Yes you gave reasons why you think the staff may have made this decision. Your opinion that they are “rational” aren’t supported by the data (on the field results). Whether or not you choose to believe that is up to you.
And yes, his performance tonight will determine whether or not it was a good decision, and a “discussion topic” is exactly what it is…hence a discussion on a message board.
I think my track record on here with regards to supporting the staff and players is as strong as anyone’s. But when Coach Deggs preaches having his starting pitchers “get us off to a good start” and preaches “limiting freebies”, then chooses to start a guy who’s been as combustible as any pitcher on the staff for his entire career, and issues more walks per inning than any pitcher on the staff…I think it’s fair to question the decision. There’s no “digging in the weeds” involved, the results are the results, and over a pretty large sample size.
Again, this staff knows WAY more about their guys than anyone on this board does, and this decision may (hopefully) look genius later on tonight. Marshall has had a few great moments in his time here, and I think every Cajuns fan is hoping that he has another tonight. Go get em Blake!
And Geaux Cajuns!