The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
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The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
I know the stats support the move based on pitch count, number of times through the line up, etc. However it makes sense to me to not follow the statistical evidence in all cases. Good managers should know the difference based on how the pitcher looks and feedback from the pitcher. There are a lot of wasted bullpens following statistics and not relying on seasoned eye of a good manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Are you listening Oli?
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Superb injection. And yes, many times a pull is the right call. But strictly following analysis every time has gotten the game to this point of pitchers not going far. Early pulls.Jatalk wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:51 amI know the stats support the move based on pitch count, number of times through the line up, etc. However it makes sense to me to not follow the statistical evidence in all cases. Good managers should know the difference based on how the pitcher looks and feedback from the pitcher. There are a lot of wasted bullpens following statistics and not relying on seasoned eye of a good manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Are you listening Oli?
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Yeah, Snell was pitching a 1-hit shutout, and as the announcing crew noted, not 1 single ball was hit hard. Plus he had 9 Ks an 0 walks. And had a moderate pitch count. Wasn't even breaking a sweat. Then they bring that kid in, and he is sweating like a horse from the get-go out of nerves. And man did he show it. Worthless. The Dodgers were very fortunate to get out of that mess Sasaki and Roberts created.
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
This one game is my point. They can’t go just by analytics, gotta have a feel for the current moment. It seems this notion to pull is increased in post season, using the excuse of- no time to waste. Most times, many starters will get out of their jam with minimal damage, and thus grow so ever slightly. Cumulative affect.icon wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:30 amsikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Yeah, Snell was pitching a 1-hit shutout, and as the announcing crew noted, not 1 single ball was hit hard. Plus he had 9 Ks an 0 walks. And had a moderate pitch count. Wasn't even breaking a sweat. Then they bring that kid in, and he is sweating like a horse from the get-go out of nerves. And man did he show it. Worthless. The Dodgers were very fortunate to get out of that mess Sasaki and Roberts created.
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Insane to pull a pitcher of T. Skubal or B. Snell's pedigree (CY Young award winners in their prime) when they're cruising, especially when you have a cr a ppy bullpen like the Dodgers. 

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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Don’t forget the pulling of Q. It goes on that list. Again random occurrences, but my point is, a manager should have a feel. For the rate instances they pull a hot starter, occasionally it back fires.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:43 am Insane to pull a pitcher of T. Skubal or B. Snell's pedigree (CY Young award winners in their prime) when they're cruising, especially when you have a cr a ppy bullpen like the Dodgers.![]()
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
In a word pulling Snell was stupid.
Most if not all managers have gotten to the point where "analytics" have taken the bone out of their head that makes them think.
Here's a new saying. "Analytics is a tool, not the rule".
Most if not all managers have gotten to the point where "analytics" have taken the bone out of their head that makes them think.
Here's a new saying. "Analytics is a tool, not the rule".
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
maybe Snell told Roberts he was donesikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Oh I'll never get over that stupid move BDog, why I knew immediately (coupled w/his mis-management of R. Helsey in the same series) Oli was going to be an inferior Manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:51 amDon’t forget the pulling of Q. It goes on that list. Again random occurrences, but my point is, a manager should have a feel. For the rate instances they pull a hot starter, occasionally it back fires.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:43 am Insane to pull a pitcher of T. Skubal or B. Snell's pedigree (CY Young award winners in their prime) when they're cruising, especially when you have a cr a ppy bullpen like the Dodgers.![]()
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Seriously. Take a sip of coffee. I’ll burn one. Had we won the Q game, we also have him ready for game one next series, a series we could have won. We really could have been a WS contender had things broke a bit differently.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:56 amOh I'll never get over that stupid move BDog, why I knew immediately (coupled w/his mis-management of R. Helsey in the same series) Oli was going to be an inferior Manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:51 amDon’t forget the pulling of Q. It goes on that list. Again random occurrences, but my point is, a manager should have a feel. For the rate instances they pull a hot starter, occasionally it back fires.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:43 am Insane to pull a pitcher of T. Skubal or B. Snell's pedigree (CY Young award winners in their prime) when they're cruising, especially when you have a cr a ppy bullpen like the Dodgers.![]()
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Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Had they won Game 1 it becomes a different series.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:59 amSeriously. Take a sip of coffee. I’ll burn one. Had we won the Q game, we also have him ready for game one next series, a series we could have won. We really could have been a WS contender had things broke a bit differently.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:56 amOh I'll never get over that stupid move BDog, why I knew immediately (coupled w/his mis-management of R. Helsey in the same series) Oli was going to be an inferior Manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:51 amDon’t forget the pulling of Q. It goes on that list. Again random occurrences, but my point is, a manager should have a feel. For the rate instances they pull a hot starter, occasionally it back fires.rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:43 am Insane to pull a pitcher of T. Skubal or B. Snell's pedigree (CY Young award winners in their prime) when they're cruising, especially when you have a cr a ppy bullpen like the Dodgers.![]()
Oli blew it, better be gone after 2026.
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
I would have sent Snell out there at least until he gave up a base runner.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
I understand that “pitch count” is used as a gauge but the guy was cruising.
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Actually No , Snell did not tell Robert he was done.dugoutrex wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 08:53 ammaybe Snell told Roberts he was donesikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
We know this from Shehadi’s postgame question to him whether the two had a conversation about Blake going out in 9th.
Snell replied No , I trust him
A very politically correct thing to say.
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
Not. Roberts’. Call.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Re: The Pulling of a Hot Starting Pitcher
No. Longer. The. Manager’s. Call.Jatalk wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:51 amI know the stats support the move based on pitch count, number of times through the line up, etc. However it makes sense to me to not follow the statistical evidence in all cases. Good managers should know the difference based on how the pitcher looks and feedback from the pitcher. There are a lot of wasted bullpens following statistics and not relying on seasoned eye of a good manager.sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025 07:33 am Good morning.
If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is an unnecessary removal of a starter who is cooking. And then it blows up.
I believe when you remove a lathered up, performing pitcher, in lieu of four “game cold” relievers, one of them will fail. This he game.
I don’t know if it is this - 3rd time thru syndrome, or the pitch count issue, or a manager wanting to be a part of the show, but something drives that move.
Using Snell as an example. Dominant thru 8. Aren’t the chances he will do ok in the ninth as good as a closer?
Last night ninth produced four base runners and one run. Ended bases loaded. Lots of drama based on one move.
Conclusion. I think this is one area a manager makes a huge difference in a game, the removal of his hot starter.
Thoughts.
Are you listening Oli?