In the playoffs, the 100-plus pitch starts, 18-batter outing starts and the 4-plus-out saves become much more common. If I have heard one thing from baseball announcers this week, you must protect and reserve your pitching for the postseason. I mean, we know the Braves believe it. The bullpen must be protected at all costs, even if that means less optimal decisions. Even if it means giving up free wins early in a season where the sixth playoff seed only won 83 times.
So why can’t pitching be more like the playoff version? How come baseball can’t have more off days, fewer games, or both? Why can’t teams carry more pitchers on the active roster? Why must the regular season be such a grind so that you can deploy your pitchers as you want them? It’s really annoying that the regular season version is so much different tactically.
I guess I just miss my Fried. And Braves October baseball.