The opener

[chipchildress]

i don't see why this is a good strategy. presumably your starter is good, that's why he's a starter. he should be able to go after the top three hitters to start the game on his own.

you can always bring the closer in later in the game to get those top three hitters. all i've seen that you've done here is limit your options as the game goes on. not to mention blow out your closer/starter. maybe he wouldn't have had to pitch today. . oh well.

 

[CyYoung31]

I’ve advocated stuff like this for the playoffs for a long time. This wouldn’t really play over 162 games though.

 

[Carp]

I think it's pretty smart to use for your starters that struggle to go over 5 innings. Probably a better use in the AL though, imo.

 

[Russ2dollas]

I’ve advocated stuff like this for the playoffs for a long time. This wouldn’t really play over 162 games though.

I like this.

It's interesting and different.

I have thought for a while the next inefficiency are pitchers who can get through the lineup once but not more than that. Collect those guys cheap and have 2-3 inning RPs. Maybe piece them together to be your 5th starter.

In this case you shut them down early. Give them a different look. Then let your starter get up to speed on the bottom of the line up. Especially good if you have a team that has a great Roogy/loogy and the other team has several of those guys in a row.

I'm not saying I'm sold, but I do find it interesting.