https://goo.gl/ot51Rk
New frontier, or old tricks?
The Rays are again plotting to try something else significantly different and
extremely unusual with their starting pitching plans.
Which is beginning the game with one of their late-inning relievers, then
switching to their otherwise scheduled starter, based primarily on matchups
– in the first inning.
So on Saturday night against the Angels, look for veteran right-handed
reliever Sergio Romo to start and work the first inning, and maybe into the
second, with rookie lefty Ryan Yarbrough eventually coming in to handle the
bulk of the innings.
The thinking is that Romo's combination of slow, sweeping breaking balls will
stymie the six or so aggressive right-handers at the top of the Angels order.
And that that in theory would allow Yarbrough to come in against the bottom
third of the order and work deeper into the game without facing the likes of
Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Justin Upton for an onerous third time.
"The way that their lineup stacks generally speaking is very heavy
right-handed at the top," manager Kevin Cash said when asked about the plan
after Thursday's game.
"It allows us in theory to let Sergio to come in there and play the matchup
game in the first, which is somewhat unheard of – up until Saturday anyway.
"Then Yarbs can, in theory, have the availability to get deeper in the game.
There's no more secret about the third time through the order, everybody
knows that. And that's kind of what this is about."
Keeping all but the elite level starters from facing hitters a third time has
been in vogue for the last several seasons, based on clear data that pitchers
are hit harder, with the Rays among the more aggressive teams in doing so.
They have tried other outside-the-box ideas, such as planning to open this
season with four starters and a crew of multi-inning relievers to handle
scheduled "Bullpen Days," and used relievers in the starting roles. And then
when Nathan Eovaldi was hurt just before opening day, they went further
outside, trying to give it a go with three starters and scheduling two
"Bullpen Days" in five, though backed off that to an extent.
Romo, 35, has never started a game in his 11-year major-league career, so it
will be interesting to see how he handles it.
If this new plan works, it is likely to catch on. Who knows, with rookie
Anthony Banda slated for Sunday and another long stretch of games coming up,
maybe the Rays could try it again?
大意是光芒周六的比赛将让35岁老后援 Sergio Romo 以先发姿态战天使
预计会投第一轮的右打棒次，之后再让Ryan Yarbrough接手后面的局数
这样做的原因是当天是大谷的牛棚日，不会上场
所以打线可能会排连续右打
而Romo的变化球对付右打很有效
文末也提到Anthony Banda周日先发之后
光芒会开始一长串的系列赛
如果这次效果好，不排除日后再试
#中职再次领先全球
#Romo获得Open点+1