ALCS Game 1 Starter

[rydermike]

With the sweep, now we get into a dilemma on who should start because all of our starters will be on substantial rest.

 

Sanchez - 5th day since Game 3

Happ - 7th day since Game 2

Estrada - 8th day since Game 1

Stroman - 10th day since WC Game

 

What do you do? We essentially have hit the reset button as no one will be unavailable. Stroman would've gone today in Game 4, do you go to him because he was next and don't want an even longer layoff? Do you reset the ALDS order and go Estrada-Happ-Sanchez-Stroman? Do you go with Sanchez on regular rest and keep one player on a normal schedule as opposed to none?

 

I think they go Stroman-Happ-Estrada-Sanchez (righty/lefty/righty and limiting Sanchez's innings)

[RealAccountant]

Before I said you go Estrada third. But they are all so rested

 

I'd go

 

Estrada

Stroman

Happ

Sanchez

Estrada

Stroman

Happ ( Sanchez and Estrada available)

[Plat]

I would go with Estrada

[mellowgold]

Stroman/Happ/Estrada/Sanchez.

 

I want Estrada pitching a possible game 7

[Terminator]

I think they are trying to limit Sanchez' innings so my guess is he's the Game 4 starting pitcher. I'd like to see them make him the Game 3 pitcher so he could pitch Game 7 if needed. Hopefully we'd just win it before 7 then it wouldn't matter. I understand their concerns regarding his arm but Game 7 of the ALCS would be the biggest game this franchise has played in 20+ years so I think it's worth whatever risk he'd be undertaking by pitching twice this series. This is probably what I would do.

 

1 Estrada

2 Stroman

3 Sanchez

4 Happ

5 Estrada

6 Stroman

7 Sanchez

[Terminator]

Stroman/Happ/Estrada/Sanchez.

 

I want Estrada pitching a possible game 7

 

If you think Estrada is our best pitcher right now (and that's fine) saving him for a game 7 that may never happen probably isn't the best decision.

[Dr. Dinger]

It's gotta be either Stroman or Estrada. I would almost be inclined to go with Estrada just because he's been so money in the playoffs.

[Dr. Dinger]

Estrada's career postseason walk rate is 0.8 BB/9 over 33 innings. He just seems to completely lock in.

[RealAccountant]

A lot depends on the team we face too. Hopefully Indians win today and both teams are equally rested

 

I'd take our rotation over theres with them missing two of their top 3

[Terminator]

It's gotta be either Stroman or Estrada. I would almost be inclined to go with Estrada just because he's been so money in the playoffs.

 

He's done it on the road the past two seasons as well. I'd go with him Game 1 and Stroman Game 2.

 

I checked the Indians splits just to see if Happ would be a good option for Game 2 and they seem to be pretty balanced. Kipnis weaker vs. lefties but they have enough right handed bats to even that out. Then of course they have all those switch hitters who have very balanced. Game 3 and 4 depends on what they are trying to do with Sanchez. If they are limiting him to one start per series then I think they'll put him Game 4 and Happ Game 3.

[admin]

Pretty insane we have four legit options to start game one of the ALCS. How many teams can say that? Technically five with Liriano.

[Dick_Pole]

If the Jays start in Cleveland I'd prefer Estrada. If the Jays start in Fenway I'd prefer Sanchez. Stroman for game 2 either way.

[Jonn]

I think Gibbons keeps the rotation in line. Stroman, Estrada, Happ, Sanchez

[Governator]

I think Gibbons keeps the rotation in line. Stroman, Estrada, Happ, Sanchez

 

Funny thing is I feel comfortable with any one of those 4 on any night right now.

[KingKat]

I think Gibbons keeps the rotation in line. Stroman, Estrada, Happ, Sanchez

 

I think so too and I'm more than fine with it.

[Dick_Pole]

Funny thing is I feel comfortable with any one of those 4 on any night right now.

 

I think this is the general consensus of everyone right now. It's just that we all have our slight preferences and it's fun to be an armchair quarterback while we are waiting several days before the Jays play again.

 

Estrada - dominant in post season

Happ - a grinder who got out of jams despite bad BABIP luck

Sanchez - ground ball pitcher, excellent fit for Fenway

Stroman - probably the most talented of the four even if he showed just flashes of that this year.

[JFD]

if it's the Indians maybe they should start with Happ.

[Jonn]

Funny thing is I feel comfortable with any one of those 4 on any night right now.

 

I think so too and I'm more than fine with it.

 

Stroman and Estrada have had the best starts in the playoffs so far. Hard to ignore that. And the longer you make wait to start you don't know what you're going to get. Maybe they want Sanchez out there on regular rest to see if he can bounce back quickly. But will see what happens.

[THANOS]

I'd pick Stroman. He dominated Cleveland this season with defensive independent talent, there's good reason to expect continued success.

 

In 14 IP against the Indians in 2016:

 

Stroman - 9.64 K/9, 1.29 BB/9, 63.5% GB%, 1.35 FIP, 1.85 xFIP, 1.27 ERA

 

 

Following him up with Estrada in Game 2 and Sanchez in Game 3 would be lethal.

[baubau]

I'd go

 

1. Stroman

2. Happ

3. Estrada

4. Sanchez

 

This way if there is a game 5, 6 or 7 it would be:

 

5. Stroman

6. Happ

7. Estrada

 

With Sanchez being available out of the pen for game 7. Maybe Stroman too. Maybe.

[Mkdaman1818]

I want stroman at home. It seemed to me that Sanchez got a bit amped at home and may have lost his command as a result. So I'd go:

 

Estrada, Sanchez, Stroman, Happ.

[P2F]

Stroman, Estrada, Sanchez, Happ

[canadiansportsjunkie]

i would put all the names in a hat and let JD pick them

[SweetSmellingChacin]

1: Estrada

2: Happ

3: Sanchez

4: Stroman

5: Estrada

6: Happ

7: Sanchez

[glory]

Stro, Estrada, Happ, Sanchez.

 

That's my guess on what actually happens. Works out so that Sanchez only pitches once, which limits his innings.

[CBlake]

What about the old adage of setting things up to get three starts out of your best pitcher using a three man rotation?

[RealAccountant]

1: Estrada

2: Happ

3: Sanchez

4: Stroman

5: Estrada

6: Happ

7: Sanchez

 

This

[devo]

What about the old adage of setting things up to get three starts out of your best pitcher using a three man rotation?

 

Great strategy if you have a Bumgarner or Kluber. But the Jays strength is depth, so there is no reason to push anyone to start on less than 4 days rest.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Great strategy if you have a Bumgarner or Kluber. But the Jays strength is depth, so there is no reason to push anyone to start on less than 4 days rest.

 

Maybe we don't have Ace according to you,

 

But we do have Four very capable pitchers to use and get us wins

Adding one to the pen is not a bad thing either, may be a win win too???