Waldichuk - Help Please

[harmon]

Down the stretch I'm in a tight race in Wins, ERA and WHIP.

Currently in 3rd overall out of 15 with a real good shot at 2nd if pitching holds up.

Torn on whether to go with Waldichuk tonight at home vs Detroit. Waldichuk has been wildly inconsistent and is just as likely to have a gem as a blowup. A's are looking especially listless recently but Detroit should be a good matchup at home.

Smarter to play it safe and bench him or go for it?

[madducks]

Wins are few and far between when you pitch for the A's. So I don't see him helping there.

His ratios have gotten better in August-September. He has thrown two scoreless games (vs Astros & Blue Jays) and a clunker (vs Padres) this month. I say go for it unless you are getting close to your innings limit and have better options during the final week and a half.

[virgonomic]

Smarter to play it safe and bench him or go for it?

You answered your own question. I'd bench as the Tigers are playing respectable baseball again.

[madducks]

I hope you started him. He had a decent game with 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K, & the win.

[harmon]

I hope you started him. He had a decent game with 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K, & the win.

I swallowed hard and started him and he came through. Looked like his numbers would be good but he wouldn't get the W and then he even got that with a big inning from the A's.