Cincinnati Reds to alter the order of rotation as playoffs near – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds have decided to keep altering the order of their rotation to be better prepared and equipped for the postseason. The decision has already started been put in place with the change of order lately.
Dusty Baker, the Cincinnati Reds' manager and pitching coach Bryan Price are looking forward to the postseason games. The Reds hope to gain upper hand this time round with a comparatively stronger side both offensively and defensively.
It is Mike Leake who is to follow Homer Bailey after Tuesday’s start. Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo and Mat Latos shall follow Leake. With a strong rotation that has come to bolster the Reds, the club hopes it will prevail over their rivals.
Team manager Dusty Baker said the Reds wanted to try this alteration before but could not do because of the tough schedule.
"We wanted to do this for a while but couldn't do it because of scheduling," Baker said. "When you have off-days like this and some guys getting tired, that's when you make the necessary changes."
There is no denying that the strategy that the Reds are intending to put into place is carefully chalked out given the significance of the playoffs and the potentially tough rival confronting the club.
Reds' manager Dusty Baker said, "It breaks our catching up. [Ryan] Hanigan would go three days in a row, and then he wouldn't go two more. We just thought it was best. Bryan came up with some scenarios, and we discussed. We had two or three different scenarios. We figured that was the best one to go down the stretch and possibly into the playoffs."
If things go as planned, it is Cueto who will make the start in Game 1 of the National League Division Series – something greatly awaited at this point in time. Cueto remains one of the successful starters of the Reds and the National League this season.
Making 30 starts, with two complete games, Cueto has held 17-9 record with 2.92 ERA, Cueto is third in NL in wins, fourth in both ERA and CG and eighth in innings pitched (197).
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