Weekly Rangers Playoff Rotation Update
Because we can all assume the Rangers will make the playoffs again this year (don't blame me if I jinx it), I'm going to go ahead and put on my Warsh hat and set my 4-man rotation, that will undoubtedly change on a week-to-week basis due to my overreaction to each start.
Guidelines for the weekly playoff rotation update, that will be from here on out be referred to as the "WPRU".
-I'm under the assumption that the Rangers will have home field advantage
-The rotation will be selected from the current roster despite trade possibilities (what's up Cole)
-Current injuries are a factor
-I will overreact to one amazing or terrible start…count on it.
So let's get rolling with the rotation as of today:
Game 1- Matt Harrison- (12-4, 2.87 ERA) Lefty has the best ERA of any of the starters and has been without question, the best starter on the staff since the middle of May. If you would have asked me on Memorial Day, Harry would have been on the outside looking in, but sitting here…right now…he's my game 1 starter.
Matt also has the most quality starts and at this point, I think has the most confidence to take the ball. He's not my ace, but neither are the other 4, but because I'm Warsh and I just want my guy to keep us in game 1…gimme Harry.
Game 2- Yu Darvish- (10-6, 3.96 ERA) Even though he'll be a playoff rookie, there is zero chance I'm throwing him on the road, based on his 7-1 record at the Ballpark in Arlington and 3-5 line on the road.
Darvish also seems to get up for big opponents…posting a 6-1 record against possible playoff teams, the Yanks, Tigers, Angels and Blue Jays.
The only way I'm not pitching Yu in the playoffs is if by some miraculous act, we play the Mariners…good luck with that whole thing.
Yu also has the ability and the repertoire to take the mound and be unhittable…let's hope for a couple of those during their next run.
Game 3- Colby Lewis (6-6, 3.43 ERA) The Colbra, as the "veteran" of the staff will be my starter in the first road game. It's not like the other starters don't have playoff experience (see back-to-back WS trips), but I think Colby has the best chance to block out the road playoff atmosphere and get me a W…
Ironically, despite the assumption that Colby struggles at the Ballpark because of his propensity to give up the longball at the Arlington launch pad, he's actually given up 6 less homeruns at home and has a better ERA.
Give my the bulldog on the road.
Game 4- Roy Oswalt (3-1, 5.22 ERA) I was ready to call the Oswalt experiment a failure as of two weeks ago, but two recent solid outings mean he will be in the rotation.
If game 4 is in Boston, New York, LA or Detroit…I want a veteran on the bump.
That being said, Roy is the closest to being dropped from the top 4 and could be out by next week with an ugly start this week.
Notables:
Next in line- Derek Holland (6-4, 4.57 ERA) Dutchie has been up and down, just like the normal rollercoaster that he is…but after seeing what he's capable of in last year's World Series, he has to be considered.
Holland's injury bumped him down the totem pole, but with a solid August and September, he's the most likely to knock someone out of the rotation.
Direct message to Dutchie: bring back the mustache…it holds all your powers.
Don't count him out yet- Neftali Feliz- I'm just saying…there is a lot of baseball to go and I don't want his fragile psyche in the bullpen (see game 6).
Stay tuned…next week, Scott Feldman could crack the top 4 (not likely) and if the team decides they want Grienke before the trade-dealine…I might be able to squeeze him in.
Same time next week FAN FANS.
*Catch me on twitter @radio_nate
*Listen to me make a fool of myself with Austin York, Saturday's 2-6pm and on the FAN JAM, Sunday's 2-6.
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