[MeatRock]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Here's the thing you're not thinking about: Who was available yesterday to replace Holland?

Herrera was not. Crow was not. Collins pitched two innings the day before and was not available. At that point, you're looking at one of three guys, all of whom had pitched the day before:

Luke Hochevar (yeah, let's bring him in with the bases juiced and nobody out)

JC Gutierrez (nope)

Bruce Chen (again, bases juiced, nobody out, not the situation to use him)

You saying he hurt Holland's ego is complete bullshit. Anybody who pitched at a high/competitive level will tell you the pitcher WANTS the trust from his skipper in that spot.

I certainly did (pitched at the high school/legion level). Every guy I ever covered in a high school, college or major level level certainly did.

If Kelvin Herrera had been rested and sitting in the bullpen, sure, you have an option to replaced Holland. As it was, he was KC's best chance of getting out of that inning, even with the struggles he'd already displayed.

Well said.