Trevor Bauer wanted to pitch on short rest. Cincinnati Reds think it's worth the risk.
Bobby Nightengale
Cincinnati Enquirer
Trevor Bauer has lobbied for years to pitch every fourth day, instead of the typical every fifth day, because he felt his body could handle it and it would benefit his team.
The Cincinnati Reds seemed receptive to it throughout the season and they’ve committed to it with their season on the line. Bauer will pitch on short rest in Wednesday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers and he will likely start Sunday in Minnesota if the Reds are fighting for a playoff spot on the last day of the season.
“I collect close to 50 metrics on myself every single day and they all point to this being the most optimal way to get my body prepared to pitch,” Bauer said. It’s a scientific approach to it instead of just a feeling like, ‘I could do this.’ I have actual numbers to back it up.”
Bauer has a little experience pitching on short rest. He’s done it twice in the postseason (2016 World Series and 2017 American League Division Series) and three times in the regular season. Two of those regular-season starts were driven by unusual circumstances – following a rain-shorted outing and ramping up from an injury – and he did it with the Reds once last September, giving up four runs in five innings vs. Philadelphia.
It’s an unconventional move outside of the postseason, but the Reds are gambling that it will boost their playoff chances. Bauer is a Cy Young candidate and they lined him up to pitch in each of their final three series of the season.
“There’s unknown and risk in every decision,” manager David Bell said. “I think some of that risk is mitigated just because of where we are in the season. At most, we have another month or whatever it would take. We’re confident that he can make it through on short rest all the way through if that’s what’s needed.”
Bauer, who is 4-4 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 starts this year, said he recovered from his last start better than any of his previous outings. He embraces pitching in big games and they don’t come much bigger than facing another team in playoff contention.
“Just everything that Trevor does, the way he prepares, the way he works, the way he knows himself, I couldn’t be more confident with any other pitcher than I am with Trevor going into it, even with the uncertainty,” Bell said. “I think it’s just where we are and it’s worth giving it a shot.”
How much does Bauer’s routine change between starts now?
“Basically, I just take out my bullpen day,” Bauer said. “I go my full recovery day, the day after, my hybrid long toss day, Day 2, and then my day-before-throwing routine that I’ll do (Tuesday), Day 3, and then pitch again. It should give my body a linear recovery period. Three, four days of recovery and I’ll feel great. That’s more uninterrupted recovery days than I normally get leading into start because of that (typical) bullpen and lift day on Day 3.”
One of the keys to Bauer’s success this season is his improved command. He’s walking a career-low 2.2 batters per nine innings. He’s allowed 13 earned runs this season and nine homers (eight solo), so if he’s not issuing free passes, one of the few ways to score on him is to hit a homer.
He noted he leads the league by a wide margin in expected ERA, a stat that takes into account quality of contact. He's induced a league-leading 27 infield pop-ups.
“My command has been the biggest focus because I have the stuff,” Bauer said. “I probably have the best arsenal of pitchers in baseball – top-five, I would say fairly confidently. If I can place the ball where I want it more often, I’m going to have a lot more success and that’s really where my focus has been.”