More on the Rotation

I confess: I have absolutely no idea what the Twins are going to do regarding Game 4 of the playoffs. There have been so many ups and downs with this decision (mostly downs, sadly) that it is almost impossible to sort things out. However, a couple of pieces of information are relevant to the discussion.

First, Matt Garza was terrible yesterday, in that frustrating way of his. He'll get guys out, rack up a few K's, and seem like he should be getting through innings. Only problem is, he doesn't. He throws pitch after pitch after pitch, and you realize by the end of the 2nd inning that he'll be lucky to get through 5. Sometimes, like yesterday, he falls apart completely and is unable to pull a Houdini act in every inning. I suggested yesterday that he would probably make the playoff roster anyway, but that was probably rash. If he isn't going to start Game 4, and that's increasingly doubtful, then why take him? Willie Eyre has been in the bullpen all year and is accustomed to that role, and he would be a better pick than Garza if that's the case.

Carlos Silva is getting the start today in a game that could mean the difference between playing the A's or the Yankees in the first round. I say could, of course, because if the Tigers win it really doesn't matter what happens with Silva. We all saw Silva crash and burn in his last start, against the Royals nonetheless, and this probably doesn't bode well for his start today against a much fiercer White Sox team (and by the way, aren't you glad we wrapped up the Wild Card before the Sox rolled on into town?). If Silva pitches well today, and by that I mean anything resembling a quality start, then the Twins will almost certainly grit their teeth and name him their Game 4 starter. After all, he's a veteran who has pitched against New York and Oakland before, and sometimes shows flashes of still being a major league caliber pitcher.

But what if Silva doesn't pitch well? Jim Souhan seems to think that would open the door for Glen Perkins to make his first major league start . . . in the playoffs. Funny thing is, it's hard to disagree. With neither Silva or Garza stepping up to claim the role, and with no consideration being given to Scott Baker (for obvious reasons), AND with Perkins having blazed a trail through hitters in the few outings he's had with the team, AND ALSO with Perkins not being able to serve in the bullpen in any capacity that the Twins are interested in . . . well, this all seems to be pointing in his direction. What's really interesting about this is that it is not uncommon for pitchers to have success when they are relative unknowns. I'm not going to dig up examples, but I can remember Twins hitters flailing away at various Royals who were making their Major League debuts, making them look like Sandy Koufax. Pitchers generally have an edge when facing hitters for the first time, unless the pitcher is particularly nervous (see Garza, Matt) or happens to have an off day when making his debut.

I like Perkins. He looks composed and ready to pitch at the big league level, sort of a left-handed version of Boof Bonser. Why not give him the Game 4 start, assuming Carlos doesn't grab it today? After all, in a season where the impossible seems to be the norm, this would be the perfect cap to the season, no?