Originally posted by sonickteam2:
well, i just think that a change in the lineup mid-game, causing disaster, would be his fault. If what you say were to happen, i would be pissed at him.
We dont ever bunt, ever. It doesnt help the slugging percentage. We arent that fast either.
The Boston Red Sox dont play small ball and therefore leave little offensive decisions for Little to make.
The only relief pitcher i have seen blow things, is Kim and perhaps Williamson ALMOST blew it one time. But other than that, a you can call those strike out - throw out things the only bad calls, i believe.
You dont take a team with the highest slugging percentage in the history of baseball and tell them to bunt!?
I would make the defensive change if Jackson were the better defender. That's smart baseball.
If Scioscia didn't ask Glaus, Salmon, Anderson, Spezio and Erstad to bunt, then they're not the World Champions. Of course, maybe they're not in the record books for having the highest slugging percentage in the history of baseball, but how many Red Sox fans and players would trade that record for a World Series title?
You bunt when the play dictates it. Small ball is a style of play that does not suit the Sox, but bunting is not always small ball - it's also smart ball. It doesn't take speed to bunt a runner over - if anything you bunt and run because you don't have speed. Why does he wait until two strikes for every hit and run? It's harder to turn a double play 4-6-3 or 5-4-3 than is to catch a slow guy stealing on a hit and run with 2 strikes.
How about having the second baseman cover second with a left handed batter and a finesse pitcher? I could smell hit and run from San Francisco yet Walker covers second? The double play ball goes right through the hole you created on the right side for a left handed batter. He's done that twice, both times resulting in a rally for the Yankees.
How many times does Matsui have to drop a flare hit before you stop playing the outfield deep against him? Put them at regular depth - you're gaurding against a double with a guy who's going to get a double anyway. You have a better shot at getting him going for three than you do going for two anyway.
He's done a hell of a job with the Pen though so you're right on there. They are finally hitting their groove and now is the right time.
It's the little things (and I mean a little luck too) that are keeping you and the Cubs from winning World Series titles. The talent is there, niether team just acts like they believe and both are ready to make excuses and put blame elsewhere for everything.
It's not the Yankees because they're beatable. That's the same team that the Angels embarrassed last year. Are Matsui and Contreras making the difference? No way. Take chances on the basepaths, not in the field. Move runners over to get them in with the high slugging percentage, don't wait for two singles to score runs. And believe you can win right up until the last out because this Yankee bullpen is old and tired. And get in Roger's head because he beats himself more than any hall of fame pitcher in baseball. Get him fired up and he will overthrow.
I just don't think the Sox take this approach (although hearing Grady said to turn the music on in the locker room after game 5 was good to hear). They don't make me believe that they can win (mostly because of decisions and execution and some attitude). I hope they do though because I hate the Yankees with every bone in my body. But only a fool would bet on the Sox as the favorites tonight - it's not a wise bet.
