the finding about pitchers facing the order a third time is actually robust and covers a very large sample
when you have a result like that you assume it applies to Nola until he proves otherwise...and in his career he has not proved otherwise, and that includes the double he gave up to Inciarte
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
If the Phillies are going to use that strategy, they are going to have to find some relievers that can go multiple innings. I understand the analytics behind the decision, and the decision to pull Nola is defensible from that standpoint. But I doubt the Phillies have enough pitchers to change to suit every platoon matchup if they're pulling starters after 5 innings/ 68 pitches. And of course the pitchers you bring in have to have the talent level to perform better than the starter they replace, or the analytics are rendered useless. The teams that have had success handling their staffs in this manner have had 1) a bullpen with multiple decent pitchers, and 2) an ace on whom they can count for one 7-8 inning stint per week.
I didn't think what Kapler did yesterday was too much out of the ordinary. It's opening day and guys have to build up their strength. If it's July, I might wonder a little more. A lot is going to depend on how well a bullpen is constructed. If there is a big-time return of the long man in the bullpen, we will see a lot of different usage patterns emerging.
But basically, you're right. Pitchers tend to do worse the more times they go through the line-up. Nothing really new there. How teams are reacting to that reality is the story.
My own view is lifting Nola in that situation was a close call but I would not criticise the manager for it
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
SKIP Carey was talking about the difficulty of the third time through the order when I was a young child watching my earliest Braves games.
I've watched college teams game consistently game plan this very thing with Sunday starters essentially by committee. This is not a great secret of the game that has been unlocked by nerds with calloused asses.
I was confused why the Phillies didn't bring in Neshek at any point. I thought he was their bullpen ace that they just paid $16 mil for?
I think the issue for the Phillies yesterday was our lineup leans lefty and their pen has only 2 lefties...neither pitched well...and the platoon matchup advantages swung our way once they were done
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
Did Kapler just take out there last lefty when ender/Freeman are still to hit in this game? Oof