Last night I had been convinced that sending Holder out today to finish these last two innings was a no brainer, but the more I have set and thought about it the more I am not so sure. Here's why: It has been seen too many times to count that when a closer is brought in a game during a non-traditional closing situation he struggles. His mentality is just not right. Coming in a game first thing is just that sort of situation. If we do bring him in and he gets knocked around then we have lost that game and he is out for game three. Is there any way Cohen starts another pitcher (even for 2/3 of an inning) and then brings Holder in just to give it that closer feel? Despite my wavering on the subject I would probably have to use Holder from the get go and hope for the best but no way I could criticize Cohen if he did something differently.
To start Holder or not
- Thread starter starkvegasdawg
- Start date
it wouldnt really bother me either way unless we lose
and start to second guess everything. Starting someone like Gentry then letting Holder come in the 9th might not be bad idea.
and start to second guess everything. Starting someone like Gentry then letting Holder come in the 9th might not be bad idea.
I would usually agree with you about pitching mentalities but Holder is a different kind of beast. He leads the SEC's best pitching staff with 80K's while averaging between 1 and 2 innings per appearance. That's nasty. Just nasty.
Winners want the ball in their hand with the game on the line. They haven't been able to hit anything we throw their way, why not crank up the velocity?
Anyway, he was there last night. He saw the game. He knows what's on the line. 6 outs and he can book his tickets to Nebraska. With that being said, don't you think that pressure falls in line with closer material? I trust our coaching staff to put the right guy out there, but I'd almost be nervous putting someone OTHER than Holder out there with that kind of pressure.
Just buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride. Someone is going to have a great afternoon.
We've let Holder finish games from the 7th inning before. This is as close to a no brainer as we can have regarding bullpen usage. He's the most effective pitcher in the country. Put him in
I agree
that we've got to go with Holder, but it sure scares me that he hasn't pitched in ten days.
that we've got to go with Holder, but it sure scares me that he hasn't pitched in ten days.
Like I posted in other pitching thread. I would start Holder but wouldn't let him know until we started hitting in bottom 7th. That would keep him on his normal routine as far as getting ready to come in. In just glad we have that half inning to get back into the game. An hopefully their pitcher struggles and we tack on a few runs.
Holder. Throw your best. Granted it was Auburn, but when he started the resumption game of that series he struck out 5 of 6 batters faced.
I like Ross for the 8th and Holder for the 9th, but Cohen has had too much success for me to question whatever call he makes here.
I feel like we'll just go straight to Holder but I'd like to see Mitchell or another lefty to the first batter. 17n rain.
Worth mentioning that that Mitchell's last 2 outings I don't think he threw a strike to his first batter though.
Worth mentioning that that Mitchell's last 2 outings I don't think he threw a strike to his first batter though.
Holder scares me with his walks. One walk and a long ball, we're tied. He didn't look all that sharp in the Central Arkansas game. Coach will make the right decision I'm sure. He's done pretty good so far!!
Most people are assuming its a 5-3 game going into top of the 8th. We could score more in bottom of 7th.
For that reason I lean towards starting Bracewell over Ross. I bring in Holder after the first runner reaches base in the 8th, or to start the 9th. I say Bracewell over Ross because I believe he allows fewer baserunners (pretty sure the stats back me up) and is more likely to get strikeouts.
For that reason I lean towards starting Bracewell over Ross. I bring in Holder after the first runner reaches base in the 8th, or to start the 9th. I say Bracewell over Ross because I believe he allows fewer baserunners (pretty sure the stats back me up) and is more likely to get strikeouts.
Its a no brainer you go to Holder. He's a first team all American. He showed vs auburn this year he can start and finish a game.
Also if we happen to lose you don't waste Ross or Ben for the second game. We would go into the 3rd game with only fitts, girodo, and holder off limits.
Also if we happen to lose you don't waste Ross or Ben for the second game. We would go into the 3rd game with only fitts, girodo, and holder off limits.
I agree with this part, for sure. We still have 9 outs to work with and have been getting runners on left and right. We very well could score another run or two. Everyone is acting like the offense won't have any further influence on the outcome.
True on both accounts. Also gives up less XBH.
Bracewell wOBA - .225
R Mitchell wOBA - .260
Holder's is .208 though so enough monkey business put him in and roll.
This. Not sure why you guys are debating this. It's a stupid debate. You live or die with your best pitcher on the mound.
I doubt there's any debate among the coaching staff about who to pitch this afternoon. Cohen's basically already said it's going to be Holder. Their plan for this game from the beginning was Fitts-Girado-Holder for the win. They're not going to change that plan now.
I worried about the differnt feel too....
But we are 6 outs from omaha. You've got one of the best closers in the land who has not pitched in over a week and needs to see some action. Here would be my strategy. If I am JC I would be in Holder's ear all day long doing my best to whip him into a frenzy so that he has that killer instinct as soon as he takes the hill.
But we are 6 outs from omaha. You've got one of the best closers in the land who has not pitched in over a week and needs to see some action. Here would be my strategy. If I am JC I would be in Holder's ear all day long doing my best to whip him into a frenzy so that he has that killer instinct as soon as he takes the hill.
Agreed. IF we put Holder out there and lose, sure people may want to look at the situation and question if the timing played a role. If, however, we put someone besides Holder in and things go south, people with freak-the-17 out and want to lynch Cohen.
Ten days and no pitches scares me as well, however....
If I'm Cohen, two ways can play out negatively and I'm only scared of one. Only one question or scenario has any shelf life after the regional, that would be "why didn't you go with Holder from the outset." Gotta go with Holder!
If I'm Cohen, two ways can play out negatively and I'm only scared of one. Only one question or scenario has any shelf life after the regional, that would be "why didn't you go with Holder from the outset." Gotta go with Holder!