How would you pitch Game 1?

[Mr Southpaw]

Counsell has said maybe Suter will start a bullpen game. What would you do? Maybe...

 

1 Suter

2 Suter

3 Suter

4 Williams

5 Williams

6 Yardley

7 Knebel

8 Knebel/ Hader

9 Hader

[adambr2]

Knebel should not be part of any planned Game 1. He should only get in the game if it gets out of hand and you need to eat up some innings, or if you simply run out of other options. I know Corey still has that name recognition but sadly he simply isn't the pitcher we once knew and can't be trusted right now.

 

I don't see Williams entering that early in Game 1 unless we get in a major jam in the middle innings and the game hangs in the balance. But if you pitch him for 2 planned middle innings, you've lost him for Game 2 most likely.

 

Peralta or Houser is most likely following Suter for 2 or 3 innings.

[NYChez]

Suter for 5 (Houser if Suter is in trouble)

Yardley / Claudio for 6

Williams for 7-8

Hader for 9

 

Peralta may not be at 100% after throwing a lot on Sunday.

[djoctagone]

suter threw 4.0 innings in his last start of a 7-inning doubleheader on 25 september. there are three off days before the division series starts, and there's no way that suter appears again in game three of the wild card series with one day of rest. i say be hopeful for 5.0 innings of suter on four days' rest, and then turn it over to the bullpen.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

[MrTPlush]

I am starting with Suter and the rest really depends on how the offense/Suter does to start the game.

 

I am hoping Suter can at least go 3 innings (maybe more) and my next choice would likely be Justin Topa. I am 100% following up Suter with a flamethrower and Topa is the best guy to use early in the game. In a favorable world that gets us through 5 innings. If we are tied or have a lead I am unloading Williams/Hader to finish the last 4 innings.

 

If Hader/Williams won't be available for Game 2, so what, I don't care. If we are going to win this series being vanilla is not going to work. I am using the bullpen in the game that will need it most, Game 1. We will just have to expect our ace can go 6+ in Game 2. Woodruff pitched an 8-inning gem to get us into the postseason and owns a 1.65 ERA in the postseason. To win this series we have to trust that. Not to mention you could easily throw Hader/Williams again in Game 2 if you really wanted to as long as neither throws 50 pitches the day prior.

 

If we got a chance to win Hader/Williams are throwing four innings, I will worry about the next game later.

[patrickgpe]

I'd do an opener, (Rasmussen, Yardly), and then pitch someone of the opposite hand in the 2nd until he can't go anymore. They have done this to the dodgers in the past. You get away without having to name a starter in advance for the dodgers to lineup against. The brewers are massive underdogs tomorrow (-320), they may have to do this with smoke and mirrors.

[StearnsFTW]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

 

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

[Eye Black]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

 

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

Cody Bellinger quote on facing Lauer:

 

"He has a (bleeping) weird heater. It's hard to hit. You see it. Then you swing and it's by you."

[homer]

If I was pitching game one I would throw overhand.

[Madhawk23]

I am starting with Suter and the rest really depends on how the offense/Suter does to start the game.

 

I am hoping Suter can at least go 3 innings (maybe more) and my next choice would likely be Justin Topa. I am 100% following up Suter with a flamethrower and Topa is the best guy to use early in the game. In a favorable world that gets us through 5 innings. If we are tied or have a lead I am unloading Williams/Hader to finish the last 4 innings.

 

If Hader/Williams won't be available for Game 2, so what, I don't care. If we are going to win this series being vanilla is not going to work. I am using the bullpen in the game that will need it most, Game 1. We will just have to expect our ace can go 6+ in Game 2. Woodruff pitched an 8-inning gem to get us into the postseason and owns a 1.65 ERA in the postseason. To win this series we have to trust that. Not to mention you could easily throw Hader/Williams again in Game 2 if you really wanted to as long as neither throws 50 pitches the day prior.

 

If we got a chance to win Hader/Williams are throwing four innings, I will worry about the next game later.

 

I'm with you 100% here. We have to hope that Suter can get three clean innings to start off the game, and then I'd really be tempted to bring in Topa if I were CC. Topa has really been impressive in his recent outings, and I like the velocity change that would occur between Suter and him. It wouldn't shock me to see CC go with Freddy after Suter, but he did just throw 50+ pitches on Sunday and wasn't overly sharp - so that leads me to think we might go in a different direction. I'm not sure if we could get Topa through 2 innings, so I think I'd have either Yardley or Claudio ready to go depending on if we have LH or RH bats coming up in inning 5. If we can somehow come out of inning number 5 with a lead, I would not be shocked at all to see CC try to get D Will the 6th and 7th, and then ride Hader for the 8th and 9th. This is a risky proposition to try to get two innings out of each of those guys, but I think you have to go all-in to win game 1 with your ace scheduled to go game 2.

[KeithStone53151]

I'll start with I absolutely would not pitch layer. I'm just not going to chase those stats from prior years when he's looked so bad this year. I'd maybe keep him on the roster and use him if we get desperate, but I'd really try to avoid pitching him.

 

I would open with probably lindblom with the plan to use him for just 3-4 innings. If we get a lead through 5, williams and hader for 2 each. I have no problem with both guys being unavailable for game 2 as long as they're be available game 3.

[liveforoctober]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

 

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

 

I love the outside the box thinking and we are going to have to be creative for 27 innings to be able to beat the Dodgers AND this would be quite the cinderella/rabbit pull, etc if it were to work... however Lauer managed to be a -.6 WAR in only 4 appearances this year. Something isn't right or the Covid style of baseball just didn't work for him or something... he really, really struggled. The likelihood of it working isn't very good and so starting Lauer in Game 1 of the playoffs against the best team in baseball with 95% of your pitchers available to you is a borderline fireable offense in my very humble opinion. I will eat a months worth of crow if Lauer starts Gm1 and pitches well and I would be happy to do it.

 

This would be a bit like giving Woodruff a PH opportunity against Kershaw over Gamel in Gm2 because of past success...

[TURBO]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

 

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

Cody Bellinger quote on facing Lauer:

 

"He has a (bleeping) weird heater. It's hard to hit. You see it. Then you swing and it's by you."

 

Strange that comment doesn't hold water for anyone else who faces him.

[MrTPlush]

I am starting with Suter and the rest really depends on how the offense/Suter does to start the game.

 

I am hoping Suter can at least go 3 innings (maybe more) and my next choice would likely be Justin Topa. I am 100% following up Suter with a flamethrower and Topa is the best guy to use early in the game. In a favorable world that gets us through 5 innings. If we are tied or have a lead I am unloading Williams/Hader to finish the last 4 innings.

 

If Hader/Williams won't be available for Game 2, so what, I don't care. If we are going to win this series being vanilla is not going to work. I am using the bullpen in the game that will need it most, Game 1. We will just have to expect our ace can go 6+ in Game 2. Woodruff pitched an 8-inning gem to get us into the postseason and owns a 1.65 ERA in the postseason. To win this series we have to trust that. Not to mention you could easily throw Hader/Williams again in Game 2 if you really wanted to as long as neither throws 50 pitches the day prior.

 

If we got a chance to win Hader/Williams are throwing four innings, I will worry about the next game later.

 

I'm with you 100% here. We have to hope that Suter can get three clean innings to start off the game, and then I'd really be tempted to bring in Topa if I were CC. Topa has really been impressive in his recent outings, and I like the velocity change that would occur between Suter and him. It wouldn't shock me to see CC go with Freddy after Suter, but he did just throw 50+ pitches on Sunday and wasn't overly sharp - so that leads me to think we might go in a different direction. I'm not sure if we could get Topa through 2 innings, so I think I'd have either Yardley or Claudio ready to go depending on if we have LH or RH bats coming up in inning 5. If we can somehow come out of inning number 5 with a lead, I would not be shocked at all to see CC try to get D Will the 6th and 7th, and then ride Hader for the 8th and 9th. This is a risky proposition to try to get two innings out of each of those guys, but I think you have to go all-in to win game 1 with your ace scheduled to go game 2.

 

There is probably a good chance it would be Peralta after Suter if he is available, not a mystery that is the typical set up when Suter starts it. Counsell likes the velocity difference and it has worked like an ace at times when they pitch together. However, I am guessing we won't see Peralta. He pitched a lot Sunday and it wasn't exactly pretty.

[JohnBriggs12]

Look, chances are pretty high for a Dodgers sweep. Brewers need a Woodruff start similar to Saturday in game 2, but his history is that he produces starts like that every 4th or 5th time out and following up with another gem is a big ask. If Dodgers jump out in front in both games, chances are Williams and Hader won't see any action at all. Why not make sure your two best weapons see action when the game isn't already decided? So I'd start game one with two innings from Williams, then go to Suter for innings 3 through 6. That might give the Brewers a reasonable chance to either be ahead or within a run heading to the 7th. Get through the 7th and 8th with some combination of Peralta, Yardley, Knebel, I'd also be tempted to start Hader for two innings in 2nd game then rely on Woodruff to pitch the last 7 innings resting the rest of the pen for a possible game 3.

[Madhawk23]

I don't think I'd pitch Lauer in game 1, but I might consider him if we get to a game 3 in this series. Would I feel good about it? NO. But, it's hard to ignore the numbers he put up against the Dodgers while pitching with SD. But, you'd absolutely have to have the pen up and ready in case if Lauer looks like the guy we've seen in a Brewers uniform the past two months.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I'll start with I absolutely would not pitch layer. I'm just not going to chase those stats from prior years when he's looked so bad this year. I'd maybe keep him on the roster and use him if we get desperate, but I'd really try to avoid pitching him.

 

I would open with probably lindblom with the plan to use him for just 3-4 innings. If we get a lead through 5, williams and hader for 2 each. I have no problem with both guys being unavailable for game 2 as long as they're be available game 3.

 

It isn't chasing stats, though ... moreso playing matchups. The Dodgers lineup is substantially worse against left-handed pitching, so it would make sense to start a lefty. The options are Suter, Lauer or Claudio ... unless they go ultra crazy and pull up Perdomo, Ethan Small or Aaron Ashby. Suter probably makes the most sense, but he's also likely who the Dodgers are expecting. I think it will probably be him, but Lauer does have a history of absolutely owning this Dodgers lineup (sans Betts obviously), and while he hasn't pitched nearly as well as expected this year, he has the most experience and success both against the Dodgers lineup and in that stadium of anyone on the staff.

[StearnsFTW]

Given how Lauer owned that Dodgers lineup last year as a Padre, I'd consider starting him. If he looks bad early, go to the pen. I mean, if you are going to do a pen game anyway, why not?

 

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

 

I love the outside the box thinking and we are going to have to be creative for 27 innings to be able to beat the Dodgers AND this would be quite the cinderella/rabbit pull, etc if it were to work... however Lauer managed to be a -.6 WAR in only 4 appearances this year. Something isn't right or the Covid style of baseball just didn't work for him or something... he really, really struggled. The likelihood of it working isn't very good and so starting Lauer in Game 1 of the playoffs against the best team in baseball with 95% of your pitchers available to you is a borderline fireable offense in my very humble opinion. I will eat a months worth of crow if Lauer starts Gm1 and pitches well and I would be happy to do it.

 

This would be a bit like giving Woodruff a PH opportunity against Kershaw over Gamel in Gm2 because of past success...

 

I mean, I guess it would be kinda like that. Except Lauer has owned the Dodgers over 7 starts and Woodruff has 1 AB vs Kershaw. I know you're being facetious, but Woodruff and Gamel aren't that different as hitters anyway.

 

I get your point of view on Lauer, but there's little to lose here as it might be a bullpen game anyway. I'm not married to the idea at all, but I would definitely understand it if CC actually did it (which I don't think he will).

[Pugger]

If I was pitching game one I would throw overhand.

 

[liveforoctober]

This is what I'd do. Start Lauer and have the bullpen on high alert, particularly Suter.

 

I love the outside the box thinking and we are going to have to be creative for 27 innings to be able to beat the Dodgers AND this would be quite the cinderella/rabbit pull, etc if it were to work... however Lauer managed to be a -.6 WAR in only 4 appearances this year. Something isn't right or the Covid style of baseball just didn't work for him or something... he really, really struggled. The likelihood of it working isn't very good and so starting Lauer in Game 1 of the playoffs against the best team in baseball with 95% of your pitchers available to you is a borderline fireable offense in my very humble opinion. I will eat a months worth of crow if Lauer starts Gm1 and pitches well and I would be happy to do it.

 

This would be a bit like giving Woodruff a PH opportunity against Kershaw over Gamel in Gm2 because of past success...

 

I mean, I guess it would be kinda like that. Except Lauer has owned the Dodgers over 7 starts and Woodruff has 1 AB vs Kershaw. I know you're being facetious, but Woodruff and Gamel aren't that different as hitters anyway.

 

I get your point of view on Lauer, but there's little to lose here as it might be a bullpen game anyway. I'm not married to the idea at all, but I would definitely understand it if CC actually did it (which I don't think he will).

 

But we have the series to lose.

 

Yes the Dodgers are better. Yes the Brewers are more likely to do something silly and give the Dodgers the series. But just as the Brewers are a clunker away from facing Kershaw in an elimination game ... the Dodgers are also a clunker away from facing Brandon Woodruff in an elimination game.

 

I'm not ok with 'YOLO!' being our team motto for the series until it has to be. Just my opinion.

[StearnsFTW]

 

I love the outside the box thinking and we are going to have to be creative for 27 innings to be able to beat the Dodgers AND this would be quite the cinderella/rabbit pull, etc if it were to work... however Lauer managed to be a -.6 WAR in only 4 appearances this year. Something isn't right or the Covid style of baseball just didn't work for him or something... he really, really struggled. The likelihood of it working isn't very good and so starting Lauer in Game 1 of the playoffs against the best team in baseball with 95% of your pitchers available to you is a borderline fireable offense in my very humble opinion. I will eat a months worth of crow if Lauer starts Gm1 and pitches well and I would be happy to do it.

 

This would be a bit like giving Woodruff a PH opportunity against Kershaw over Gamel in Gm2 because of past success...

 

I mean, I guess it would be kinda like that. Except Lauer has owned the Dodgers over 7 starts and Woodruff has 1 AB vs Kershaw. I know you're being facetious, but Woodruff and Gamel aren't that different as hitters anyway.

 

I get your point of view on Lauer, but there's little to lose here as it might be a bullpen game anyway. I'm not married to the idea at all, but I would definitely understand it if CC actually did it (which I don't think he will).

 

But we have the series to lose.

 

Yes the Dodgers are better. Yes the Brewers are more likely to do something silly and give the Dodgers the series. But just as the Brewers are a clunker away from facing Kershaw in an elimination game ... the Dodgers are also a clunker away from facing Brandon Woodruff in an elimination game.

 

I'm not ok with 'YOLO!' being our team motto for the series until it has to be. Just my opinion.

 

It's not YOLO though. He has been very good against them his whole career. I know he's sucked this year, but there is some theory behind the move.

 

When I say "there's nothing to lose" I mean more in a sense of this particular game, not the series. If, and it's an if, this is going to be a bullpen game, I can definitely see Lauer over Suter. I think that's a defensible position. And I very much agree that the Dodgers are a clunker away from facing Woodruff in an elimination game, which is why I would take the risk of stealing game 1 with a guy who has pitched very well against them.

 

I get your stance completely, but I think I might roll the dice.

[pacopete4]

If I was pitching game one I would throw overhand.

 

The underhand may be more effective for some of our guys.

[Underachiever]

If I was pitching game one I would throw overhand.

 

The underhand may be more effective for some of our guys.

Warm up right-handed, start the game left-handed.

 

Is this guy available? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Jaster

 

"The main highlight of Jaster's 1966 season, were his league leading five shutouts, all of which were against the NL pennant winning Los Angeles Dodgers."

 

And I know it's not the optimism thread, but why are you worried about the Brewers needing 27 innings or three games? They can finish these bums in 18 and 2.

[KeithStone53151]

I'll start with I absolutely would not pitch layer. I'm just not going to chase those stats from prior years when he's looked so bad this year. I'd maybe keep him on the roster and use him if we get desperate, but I'd really try to avoid pitching him.

 

I would open with probably lindblom with the plan to use him for just 3-4 innings. If we get a lead through 5, williams and hader for 2 each. I have no problem with both guys being unavailable for game 2 as long as they're be available game 3.

 

It isn't chasing stats, though ... moreso playing matchups. The Dodgers lineup is substantially worse against left-handed pitching, so it would make sense to start a lefty. The options are Suter, Lauer or Claudio ... unless they go ultra crazy and pull up Perdomo, Ethan Small or Aaron Ashby. Suter probably makes the most sense, but he's also likely who the Dodgers are expecting. I think it will probably be him, but Lauer does have a history of absolutely owning this Dodgers lineup (sans Betts obviously), and while he hasn't pitched nearly as well as expected this year, he has the most experience and success both against the Dodgers lineup and in that stadium of anyone on the staff.

 

I understand why some people would want to do that. It isn't stupid by any stretch, I personally just wouldn't do it. I don't think he'll be effective the way he's pitching right now.

 

Suter is more effective against RH hitters, at least he has been the last 2 seasons. And it makes sense considering both a cut fastball and changeup will play better against opposite handed hitters than same handed. If the Dodgers were smart(which they are), they would probably just put out a best lineup if Suter started versus loading up opposite handed hitters. Suter still could throw a few good innings though.

 

I like the idea of going Lindblom for a few, and then using whatever pen guys are needed to get through 5. Obviously playing matchups. Figure on Williams and Hader theoretically covering innings 6-9 in game 1 and game 3. For game 2, obviously neither are available so maybe make a point not to pitch Knebel and Peralta so both are available for late innings game 2 if Woodruff can throw 6 or 7 good innings.