With Nick May pitching last Saturday, Manager Casey Scott faces a tough decision of who to start on the mound in double header.
By Dave Holcomb
Syracuse, N.Y.—Sitting in first place and on a ten-game winning streak, fans might think life is easy for Syracuse Manager Casey Scott. Wednesday’s double header, however, marks the fifth game in six days for the Jr. Chiefs which means a fifth spot starter might be required for the night cap against Utica.
Scott has been going with a four-man rotation all season and entered Alex Basso into the rotation when Kyle Stoudt injured his elbow. That ended up being a fantastic decision as Basso has yet to surrender a run in 17 and a third innings.
Basso pitched Monday evening in Sherrill and Keenan Stare started Tuesday night in the win against Geneva. That means Ethan Striz and Nick May are due to pitch in tonight’s double header, but May last pitched Saturday. If Scott starts May, he will be working on three days’ rest.
Manager Scott was unable to be reached for comment, but this early in the season, the Jr. Chief broadcasting crew does not expect Scott to pitch May on only three days’ rest. Certainly, the first place position and the five game lead in the loss column over second place Adirondack also support not pitching May on Wednesday. But as Syracuse still hopes to extend their winning streak to 12, Scott is left with the decision on whom to award the start.
Syracuse has a plethora of pitchers to give the spot start too and with only John Silvestri and J.D. Tyler pitching the last two days except for the starters, everyone else is fresh in the bullpen.
Pete Doggett has pitched well in his three appearances this season; he threw three and a third innings in Saturday’s game at Sherrill and earned the win. Rob Frank and Zach Stuart have also pitched well but seem better suited for short relief appearances than spot starts. The same goes for Kevin Carroll who closed games at LeMoyne College this past spring and has one save this season.
That points to Dean Bonneau possibly making one of the starts in the double header. Bonneau has shown he has the stuff and endurance to thrown a lot of innings as he has five and a third innings in two relief appearances. He has given up just one run in those innings.
But we will have to wait until Wednesday night for Scott’s decision. With 18 innings to go around, Wednesday’s double header is a great opportunity to get give pitchers innings. Whether it is May, Bonneau or someone else making the start after Striz, a hot Syracuse offense always gives the Jr. Chiefs a great chance to win.
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