Could Dallas Keuchel get the ball on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS

Could Dallas Keuchel get the ball on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS? USATSI

In theory, pitching on short rest wouldn't impact Keuchel as much as other pitchers because he is a finesse sinkerballer who doesn't crack 90 mph all that often. Losing a little velocity due to fatigue wouldn't hurt him as much as, say, Verlander. Besides, when a pitcher starts on short rest, any fatigue usually shows up in their stamina, not their stuff. Pitchers on short rest tend to tire out earlier than usual. Instead of getting 100 good pitches, you might only get 75.

Verlander threw 124 pitches in his Game 2 start, so it's hard to imagine him coming back on short rest in Game 5. So, if the Astros do start Keuchel on short rest in Game 4, they'd have to use their fourth starter (Peacock? McHugh? McCullers?) in Game 5 anyway. So what's the point then? Just give Keuchel the extra rest, right? Well, doing that removes the option of starting him in Game 7. That's the key factor here.

Houston's Game 4 starter could very well depend on Game 3's outcome. If the Astros win Game 3 to take a 3-0 series lead, they may be more willing to run their fourth starter out there in Game 4 knowing Keuchel and Verlander are lined up for Games 5-6 on regular rest. There's a little less urgency. But, if the Yankees win Game 3 to get the series to 2-1, the Astros could go with Keuchel in an effort to stop New York from evening things up in Game 4.

Keuchel did play catch on the field prior to Game 3, which is not at all unusual for a starter between starts or even the day before a start. It wasn't a high-intensity bullpen session or anything like that. For now, the Astros have yet to name their Game 4 starter, and given their available options and the fact Hinch is playing coy, it would seem Keuchel is at least a consideration.