2019 Rotation Discussion

[Derek]

The rotation is much weaker than I think most of us anticipated it being by this point in the season.

Plesac, Civale, and Plutko have all pitched well above expectations to help us get where we are, but I have very little trust with any of them.

Bieber and Clevinger are studs, but the absence of another top end arm is glaring. While I would never count a playoff team out, I truly believe that the Bauer trade weakened our chances this season while significantly increasing them for next season.

 

[NorthCoastBias]

Any thoughts about Plesac being able to finish the season? He's already surpassed his professional career high for innings pitched, between his stints with the Clippers and Indians.

 

[Derek]

Any thoughts about Plesac being able to finish the season? He's already surpassed his professional career high for innings pitched, between his stints with the Clippers and Indians.

That's a very real concern. While we should expect him to be able to build on his 144 IP last season, going beyond 175-180 seems like pushing it. Now, 175 would get him very close to the end of the regular season, but I would expect them to start limiting his usage soon to preserve him for some type of playoff role.

 

[Stark]

With the removal of Bauer and the missed time by Kluber, Cookie, Clevinger, and Rodriguez, no doubt our strongest point at the start of the year has pretty much been the weakest.

Still, if health is good going into next year, we've got probably the best top-4 in baseball next season with Bieber, Kluber, Clevinger, and Cookie. Then you get to fill in that last spot with a guy like Plesac, Allen, Rodriguez, McKenzie, or Civale.

 

[NorthCoastBias]

 

[Derek]

So, with Kluber having a minor setback, I think it's safe to count him out of being stretched out fully to be a starter this year.

That leaves us with Clev, Biebs, Plesac, Civale, Plutko down the stretch.

My question is, who are you guys pitching in either game 1 of the ALDS or the WC game depending on how the standings shake out.


I'm backing Clevinger 100%. He hasn't gone deep into as many ball games as you like, but Tito often pulls starters earlier in the playoffs anyways. He's absolutely electric, and he's done it before under the brightest lights.

 

[Kevalier]

So, with Kluber having a minor setback, I think it's safe to count him out of being stretched out fully to be a starter this year.

That leaves us with Clev, Biebs, Plesac, Civale, Plutko down the stretch.

My question is, who are you guys pitching in either game 1 of the ALDS or the WC game depending on how the standings shake out.


I'm backing Clevinger 100%. He hasn't gone deep into as many ball games as you like, but Tito often pulls starters earlier in the playoffs anyways. He's absolutely electric, and he's done it before under the brightest lights.

I’m admittedly a Bieber shill, so he would certainly be my choice for the Wild Card game or Game 1 of the ALDS. However, I wouldn’t object whatsoever if Tito decides to have Clev on the mound for either scenario. At this point, I prefer to slot Civale ahead of Plesac in a postseason rotation. Their GB% and FB% are nearly identical as are their hard hit %, however Civale’s K/BB is a remarkable 5 with a HR/9 of .25 (he gave up his first home run yesterday.) Plesac’s K/BB is 2.06 in comparison with a HR/9 of 1.55.

 

[Derek]

I’m admittedly a Bieber shill, so he would certainly be my choice for the Wild Card game or Game 1 of the ALDS. However, I wouldn’t object whatsoever if Tito decides to have Clev on the mound for either scenario. At this point, I prefer to slot Civale ahead of Plesac in a postseason rotation. Their GB% and FB% are nearly identical as are their hard hit %, however Civale’s K/BB is a remarkable 5 with a HR/9 of .25 (he gave up his first home run yesterday.) Plesac’s K/BB is 2.06 in comparison with a HR/9 of 1.55.

I also prefer Civale to Plesac at this point. Less self-inflicted damage, and while the current number is completely unsustainable, he's been better at keeping the ball in the park.

That's also another reason I prefer Clev to Bieber. Bieber gives up HR at a very high rate.

The playoffs are an exercise in small sample size, and being able to limit balls in play, walks, and HR are translatable things that lead to success in these situations.

 

[Urban]

Bieber's emergence into one of the best pitchers in baseball coupled with Clevinger missing 2 months has really overshadowed how fucking good Clevinger has been this year. Think it'd be between Cole and Clevinger for the Cy Young if he hadn't missed any time.

71 American League pitchers have at least 70 IPs this year (Clev at 78). Clevinger has the 3rd highest K/9 and the lowest HR/9 rate.

 

[Lee]

Bieber's emergence into one of the best pitchers in baseball coupled with Clevinger missing 2 months has really overshadowed how fucking good Clevinger has been this year. Think it'd be between Cole and Clevinger for the Cy Young if he hadn't missed any time.

71 American League pitchers have at least 70 IPs this year (Clev at 78). Clevinger has the 3rd highest K/9 and the lowest HR/9 rate.

I know you guys like to throw out all of these stats, but they do not matter. Clevinger is this good because of the hair. Fact. If he ever cuts it, we are fucked.

 

[Stark]

Sign me up right now for:

1. Clevinger
2. Bieber
3. Civale
4. Plesac

As our playoff starting pitching. Kluber obviously jumps in and bumps Plesac out of there if he can start, but I'm not holding my breath on that happening.

 

[jack hammill]

With the removal of Bauer and the missed time by Kluber, Cookie, Clevinger, and Rodriguez, no doubt our strongest point at the start of the year has pretty much been the weakest.

Still, if health is good going into next year, we've got probably the best top-4 in baseball next season with Bieber, Kluber, Clevinger, and Cookie. Then you get to fill in that last spot with a guy like Plesac, Allen, Rodriguez, McKenzie, or Civale.

I agree but would move Civale to the head of that class

 

[KluberSociety]

I have very little confidence in Plesac or Plutko at this point. I'd rather just run a 4-deep rotation with one bullpen slot in it and go with Bieber/Clevinger (in whatever order) and Civale as the 3rd starter.

I think we will have a lot of starters in the bullpen who will be able to give us some quality ball, and that's fine at the expense of scrubs like Cimber filling up roster spots. This pitching staff makes for an interesting playoff potential with Carrasco, Kluber, Plesac, and Plutko all as bullpen guys. I am frightened at the prospects of Plutko pitching to teams like the Yankees though with how hard they hit their fly balls which he relies on.

 

[godfather]

Really hurts Clev missed so much time, because he looks like one of the best pitchers in the league. He and Biebs are the only two I really trust. Nothing against Civale and Plesac; they're rookies and its hard to imagine them holding up in a playoff run (if we get that far that is).