Game plan for the final 6 games of 2018
The Braves have 6 games left after clinching the NL East, and I would like to see them follow a plan designed specifically to get them ready for the postseason. Folty needs to be lined up to start Game 1 of the NLDS. Guys like Duda and Duvall need several games with several PAs to tune themselves up for a few high leverage PAs in the NLDS. BP arms need to be rested, but I would also like to see them given 2-3 games to practice being used as they should be used in the NLDS to avoid throwing them into scenarios they've never seen before.
Assuming the Braves are going to go with the listed SPs vs the Mets (Touki, Newk, Teheran):
Sept 25: Touki starts, play this game like a normal regular season game
Sept 26: Newcomb starts, treat it as his audition for the NLDS, use young BP arms, give Duda 3-4 PAs vs deGrom
Sept 27: Teheran starts, treat it as his audition for the NLDS, use young BP arms, give Duvall 3-4 PAs vs Vargas
Sept 28: Folty starts on 5 days rest, treat this game like Game 1 of the NLDS where Folty goes 18-20 batters and the BP plays matchup for the rest
Sept 29: Gausman starts on 8 days rest, use young arms to finish this game, get Duvall and/or Duda 3-4 PAs
Sept 30: Sanchez starts on 7 days rest, treat this game like Game 2 of the NLDS where Sanchez goes 18-20 batters and the BP plays matchup for the rest
That plan lines Folty to start Game 1 of the NLDS Oct 4th on 5 days rest, with Gaus and Sanchez lined up behind him.
That plan makes sure Duda and Duvall get 10+ PAs in the final week of the season to get grooved.
That plan gives the BP (and Snit) a couple of "practice" playoff games so nobody is caught off guard with new BP tactics.
