Game 5 is always more difficult to predict. Its a well known fact.
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Make sure to keep this on the down-low...
AA's talking to Snit about bumping Folty to Game 3 at home to match up with Buehler - they're considering going with Smoltzie tomorrow night and Maddux on Friday.
I know the Braves have never used an opener, and certainly won't start using one in Game 1 of the NLDS, but...
This Dodgers lineup actually sets itself up almost perfectly for the Braves to use a LHP as an opener against Pederson/Muncy, with Folty acting as the "bulk guy" before handing the ball off to Viz/Minter.
Another idea is to use 2 starters (1 lefty and 1 righty) for one trip through the lineup each.
Say Teheran goes 3. Then Newcomb goes 3.
The Dodgers would optimize their lineup for whoever is starting. By bringing in an opposite handed pitcher, we force them to either accept the unfavorable platoon match or burn players. Then the third time through the lineup, we use our pen to get the best matchup without having to worry about them flipping players to get the matchup advantage.
I wouldn't do this with Folty. But Newcomb/Fried in tandem with Suarez/Gausman/Teheran/Touki.
I think if we carried the right mix and number of guys in the pen we could have a yuge amount of flexibility. We could implement a strategy where we replace our starter very early in the game if necessary.
One benefit of this is we can pinch hit very early if the pitcher's spot comes up in a high leverage situation. Lets say its a 1-1 game in the third inning. Pitchers spot comes up with the bases loaded. I say lift him right there.
Not a bad thought. You could have venters open and face hitters 1-3. Pitching around the 2 hole hitter. If he clears the first. Then Folty starts the 2nd. If Manny comes up then you put Folty in. This allows Folty to face the entire dodger lineup 3 times except the top 3 hitters.
PREDICTION:
Game One: Braves win 37-0. Injure Turner, Bellinger and Puig with line drives.
Game Two: Braves win 21-0. Injure Kershaw, Muncy and Pederson with line drives.
Game Three: Dodgers cry, forfeit.
Well, its much easier to predict the starters for the first 4 games. I'm not really predicting anything concretely, just saying what I think the outlook is at the moment. I like the Folty vs. Ryu matchup in game 1 and possibly game 4. The Buehler and Kershaw games are going to be brutal. If we can steal one of those I think we can win it.
Um, okay?