauer. Don't rush back Josh Hamilton, Jimmy Rollins and any of the other injured players from the six clubs that virtually have wrapped up their places in the postseason.
While those six teams -- Yankees, Rays, Phillies, Rangers, Twins and Reds -- continue to fight for home-field advantage, they also can use the remainder of the regular season to make sure their rosters are right for the playoffs.
Each of these teams has questions about its rotation:
Phillies: Who starts Game 1?
Roy Halladay figures to get the nod based on his Cy Young-worthy season. But over their past five starts, both Cole Hamels (5-0, 0.49 ERA) and Roy Oswalt (4-0, 1.49 ERA) have pitched better than Halladay (3-2, 4.41 ERA).
If Philadelphia hangs to home-field advantage throughout the postseason, Oswalt should start Game 2 of each series. He is 5-0 at Citizens Bank Park since joining the Phillies.
Reds: Who gets left out?
A deep, balanced rotation plays well in the regular season, but a team needs only three strong starters in the playoffs. That could be a problem for Cincinnati. After Bronson Arroyo, the Reds' No. 1 for his experience more than his stuff, the team has rookie Travis Wood, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Homer Bailey. How they fare in their next starts could go a long way in determining the four-man rotation in the postseason.
Because he was limited by a shoulder injury earlier this season, Bailey is the best bet to move to the bullpen. If the Reds match up against the lefty-leaning Phillies, Wood could start Game 2 because he is the rotation's lone southpaw.
Yankees: Who comes after CC?
Andy Pettitte's strong return Sunday brought a measure of relief to the Yankees, who are counting on him to follow CC Sabathia. But then comes a drop-off. Do the Yankees go with young Phil Hughes, in his first season as a starter, or struggling A.J. Burnett, who has the $82.5 million contract?
"I'd have to start A.J. Burnett," says David Wells, former Yankees starter and current TBS analyst. "The guy has probably the best stuff in baseball, but he has no clue where it's going. He is capable of going out there and throwing you a shutout. I'd give him the opportunity, but I'd have somebody ready."
Rays: Youth or experience?
Youth -- in the form of David Price -- certainly will take the ball first. Price, 25, has emerged not only as the Rays' ace but a top-three AL Cy Young award candidate.
The rest of what had been baseball's steadiest rotation has slipped lately. James Shields, Tampa Bay's opening day starter, solidified his spot with a strong outing against the Yankees last week and will get another chance against them tonight. Matt Garza has pitched poorly (10.93 ERA) in his past three starts but is unlikely to be passed over for rookie Wade Davis, who 3-0 with a 3.19 ERA in five starts since returning from the disabled list.
Twins: Who is No. 4?
Thanks to lefthander Brian Duensing's performance since entering the rotation (7-1, 2.43 ERA), Minnesota is set at the first three spots, though the Game 1 starter remains undetermined. Francisco Liriano has been the Twins' best starter, but Carl Pavano has the most experience.
Who pitches after those three could depend on who performs better in his next start: Kevin Slowey or Nick Blackburn. Slowey has been more successful since the start of the season, but Blackburn has pitched better in September.
Rangers: Who is the top righthander?
C.J. Wilson never has pitched in the postseason, but his season-long success makes him the logical pick to follow fellow lefthander Cliff Lee. Righthanders Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter are likely picks for Games 3 and 4, though all of Texas' starters except for Lee have ERAs over 4.00 in September.
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