Mendoza’s Idea to limit Fantasy SP Outings Strikes Again

Gotham’s (Headless) Penguins: Game 5 villains Matt Harvey and Terry Collins

I think we’ve aired this before but it deserves another mention after the Mets’ Game 5 collapse that ended the World Series. Mendoza suggests that when plugging a SP into your lineup you should be able to limit his IP pregame. In-game’s not feasible because we have lives and jobs and stuff (yes, even this writer now has a legal job…) but suppose, before the outing, you could say “I only want 5 (or, 6, or 7) IP from my SP because I don’t want the late inning where he gets roasted and hooked” or “I only want my SP to go through the lineup twice” or similar.

Matt Harvey wasn’t roasted last night, but he clearly convinced the manager to leave him in too long. As it happened:

Harvey was dominant through 7: 0 runs, 84 pitches, 9 K, 1 BB.

The eighth was a struggle: no runs, but 18 pitches. Pitch count now 102.

The heart of the Royals order was due up in the ninth with the Mets up 2-0. Harvey got word from the pitching coach that he was done, but angrily told manager Terry Collins he was going out to finish the game. Collins acquiesced.

Lorenzo Cain worked a seven pitch walk, and stole second on the first pitch to Eric Hosmer. Hosmer doubled in Cain. 2-1 now, Hosmer in scoring position nobody out.

Only now did Collins hook Harvey. In came Jeurys Familia. Mike Moustakas and Sal Perez each hit ground balls for outs, but Hosmer easily advanced to third on the first one which went to the right side and cleverly came home on the second after David Wright thought he looked Hosmer back to third. 2-2 for Familia’s blown save, but this one feels harsh to hang on Familia. Familia would pitch both the ninth and tenth, 2 K, 0 BB, 0 H. The Royals scored five in the top of the 12th, series over.

Matt Harvey: 8+ IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 9/2 K/BB

That’s still pretty good, but suppose you as a manager wouldn’t be intimidated by Harvey. Isn’t this better:

Matt Harvey: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 9/1 K/BB

…or even 5 or 6 IP of shutout ball? You’d likely want to shoot for 6 to grab the QS, but if you didn’t need the QS, perhaps 5 IP, or even less would do.

Mendoza’s idea to limit the length of SP outings is overdue.