Poll: Should Braves start Lowe in playoffs (if they make it)?
Derek Lowe wasn't awful Wednesday. Would you want to see him in playoffs?
When the Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez went to the bullpen at Florida Wednesday night, play-by-play announcer Chip Caray said, “Pitching change for Atlanta. Derek Lowe did not pitch poorly.”
Interesting choice of words. Then again, it seems this qualifies as news.
After allowing 15 earned runs and 26 hits in 13.1 innings over his last three starts, Lowe didn’t stink against the Marlins. He allowed three runs and six hits in 6.1 innings. It wasn’t Cy Young, but it wasn’t bad Vaudeville, either.
Loading ...So here’s the thing. Last season, I made the mistake of writing off Lowe — for which he never let me forget — and he ended up becoming the Braves’ best pitcher down the stretch and in the postseason. This year, he has been a mess. But minus Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens, the team needs a third starter for the playoffs, assuming they make the playoffs, and, yes, I realize that’s a dangerous assumption. (The Braves lost to the Marlins 4-0, St. Louis defeated the Mets 6-5 and suddenly the wild card lead is down to 1½ games.)
Bit if they make it, here’s the question: Do the Braves start Lowe?
For the sake of this argument, let’s assume Jurrjens will not be available for the wild card round (safe assumption) and Hanson will still be rehabilitating from a shoulder injury (50-50). That leaves Tim Hudson and Brandon Beachy as the logical Nos. 1 and 2 starters.
Your choices for the No. 3 starter: Lowe (9-16, 4.92), Mike Minor (5-2, 4.27), Randall Delgado (1-1, 2.70) or Julio Teheran (1-1, 5.40). The debate is whether you go with the veteran with postseason experience in the hope that he comes through, or one of the young pitchers in the hope that he doesn’t implode.
I’m going to play Switzerland on this subject. At least for another week.
But you may now vote, and fire away . . .
By Jeff Schultz
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519 comments Add your comment
Slip Sliding Braves.
September 23rd, 2011
12:34 pm
Derek Lowe is DEAD WEIGHT.
Caseyatthebat
September 23rd, 2011
2:40 pm
Martinez, Jeff. Martinez is my choice for the third starter. But it won’t be necessary ’cause they’re not gonna make it. This team is destined for SHAME.
Heyward grounds out to second
September 23rd, 2011
5:40 pm
No way. Lowe had a decent start in FL, but still a complete liability. No way in hell. He’s had a terrible season, and should be shut down.
Michael M.
September 24th, 2011
12:22 am
Braves playing Phillies in the last series of regular season, odds of Braves winning 2 out of 3 against em, extremely high, just dont see them in playoffs this year. Only way they get in playoffs if the other playoff contenders flop and they play well in the last few games.
If they manage to get in playoffs, who knows they might pull it off and win it all ! Be Something special huh ?
Roger
September 24th, 2011
12:35 am
HELL NO!!!! He is a $15 mil gauranteed loss everytime he goes to the mound! I cringe everytime I see that it is Lowe’s turn in the rotation. I feel we have a chance to win any ballgame that any other starter starts but when Derek Lowe is on the hill I turn the channel and chalk up another PITIFUL outing. playoffs??? no thanks!
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 24th, 2011
8:31 am
Take Lowe out of the starting rotation NOW and let him rest. If we make it to the second round of the playoffs give him a start then. The guy has been a great pitcher over the years but there’s something wrong now and he doesn’t fit in with a championship team. I think he’ll come back possibly, but he’s in a slump right now. Keep him outta there.
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 24th, 2011
8:36 am
If Lowe pitches on his next scheduled start I’m not gonna watch it, and I don’t even want to hear about it.
mojochopper
September 24th, 2011
12:29 pm
Lowe could be a valuable piece in the bullpen….he has experience there during his days in boston. He could be our 6th inning guy to bridge to Oventbril especially sinker Moylan is down for the count. His sinker could induce DP’s in critical spots. Or if one of the youngsters implodes on the mound he wouldn’t have a problem going 5-6 innings in relief. I remember Cox using starters as relievers in the playoffs, smoltz, maddux, liebrant…etc
NO MORE PARRISH
September 25th, 2011
12:35 am
1. No he should not start.
2. He will because he is part of the Braves buddy system.
3. Braves still have a good chance of not even making it in. The villains are coming to town to finish us off and fat Fredi will tip his cap.
tom tidwell
September 25th, 2011
7:34 am
Absolutely not. Lowe gives up runs and wears out the bullpen. Delgado should start. Its only one start, he can’t be any worse than Lowe. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, the experience will be good for him down the road.
double
September 25th, 2011
4:44 pm
How do we have Hampton,Lowe,high paid parasites.We need a different scouting,management crew.If either had been worth their keep,would have taken cut in pay.
Gunsmoke
September 25th, 2011
5:52 pm
Uhhh…Braves aren’t going to make the playoffs…they’ve lost 17 games in the last 30 days…and they end the season with Philly…who swept the Braves a few weeks ago…this question is moot.
Braves: Playoff teams don’t lose series to Nats, Marlins, Mets | Jeff Schultz
September 25th, 2011
6:13 pm
[...] one, the Braves will start a rookie, Randall Delgado, against Cliff Lee. In game two, it’s the struggling Derek Lowe against Roy Oswalt. In the series finale, it’s Tim Hudson against the Phils’ Cole [...]
Rod
September 26th, 2011
10:23 am
Why are we talking about the playoffs when we are looking at Lowe being scheduled for a start with the Phillies. Lets get real. We dont need another opportunity for Lowe to blow it again. I would rather the team put in one of our future stars and hope for the best. Lowe is DONE.
james
September 26th, 2011
3:36 pm
Enter your comments here
james
September 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
ROTFLMFAO…… This topic of discussion is a complete waste of time.!
Josh
September 28th, 2011
12:05 am
bobby cox going to the marlins to be the next manager should be talked about
Josh
September 28th, 2011
12:14 am
Atlanta should sign greg maddux to a 2 year deal worth 90 million . He won 4 cy youngs
Josh
September 28th, 2011
12:31 am
braves should trade all their players and sign back the 1980 team