Use of ace in finals

[Valen]

When do you use your ace in the finals? Suppose that you are able to arrange your rotation any way you want and you have 1 usper ace (Santana/Alexander). He can pitch twice. Do you throw him game 1 and game 5 and try to win short series? Or do you pitch him game 3 so he will be your pitcher if it goes 7 games?

I have always gone games 1,5 when I could. But I am going in to a game 7 tonight with Jim Palmer facing Hubbell whom my opponent either by design or no just the way it fell has Carl Hubbell. My first thought was what a shame Pete Alexander is not rested so I could send him out there.

[Munich_Man]

Although I generally go with my ace first, it depends on the matchups. I just had an instance where I went up against a league park squad. Instead of starting Fergie, I went Nolan & Kaat first.

But I still maintain going with the ace first is best.

Like Walter Alston said about Koufax-- when the Dodgers needed to sweep a doubleheader during a heated pennant race, Alston decided to pitch Sandy Koufax in the first game. When the reporters questioned him as to why he did not save Sandy for the 2nd game, Alston replied,"in order to sweep a doubleheader,you have to win the first game."

(_)ß

[geekor]

I agree with MM here, but for a different reason, bullpen fatigue.

We all know RP's only go 2 games in a row without fatigue. So I prefer my ace to go in game 5, hopefully giving the pen a rest, so my entire pen, or close to it, will be available for games 6 and 7. Its the same reason in a short series (5 game) if I am using a 5 man rotation, I'll save my best, or at least my 2nd best, SP for game 3.

I do change it up though depending on whom I'm facing. I have have say Carpenter as my ace and they have Santana, I may delay him 1 game since I know I'm not scoring much runs anyways and hope I somehow win :P

[frog17]

I agree with Munich Man. Go with your ace unless teh ballparks dictate saving your ace until a later date. I try to get my ace in as soon as possible but ballpark suited pitchers before my ace while never having my ace start later than game 3.

I foyu don't have other pitchers who can win games for you besides ace, you're in for a tough time anyways.

[Page2]

Hi Valen,

Go with the ace for game 1 you might not get to a game 7.

Page2

[blue turtle]

Games 1 and 5, always. This is your best chance of assuring he sees the second game.