Playoff Rotation, Kris Medlen, etc...

[The Chosen One]

Only a few more weeks until the playoffs, and barring a Nationals takeover, it's safe to say we're going to play a real series this time, instead of a one game play-in.

Kris Medlen has been exceptionally good the last 9 starts. Finally back over .500 again.

He's making a strong case to start a Game 2.

If we start the series at home instead of away in a 2-2-1, I'd go:

H-Minor
H-Wood/Teheran
A-Medlen
A-Wood/Teheran (if up 2-1)
H-Minor

We start the series on the road in a 2-2-1, I'd go:
A-Minor
A-Medlen
H-Wood/Teheran
H-Minor
A-Medlen

Not a knock on Minor, but Medlen actually pitched pretty decent in the NLWC game... had it not been for Chipper's error. I probably could switch Minor and Medlen either way at this point.

I'm seriously hoping Wood/Teheran don't burn out here at the end... because it'd tempt Fredi extremely to use Maholm.

[Bdawg2309]

start maholm on the road

[Dalyn]

start maholm on the road

[bravebonebook]

He helped by winning some games this year but the only thing Maholm should be doing during the play-offs is help the other guys carry their bags to their rooms for away games.

[gtcway]

What are you guys thinking? Everyone knows that you can't have a playoff rotation without a veteran presence going in game one or two. Silly rabbits

[nsacpi]

If we play the Reds, we should probably try to minimize the number of games our two flyball pitchers (Minor and Teheran) pitch there.

[Julio3000]

I think that giving JT a home start would be a good plan.

[zitothebrave]

I would generally agree. I think Medlen's vet presence would do better on the road than Julio/Wood who we should minimize on the road.

[nsacpi]

I would generally agree. I think Medlen's vet presence would do better on the road than Julio/Wood who we should minimize on the road.

So in the first round assuming we have the home field advantage something like this:

Game 1 (Home) Minor
Game 2 (Home) Teheran
Game 3 (Away) Medlen
Game 4 (Away) Wood
Game 5 (Home) Minor

[NYCBrave]

In the NLDS, it looks like the schedule breaks down so that if we want to go with a 3 man rotation, we'd have to bring back our game 1 starter (Minor?) for game 4 on three days rest, but our game 5 starter (Teheran/Medlen) would have full rest.

[sturg33]

How is the schedule?

Game 1 - Thursday
Game 2 - Friday
Saturday - Off
Game 3 - Sunday?
Game 4 - Monday
Tuesday - Off
Game 5 - Wednesday

Is that right?

[zitothebrave]

In the NLDS, it looks like the schedule breaks down so that if we want to go with a 3 man rotation, we'd have to bring back our game 1 starter (Minor?) for game 4 on three days rest, but our game 5 starter (Teheran/Medlen) would have full rest.

Yes that's how it usually shakes out. If we're up 2-1 then we shouldn't make Minor go out on game 4.

[The Chosen One]

I think Teheran would be better suited on the road, because he's a power pitcher.

Wood is more of a finesse guy than Teheran, and I'd rather him pitch at home. Although it wouldn't bother me either way if the roles were reversed. These guys have to get baptized sometime.

[emk418]

First round is clearly Minor, Teheran, Medlen(not necessarily in that order. Our offense is not making me confident in going on any run in the playoffs but with Medlen turning it around the last month or so I'm loving our big 3 in the playoffs regardless of experience.

I start Teheran game two regardless in order for him to get a home start.

[braves31win]

How is the schedule?

Game 1 - Thursday
Game 2 - Friday
Saturday - Off
Game 3 - Sunday?
Game 4 - Monday
Tuesday - Off
Game 5 - Wednesday

Is that right?

Damn, I just found all of you guys that used to be on Scout, don't post much but missed the insight.

That schedule looks correct

Just stumbled upon this today and it looks like post season sched was just officially announced

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/96...eason-schedule

[The Chosen One]

That's interesting becuase if I remember correctly, all those past Game 5's we lost at home in the NLDS before, were days immediately after Game 4, no off day.

[mfree80]

Not sure I would disagree with anything you guys are saying, but I would note that Minor has been very good on the road.... maybe better than at home, and certainly our best pitcher in the other guys park.

[nsacpi]

Not sure I would disagree with anything you guys are saying, but I would note that Minor has been very good on the road.... maybe better than at home, and certainly our best pitcher in the other guys park.

Not to look too far ahead, but once you get to the seven game series, games 1 and 5 will be one home and one road. So while going in game 1 in the first round might preclude Minor from pitching on the road, this wouldn't be the case in subsequent series. That game he just pitched against the Phillies makes me think he'll match up well against the other team's ace and give us a chance to win.

[NYCBrave]

Not sure I would disagree with anything you guys are saying, but I would note that Minor has been very good on the road.... maybe better than at home, and certainly our best pitcher in the other guys park.

All that will really mean for us is more consideration to pitching him in game 4 on three days rest.

[stpeteirish]

If we end up the 3 seed game 4 (if necessary) is at home. You could use Maholm there rather than Wood or your game one starter on short rest. In the more likely event that games on and two are at home I wouldn't use Maholm at all. Not sure who I'd use in a game 4 on the road, but you want your best guy rested and ready if there'a a game five.

If we've down two to one on the road you have to use your game one starter in game 4 on short rest rather than Maholm/Wood.