“Though, in the early years of the DH rule, some AL managers would try to use it as a tactical advantage by penciling in the previous day’s pitcher, and then pinch-hitting with the “real” DH batter when he first came to bat. This way, the manager could choose between a right- or left-handed batter to get the platoon advantage if, perhaps, the starter had been pulled early from the game. Earl Weaver was reportedly the most aggressive at using this trick. After a few years, the DH rule was modified to stop such nonsense, and the original DH in the lineup must bat at least once (unless injured).”

I think that Manuel’s decision to leave Lee in for the 9th on Wednesday night had nothing to do with using Lee later, but rather because Manuel is even more scared of his bullpen than Girardi is, even with a 6 run lead. I could see him thinking, “Well if Lee comes out, and I put Madson in, and he gets into trouble . . . Who do I go to? Eyre, if a lefty is up, but otherwise . . . Lidge? Screw it, Lee pitches the 9th!”

That said, I agree that it would be a silly move to start Lee on short rest in Game 4. But Mike Carminati used to call him Charlie “I Need a Friggin’” Manuel, and I feel confident in saying that, if Mike did that, he probably felt very justified. Thus, he might very well do something crazy.

you are a step ahead of me today – i also think the ph double swith comes into efefct and that is another reason to break them up – course this is all mute if aj doesn’t pitch game 5

During the month of September, 1980, Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver inserted a pitcher into the DH slot but would use a hitting specialist (such as Benny Ayala or Terry Crowley) to pinch-hit when the designated hitter’s first turn came up. There was a game on September 17, 1980, during which the Orioles and the Detroit Tigers both used the short-lived strategy. [9] (Note: Due to the loophole taken advantage of by Earl Weaver, there was a rule change shortly thereafter that states the DH must come to bat at least once, unless the opposing team changes pitchers.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Designated_hitter

I have a feeling that earl Weaver did something like this, maybe when the DH rule was first introduced (which led to a change in the rule, maybe?). Whomever, I have a sneaking suspicion that I got this idea from someone.

Starting a pinch hitter is an interesting idea! Has any manager ever done that? I guess the problem is that you’re using up a good bat in a very low-leverage situation.

Slump. Slump.
What an excellent word.
Slumping.