I certainly stand corrected on the facts -- had my innings off by one in the Backe game.

But the double that Backe gave up to Walker, if you'll recall, was a broken bat bloop, and the walk to Pujols was an unintentional intentional to get to Rolen, who still had not gotten a hit in the playoffs. He was nowhere near hot, and Backe had his number -- until the reliever came in and gave up the single.

In both games, however, the call was made to bring a rookie reliever into a tough, pressure situation by any standards --pressure which both starters by that time were accustomed to.

No, there's no guarantee that the starter would have gotten the out -- but tired or not, they were better equipped for it at that time of the game.

Both Harville and Qualls are potentially quality relievers, both of whom I hope are on the team for a full seasion next year.

But I'll still stand by my original point that, at that point in the game, I try to get one more out of the starter and let the relievers come in fresh to start an inning.

In my opinion, of course.