GDT 4/21/18 Pittsburgh Pirates (Brault) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Nola)

[Lucky_Beagle]

I believe

yes he will, Kapler is sold as an outside the box thinker. To me this shows he thinks the same way every other manager does, my players will be upset if I don't allow them to up their stats. Not saying its wrong just saying he proves to me he isn't much different (at least this time)

[LoneStarPhan]

Great play by Santana to snare the vicious line drive that was surely going into right field for the RBI hit. I mean it was a really great play.

Great win. Nola goes 7 to get the W and is now 2-1 on the year. Save to Neris, his 4th. Home record continues to be historically great for the start of a season. Phillies now 13-7 and 6 over .500.

Phillies win the series for sure and will go for a sweep tomorrow. Pittsburgh came into Philadelphia as the first place team in the NL central and playing .667 baseball.

Hoskins hero for the offense with the big home run and 4 total RBIs.

[Slinging_Southpaw]

1 out, bases loaded, 4 run lead and you let Neris hit? I didn't like it either, but they got away with it.

[EastFallowfield]

Had ‘em all the way, Harry! Didn’t mind Neris batting, gotta trust him to hold the multi run lead.

[donaldorc]

Wouldn't an outside the box thinking manager decide a 4 run lead with the chance to add more would be a good time to get your closer out of the game and maybe have him available for a save tomorrow? Why is it so important to allow Neris to get an at bat in this game other than he has already qualified for the save?

Exactly my thoughts!

[donaldorc]

This team is really exciting! Hard to believe, Harry!

[schillingfan]

I don't understand the complaints about Neris. He had only thrown to one guy, pitched a four out save and one less reliever was needed. Some people complain about too many pitching moves and only using the closer for the ninth inning. Not sure it's the same guy, but I think Kapler's move was more out of the box than in the box.

[donaldorc]

I don't understand the complaints about Neris. He had only thrown to one guy, pitched a four out save and one less reliever was needed. Some people complain about too many pitching moves and only using the closer for the ninth inning. Not sure it's the same guy, but I think Kapler's move was more out of the box than in the box.

I would agree with you if there was only a 1 or 2-run lead. When the Phillies scored 3 runs in the 8th inning, a closer was no longer needed, IMO.

[Lucky_Beagle]

I don't understand the complaints about Neris. He had only thrown to one guy, pitched a four out save and one less reliever was needed. Some people complain about too many pitching moves and only using the closer for the ninth inning. Not sure it's the same guy, but I think Kapler's move was more out of the box than in the box.

I would agree with you if there was only a 1 or 2-run lead. When the Phillies scored 3 runs in the 8th inning, a closer was no longer needed, IMO.

The question really asked is can Neris go a 3rd day in a row tomorrow if needed? If not could he have gone if he only tossed 1/3 of an inning instead of 1 1/3.

I don't believe anyone complaining about Neris pitching the 9th today. It is what is expected and done by almost all teams. Is it the best decision, he may never know for sure. How do we know another relief pitcher doesn't come in and give up 5 runs or how do we know what the game score will be tomorrow. What if a closer isn't needed tomorrow, by what if Neris is needed and can't go or is ineffective and blows a 2 run lead. Will today's decision have impacted that game?

[LoneStarPhan]

Since Neris had warmed up and pitched in the game, pitching the ninth or not may not be the determining factor in his availability tomorrow. I think I am fine either way. Let him pitch the ninth as he did or bring someone else in to pitch the ninth. The way they did it may well make another reliever (the one who might have pitched the ninth today if Neris had been pinch hit for) available tomorrow.

[andyb]

The question really asked is can Neris go a 3rd day in a row tomorrow if needed? If not could he have gone if he only tossed 1/3 of an inning instead of 1 1/3.

Might have Hunter on the roster tomorrow. Remember this is a manager that will not use the bullpen in set roles all the time.

[zambonir]

Whichever pitcher they had used instead of Neris (either in the 8th or the 9th) might not have been available tomorrow either. And if it had been, say, Hutchison, and he gave up two runs, what then? Yeah, Kapler seemingly wanted Neris to get the save, which is traditional, but he also put his closer into the 8th inning of a game in April, which is not.

I guess they really were done with Milner if they couldn't use him, since they already knew he was the one guy who didn't need rest for tomorrow. Or was the roster move already done?

[LoneStarPhan]

I think the roster move was made after the game. I also think Kapler wanted the win and might not have thought Milner could get multiple outs needed. Asking the closer for 4 outs should not be that big of a deal. Neris got it done. If he is not available Sunday, there are other options.

[zambonir]

it's not a big deal at all and with a four-run lead it wasn't a big deal for him to bat either.

[Austinfan]

If Nola isn't a #1 starter, he's doing a heckuva imitation of one.
Last 32 starts, 199 IP, 3.34 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 5.5 WAR (BR), ERA+ 130
His K-rate is down this year, but probably early season anomaly.
But his curve look sharper, just needs to keep working on that changeup.