Shorter games mean fewer innings for LSU’s bullpen, but is that always a good thing?

Shorter games mean fewer innings for LSU's bullpen, but is that always a good thing?
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If there is a downside to the LSU baseball team winning seven of its 17 non-conference games by run-rule, it’s fewer reps for the bullpen.

While there is a run-rule for Southeastern Conference games this season — a definite ending after seven innings if a team is up by 10 runs or more — in non-conference matchups, the decision to play a full nine innings is made by both coaches before the game.

On Tuesday, LSU and UNO played a full game, despite the Tigers being up 10-0 by the end of the seventh.

“I don’t even approach that with the opposing coach because I think it would be disrespectful on my part,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “So I just go with whatever they say.”

That said, Johnson thought it was a good that Blake Money pitched the eighth inning and Christian Little in the ninth. It was Money’s first appearance in eight days and Little’s first in six. Both kept their pitch counts below 30, enough to still be available this weekend, while also feeling prepared.

Johnson named other pitchers like left-hander Griffin Herring and right-handers Will Hellmers, Micah Bucknam and Bryce Collins as those he still wanted to face more batters in non-conference.

“That’s kind of unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” Johnson said. “I do know that in spite of some of these games being shortened that we’re doing a good job of adjusting their routines. It’d be great if we played 162 games to get everybody out there.”

Last year, LSU had the opposite problem: relievers were getting worn down by the end of the season because sometimes they were making multiple appearances in one weekend and in midweek games.

“If you think about last year’s team, I’ll never forget the game, we were beating Nicholls 10-0 and it’s like: ‘OK, like (Eric) Reyzelman, (Paul) Gervase and (Riley) Cooper are not going to have to pitch tonight.’ I think I had subbed all the hitters out and it’s the eighth inning. And sure enough, it was 10 to 6 with one out in the ninth and Reyzelman was in the game,” Johnson said.

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About Marc Lemoine 2029 Articles
Marc is an Economist and a well experienced weightlifter who has won many championships. He intends to build a bright career in the media industry as well. He is a sports freak who loves to cover the latest news on sports, finance and economy.

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