|
|
ALL THE WRONG MOVES by Jason Martinez posted 5/24/08 I'm not a big fan of second-guessing a manager, although I have been doing it more than ever this season. When it comes down to it, major league managers know much more about the game and their team than most people. At least, I would hope so. With that said, I'll do my best to defend some of Bud Black's more questionable moves in yesterday's game. SCENARIO #1: So why did Shawn Estes continue to pitch after walking the leadoff man on four pitches in the 7th inning with a 1-0 lead? Well, his pitch count was still relatively low. And although the following batter was right-handed, two left-handed batters were to follow. The bullpen doesn't have a lefty (Sean Henn doesn't count because Black would never use him in a close game). The result: single, another walk, bases loaded and nobody out, Black finally pulls Estes. Black has pulled veterans Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux with low pitch counts this season. Why not Estes, especially considering his extended rest on the bench due to the rain delay? One managerial strategy that I've always agreed with, 'get your starter out of the game while he still has a chance to win and doesn't have a chance to lose', was still in play after the leadoff walk. And if there's any question as to whether Estes was 'done', I think he answered it when he walked the first batter of the inning on four pitches, even if it was Adam Dunn. In my opinion, this would have been the right time to make a move. Sorry Bud, can't defend you on this one. SCENARIO #2: In the bottom of the 7th, with a runner at third and one out, in a 2-2 game, Black chose to pinch-hit switch-hitting Tony Clark against right-hander Jared Burton. Knowing damn well that Clark is not a very good hitter from the right side, acting manager Chris Speier summonded leffy Jeremy Affeldt to pitch. Your move, Bud. You can go with another right-handed bat off the bench, like Justin Huber or Edgar Gonzalez, or leave it up to a right-handed hitting Clark, who had been 1-for-10 with six strikouts against lefties. I understand, to some degree. Clark is a veteran. He's Black's #1 guy off the bench. Huber and Gonzalez are both untested. The bench is thin, with only five position players. The result: strikeout, groundout, another wasted opportunity, game remains tied at two. I was at the game. Affeldt was throwing 96 mph with a wicked curve. To be honest, I didn't think Clark had a chance. I could only hope for a walk. Sure, Huber or Gonzalez would have had a tough time, as well, but in a situation when the ball only needs to be hit in play to score the go-ahead run, you go with the hitter most likely to make contact. This was not Clark. Sorry Bud, I can't defend you on this one, either. SCENARIO #3: Tie game in the top of the 9th, Trevor Hoffman enters the game. There's been some debate as to whether Hoffman is much less effective in non-save situations. Most people say he's not as effective. The stats do not show a big difference. Regardless, in a game where the save is no longer an option, you should go to your best pitcher in this situation. Hoffman has been very good over the last month. The result: leadoff HR by Adam Dunn, another Padre loss. For the reasons previously mentioned, I will defend this move. However, it's getting to the point where going by the book has worked against Black's favor almost on a daily basis. Black continues to push the wrong buttons but how many of the right buttons really exist? Probably not many. Most moves Black is going to make with this team are going to backfire. We understand, this team isn't very good. They're a bad team, playing bad baseball, with luck nowhere close to their side. I feel for the skipper. He seems like a good guy but he has yet to prove that he can fire up a struggling team and get them going in the right direction. However, if he can turn this team around, he might be considered a genius. |