AJ Hinch Reveals Pitching Decisions for Games 6 and 7 After Yankees Send Series Back to Houston
By Jerry Trotta
Despite their forgettable performance at home in Game 4 of the ALCS, the New York Yankees admirably bounced back on Friday night to defeat Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros to force a Game 6 at Minute Maid Park.
The 'Stros still hold a commanding 3-2 series lead, but the pressure was on skipper AJ Hinch, who had to sort out a backbreaking decision: should he stick with his original plan to start Gerrit Cole on short rest in Game 6 or should he save the three-time All-Star fully-rested for a potential Game 7?
Moving Greinke and Verlander up in the rotation around tonight’s rainout sets up the potential for a fascinating Game 6 decision for A.J. Hinch — Gerrit Cole on three days’ rest or a bullpen/Jose Urquidy game?https://t.co/BftFj4fTQk
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) October 16, 2019
Hinch's decision quite literally had the power to make or break Houston's season.
In the end, Hinch went with the right decision to use the bullpen in Game 6 and save Cole for a winner-take-all Game 7, if necessary.
AJ Hinch: "It'll be a bullpen game tomorrow and I'm unlikely to use (Gerrit) Cole." https://t.co/o2XFr8bLLt
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) October 19, 2019
If Houston wins in front of their home crowd in Game 6, the Astros will have Cole, on even more rest, slated to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Nationals and he looks like a genius.
CAN'T BE BEAT.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 15, 2019
Gerrit Cole is now 19-0 in his last 25 starts. pic.twitter.com/zNYnS3VwHe
It was a mind-bogglingly excruciating decision, no matter which way you look at it. A case can be made for both sides, and that's why Hinch is paid the big bucks.
Yet, deploying your ace in a potential Game 7 is always the right move, as managers should always prepare for a worst-case scenario.