8 pitchers. Only 1 threw over 20 pitches. That is amazing. Typically the thought is if a guy goes 20 or below he can come back the next day. Usually 3 days in a row is max and then you need a rest day. I am guessing with playoff intensity that is two. They used Banda Hudson and Kopech back to back. Banda threw 13 and 19. Hudson an incredible 4 and 9. Kopech 19 and 20.
They now all get a day off. Vesia was well rested with 4 days off and threw 30. Last we saw Brasier he was giving up 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning in the blowout so starting him was BOLD.
I was surprised to see them throw Hudson and Treinan in the 7 and 8th. Even more surprised to see Kopech in the 3rd. For different reasons.
Up 8-0 why you throw Hudson? Maybe because he only threw 5 pitches Sunday, and 4 pitches Tuesday. Needs work. I also think it might be to pin SD down and frustrate them. Get in their heads. Don't allow them any momentum going into Fri. Feeling like they just got going too late but now they are good. Nope. Pin them.
Knack was an interesting choice. They will likely have to use him if they keep going. So having him throw a clean inning and start clean was smart. By the 9th it was lower pressure. And bottom of lineup. Good build up for if they need him for a few innings later. Or a key one inning stint.
I had thought Brasier would get the top of the lineup and then let Knack come throw 2-3 innings. Maybe 4. Get them to the 5th that way and make sure the top of the Padre lineup only saw a guy once. Still not a bad idea. I would strongly consider doing something similar. Start a guy you think matches up well with the top 3 or a guy who matches up well with Tatis and Machado since they are most likely to hurt you. Take your chances with the Arraez and Profar hitters. I think Profrar is a fake anyway. Get past them and bring in Yamamamabingbong for the bottom and one shot at the top. if that.
They IMO is how they get to Darvish. Wish I had an answer there. He's been great since coming back from injury and has dominated LA in 3 of his 4 starts against them this year. He's the guy SD wants on the mound v the Dodgers, even if their manager is too stupid to know it.
Hudson was good to go. He had only thrown nine pitches in the series before last night’s game. Yesterday would have been a light bullpen workout day for Flaherty.