Piniella slides a little further off the deep end

[MoreWineII]

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/06/Ra...o_starti.shtml

With Lance Carter's implosion in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the White Sox the latest debacle, manager Lou Piniella apparently felt there is no way any of the Devil Rays relievers can protect a lead in the eighth inning.

So he decided his next move is to try something that is totally different, potentially controversial and perhaps unprecedented.

Starting tonight, Piniella said he will use a reliever for the first two innings, then bring in his scheduled starter with the idea that he can pitch through the eighth before yielding to closer Danys Baez.

"I've made up my mind, and that's what we're going to do," Piniella said. "People are going to think I'm crazy, but we're just going to try it.

"Starting (tonight). I'll bring in whatever reliever I feel like starting the game with, and I'll bring my starter in in the third inning and we'll play nine innings of baseball that way. I'm serious."

Piniella first mentioned the idea last weekend, then dismissed it over concern for the starters' physical preparation.

[sublime]

a: hes trying to get fired
b: this isnt as crazy, or silly as it seems

[BigD226]

[ QUOTE ]
a: hes trying to get fired
b: this isnt as crazy, or silly as it seems

[/ QUOTE ]

and c: he's still an a-hole [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[sublime]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
a: hes trying to get fired
b: this isnt as crazy, or silly as it seems

[/ QUOTE ]

and c: he's still an a-hole [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

of course [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[MoreWineII]

I think that the whole starter, middle reliever, set-up man, closer idea is horseshit and I always have. If you have a pitcher who's good and who's rested, put him in the game. I don't care what label you've put on him.

If you think about it, that's like saying a certain basketball player can't play in the fourth quarter. He's only a first half guy.

But I don't think you'd find many people, especially in MLB, who'd agree with that.

That said, I think his actions may...uh...not be ideal if he ever wants to coach in the bigs again.

[CollinEstes]

I will enjoy seeing this but I have thought about a different kind of situation that happens all the time. Tell me what you guys think.

Your starter goes 7 but is obviously done. Due up for the other team is their 3-4-5 or 2-3-4 or whatever the heart of the lineup. Why don't you throw you best relief pitcher (probably your closer) in the 8th, then put you set-up man out there for the 9th when the bottom of the order is due up.

[hoyaboy1]

Because being different is scary.

[CollinEstes]

I think teams get caught up in the whole stats world with saves. Who cares about saves if you are winning games.

Don't you always want to have your best available to face their best in the late innings of a close game.

[sublime]

That said, I think his actions may...uh...not be ideal if he ever wants to coach in the bigs again.

ohh, he will get another job NO PROBLEM.

[Voltron87]

What he did in that game at YS where the yankees had that 13 run 8th inning or whatever was just wrong, leaving harper in the whole time.

That said, I want to watch this.