Keep reiterating it but really hope we don't overanalyze Strider situation. My fear is we use him in pen, don't get max value, he doesn't build his arm strength either and basically doesn't start this entire postseason.
I'd save him, use him as an opener and just hope he can give us 4-5 innings in a bullpen game. I also don't get why we'd save him for a game 4 that might not happen. The entire issue is he needs innings. What good does it do to not pitch him and then go into Dodgers situation in same situation? I just don't see any rationale to this thinking of using him in the pen or saving him for a game 4. Frankly i think he should go game 2 because if he goes game 4 it also limits his ability to pitch in Dodgers series. He should just go game 2, we have an off-day after, so game 2 can be a heavy bullpen game, and then Strider could start game 1 NLCs on full rest, or even be emergency game 5 reliever.
This sort of feels Soroka / Fried-esque again on just overanalyzing a simple situation. Strider is an elite starter and we should pitch him in game 2 and get as many innings as he feels comfortable. Just my view.