Pitching Rotation Moving Forward

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The Marksman
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6:19p, 5/3/26
AG
First off, what a tremendous outing from Moss today. Wild Weston sure looks like he's rediscovered his form these past few weekends, and I think he deserves to be penciled into the weekend rotation(Earley has only named two starters for the past couple of weeks).
However, we also have to address the elephant in the room. Sdao has now surrendered more earned runs in SEC play than he has innings pitched; 35 ER in 32 IP. He has 0 wins in SEC play. Earley cannot continue to trot him out there with the kind of season he's having.
Regarding Sims, he has, of course, been our best pitcher all season. What an outstanding sophomore revelation he's been.
Here's what I would do going forward:
Friday: Sims
Saturday: Moss
Sunday: Lyons
Move Shane to the bullpen and see if you can't get anything out of him from there. I think Lyons has earned the opportunity to start on the weekends, even if it means you can't use him out of the pen in two games.
Thoughts?
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Sterling82
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6:36p, 5/3/26
If you start Lyons out of the BP you reduce the likelihood of taking 2 of 3 in highly competitive series. I think what we're doing with him now should continue. I wouldn't mind seeing someone else getting a shot at that spot but nobody I've seen seems to improve the situation.
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jah003
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6:38p, 5/3/26
S
Wondering if Early goes…
Fri: Moss
Sat: Sims
Sun: TBA

It was weird he pulled Moss so early today so maybe keeping him fresh for a Friday start?
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Sq 17
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6:38p, 5/3/26
Not sure it matters
Next week is Fri-Sun
Then Thursday-Saturday
Then SEC championship which I am not sure what day is the first game

Sdao can't be given the ball to start a league game down the stretch
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Fairview20
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6:49p, 5/3/26
AG
I would keep Lyons as is. He's arguably been our best pitcher since the Vandy series and has turned into one of the best relievers in the SEC.

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phatty26
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6:52p, 5/3/26
Soso has to be put back in the pen. He's just been brutal as he gets behind in the count and he gets rocked on those hitter friendly counts.
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Shawdawg
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6:54p, 5/3/26
AG
Simms
Moss
TBA
Use Lyons and Sdao as your situational BP guys
If you don't live on the edge, you can't see the view
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cs69ag
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7:01p, 5/3/26
AG
I will leave it to Earley and JK. They have to be thinking about the SEC tournament too.
How important is the single elimination format with the Field of 64 looming the next week?
Who would they start in game 1 of our Regional if we are a 1 seed vs. a 4 seed?
You can really stretch your pitching in Hoover if you are winning games.
If you lose game one of your Regional, lot of pressure thru the loser's bracket,
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KT 90
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In reply to Shawdawg • 7:41p, 5/3/26
AG
Shawdawg said:
Simms
Moss
TBA
Use Lyons and Sdao as your situational BP guys


This is what I think happens as well. Push Sims and Moss up a day. Then TBA for game 3
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Luke The Drifter
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8:20p, 5/3/26
AG
We have 2 good/above average starters and about 2 good/above average relievers. The rest of the staff is either injured, woefully inconsistent, or bad. We will have to duct tape and baling wire the pitching staff the rest of the season, so I really don't think it matters who starts on which night.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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bullard21k
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9:04p, 5/3/26
AG
These next 2 series the order in which we throw our starters matters. Unless we pound out 10 runs every night we aren't sweeping anybody. But we can't continue running sdao out there and flipping the entire pitching plan upside down GM 1. puts too much unnecessary strain on everything for rest of weekend

For me the most strategic game plan is

Friday Simms
Saturday Moss
Sunday TBD

Lyons is your swing man. If Ags are in position to win GM 1 or 2 (or both) and need lyons to give you an inning; you press that button as many times as needed and worry about Sunday later (probably just start sdao at that point)

If you can somehow navigate gm 1 and 2 without throwing lyons he's then your Sunday starter for as long as he can go…sdao behind him and then duct tape after that

Earley and JK will have to get creative and imo really need to try and get more length out of Simms and moss. As long as they are commanding pitches and pitch counts aren't over 100 you need to ride those guys for as long as they can go. We have 3 reliable BP bullets. If lyons is now some type of quasi opener/and hybrid starter you need to let your starters keep rolling if they are getting outs

You need 81 outs between 6 pitchers any way you slice it.
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Sterling82
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9:22p, 5/3/26
Just curious, I don't recall seeing Vincent for a long while, if ever. Is he injured, not panning out or what?
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GigEm04
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9:39p, 5/3/26
AG
Cannot start Sdao ever again.
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stretch248
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In reply to bullard21k • 6:13a, 5/4/26
I agree and stated before, our guys go into the Friday games knowing they have to score 10 runs to win against SEC caliber Friday starters and that doesn't happen often. Hitters are pressing at the plate early in the game. Second time through the lineup down 5 runs and their body language is just not good. Sdao should not be a weekend starter from here on out.
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twk
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In reply to GigEm04 • 7:47a, 5/4/26
AG
GigEm04 said:
Cannot start Sdao ever again.

I'm for a rotation change, but giving up on Sdao is probably not the right move. I would go Sims, Moss and TBD. Sdao is going to have to get some outs for us in a 3 game series, and starting game 3 makes about as much sense as anywhere else. He could still breakthrough and find something before the season is done. It's happened before.
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Agryan00
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7:47a, 5/4/26
You guys are funny.

Sdao has not been good but we didn't pick up anything in the offseason. Which why I am amused by the fire JK comments.

Are we now considering Moss the other above average starter? Really? It was not that long ago he got moved out of the Sat. slot.

Sdao is still putting up good K numbers and decent walk numbers. He is obviously a crap shoot every time you put him out there. You give Lyons the spot your bullpen just got weaker. Maybe the way to go but up for Earley to decide.

As we head to post season play the #2 starter is usually more important. Regional as a #1 seed will likely play a team ranked 50 or higher game 1. The first two wins are key to moving on. Super regional 50/50 which starter is more important. Fri gives you momentum but Sat ensures you still have a really P should you lose game 1 then momentum for pivotal game 3. Omaha thats entirely another story as they all better be good. Although if you stay out of the losers bracket you can get away with only 2 starters. Also depends on which bracket your in.
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twk
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In reply to Agryan00 • 7:51a, 5/4/26
AG
Agryan00 said:
You guys are funny.

Sdao has not been good but we didn't pick up anything in the offseason. Which why I am amused by the fire JK comments.

Are we now considering Moss the other above average starter? Really? It was not that long ago he got moved out of the Sat. slot.

Sdao is still putting up good K numbers and decent walk numbers. He is obviously a crap shoot every time you put him out there. You give Lyons the spot your bullpen just got weaker. Maybe the way to go but up for Earley to decide.

As we head to post season play the #2 starter is usually more important. Regional as a #1 seed will likely play a team ranked 50 or higher game 1. The first two wins are key to moving on. Super regional 50/50 which starter is more important. Fri gives you momentum but Sat ensures you still have a really P should you lose game 1 then momentum for pivotal game 3. Omaha thats entirely another story as they all better be good. Although if you stay out of the losers bracket you can get away with only 2 starters. Also depends on which bracket your in.

With both Sims and Sdao having pitched on Saturday, one would be on short rest Friday, so I'd go with Sims, then Moss, then Sdao as part of a bullpen Sunday. The next week is going to be a short week, and then we've got Hoover, so things are not going to be normal no matter how we do it. Might as well shake things up a bit.

I do think we've got to try to get Sdao on track because I want him to start game one of a regional against a four seed. We need Sims for game 2 and Moss for game 3.
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HoustonAg2106
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In reply to twk • 8:12a, 5/4/26
AG
twk said:
Agryan00 said:
You guys are funny.

Sdao has not been good but we didn't pick up anything in the offseason. Which why I am amused by the fire JK comments.

Are we now considering Moss the other above average starter? Really? It was not that long ago he got moved out of the Sat. slot.

Sdao is still putting up good K numbers and decent walk numbers. He is obviously a crap shoot every time you put him out there. You give Lyons the spot your bullpen just got weaker. Maybe the way to go but up for Earley to decide.

As we head to post season play the #2 starter is usually more important. Regional as a #1 seed will likely play a team ranked 50 or higher game 1. The first two wins are key to moving on. Super regional 50/50 which starter is more important. Fri gives you momentum but Sat ensures you still have a really P should you lose game 1 then momentum for pivotal game 3. Omaha thats entirely another story as they all better be good. Although if you stay out of the losers bracket you can get away with only 2 starters. Also depends on which bracket your in.

With both Sims and Sdao having pitched on Saturday, one would be on short rest Friday, so I'd go with Sims, then Moss, then Sdao as part of a bullpen Sunday. The next week is going to be a short week, and then we've got Hoover, so things are not going to be normal no matter how we do it. Might as well shake things up a bit.

I do think we've got to try to get Sdao on track because I want him to start game one of a regional against a four seed. We need Sims for game 2 and Moss for game 3.


Having Sdao pitch game 1 in a regional is a real risk. What if he is getting rocked and you have to go to your bullpen in the third inning? That would really screw everything up for the rest of the weekend
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Warsteiner
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8:13a, 5/4/26
everyone's concern was pitching at the end of last season. I wonder why we focused more on bats in the transfer portal?
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Luke The Drifter
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In reply to Warsteiner • 8:28a, 5/4/26
AG
Warsteiner said:
everyone's concern was pitching at the end of last season. I wonder why we focused more on bats in the transfer portal?


Hitters came to A&M in the offseason because they knew Earley is a great hitting coach and they knew Pennington is a great fielding/assistant coach.

Pitchers did not come to A&M because they knew who would be coaching them here. I have preached this since the day POS left us - the biggest loss on that coaching staff was Weiner.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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The Marksman
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In reply to Agryan00 • 8:41a, 5/4/26
AG
Agryan00 said:

Sdao has not been good but we didn't pick up anything in the offseason. Which why I am amused by the fire JK comments.

Maybe we want to fire Kelly because he can't recruit any SEC caliber pitchers to come play for Texas A&M and because we've had several pitchers regress under his coaching
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Fairview20
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In reply to HoustonAg2106 • 8:52a, 5/4/26
AG
Sdao pitched well in 3/4 of our non conference games vs similar talent to a 4 seed including two shutout performances vs Penn and VT.

I trust he would be good enough vs a 4 seed.

You don't want to burn Sims or Moss vs a 4 seed and then have to rely on Sdao in either game 2 or 3 vs a much better opponent.
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LB12MEEN
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9:44a, 5/4/26
AG
It appears our primary offseason concern is still a concern. Go figure
Gig ‘Em Baby!
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fireinthehole
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10:16a, 5/4/26
So if Sdao is the only option for a third starting pitcher out of all the pitchers on this staff, we failed miserably at assembling a pitching staff. I have thought Vincent has pitched well every time he has had a chance. For some reason he rarely gets used any other than maybe Tuesday. We should have more than 3 options to start.
You are the world, we are the USA, don't mess with us and we won't blow your $hit away.
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Luke The Drifter
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10:44a, 5/4/26
AG
Don't discount the injuries we've sustained this year. We've had several pitchers dinged up or lost for the season.

Granted, that don't affect Sdao's effectiveness, but it's been a tough year for keeping our arms healthy.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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fireinthehole
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11:01a, 5/4/26
True. Would McCoy have been a starter? Still though, We have shortage of viable arms compared with other SEC teams, even without injuries.
You are the world, we are the USA, don't mess with us and we won't blow your $hit away.
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MMantle
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11:13a, 5/4/26
AG
We have enough data points on Sdao, its not just 2-3 games, but after 8 SEC starts -------

He has not won a conference game, his 4 SEC losses are half of our total SEC losses.

He has an SEC ERA of 9.74, and a WHIP of 2.16, unbelievable for any SEC weekend pitcher.

Start Sims and Moss in games 1 and 2, and play the 3rd game based on whoever is still available.

Move Sdao to the bullpen, it's a totally different mindset coming out of the pen, the change will be good for him.

Plus, if I remember correctly, early in his A&M career, Sdao was very effective out of the bullpen, I.e., he's done it before.

He's a classy young man, we need him, with our lack of pitching depth, he can really be tough out of the pen against an opposing lineup with lots of lefthanded hitters.

Am also a bit concerned about our hitting against a good pitching staff, we got a total of 18 hits against Auburn, 6 in each game.

RR
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LB12MEEN
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In reply to Luke The Drifter • 11:48a, 5/4/26
AG
Injuries are going to happen every year. Here's to us not continually using it as a crutch.
Gig ‘Em Baby!
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gibbons3761
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In reply to Luke The Drifter • 11:55a, 5/4/26
AG
Luke The Drifter said:
Warsteiner said:
everyone's concern was pitching at the end of last season. I wonder why we focused more on bats in the transfer portal?


Hitters came to A&M in the offseason because they knew Earley is a great hitting coach and they knew Pennington is a great fielding/assistant coach.

Pitchers did not come to A&M because they knew who would be coaching them here. I have preached this since the day POS left us - the biggest loss on that coaching staff was Weiner.


A&M signed the number 1 starter out of the portal plus signed Bollinger who most considered a really good bullpen piece. Unfortunately, Bailey did not make it in and Bollinger separated from the team. The biggest losses here are Stewart and McCoy. McCoy was thought to be a potential weekend or Tuesday starter and Stewart can eat innings.

As for the discussion at hand, I'd got opener on Friday and have Darden or Cunningham get you through the order once. Hopefully you get two or three innings out of them, then I'd go Sdao and pull him at the first sign of issues. I think coming out of the bullpen may help him because he can just cut loose. He seems to not being throwing as hard.

The big pitching issue recruiting wise has been facilities, which should resolve this year. If I recall correctly, they have some high end arms coming in this year.
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SABUILDERAG
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12:04p, 5/4/26
Earley has to find a pitching coach that good pitchers want to come play for. Otherwise we will be in this same position every year.
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jsmc71
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In reply to twk • 12:04p, 5/4/26
AG
twk said:
GigEm04 said:
Cannot start Sdao ever again.

I'm for a rotation change, but giving up on Sdao is probably not the right move. I would go Sims, Moss and TBD. Sdao is going to have to get some outs for us in a 3 game series, and starting game 3 makes about as much sense as anywhere else. He could still breakthrough and find something before the season is done. It's happened before.

This is exactly where I'm at.
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Agryan00
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1:46p, 5/4/26
Ever consider SEC caliber pitchers didn't come to A&M because Earley was on the chopping block. You crash the Ferrari in year one Mom and Dad probably not going to let you take it out too many more times.

The guys we got were Carson Bailey, a known problem child, Ethan Darden who gave up the 2024 Super Regional to Florida and had 6.08 ERA last year, Juan Vargas from Tenn Tech just happy to get an SEC spot Hunter Bond Blinn transfer who has not done anything.

Other than Harcopian and Duer not sure we did pick up much in the offseason. Guessing we backed the Brinks truck up for Harco and Duer did not require as much.
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LB12MEEN
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In reply to Agryan00 • 2:36p, 5/4/26
AG
Since you can transfer at any time I don't think players think that much about that one it's money and playing time that matters.
Gig ‘Em Baby!
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Gaw617
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12:02p
I think Earley will do something different with the rotation after this past weekend because this past Friday was different than the others not necessarily with Sdao. He has been inconsistent all year but because the response from the team was way worse. You could see the body language and energy come out. Bullpen responded poorly, the team defensively and offensively responded poorly in the rest of the game. If you are a coach and you see that you have to do something different if for no other reason than to let the team know you are trying everything to help them win.
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