Twins and A's are Taking Page Out of Rays' Book

**Conqueror** · 09-04-18, 01:04 PM

Interesting.

**44 Mag** · 09-04-18, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by LT Profits

Both are using openers before bringing "starters" in.

Tuesday Projected Pitchers
Minnesota: Trevor May-Kohl Stewart
Oakland: Hendriks-Montas
Tampa Bay: Stanek-Beeks

That's two days in a row for Stanek.....

**krk1030** · 09-04-18, 01:47 PM

Where are you seeing the A's are doing it?

I thought this was just a straight up bullpen game.

Either way the bullpen is so deep montas is probably a 3 inning max guy and then they sre into their leverage guys.

**LT Profits** · 09-04-18, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by krk1030

Where are you seeing the A's are doing it?

I thought this was just a straight up bullpen game.

Either way the bullpen is so deep montas is probably a 3 inning max guy and then they sre into their leverage guys.

Yes, A's said they were doing it with Hendriks-Mengden Saturday and Mengden only went two innings as like the third pitcher in. Maybe they are going more on "feel" but they say Montas is definitely pitching tonight.

**blackbart** · 09-04-18, 02:33 PM

success breeds imitation
last i knew rays were leading in era post asb

**LT Profits** · 09-04-18, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by blackbart

success breeds imitation
last i knew rays were leading in era post asb

He won't win it but Kevin Cash deserves to be Manager of the Year.

**pavyracer** · 09-04-18, 04:11 PM

This is a good strategy. Bring your starter later when the opposing hitters are tired.

**Mr KLC** · 09-04-18, 05:30 PM

This is slowly lowering starting options in daily fantasy contests.

**Mr KLC** · 09-04-18, 05:33 PM

Astros did something similar to this method in their minor league system. They would have one starter go a few innings and then have another piggy back off them for a few more. They felt they could limit their innings for the season and not wear them out.

**LT Profits** · 09-04-18, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by Mr KLC

Astros did something similar to this method in their minor league system. They would have one starter go a few innings and then have another piggy back off them for a few more. They felt they could limit their innings for the season and not wear them out.

Not quite the same thing. The idea of an opener is to let him go an inning or two and then the second guy pitches the bulk of the innings. One theory is he will be able to go deeper if he starts out facing the bottom of the order, another theory is opposing lineup gets one less look at him if he comes in at top of order second time around.

**BestPlay2day** · 09-04-18, 07:34 PM

Not working too good for the Twins, May already gave up 4 runs in the 1st. Twins tried this on Sunday and lost 18-4. Of course if you're putting out a shitty pitcher like the Twins did, this is no surprise.

**LT Profits** · 09-04-18, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by BestPlay2day

Not working too good for the Twins, May already gave up 4 runs in the 1st. Twins tried this on Sunday and lost 18-4. Of course if you're putting out a shitty pitcher like the Twins did, this is no surprise.

And Stewart has pitched well so far. Maybe next time around they will give him normal start.

**Hman** · 09-05-18, 08:34 AM

The Rays are 12 games over .500, yet 20 games out of first place.

Unreal what Boston is doing.

**LT Profits** · 09-05-18, 08:40 AM

Now we know Melvin cannot be trusted. Yes he employed opener strategy, but Mengden was the long man and Montas did not even pitch. At least when Cash announces secondary guys, his sticks to it and Twins also followed announced pregame plan.

**LT Profits** · 09-05-18, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by LT Profits

Now we know Melvin cannot be trusted..

I take this back, mystery solved. https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/art...s-13204993.php