Blade Tidwell starting today vs. Florida

[NighthawkVol]

Ben McKee’s announcement on Twitter was posted in the game thread last night, but I thought I’d post that info here for those who don’t wade into all those posts.

It’ll be really interesting to see how they handle the weekend starting rotation going forward. If Blade pitches well (expect he will) and Dollander is ready by next week or the following, who’s the odd man out? My guess is it’s CD and you then have the best middle relief righty-lefty combo in America in CD and Mabrey. Which is nice, since we already have the best starting staff.

 

[Volunteer08]

Ben McKee’s announcement on Twitter was posted in the game thread last night, but I thought I’d post that info here for those who don’t wade into all those posts.

It’ll be really interesting to see how they handle the weekend starting rotation going forward. If Blade pitches well (expect he will) and Dollander is ready by next week or the following, who’s the odd man out? My guess is it’s CD and you then have the best middle relief righty-lefty combo in America in CD and Mabrey. Which is nice, since we already have the best starting staff.

Thanks for posting - I assumed but wasn’t sure. That’s a good point on how the rotation shapes up in the future. I’ll be watching for how effective Blade is and how long they let him go. Dollander might be eased back with some mid-week reps or come out of the bullpen for a couple weeks. We’re in such a good position we can afford to give him more time if Blade is in true form.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Thanks for posting - I assumed but wasn’t sure. That’s a good point on how the rotation shapes up in the future. I’ll be watching for how effective Blade is and how long they let him go. Dollander might be eased back with some mid-week reps or come out of the bullpen for a couple weeks. We’re in such a good position we can afford to give him more time if Blade is in true form.

It probably depends on how much time he misses. If he just misses the one week, there’s probably no need to ease him back. He’d be ready for whatever role they wanna give him. But if he misses 2+ weeks, he might need to ease back.

 

[macrovol]

Having 4 excellent starters will be an uncommon luxury in Omaha.

 

[BigBadVol]

The amount of talent on this team is amazing. If anyone doesn't think this is one of the best college baseball teams ever assembled, then you are not paying attention.

 

[supersmo18]

Ben McKee’s announcement on Twitter was posted in the game thread last night, but I thought I’d post that info here for those who don’t wade into all those posts.

It’ll be really interesting to see how they handle the weekend starting rotation going forward. If Blade pitches well (expect he will) and Dollander is ready by next week or the following, who’s the odd man out? My guess is it’s CD and you then have the best middle relief righty-lefty combo in America in CD and Mabrey. Which is nice, since we already have the best starting staff.

It’s an embarrassment of riches, really. And this recruiting is only improving our future. I just can’t get over how impressive baseball has become in such a relatively short amount of time that CTV has been here.

 

[vol94]

It’s an embarrassment of riches, really. And this recruiting is only improving our future. I just can’t get over how impressive baseball has become in such a relatively short amount of time that CTV has been here.

100% correct! I am proud of Volnation for embracing the ️ Vols. Our support gives the players and coaches more energy and a sense of appreciation.

 

[Sam I Am]

Ben McKee’s announcement on Twitter was posted in the game thread last night, but I thought I’d post that info here for those who don’t wade into all those posts.

It’ll be really interesting to see how they handle the weekend starting rotation going forward. If Blade pitches well (expect he will) and Dollander is ready by next week or the following, who’s the odd man out? My guess is it’s CD and you then have the best middle relief righty-lefty combo in America in CD and Mabrey. Which is nice, since we already have the best starting staff.

How it works with injuries is that when the injured is ready to come back you give them back their slot.

Why would a manager mess with success?? We are 35-3. If Chase is full speed ahead next week - he starts! Blade is the odd man out for a starting slot right now. Unless, and until one of the current three breaks down, Blade is the middle/long reliever. At least, that's how I would play it.

I mean, its an amazing "problem" to have, but don't mess with the formula if its producing results. And IT IS.

 

[NighthawkVol]

How it works with injuries is that when the injured is ready to come back you give them back their slot.

Why would a manager mess with success?? We are 35-3. If Chase is full speed ahead next week - he starts! Blade is the odd man out for a starting slot right now. Unless, and until one of the current three breaks down, Blade is the middle/long reliever. At least, that's how I would play it.

I mean, its an amazing "problem" to have, but don't mess with the formula if its producing results. And IT IS.

That’s not how it always works with injuries. If it is, then why is Blade the odd man out instead of getting his Friday night starter spot back? That’s completely contradictory. You’re saying that Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury, but Blade can.

 

[cardvolfan]

That’s not how it always works with injuries. If it is, then why is Blade the odd man out instead of getting his Friday night starter spot back? That’s completely contradictory. You’re saying that Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury, but Blade can.

Yeah, I thought the same. Regardless, four quality “starters” bodes well for sustained postseason success. Plus, injuries like to rear their ugly heads at the worst times.

 

[AllThingsTN]

Excited to see where he’s at.

 

[WallyBalls]

Anybody have any idea how long Blade could go today?

 

[NighthawkVol]

Anybody have any idea how long Blade could go today?

I’d be surprised if he went more than 4 or 5 innings, given that he’s pitched no more than 2 in a game so far. But maybe they’ve been stretching him out in simulated practice situations.

 

[TN_gal]

Anybody have any idea how long Blade could go today?

Ben McKee mentioned last night that he may be on a pitch count tonight - like 70 pitches or so - so it’ll be whenever he reaches the set number of pitches. At that point, it is likely that Cam will come in and take things from there.

 

[golfballs]

Ben McKee mentioned last night that he may be on a pitch count tonight - like 70 pitches or so - so it’ll be whenever he reaches the set number of pitches. At that point, it is likely that Cam will come in and take things from there.

O/U 7 innings

 

[spyfish007]

That’s not how it always works with injuries. If it is, then why is Blade the odd man out instead of getting his Friday night starter spot back? That’s completely contradictory. You’re saying that Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury, but Blade can.

They key difference is that Blade's injury was before the season started and the team has found it's groove. I can definitely understand this view and I tend to agree with it.

 

[TN_gal]

O/U 7 innings

Hopefully more towards 7 Excited to see him start tonight!

 

[NighthawkVol]

They key difference is that Blade's injury was before the season started and the team has found it's groove. I can definitely understand this view and I tend to agree with it.

What if Blade comes in and pitches the next two weeks well, with UT winning both? Then you have a “groove” with him. You don’t wanna mess that up, either.

I just don’t think it’s as cut and dry as, “Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury.” He most certainly can, under the right circumstances, just as Blade did, due to certain circumstances.

 

[TN_gal]

How it works with injuries is that when the injured is ready to come back you give them back their slot.

Why would a manager mess with success?? We are 35-3. If Chase is full speed ahead next week - he starts! Blade is the odd man out for a starting slot right now. Unless, and until one of the current three breaks down, Blade is the middle/long reliever. At least, that's how I would play it.

I mean, its an amazing "problem" to have, but don't mess with the formula if its producing results. And IT IS.

Yes, it is an amazing “problem” to have and a luxury. Prior to Dollander’s injury and when Burns was still struggling, Coach V hinted that the staff was talking about tweaking the starting rotation once the Thursday-Saturday series started - which begins in two weeks at Kentucky and continues to the end of the regular season. It’ll be interesting to see what the staff will do now. I think it’ll be good to ease Dollander back in - no need to rush him back until his elbow feels significantly better.

Having 4 weekend starters will be even more of a blessing when it comes to postseason - not only in Omaha () but also in Hoover, the round robin in Regionals, and Super Regionals.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Yes, it is an amazing “problem” to have and a luxury. Prior to Dollander’s injury and when Burns was still struggling, Coach V hinted that the staff was talking about tweaking the starting rotation once the Thursday-Saturday series started - which begins in two weeks at Kentucky and continues to the end of the regular season. It’ll be interesting to see what the staff will do now. I think it’ll be good to ease Dollander back in - no need to rush him back until his elbow feels significantly better.

Having 4 weekend starters will be even more of a blessing when it comes to postseason - not only in Omaha () but also in Hoover, the round robin in Regionals, and Super Regionals.

We could’ve used 4 last year in Hoover. Probably would’ve won the whole thing. But we had to play one more game than Arkansas and ran out of pitching.

 

[spyfish007]

What if Blade comes in and pitches the next two weeks well, with UT winning both? Then you have a “groove” with him. You don’t wanna mess that up, either.

I just don’t think it’s as cut and dry as, “Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury.” He most certainly can, under the right circumstances, just as Blade did, due to certain circumstances.

There is a time element to this. 1 or 2 weeks is about the limit otherwise a new groove could be found.

 

[Volador]

I feel pretty comfortable regardless of which Vol is on the mound...

 

[volsagain]

What if Blade comes in and pitches the next two weeks well, with UT winning both? Then you have a “groove” with him. You don’t wanna mess that up, either.

I just don’t think it’s as cut and dry as, “Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury.” He most certainly can, under the right circumstances, just as Blade did, due to certain circumstances.

CA had a great rotation going. Now with the injury to Dolly we could see a change . He had a great starting rotation with the right relievers behind them. Hated to see Dolly injured but that happens. Hope Blade can go minimum of 5 . See who the reliever is, I think we have a great many options even with going specialist until they have trouble. I know as a coach you don't want to mess with what's been working great. Sometimes you just don't have a choice. GBO beat the gaturds.

 

[stevenrich2003]

The amount of talent on this team is amazing. If anyone doesn't think this is one of the best college baseball teams ever assembled, then you are not paying attention.

Shhh.... We trying to keep this secret till we get to omaha

 

[Sam I Am]

That’s not how it always works with injuries. If it is, then why is Blade the odd man out instead of getting his Friday night starter spot back? That’s completely contradictory. You’re saying that Chase can’t lose his spot because of injury, but Blade can.

Answer: That was last year.

This year, he started on the shelf for 1/2 the season. Massive difference than being injured in-season and coming off IR. It's not a shot at Blade at all! He is a stud, and I am happy to be his agent if he needs one. But he is still building to mid-season form. Today will be a great day to get some innings in.

So, in closing, not contradictory at all.