(05-01-2018, 01:50 PM)JJJ Wrote: And we may have just experienced "the transition" as Miller is expected to start today vs USF.
It does appear that we have witnessed "the transition", though really when Brendan Beck pitched the Thursday game vs cal.
As noted in this thread, broadly the transition is no surprise. The timing indicates it was probably a decision made some time ago for which Esquer was looking for a convenient spot in the schedule - the Th, F, Sa series provided it.
The reason I say that is that Miller's last outing, a win vs Arizona, was his best game of the season. He went 5.0 innings, gave up 0 earned runs (1 run overall), and only 1 walk. He finished strong retiring the last 7 batters he faced, and 11 of the last 12 (with the one walk the guy who got on base). Generally he appeared in control throughout.
So the switch certainly wasn't a response to that performance itself.
(05-01-2018, 02:13 PM)Hulk01 Wrote: Having Miller as a reliever gives us a nice balance in the bullpen:
Except it appears Miller's primary role will be as mid-week starter.
That is not completely exclusive to bullpen work, but Brendan Beck hadn't come in from the bullpen during his time as a midweek starter. His only relief appearances were twice vs Arizona as Esquer was getting him ready for the start vs cal.
Of course come tournament time, roles get mixed around.
In the regionals, and first week at Omaha, you might need four starters but could get by with three.
Obviously in super-regionals and the final series at Omaha, there's only three starters.
So, in that situation, presumably the fourth starter will become a fixture in the bullpen.