Mac's late game strategy
I don’t think Lloyd McClendon is the best manager in the league, nor do I think he’s the worst. I can’t really speak to his motivational skills, but he leaves much to be desired with regard to his in game strategy.
Case in point, near the end of last night’s game with the Cubs, the Cubs had runners on the corners with 1 out. The man on third base, Derek Lee, has average speed and represented the winning run. At the plate was the Cubs slow footed catcher and prime double play candidate, Michael Barrett.
What strategy did McClendon pursue? He brought the infield in and pitched to Barrett. The result being that Barrett hit a 1 hopper right at Wigginton, who started an inning ending 5-4-3 double play. So why am I complaining? Because despite the result, Big Mac played it all wrong!
In this situation, a manager really has 1 decision to make. That is, he must decide which of the following is the best way to get out of the inning without the runner on third scoring:
A. Take your chances that the current batter hits into a double play or produces an out that does not allow the runner on third to score (pop up, strike out, line drive out.)
B. Intentionally walk the current batter and take your chances that the next hitter will hit into a double play or produce an out that does not allow the runner on third to score.
That’s it. That’s all Mac had to wrap his brain around. Granted, the decision depends on who the batter is, who is on deck, and who is pitching.
So where did Mac go wrong? He chose decision A, then executed the strategy called for by decision B! Why are the 2 strategies inconsistent? Because by bringing the entire infield in, you are conceding that your #1 priority is to cut off the runner at the plate. But if you are committed to coming home on a ground ball, then you should walk the hitter, setting up a force play at the plate. Instead, Mac greatly reduced the Pirates chances of turning a double play while failing to maximize their chances of successfully getting the runner at third base.
As it happened, the Pirates were fortunate that Barrett hit a good DP ball to 3rd base, and then doubly fortunate that Wigginton had the good sense to try for a double play.
6 Comments:
Is this the first time you noticed MAC doing something dumb? why so surprised? i know i know, you were just making a point. but hey, who are we to argue - Dusty "I can't win the big games w/o big stars" Baker says that MAC is one of the best up and coming managers in baseball.
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