Strategy

I've been thinking of Cranky Curtis' pitching strategy the last two weeks: You start a lefty or righty and take him out after ONE pitch to frustrate a manager who stacked his batting lineup for the starter, thereby frustrating the opposing teams manager's strategy the rest of the game.

I like that idea, but you couldn't use it much because of rotation schedules.

I've got another idea, based on that, one that you could use all the time.

Since MOST starters no longer pitch complete games and you need a relief corp at the end to finish most games, what if you had TWO really good closers, but one was a little nervous about closing games because of the intense pressure involved?  Many teams will use that guy as the set-up man, perhaps grooming him to be the closer in a less intense situation in the eight inning.

My idea? Instead of starters, have OPENERS. This would be a guy (or guys) who would pitch the first inning of every game and then pass the game off to the regular starter in the second inning. Much like the Cranky one's plan, switching to a pitcher who throws from the other side.

It would be the perfect roll for fireballering/sinker specialists who can't take closing pressure, but could get you off to a great first inning several times a week. The best part? You could SCHEDULE their use just like the starters. That way you couldn't misuse them or their arms. Start one guy every other game, or two games in a row ( just like closers) but allow someone else to  be in that roll on the off day.

This accomplishes much. Starters could then pitch at least one inning DEEPER in every single game still getting credit for the win, BUT they would be off the hook for the loss if the opener would have a bad first.

Much like the closer roll. These openers would become very specialized. And good. You could have two guys on a team opening 50-60 games a year. And starters starting an occasional game just like they used to.

It wasn't that long ago that every pitcher was expected to go all nine innings. The relief roll is a modern invention. Since the games always evolving, this could be the next step.

Opener: 1 inning
Starter (with different name): 6-8 innings
Closer: When needed. Just like now.

Set-up men and openers would have very similar job descriptions except openers would be scheduled, causing less wear and tear on the arms. The evolution of the game...