I agree with all but point 3. IMO, Garland was not the option last night. Starting pitchers have a routine on their scheduled start. Telling Garland 1 to 2 hours prior to the game and then sending him out to toe the rubber could have been devastating. Maybe I'm wrong, but knowing how quirky some starting pitcher are about their game day routines, Jon wouldn't have been in the right mindset.
Just my opinion, of course.
Jon's a professional. He should come to the ballpark everyday with the mindset that he is starting. That goes for EL, BC, MB, and whoever our number 5 is from week-to-week.
Sorry, it doesn't work that way, not with starting pitchers.
Everyday players, yes.
Starting pitchers, no.
I'm not a starting pitcher but I have a routine I go through before work everyday. I'm sure starting pitchers do too..... whether they are starting or not. Otherwise, what's the sense of having them in uniform, in the dugout, every game?