OPINION: Zack Greinke Shouldn’t be on the World Series Roster
- Stros Talk
- Oct 24, 2021
- 2 min read
Gordon Liang
10/24/2021
This postseason has been all about bulk pitching for the Houston Astros. Their bullpen covered 29.1 innings in the first four ALCS games. As the Astros were struggling to get innings out of their starters, one man was watching from the dugout. One man who’s covered bulk in relief three times this season and allowed two runs in 11 innings across those three outings. As Zack Greinke struggled to get through two innings in Boston, the MiLB AAA West pitcher of the year Peter Solomon watched idly from the taxi squad.
In 14 major league innings pitched this year, Solomon’s peripherals have not been impressive at all. He’s posted a 5.12 SIERA as a major leaguer but he’s been getting the results and like I always say, peripherals don’t matter in October. Solomon boasts a very impressive 1.29 ERA this year and with half his outings being bulk relief appearances, he would fit right into Houston’s contingency scheme should the Braves burst like the Red Sox did one series ago.
Cristian Javier has proven time and time this postseason that he’s elite when it matters. The former Rookie of the Year finalist has yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings pitched this postseason. He clearly needs to be preserved for high-leverage bulk situations. Solomon would be a great fit for low-leverage bulk situations and keep the game within reach. Greinke, who hit the Injured List shortly before the regular season ended, has made it clear that his workload needs to be lightened so that leaves Jake Odorizzi and Solomon as your best options when you need long outings.
It seems abundantly clear that Greinke is left on the roster for sentimental reasons. He’s a veteran on a track to the Hall of Fame who’s yet to win his first ring. In 2019 he was given the honor of starting game seven of the World Series. He pitched well but not well enough for then-manager AJ Hinch to let him keep going. Will Harris relieved Greinke and gave up a heart-shattering homerun to Howie Kendrick.
Solomon has yet to play in a postseason game so admittedly, putting him right in the World Series may not be the smartest decision. That said, he’s still the better choice given his ability to take a higher workload isn’t inhibited by the crowd yet Greinke’s is inhibited by his neck issues. In a low-leverage situation, I’d rather invest in the youngster Solomon and have him gain postseason experience than the veteran Greinke repeating the same experience he’s already familiar with.
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