8 2/3 innings.

[AdamGreenwood]

Mark Buehrle has 14 consecutive seasons of pitching over 200 IP, which is nearly miraculous in the modern age.

Currently he is tied for that record with Greg Maddux. Christy Mathewson, and Phil Niekro.

 

If he can pitch another 8 2/3 inning, he will hold that record by himself.

 

He has one start left this season, and it's unlikely that the Jays will have clinched 1st overall at that point (but possible).

 

 

Questions:

 

1) Should the Jays allow Buehrle a longer leash than they would normally allow, given Buehrle's shot at this record (and virtual guarantee of an HOF spot if he gets it)?

2) Does your answer change depending on whether or not the Jays have clinched first place over the Royals by that point?

3) If Buehrle pitches less than 8 2/3 innings in that start, should the Jays consider letting him pitch a couple of innings, to hit that milestone in the last game of the season, assuming we have clinched at that point.

4) Does your answer change depending on whether Buehrle is likely to start for the Jays in the post-season or be used as a reliever?

[HERPDERP]

He isn't going to pitch 8 2/3 unless he dominates in the Tampa start.

 

What will likely happen is they will try and push for 6-7 innings, and then have him pitch on Sunday out of the pen. He isn't going to make the playoff roster anyway.

[fireballW]

Buehrle seems to like to play things cool, like these things don't matter much. I think he would look back in 15 years and wish he had just pitched these couple extra innings. He got a quick hook even in some games he was doing well. If I was the manager I'd probably try and convince him to go out on the last day and get the 200 innings. With the wildcard games, days off and him being the 4th starter at best, he'd have lots of time to recover.

[baubau]

Depends on the game. If the Jays score 10+ runs and the Rays have like 3-4, Gibby will likely keep him in to get that 8 2/3

[Mac Outlaw]

I think it's pretty simple.

 

Home field takes priority over all else. You keep everything on schedule until it's clinched. Once it is, you give Buehrle every opportunity to get the record. What I'd do is throw him in the last game no matter what and let him pitch 2 or 3 innings until he gets it.

 

I say this because I think there's no way he starts in the post season. He's completely unreliable at this point. However, I still think they take him and put him in the pen so he's still an active part of the team and can provide leadership. Even with a bullpen role, I wouldn't expect him to see any action at all.

 

If home field comes down to the last game of the season, sorry MB, those are the breaks. Thanks for your 197 or whatever it ends up being.

[Sammy225]

Who knows the way things are going for the Royals it may be clinched by the weekend. Right now if we win the first game royals have to make up 3 games as we have the tie break.

[pickoff22]

He isn't going to pitch 8 2/3 unless he dominates in the Tampa start.

 

What will likely happen is they will try and push for 6-7 innings, and then have him pitch on Sunday out of the pen. He isn't going to make the playoff roster anyway.

 

He'll be on the playoff roster I'm sure, just not likely to be a starter.

[Dr. Dinger]

Buehrle doesn't even care about this record, he said himself "if it ends, its ends, and the world isn't going to end." He admitted he had many opportunities to go deeper into games and "it just wasn't there."

 

I don't think he really cares and neither should we.

[Dr. Dinger]

Although I will say that if there's a way to utilize an additional start from him (only after clinching 1st place) in order to get our playoff SPs on the rest cycle they need, then have at it. It's become very clear he won't be in the playoff rotation. AA was on TSN yesterday and when asked if there's any room for sentimentality when it comes to making decisions on the playoff rotation he said (I'm paraphrasing): "There's... some... not much. The body of work is important, but momentum (recent play) is more important."

 

That was about as transparent as AA gets.

[Followthelight]

Who cares about his 200 innings? That should not even be a discussion. Winning right now is all that matters. MB had plenty of chances to go further into games this year and never.

[rydermike]

Our magic number is 4 (technically 5 but we own the tiebreak, so a tie is all we need). If we win both games today, I would throw Buerhle out tomorrow, hope he goes 6+, then a day off. We would have 2 games left. If we clinch by then, just toss him out in one of those games and let him get his innings even if he struggles

 

If we lose one today, regular plan, he pitches Friday and maybe throw him in last game if we clinched.

 

If we loss both today, sorry Buerhle not going to happen, unless the Royals go on an L streak

[HERPDERP]

Buehrle doesn't even care about this record, he said himself "if it ends, its ends, and the world isn't going to end." He admitted he had many opportunities to go deeper into games and "it just wasn't there."

 

I don't think he really cares and neither should we.

 

Wasn't he really pissed a few weeks ago (I think it was the Barves game) that he was taken out really early for a PH. He cut the interview short after the game - I always felt he was privately miffed.

[pickoff22]

Beurhle out of the pen is actually a pretty easy decision when you consider it gives us another lefty option. The idea of bringing him in to contain the running game late in the game when KC brings in Gore or Dyson to pinch run has strong appeal given how strong his move to first is. You leave Loup off roster (which some will disagree with I'm sure) and have Beurhle be your second lefty.

[HERPDERP]

I don't want Buehrle to be used in any situation other than mop-up in the playoffs, so thats why I would leave him off the roster. He doesn't do well against lefties either (nor does Loup, though).

[Dr. Dinger]

Beurhle out of the pen is actually a pretty easy decision when you consider it gives us another lefty option. The idea of bringing him in to contain the running game late in the game when KC brings in Gore or Dyson to pinch run has strong appeal given how strong his move to first is. You leave Loup off roster (which some will disagree with I'm sure) and have Beurhle be your second lefty.

 

Yep, I'm all about this. He's also a nice option if we have to face the Yankees and we need someone mid-game to mop up an inning or two when they have a bunch of lefties stacked in their order.

[Dr. Dinger]

I don't want Buehrle to be used in any situation other than mop-up in the playoffs, so thats why I would leave him off the roster. He doesn't do well against lefties either (nor does Loup, though).

 

I would be inclined to let Cecil do all the heavy lifting against good lefties, but if we have an inning come up against Headley, Ackley, Gregorious, and Estrada is at 98 pitches, then there's really no problem giving Buehrle that inning and saving Cecil for a tougher assignment.

[L54]

Buehrle doesn't even care about this record, he said himself "if it ends, its ends, and the world isn't going to end." He admitted he had many opportunities to go deeper into games and "it just wasn't there."

 

I don't think he really cares and neither should we.

 

I don't think Buehrle doesn't care. He's putting the team above himself which is fantastic, but to say he wouldn't want the opportunity to hold a nearly unbreakable record by himself most likely isn't true. He's said all the right things to the media as a professional should (looking at you, Bryce and Pap).

 

With two wins today, I give MB the ball tomorrow. Provided he's able to go at least 6 innings, I give him the rest of the innings out of the pen on Sunday vs Tampa under the assumption that home field is secured. So a few things have to break right for him, but if they do, I would give him every chance to reach 200 IP.

[Trouba95]

Beurhle out of the pen is actually a pretty easy decision when you consider it gives us another lefty option. The idea of bringing him in to contain the running game late in the game when KC brings in Gore or Dyson to pinch run has strong appeal given how strong his move to first is. You leave Loup off roster (which some will disagree with I'm sure) and have Beurhle be your second lefty.

 

Loup over Buehrle pls. Buehrle hasn't pitched out of the pen in his career

[Laika]

Mark Buehrle has 14 consecutive seasons of pitching over 200 IP, which is nearly miraculous in the modern age.

Currently he is tied for that record with Greg Maddux. Christy Mathewson, and Phil Niekro.

 

If he can pitch another 8 2/3 inning, he will hold that record by himself.

 

He has one start left this season, and it's unlikely that the Jays will have clinched 1st overall at that point (but possible).

 

 

Questions:

 

1) Should the Jays allow Buehrle a longer leash than they would normally allow, given Buehrle's shot at this record (and virtual guarantee of an HOF spot if he gets it)?

2) Does your answer change depending on whether or not the Jays have clinched first place over the Royals by that point?

3) If Buehrle pitches less than 8 2/3 innings in that start, should the Jays consider letting him pitch a couple of innings, to hit that milestone in the last game of the season, assuming we have clinched at that point.

4) Does your answer change depending on whether Buehrle is likely to start for the Jays in the post-season or be used as a reliever?

 

yes

yes

yes

yes

[RealAccountant]

I don't want Buehrle to be used in any situation other than mop-up in the playoffs, so thats why I would leave him off the roster. He doesn't do well against lefties either (nor does Loup, though).

 

I'd take Burly over Loup in an important LHB situation. At the very least Burly won't walk the guy

 

The team isn't going to disrespect him to the degree. It would be disrespectful to the locker room. They see him as an integral part of the team

 

He is 100% in playoffs roster

[Pulk_Pull]

Seems like the fans and media want Marky B to hit 200 more than he does himself.

 

Also, NJH hit all the answers on the head. Nothing should be sacrificed for this, but if the opportunity is there with no possible blow-back, then they should make every attempt to try and get him there.

[Cyborg]

Beuhrle is likely starting FRI and SUN to get it done. He won't be needed for playoffs.

[vdartanian]

If I was manager this is what I'd put as the starting rotation for last 6 games

Wednesday (GM1) - Baltimore (Stroman)

Wednesday (GM2) - Baltimore (Dickey)

Thursday - Baltimore (Price) keeps him somewhat on schedule and gives him ample rest for game 1 of ALDS

Friday - Tampa (Hutchinson) throw the guy a bone, maybe in a game where everyone is mailing it in he'll find his groove

Saturday - Tampa (Estrada) get some work in for what is likely a game 4 ALDS start or long man work in game 3 if Dickey shits all over himself

Sunday - Tampa (Buehrle), with Royals choke job Jays should have home field wrapped up , Rays likely will have a AAA lineup given that nobody is playing for anything, best chance for Buehrle to get a lot of innings while keeping things respectable.

 

You could flip Hutch and Buehrle if you wanted to, but i'd line them up like this so Papa B has one/likely the best shot at this

[Krylian]

Lock up the best record in the AL...then pitch him every day until he gets 200.

[Governator]

Buehrle Friday and if he needs another 2 or 3 innings Sunday Gibby will put him in.

[fireballW]

Buehrle doesn't even care about this record, he said himself "if it ends, its ends, and the world isn't going to end." He admitted he had many opportunities to go deeper into games and "it just wasn't there."

 

I don't think he really cares and neither should we.

 

Of course he'll say that. Any athlete with any class always say that individual accolades don't matter to them. Like I said, even if it doesn't matter now, I bet in the future he'll look back and think "I should've just pitched those 3 extra innings." Most posters here seem to have it right and agree with each other, let him go his next start and then get the rest out of relief once we've clinched.

 

As for the bullpen idea for the playoffs, I really doubt when push comes to shove that anyone here would feel very comfortable with MB coming out of the bullpen in a tight ball game like you described.

[Caper]

Of course he'll say that. Any athlete with any class always say that individual accolades don't matter to them. Like I said, even if it doesn't matter now, I bet in the future he'll look back and think "I should've just pitched those 3 extra innings." Most posters here seem to have it right and agree with each other, let him go his next start and then get the rest out of relief once we've clinched.

 

As for the bullpen idea for the playoffs, I really doubt when push comes to shove that anyone here would feel very comfortable with MB coming out of the bullpen in a tight ball game like you described.

 

 

 

I think you got it right. Like f*** he doesn't care. What he is saying now, is not what he has said in the past (it meant a lot to him). Of course no expects to risk anything to get him the milestone. But let him go out and start the game Sunday. Actually, would be nice if the game got rained out tomorrow and had to make it up after the last day of the season. Actually would they do that if it was meaningless?

[glory]

Yes, start him, and then bring him in relief the final day of the season.

 

That 5 inning start against the Braves when he easily could have gone 7 hurt his chances of doing it organically.

[KingKat]

Actually would they do that if it was meaningless?

 

No.

[intentional wok]

Hard to see that game being completely meaningless. It's possible it could be meaningless for the Jays, but the bottom three East teams are all vying for third place, so it could even affect the scrub standings (or even draft order?).

 

Honestly I don't know how deep MLB will go before they decide a game is meaningless.