re: Arms available today

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I noticed that too. I don’t think he’ll be a starter for us. It’s just one game, but he looked like a closer to me. Didn’t look nervous in a tight game. The error allowing the strikeout victim on base didn’t phase him. That’s not to say he couldn’t start, but closing takes a special mentality that he appeared to have. Take it with a grain of salt; it’s one outing, albeit against a top 10 team.

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I mainly agree. Depending on what rabbits Jay pulls out of the portal, I think Herring is probably in line to be in the weekend rotation next year with Shores. And he certainly appears to have the mentality of a closer, or being able to finish close games. But I don’t think this team will have a traditional closer who comes in in the 9th with a lead.

Right now it looks like they trust both Edwards and Herring to come in and throw multiple innings to finish games. Or they may bring them in to protect a 1-run lead in a high leverage inning or 2 (or 3), even if it’s in the 5th or the 6th. I think it’ll depend on who’s available, the opposing pitcher and how he’s handling our lineup, and maybe if the opposing lineup is more RH or LH heavy when they come in.

You’d love to save those 2 guys to finish off close wins, but the highest leverage innings in a game may not always be the 8th or 9th, and you’d hate to not use them when you most need them.