should I rest my reliever for the playoffs?

[JEFFFESPERMAN]

I have seen postings that indicated that 140 innings was an approximate season fatigue point for R1 pitchers, but what about an R2? I have Jose Valverde who has pitched 141 innings over the course of 138 games. Does he need rest?

[geekor]

no, there is no season fatigue. As long as he gets 1 day of rest, the next day he will be good as new. And since ther eare 2 days of rest before the playoffs, you never have to rest a RP. Now if you are really worried they might get injured, that's a different thing.

What they talk about is how many innings so that he isn't pitching fatigued during the season. Assuming an R2 goes exactly 2 innings every time out, and pitches every 2 games then rests, so it follows all rules with no fatigue, he could theoretically pitch 216 non fatigue innings. Bascially the 140 is for a R1, if he pitched more than that, he was probably pitching already fatigued at differnt points in the season. There is NO cumulative fatigue for the season.

[durantjerry]

No, but you should monitor reliever use in the playoffs closely. I have last at least two game sevens I can recall because my bullpen was burnt out by the time the late innings of game seven rolled around. I would say this is especially important when using a guy as set up and closer and if you are expecting a real slugging series. When HAL won't use guys three games in a row, it can cost you in the playoffs.

[geekor]

Yes, in fact that's why you need to place your starters at opportune spots.

If you have a 5 man rotation, then starts your BEST SP in game 3. Assuming he goes longer then your cheapers guys, it will help give your pen a rest. And if you are using a 4 man rotation, starts your #2 in the 3rd game for the same reason.