FanGraph's Game 2 Preview is something worth checking out and discussing. They (and Slyde) called for Dusty to go to the bullpen early in Game 1 (and he did! ..though perhaps not early enough?) and they're saying he should do it again tonight:
I’d argue that the Reds best chances of winning tonight involve pulling Arroyo early. You’re tempting fate every time you ask him to get the Rollins-Victorino-Utley-Howard group out more than once. With Aroldis Chapman fresh and the day off tomorrow, I think the Reds should empty their bullpen tonight, regardless of what the score is early. Arroyo gets the first 11 batters and that’s it. If he gets 11 outs, great. If he only gets five or six, well, you live with it.
Once Utley comes to the plate a second time, I’d have Chapman on the mound. Yes, Utley is good against left-handed pitchers, but Chapman is not your average LHP, and the odds of him putting one over the wall are substantially higher against Arroyo. You’re going to want Chapman in against Howard and Ibanez anyway, so maximize the batters he faces by bringing him in to face Utley.
Chapman firing in a playoff game (or two.. or six;) is going to give us one of our better 'just happy to be here' moments for 2010 Reds fans. But will it also be a good managerial tactic? Depends on when he comes in, right? ...It's hard to imagine that we won't see him tonight. Even if OurROYo deals six or seven shutout innings, it's hard to think of him being given a shot at a complete game.
Everyone is rested and there's another off day tomorrow. The 'pen is one of the strengths of our squad. We don't wanna go down with bullets in our gun. And Chapman is no cardboard cutout. He's no goddamned phony. So, whaddya think?
Poll
When should Dusty go to the bullpen?
Once Arroyo gets in any trouble at all. (12 votes)
After six or seven. Let Arroyo work through whatever comes at him. (3 votes)
Like handsome Dave Cameron at FanGraphs.com says- when Utley comes up for the second time. (0 votes)
Sunday. OurROYo is a horse! (0 votes)
15 total votes





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