re: Why'd LSU start Paul Skenes - WWL Article

What’s with this we had to throw Skenes against Tulane to save the bullpen narrative?

Since when has the bullpen been burned up any time Skenes starts. Skenes would “save the bullpen” tonight by only needing one or two guys in short relief to finish off Oregon State like every other game he pitched this season.

Skenes saves the bullpen every time he pitches. All you did was force yourself to use more of your bullpen against a better team.

Skenes was asked by Coach Johnson how he felt and Skenes told him I want this, so he let him go. Gotta trust your players.

Winning game 1 increases your odds of winning the Regional exponentially. Tulane came into this very hot. CJJ didn't want to mess around and after we see this play out I hope we're all thinking it was a good move.
Tough call, but someone had to make it and he gets paid a lot of money to make those calls. I trust him.

If you want to say that then it makes more sense to use your bullpen on Friday to give them more rest before using them again on Sunday or even Monday.

Doing it this way you have to use them on Saturday then again on Sunday and potentially again on Monday.

Saturday would be the bullpen rest day if Skenes started today. Now you’ll have to use the bullpen on back to back days and potentially three days in a row.

There’s no justification in using Skenes vs Tulane, IMO

But moving fwd, you’re not going anywhere without your Hurds and Floyds beating Oregon States and Sam Houstons

I guess what it says is that he has no confidence in his team outside of Skenes starting, regardless of opponent, and probably with good reason

Either way, it does not bode well. JMO

And I’m willing to bet there are many on the team that share similar thoughts

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I really feel that Skenes pitched yesterday so he would have a full 7 days rest to pitch Friday in Supers

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+1 knowing Jay is Omaha or bust, a loss in the regionals and a loss in the super regionals is equal failure. He is managing to get to Omaha not to win phase one, but to win phase one and two.

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Nothing but a bunch of couch potatoes that think they’re smarter than a highly paid college baseball coach. Just let him do his job.

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he def went against conventional coaching decisions not to pitch your best pitcher for the first game considering the competition.

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You’d be surprised at how many former ballers post here. People know the game just as well, and can disagree.

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I absolutely support that decision after watching Tulane barrel balls up. They are far from done in this tournament if their pitching holds out.

This is more than 1 game and getting that CG is HUGE.
I did NOT support the decision because like tRant, I really thought Tulane was just lucky to be there. I had no idea how well they pitched and hit. You can see why this is a different team.

Johnson is paid to make those decisions. He is responsible and accountable for everything.
Critiquing is not bashing when the ones doing it have likely never picked up a bat or umped a game or played at a high level in any sport.

And all indications he could have thrown tonight and been fine to pitch GM1 of a super regional