We bucked this emerging trend in 2019 and won it all. Astros pulled Greinke and lost the series because of it.
I hate this trend. I hope this blows up in the Dodgers face next time.
Maybe on the Greinke thing, maybe not; that’s why they play out the 27 outs (Manfred-ball notwithstanding). Also, Greinke had some rough outings early in the playoffs, and only pitched 4 2/3 innings in Game Three before they went to the bullpen. I recall him getting his share of calls – – just look at the Eaton pitch sequence to start the seventh in Game 7 for some of that.
All of that might’ve also factored into the decision not to solely go with pitch count. Having a hook ready for such a starter who has reached the seventh in Game 7 — and had just given up a home run and a walk — doesn’t seem to be primarily emblematic of the quick hook trend in and of itself.
And of course, there was also the pressure of the moment, especially as the Nats when they had a DH had gotten production against most of the Houston pitchers, most recently with late-inning explosions of runs in Game Two and Game Six. Think it was Rosenthal who said Hinch reportedly indicated not wanting to use Harris in Game 7 because of previous workload – – including the night before - - but went with him anyways.
There was also the report of the priority of giving Cole the ability to come into a “clean inning” since he hadn’t come out of the bullpen before if I recall correctly. Rendon getting a homer and the Soto walk changed the plan. Even before what Cole did in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs, I seem to recall reasoning as I had in Game One that the Nationals could conceivably to get to somebody who was giving up more home runs than even Scherzer was. Plus, he had already started twice in the series, would be in relief for the first time, and was on short rest, all of which carried levels of uncertainties.