GARNER'S DECISION
A lot of people seem to be criticizing PHIL GARNER for throwing both ROGER CLEMENS and ROY OSWALT on three-days rest. I know people are afraid to start guys on three-days rest in the post-season because of the struggles some guys have had, but again I think that a lot of this fear is unwarrented.

Pitching on three-days isn't a uniform thing. Different guys bounce back after starting at different rates. Anybody who has pitched can attest to this. Sometimes you throw 110 pitches and feel like you can throw the ball through a brick wall two days later, sometimes you throw 85 pitches and feel like you're throwing puss up there a week later. It really is a tricky thing.

I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but a lot has been made about how guys pitching on three-days rest in the post-season are 1-9 or something. Of course everybody remembers JOSH BECKETT absolutely dominating the Yankees on three-days rest last year. Some of games pitchers have thrown off of three-days rest were good enough to win. I remember MARK MULDER going 7 innings allowing 2 earned, BARRY ZITO giving up four runs in six innings. I mean a lot of times thats good enough to win. I don't remember anybody being absolutely rocked.

I liked the decision, because I'd rather have Clemens and Oswalt on three-days each rather than Clemens on full rest, no Oswalt (except maybe and release) and then starting PETE MUNRO or somebody like that. The Astros rode a thin rotation (minus ANDY PETTITTE and WADE MILLER) down the stretch. In playoff time, I think you have to go with your best guys. Clemens through well, and the 'stros would have one minus a ADAM LA ROCHE bomb off of RANDY QUALLS. Oswalt pitched well and the bats ensured an Astros victory.