So, looking at our pitching options, there are a couple of ways of looking a things.
Reasons to start Benge in the opener
1) Benge has pitched outstanding in his three starts and makes you feel comfortable starting him against Niagara.
2) You obviously save your two aces for Florida and/or Nebraska and have one of the two (if you win your first two games) to pitch in the championship.
3) Benge may be a better fit against Niagara than Florida. Benji is more of a power pitcher. Without knowing for certain, Florida, with their plethora of power hitters, are more likely to have success against a power righty versus a a power lefty (Garcia) or a junker/softer righty (Holiday).
Reasons to start Garcia against Niagara
1) Losing the opener is hard to overcome so you want to go with your best.
2) Garcia is a lefty and Niagara’s lineup is lefty heavy, including three of its top four hitters and by far its best hitter.
3) It keeps everyone on their regular schedule: Bubba on Friday, Brian on Saturday, Benji on Sunday.
4) Garcia and Holiday are proven - or at least more proven - to give you seven or eight innings (or maybe even a CG) and saving your pen for later in the tournament can be vital, especially if you fall into the loser’s bracket.
5) You don’t want to take the chance of being knocked out of the tournament without even using one of your two aces.
All of that being said:
I’d go Benge, Garcia, Holiday. I think it gives you the matchups that give you the best advantages and the best chance to win the tournament.
Reasons to start Benge in the opener
1) Benge has pitched outstanding in his three starts and makes you feel comfortable starting him against Niagara.
2) You obviously save your two aces for Florida and/or Nebraska and have one of the two (if you win your first two games) to pitch in the championship.
3) Benge may be a better fit against Niagara than Florida. Benji is more of a power pitcher. Without knowing for certain, Florida, with their plethora of power hitters, are more likely to have success against a power righty versus a a power lefty (Garcia) or a junker/softer righty (Holiday).
Reasons to start Garcia against Niagara
1) Losing the opener is hard to overcome so you want to go with your best.
2) Garcia is a lefty and Niagara’s lineup is lefty heavy, including three of its top four hitters and by far its best hitter.
3) It keeps everyone on their regular schedule: Bubba on Friday, Brian on Saturday, Benji on Sunday.
4) Garcia and Holiday are proven - or at least more proven - to give you seven or eight innings (or maybe even a CG) and saving your pen for later in the tournament can be vital, especially if you fall into the loser’s bracket.
5) You don’t want to take the chance of being knocked out of the tournament without even using one of your two aces.
All of that being said:
I’d go Benge, Garcia, Holiday. I think it gives you the matchups that give you the best advantages and the best chance to win the tournament.
