Looper could also be bumped up in the rotation

Shortly after Jeff Suppan’s second consecutive bad start on Sunday night, Ken Macha announced that he would meet with Suppan and subsequently informed him that he would be bumped back in the rotation–Suppan, who could have pitched the first game of the series in Shea on Friday night, was in line to pitch the second game, on Saturday, but will now move to the #2 spot in the rotation, behind Yovani Gallardo who will start on Saturday, and go on Sunday instead.

This would now leave the Brewers’ rotation as:
1. Yovani Gallardo, 1-1, 6.94
2. Jeff Suppan, 0-2, 12.91
3. Manny Parra, 0-2, 6.97
4. Braden Looper, 1-0, 3.27
5. Dave Bush, 0-0, 6.14

With Dave Bush, the #5 starter, getting the nod Friday night on 5 days rest (due to the Brewers’ off day Thursday), followed by Gallardo on his usual 4 days rest, then Suppan on 6 days rest on Sunday, the next game isn’t until Tuesday due to an off day.  Under the above rotation, Parra would get the first game against the Phillies on 6 days rest, followed by Looper on Wednesday, also on 6 days rest–both 2 days more than the usual.  Macha could decide, however, to move Looper up and start him on Tuesday, with Parra pushed back until Wednesday…while this would cut the off time for Looper down to only one extra day’s rest, it would extend Parra’s out an extra three days…but is it a good idea?

First, Looper has done well in both his starts this season, pitching at least 5 innings in both his starts, as well as a commendable 3.27 ERA, a 7.36 K/9, and a 1.45 WHIP; Parra did go 6 innings in his second start, but has allowed 8 ER’s over 10.33 IP (6.97 ERA), has a 6.12 K/9, and a 1.45 WHIP as well.  But Parra got shelled by the Phillies in his one start against them last year, allowing 5 earned runs over 1.33 innings at Citizens’ Bank Park (Looper allowed 4 ER’s over 6 IP in his start there last year with the Cardinals).

Given Looper’s years of experience and his two solid starts this year, Macha should seriously consider bumping Looper up a day and getting a read on the Phillies’ hitters before Parra takes the mound.  The case for Parra keeping his spot: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibañez all bat left-handed.