Friday's Starter

[Nick Delahanty]

Interested to hear everyone's feedback on who UNC should start on Friday.

Ryan Lynch might be the better matchup vs. Ole Miss, but if the plan is to use both, starting DeCaro makes more sense (given he's never come out of the bullpen in his collegiate career up to this point).

Who do you think will start the game on the mound?

 

[Malachidad05]

If it isnt broke dont fix it. Start Lynch, I have a good feeling about tomorrow. I think Lynch will be solid and go 6, and the offense will do what they do, and we will win. However, I can also see the argument for starting Jason. If you don't start Jason, that's a long break since he pitched last. It would be a week if im not mistaken

 

[Sandheel21]

I think Lynch’s fastball works better against Troy or WV. I expect Decaro.

 

[JordanF0705]

I feel this is a debate trending a lot like what we witnessed for game 3 vs USC. Globe vs Boaz.

Boaz because he was the Sunday/game 3 starter all year. Globe because he has been amazing out of the pen and earned it. Went with Globe and it worked out.

Turning toward tomorrow. Lynch because you've started him the last 2 Fridays in the NCAA Tournament? Or DeCaro because he's been your Friday night guy all along and coming off the best performance of his career?

To your point, Lynch has came out of the bullpen in his career, and if Forbes does indeed have intentions to use both (if needed to win), then starting DeCaro and having Lynch in the pen ready to go makes the most sense.

1) I trust whatever decision Forbes makes.
2) If it were my decision, I'd keep both players on the same schedule they've been on for the past 2 weeks. Start Lynch. If it goes well, ride him. If it doesn't turn to DeCaro (only if needed).

No matter what, the off day and having the set up we have will certainly prove beneficial. So many options. Even if they start DeCaro for only 4 (on the low end), you can get 5 combined out of Globe/McDuffie/Rose and have Lynch ready to go on Sunday while the rest of the pen will still be just fine to bounce back given the day of rest.

 

[Top Water]

If the offense can get a lead, any of the starting pitchers will be good.

 

[JordanF0705]

Also to point, Ole Miss is going against their Friday starter in game one. Is it considered pitching off? Probably not, because Rabe has the better stats than Elliott this season, but something to note.

Is Forbes keeping his cards close to his chest to make Ole Miss prepare for both? Or because he truly does plan on playing both DeCaro and Lynch in game one.

It's one of the most important games in Omaha. Only twice since 2006 has a team lost the first game in Omaha and bounced back to win the national championship (Oregon St 2006, South Carolina 2010). Hasn't happened at all since the CWS left Rosenblatt. Tomorrow is definitely as important as Forbes is making it out to be.

 

[TheRightHonourableFingelton]

Any relation, OP? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Delahanty

 

[premn]

“Everyone is available” is hyperbole. There’s no universe where both pitch tomorrow. You’ve got two relievers who can go 80 pitches in relief if needed. And McDuffie.

 

[JordanF0705]

“Everyone is available” is hyperbole. There’s no universe where both pitch tomorrow. You’ve got two relievers who can go 80 pitches in relief if needed. And McDuffie.

100% agree. BUT, why would Forbes suggest the idea? Keep Ole Miss on their toes? Seriously considering it?

I agree with you. If Lynch (or DeCaro) only go 4 innings. There's no world in which I see turning to the other starter versus going to Glauber then Walker.

 

[Nick Delahanty]

Any relation, OP? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Delahanty

To my knowledge, nope lol

 

[HeelYeah2012]

Also to point, Ole Miss is going against their Friday starter in game one. Is it considered pitching off? Probably not, because Rabe has the better stats than Elliott this season, but something to note.

Is Forbes keeping his cards close to his chest to make Ole Miss prepare for both? Or because he truly does plan on playing both DeCaro and Lynch in game one.

It's one of the most important games in Omaha. Only twice since 2006 has a team lost the first game in Omaha and bounced back to win the national championship (Oregon St 2006, South Carolina 2010). Hasn't happened at all since the CWS left Rosenblatt. Tomorrow is definitely as important as Forbes is making it out to be.

No doubt the importance of the first game, but I think Oregon State lost to UNC in 2018 opener and ended up winning it all.

 

[THEChapelthrill]

Rabe is their best starter and it's not really close if you look at the the stats, especially the last month. He even started a bunch of games as their Sunday starter... not really sure why. I watched him pitch the clincher against Auburn and he's a stud. His last 4 starts (all against top 15 type teams) he's struck out 14, 13, 9, and 8... the first 3 in 6 innings or less. The last in 7. His SEASON high in walks is 2! His last 3 starts, he's pitched 19 innings, gotten 3 W's, struck out 30, walked 4 and gave up a total of only 11 hits and 3 runs - against really good teams in Alabama, Nebraska, and Auburn.

Anyone thinking with any real confidence that our O is gonna "do what they do" probably isn't aware of what we're facing. Can they get to him? Of course... but recent history and stats say this one is likely gonna be low scoring, and tight!

 

[JordanF0705]

No doubt the importance of the first game, but I think Oregon State lost to UNC in 2018 opener and ended up winning it all.

Ahhhh. Good catch! I was going off Adam Lucas’ article. You are correct about 2018 Oregon St

 

[Tarheeldoc20]

Major League scouts think more of Townsend than Rabe. In Today"S mock draft on MLB.Com Townsend is projected to go in the first round to the Cubs.

 

[TheManitowocManiac]

Rabe is their best starter and it's not really close if you look at the the stats, especially the last month. He even started a bunch of games as their Sunday starter... not really sure why. I watched him pitch the clincher against Auburn and he's a stud. His last 4 starts (all against top 15 type teams) he's struck out 14, 13, 9, and 8... the first 3 in 6 innings or less. The last in 7. His SEASON high in walks is 2! His last 3 starts, he's pitched 19 innings, gotten 3 W's, struck out 30, walked 4 and gave up a total of only 11 hits and 3 runs - against really good teams in Alabama, Nebraska, and Auburn.

Anyone thinking with any real confidence that our O is gonna "do what they do" probably isn't aware of what we're facing. Can they get to him? Of course... but recent history and stats say this one is likely gonna be low scoring, and tight!

Nut up brother

 

[unc80]

I ain't skeered.

 

[BallDontLieNumbersDo]

I will be surprised if we don't see DeCaro, but only slightly given that he threw almost 120 pitches last Saturday. To me, he's a good matchup for Ole Miss, and this first game is the most critical first game thus far in terms of the implications for the rest of the round.

 

[SpencerHaskell]

Still waiting on an official announcement from UNC, but have been told it’s going to be DeCaro today.

 

[wsdog]

Couple of mentions here and in the earlier “DeCaro or Lynch?” thread of DeCaro possibly needing the extra day of rest after last Saturday. I just don’t see that being a factor going from Saturday to Friday. 5 days off is usually sufficient, regardless of pitch count in last appearance.

 

[JordanF0705]

I will be surprised if we don't see DeCaro, but only slightly given that he threw almost 120 pitches last Saturday. To me, he's a good matchup for Ole Miss, and this first game is the most critical first game thus far in terms of the implications for the rest of the round.

DeCaro day

 

[THEChapelthrill]

Nut up brother

Being informed and a blind blowhard are two different things… but you do you.

 

[TheManitowocManiac]

Being informed and a blind blowhard are two different things… but you do you.

 

[JordanF0705]

Still waiting on an official announcement from UNC, but have been told it’s going to be DeCaro today.

DeCaro's girlfriend posted on TikTok he's pitching tonight... obviously not an "official" source, but pretty close.

 

[Malachidad05]

DeCaro's girlfriend posted on TikTok he's pitching tonight... obviously not an "official" source, but pretty close.

Research like this deserves more credit!! Well done sir!!