Reds announce playoff rotation

[LRCW]

Dusty Baker confirmed that Johnny Cueto will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series, followed by Bronson Arroyo and Mat Latos in Game 2 and 3. The Reds set the rotation like that in mid-September, but acting manager Chris Speier deferred on announcing the playoff rotation until Baker returned from his illness.

“We’ve been planning this for a while,” he said. “It didn’t take a genius to see how we were planning this. It’s just that it wasn’t Chris’s turn to answer. It wasn’t this close to the playoffs.”

Baker said the decision on whether to use Homer Bailey for Game 4 — should there be one — is up in the air.

“We’re not sure about that,” Baker said. “Generally, you only use three starters in the first round. . . That’s a pretty good ace in the hole if somebody gets hammered. You don’t let guys stick around and get hammered. It’s not like the regular season.”

The final roster decisions for the playoffs are still being worked on.

“That’s always the toughest part,” Baker said. “The toughest part is who do you leave off. I’ve seen guys get angry. . . Somebody’s always going to get left off.”

 

 

Cueto to start Game 1 | Cincinnati Reds

[LRCW]

I think Baker's decision is stupid. Bailey has been lights out on the road. Now if there is a Game 4 or 5, you're going to either have Bailey pitching at home, or Cueto and Arroyo going on 3 days rest. Don't like either option at all.

[stickymitts]

I think Baker's decision is stupid. Bailey has been lights out on the road. Now if there is a Game 4 or 5' date=' you're going to either have Bailey pitching at home, or Cueto and Arroyo going on 3 days rest. Don't like either option at all.[/quote']

 

Completely and totally agree. No one can say Dusty only looks at numbers because it's clear as can be.

[HammerTime]

Yeah, I'm not a fan.

[SSC]

I don't mind a 3 man rotation as long as your clear two best pitchers pitch the first two games.

[LRCW]

I don't mind a 3 man rotation as long as your clear two best pitchers pitch the first two games.

 

You think pitching them on 3 days rest when they haven't done it all year is a smart move? Especially given how Cueto struggled late, more than likely due to a tired arm?

[Michael Corleone]

Did he make this decision before or after the stroke?

[SSC]

You think pitching them on 3 days rest when they haven't done it all year is a smart move? Especially given how Cueto struggled late, more than likely due to a tired arm?

 

It's not the move I would make, but I don't mind it if your two best were lined up first and second. The decision as is I don't like in more than one way.

[plantmanky]

Homers stock is high right now, and honestly Cuteo is pitching like the #4 right now. I agree Homer is stat wise better on the road, but due to his pitching in the last few preformances, lets see what he does.

[dmderringer10]

You think pitching them on 3 days rest when they haven't done it all year is a smart move? Especially given how Cueto struggled late, more than likely due to a tired arm?

 

Just like Homer Bailey had a tired arm in the middle of August?

[SSC]

What did Latos have to do to get out of game 3? He's been decent.

[SSC]

Just like Homer Bailey had a tired arm in the middle of August?

 

Agreed. I think Cueto is suffering from being a little bored.

[LRCW]

What did Latos have to do to get out of game 3? He's been decent.

 

He's pitching game 3.

[LRCW]

 

Just like Homer Bailey had a tired arm in the middle of August?

 

Yeah, it's called dead arm. I figured a baseball guy like you would have heard of it.

[dmderringer10]

Yeah, it's called dead arm. I figured a baseball guy like you would have heard of it.

 

So Homer's dead arm just went away with no rest? Not likely...