The Pittsburgh Pirates took an early lead of 5-0 against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning. Their pitcher was their ace, Francisco Liriano.
With such a large lead, can the Pirates afford to substitute an inferior pitcher, say Vance Worley and save Liriano for a later game in the (four game) series? (This would be on the theory that even Worley wouldn't blow such a big lead.) Or would such a move throw the whole rotation out of whack?
As it were, the Pirates are at home, meaning that Liriano had to pitch the top of the first. Would the proposed substitution make better sense if the Pirates were the visitors and run up the big lead, before Liriano threw a ball?