Quote:
Originally Posted by mrkajz44
It's a bit of catch-22 though:
1) Numbers are not great 3rd time through the order
2) Don't allow pitcher to go 3rd time through order
3) Numbers 3rd time through the order cannot improve
4) Go back to step 1
You can't get better at pitching the 3rd time through the order if you never get to do it. I'm more of a fan of letting a guy go as long as he can go, but have a really short hook after the 2nd time through the order.
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The other aspect of this is the bullpen. Yes, numbers go up third time through the order for most starters. However, if you take them out early, you put WAY more pressure on your bullpen.
The question is: which is worse? By my observation of the way the game has changed in the last few years - and especially this year - over taxing the bullpen seems worse.