4 Man Rotation

[Loose Cannon]

Do you think teams should go back to throwing guys every 4 starts instead of 5. I really don't understand sometimes why teams are throwing guys every five days. I know you have to rest the arm and the injuries might happen more, but guys were going every third day a long time ago, without all the training and healing equipment these guys have today. Sometimes guys would go back to back when the playoffs came. Most of the 5th game starters suck anyway and lose a lot, so why not throw say Santana in that spot and start the rotation over. I'd rather have most #1 guys throw every 4 days instead of having my #5 guy throwing out there.

Agree or Disagree.

[BCWWF]

I say it depends on the team. If you are the Cubs last year and have Prior-Wood-Clement-Zambrano-Maddux then no, but maybe in the Twins case with Santana-Radke-Silva-Lohse-Mays it wouldn't hurt to drop Mays out. But I don't think Mays hurts them really either.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I don't know - Depends if a guy can throw consistently every 4 days

[Gertner]

esepcailly when pieces of crap like Ted Lilly fuck up every game he starts.

[Loose Cannon]

I mean, they did it for like 70 years, so I don't see why they shouldn't do it again. I'm sure most of those #1 guys can pitch consistently if they go every 4th day.

I kind of posted this thread in relation to Cheeba's pitcher thread. People said no pitcher would ever reach 30 again, but with going every 4th day, it very may well happen.

[MoRcHeEbA]

certain teams could run a 4-man rotation, if Lilly picked up his game Toronto could have a mean 4 man rotation with Halladay, Lilly, Chacin, Towers...

[Ruien]

NO NO NO. Whites Sox tried a 4 man rotation 2 years in a row. It does not work, it starts off well, but after 4 or 5 starts they start to blow. Of course we were forced to go with the 4 man rotation both years, but it just does not work. Most Pitchers now a days just can not do it. Ya Santana might be able to pitch well, but the rest would die. He probably would not through like he is now also.

EDIT:

You also have to factor in the bull pen. 4 man rotation means early exits for the starters. Do they have enough to keep going and be consistint. Most bull pens can not do it, for example, if the Cubs starters do not through a complete game, chances are they will lose their game.

[John la Rock]

No way it can work.

Too many pitchers would blow out their arms

[Loose Cannon]

But how did it work for 70 years then with half the equipment seen today? And with guys have long careers and winning 300-500 games

[Nervous Ferret]

yes but when they retired back in the day, there arms would practically fall off. Blown to shreds. PLUS we're pussies now.

[Loose Cannon]

PLUS we're pussies now.

:lol: That's what I was waiting for

[Gertner]

certain teams could run a 4-man rotation, if Lilly picked up his game Toronto could have a mean 4 man rotation with Halladay, Lilly, Chacin, Towers...
lol if Lilly realized he wasn't still in spring training the Jays would have a mean one. They'll probably start Downs ahead of him pretty soon. Even though Downs isn't that great at least he can get out of the 2nd inning

[BCWWF]

I think maybe you aren't giving enough credit to the fifth starters on most teams

[Loose Cannon]

I was looking breifly at some 2004 stats from teams. I think for some teams in 2004 (Cardinals) you throw a 5th guy because about 3/5 of the starters had equal records and nobody stood out.

But for the lousy teams (Dimondbacks) you throw Johnson every 4th day because I'm sure he would do about the same, if not better then Steve Sparks or whomever else did.

It's just funny reading about guys back then going on 3 days rest and then coming back and pitching a nine inning game.

[YOUR Hero]

Apart from the original direction this thread went, I wonder if pitcher would refuse to do it, or at least seek more money.

Me, I think a fifth starter should be a spot starter, someone that comes in not neccessarily every fifth start, but when one of the 4 other starters needs a little extra rest or managers decision or whatever.