You Gonna Pull Those Pistols Or Whistle Dixie?

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replying the story in its archived form does not constitute a re-publiccation of the story.

Had a great conversation with Derrick Goold of 101ESPN yesterday regarding the comosition of the Cardinals pitching staff for the postseason.  And it got me to thinking (uh-oh, that's a problem)...How do we put our team in the best position to win understanding that the October tournament is much different from the grinding marathon of the regular season?  You could go by the old standby,"dance with the one who brung ya," but that would be nuts.  October is a different animal.  You must settle on four starters...though there are those who think you can go with three.  I think that's a big mistake save for the following two loopholes. One, you win in three.  Two, you elect to pitch your number one guy on short rest for game four.  If Carpenter is your game one guy who wouldn't  think that him coming back on three days rest is better than anybody else you have?  But don't you have to disregard this plan because of his injury history?  My other choice is Wainwright in game one and returning with the Cy Young award winner in game three.  That has a bit more merit and before adding the division series it would have made even more sense.  But if you expect to go deep into the tourney how many time can you go to the Waino well? 

I like making John Smoltz available from the bullpen for game one and expecting to start game four.  It sort of messes up the Smoltz as set up guy plan but the best laid plans...

The point is, go with Smoltz in sort of a flex-plan.  Bullpen game one...maybe even game two...start game four...if there is rain along the way keep him in the pen.  Thnk of John Smotz as Tony Larussa's six gun.  Have that hog leg strapped on and ready to pull.  But don't pull it unless you plan to use it.