First and foremost, no this is not a knee-jerk reaction. Going over some statistics and looking at other possible number 4 starters on other playoff teams and comparing (I found each team's depth charts and pulled some stats from the number 4 pitcher from each rotation. The Yankees had 6 starting pitchers on their depth chart, so if someone can help me find out who is most likely to be their number 4 come October, I'd appreciate it).

I did use stats from NL pitchers as well, which I know I probably shouldn't do as they face different levels of talent and the NL doesn't have a DH, but it's still a decent reference point.

Tommy Hunter, until recently, has been a pretty solid number 4 or 5 pitcher for our rotation. But we can not rely on him come October, and here's why.

First, let's look at other number 4 pitchers on playoff teams.

AL

Brian Duensing (MIN) - 99.0 IP, 55 K, 22 BB, 0.64 HR/9, 1.4 WAR, 2.09 ERA

Wade Davis (TB) - 139.1 IP, 90 K, 54 BB, 1.42 HR/9, 0.3 WAR, 4.39 ERA

NL

Joe Blanton (PHI) - 142.1 IP, 101 K, 33 BB, 1.39 HR/9, 1.5 WAR, 5.25 ERA

Jair Jurrjens (ATL) - 107.2 IP, 81 K, 40 BB, 0.75 HR/9, 1.7 WAR, 4.10 ERA

Homer Bailey (CIN) - 81.0 IP, 63 K, 28 BB, 0.89 HR/9, 1.3 WAR, 5.00 ERA

Now I know those NL stats would be quite a bit different if they were in the AL, but still a decent reference point.

Now, For Tommy Hunter's stats

Tommy Hunter  (TEX) - 106.0 IP, 53 K, 29 BB, 1.7 HR/9, 0.1 WAR, 3.99 ERA

UPDATE (for poll)

Derek Holland(TEX) – 34.2 IP, 31 K, 14 BB, 1.6 HR/9, 0.2 WAR, 4,93 ERA

Don't think there is enough info on Holland this season to make a decision to go with him just yet, but thank you DJCahill for pointing out that i forgot to add in his stats.

There are two things that are alarming to me.

With the exception of Joe Blanton in Phillie, all the pitchers have a similar K/B ratio as Tommy, but every one of them has a lower HR/9 rate, and if we don't have home field in the playoffs, you could be looking at game 4 of the any series at the Ballpark in Arlington. I don't want Tommy pitches against the Yankees or anyone else for that matter in a possible deciding game in a hitter friendly park, especially if he is pitching the way he has been lately.

Beyond HR/9, Tommy has the lowest WAR (according to fangraphs) of any possible number 4 playoff pitcher. While I'm not sure what to do about a replacement, these two things don't add up to playoff success in Arlington.

UPDATE: Playoff Schedule

ALDS Games: Games 1 & 2 Oct. 6,7

                        Games 3 (& 4 if needed) Oct. 9, 10

                        Game 5 (if needed) Oct. 12

ALCS Games: Games 1 & 2 Oct. 15,16

                        Games 3 & 4 Oct. 18,19

(if needed)      Game 5 Oct. 20

                       Game 6 Oct. 22

                       Game 7 Oct. 23

World Series: Games 1 & 2 Oct 27,28

                      Games 3 & 4 Oct. 30,31

(if needed)     Game 5 Nov. 1

                      Game 6 Nov. 3

                      Game 7 Nov. 4