Astros Open Forum: Who Should Pitch Today?

The Astros made it back home for Game 6 of the World Series. They have to sweep these last two games to take the hardware, and unfortunately, they’ve put a huge strain on their whole pitching staff just to get this far.

What’s makes who starts today an issue is the decision by Dusty Baker to use Jose Urquidy for an inning in the win in Atlanta Sunday night. He would have been the obvious choice to start tonight. Although he only threw 14 pitches, he also threw 74 pitches Wednesday night, and there’s a legitimate concern that he won’t be adequately rested to pitch again until Wednesday.

And then there are those who say it’s only 14 pitches. He can go.

What are the other options?

Perhaps Luis Garcia, who threw 72 pitches on Friday. Pitching today would mean he’d be throwing on four days rest, one less than optimal.

Another option is Jake Odorizzi who probably has the freshest arm on the team, having last pitched last Tuesday, 2.1 scoreless innings, and 42 pitches.

Perhaps Cristian Javier is an option, who last threw Saturday for only 13 pitches (and two homers).

Zack Greinke also threw Saturday, but his 58 pitches probably mean he is not available until Game 7.

Of course, all of these options will probably be on a short leash, and a number of these will be available for long relief if they don’t start, namely Odorizzi, Javier, or even one of Garcia or Urquidy, assuming neither starts. One of these two will probably be saved for Game 7.

The short-relief bullpen for Game 6 is taxed, even with the one-day rest. We probably won’t see Phil Maton or Kendall Graveman today, since both pitched two innings Sunday.

So how should Dusty Baker handle the pitching staff these (hopefully) next two games?

Leave your comment below.