Cardinals bringing back John Lackey on short rest in Game 4
For the first time since 2005, John Lackey is going to pitch on short rest. The Cardinals are looking to avoid elimination in the NLDS, trailing the Cubs 2-1.
By
Matt Snyder
•
1 min read
Immediately after losing Game 3 of the NLDS to the Cubs, 8-6, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told reporters that John Lackey will be the starting pitcher for his club in Game 4 (via Derrick Goold).
This is a very notable move from both sides of the equation.
On the plus side, Lackey is easily the most reliable starter the Cardinals have right now. He had a 2.77 ERA in the regular season, closing with a 2.06 ERA in his last eight starts. Then he went out and took it to the Cubs in Game 1, dominating through 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. And in fact, those two hits were a well-placed grounder by Addison Russell and a shift-induced bunt by Kyle Schwarber.
So, with their backs against the wall, this looks like the right move for the Cardinals.
Of course, this means Lackey is starting on three days' rest. He doesn't often do this. In fact, he almost never does it.
In 2009, he was ejected in the first inning after just two pitches, so he started the next day. We can't put any stock into that, which means the last time he actually started on short rest came in 2005.
Lackey threw well in that outing, too. He only went five innings and threw just 86 pitches, but he gave up just three hits and a walk without allowing a run.
Then again, this was 2005, so the data is probably mostly worthless.
The bottom line is we don't know how Lackey will fare on short rest in Game 4. The best guess is that he probably pitches well but can't go too deep into the game, but, again, we just can't know. What we do know is the Cardinals have to win or their season is over.
