Big mid week game- Who do you start?

[billybud]

The mid week opponent is one of the highest ranked teams on your schedule and a win would be really good.

Do you start one of the regular mid week rotation guys, your Sunday ace, or another pitcher from the weekend rotation?

[WSU_Mom]

Thursday – Lowell, Friday - Smith, Saturday – Kelley, Sunday – TBA

[martymoose]

I'd go against Gene's mindset of save your best for winning the Valley. I think at the end of the year even if we lose the Valley, which is highly unlikely it's going to look better to have wins against midweek ranked teams with a possible 1 extra loss to Creighton or some other Valley bottom feeder...than a win against the crappy team and loss to the ranked team.

[Shocker85]

I set the rotation and stick to it regardless of the opponent. Holding the "top 3" for weekend series is a waste. The whole schedule can be played with a 4 man rotation and maybe a spot starter.

bb, if you were paying attention, you would know that the notion of "Sunday ace" is not in the Shox vocabulary. The coaches tendency is to trot out their ace on Friday to "set the tone" (a load of crap, IMO) and work off that. Sunday has traditionally been the #3 guy.

That mindset might be changing, but maybe it is too early to tell. A lot of stuff can jack with the plan, such as long rain delays, injuries, etc. Personally, I would always have my best available pitcher on the mound, regardless of opponent.

--'85.

[JaminShock]

I set the rotation and stick to it regardless of the opponent. Holding the "top 3" for weekend series is a waste. The whole schedule can be played with a 4 man rotation and maybe a spot starter.

bb, if you were paying attention, you would know that the notion of "Sunday ace" is not in the Shox vocabulary. The coaches tendency is to trot out their ace on Friday to "set the tone" (a load of crap, IMO) and work off that. Sunday has traditionally been the #3 guy.

That mindset might be changing, but maybe it is too early to tell. A lot of stuff can jack with the plan, such as long rain delays, injuries, etc. Personally, I would always have my best available pitcher on the mound, regardless of opponent.

--'85.

This. If they're rested, throw 'em. No reason for Kelley, Lowell, or Smith to not start when rested.

[shocker22]

We should go with the 4 man rotation. It's the best way to win mid week games and the valley.

[billybud]

I set the rotation and stick to it regardless of the opponent. Holding the "top 3" for weekend series is a waste. The whole schedule can be played with a 4 man rotation and maybe a spot starter.

bb, if you were paying attention, you would know that the notion of "Sunday ace" is not in the Shox vocabulary. The coaches tendency is to trot out their ace on Friday to "set the tone" (a load of crap, IMO) and work off that. Sunday has traditionally been the #3 guy.

That mindset might be changing, but maybe it is too early to tell. A lot of stuff can jack with the plan, such as long rain delays, injuries, etc. Personally, I would always have my best available pitcher on the mound, regardless of opponent.

--'85.

Yeah...I guess I was thinking FSU's philosphy...the Noles haven't lost a Sunday game now going back through the 2010 season into 2009...20 straight Sunday wins. Martin wants the Sunday win for whatever reason.

FSU has a stupid four game mid week series with Florida. Four midweek games with your blood rival played in four different cities spread over 40 some odd days. FSU played #1 Florida last night and Martin played his normal Saturday guy to start (held him out against Hofstra). I liked the call. Florida played their reliever to start.

[WuDrWu]

We should go with the 4 man rotation. It's the best way to win mid week games and the valley.

I am fairly certain this is what you are going to see this year. My understanding is the past years theories are being discarded.

No longer will we have the weekend rotation set and pitch #4 or worse, Johnny Wholestaff, during the week.

At least that's what I've heard. Whether it's a one year test or a permanent new direction, time will tell.

[Shocker85]

I am fairly certain this is what you are going to see this year. My understanding is the past years theories are being discarded.

No longer will we have the weekend rotation set and pitch #4 or worse, Johnny Wholestaff, during the week.

At least that's what I've heard. Whether it's a one year test or a permanent new direction, time will tell.

Doc,

I am going to assume you know of what you speak and am heading right now to the 'fridge for a beer. Yes, it is 1:20PM but this makes me happy and it's cause for celebration!!!

Perhaps the bunting strategy philosophy will soon follow. One can only hope,

--'85.

[1972Shocker]

We should go with the 4 man rotation. It's the best way to win mid week games and the valley.

This is what Shane Dennis thought Brent and Gene might be considering.

A straight 4-man rotation. You pitch when it's your turn.

[WSUwatcher]

Great

I'll be a very happy camper if you're right, Doc.

For many years, WSU operated with a regular rotation, doing it their way instead of the way other teams did it They were known for running their staff more like a pro team than pretty much anyone else in college -- i.e., a regular rotation, with middle inning relievers, setup guys, and the closer(s). Their opponents, like the whiners from Oklahoma State, hated it, because on Tuesday or Wednesday they were likely to face (for example) Ken Steenstra pitching against their "midweek guy." But whose problem was that -- the team with the winning approach, or the guys who were handicapping themselves with lesser pitching?

This approach worked for WSU, and it worked really well. But somewhere along the line, the Shocks fell into the trap of doing it the way everyone else did, fixing an innovative approach that wasn't broken, and they haven't been as successful since.

Maybe last year's debacle, when if they didn't get in at large after losing the MVC tournament final and probably wouldn't have even if they had won one more conference game and thus been the outright regular season champ of their nondescript league -- maybe that finally was the 2-by-4 upside the head they needed to awaken them to their need to get some good wins, which aren't available in conference games, just in case they stumble again in the Valley tournament. We can only hope that Gene and Brent's well-known stubbornness has finally given way to reality, and that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.

[JaminShock]

I am fairly certain this is what you are going to see this year. My understanding is the past years theories are being discarded.

No longer will we have the weekend rotation set and pitch #4 or worse, Johnny Wholestaff, during the week.

At least that's what I've heard. Whether it's a one year test or a permanent new direction, time will tell.

Doc,

I am going to assume you know of what you speak and am heading right now to the 'fridge for a beer. Yes, it is 1:20PM but this makes me happy and it's cause for celebration!!!

Perhaps the bunting strategy philosophy will soon follow. One can only hope,

--'85.

\

Not sure what the beef is with bunting, but I might be disagreeing. The bunt has its place, and that place is to be used sparingly. If you need one run late in a game, or you have a weaker guy up and want to avoid a DP, go for it. Other than that, use the stolen base to stay out of the DP and let the hitters hit.

[SB Shock]

Re: Great

Maybe last year's debacle, when if they didn't get in at large after losing the MVC tournament final and probably wouldn't have even if they had won one more conference game and thus been the outright regular season champ of their nondescript league -- maybe that finally was the 2-by-4 upside the head they needed to awaken them to their need to get some good wins, which aren't available in conference games, just in case they stumble again in the Valley tournament. We can only hope that Gene and Brent's well-known stubbornness has finally given way to reality, and that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.

WSU will not get an at-large for finishing 2nd or 3rd in the MVC. The fact is every game is important for WSU whether it is conference or non-conference.

WSU didn't get a bid because their schedule was ranked 125th in the nation and they did not do that well. They were 3-5 versus Top 50. They did not dominate 100-200 RPI teams. They struggled on the road.

If WSU wants to get back to Omaha they need to dominate the MVC and their region so they can host a regional and at least have a shot at hosting a super regional.

[GoShockers89]

Our intended SOS for this year is 114. Fingers crossed that a monsoon hits Wichita and wipes out the Alcorn State series.

I think having a guy like Flynn in the bullpen makes a 4 man rotation much more doable. Takes a lot of the gamble out of pulling your Friday night starter after 5 IP and a low pitch count so that he can go again on Wednesday. I think the biggest key to our success this season hinges on he and Muncrief being able to eat serious innings and perform consistently.

[shock10]

I think it was 2001 we beat NU and they were top 5 won a lot of mid week game over good teams but did not win the Valley and no at-large bid thats what changed things.