We came across a situation today in the second inning of the Cubs game that bothered me a little bit.
Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto had both reached base to begin the inning, and Reed Johnson at the plate. So we had first and second, with nobody out. The Sox are already up 2-0 by this time, and the Cubs have had their troubles scoring runs.
Conventional baseball wisdom says "It's the second inning, you've got an above average hitter at the plate, and a chance for a big inning. Swing away." That must be what Lou went with.
Here's what I think Lou should have been thinking. First and second, nobody out, down two runs. We've had trouble scoring runs lately, and we can't let this game get out of reach too early. Johnson handles the bat well, and you have an above average contact hitter on deck in Mike Fontenot. BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT!!!! Sacrificing the runners over takes away the double play, and a simple single by the next guy, Fontenot, would probably drive in both guys.
Well, Lou didn't bunt, Johnson went down 0-2, and eventually hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
It's these kinds of decisions that make me wonder if Lou is fit to manage in the National League. We all know that the NL is more of a small-ball, get on, get him over, get him in kind of league. It's hard to win when you rely on base hits all the time. Sometimes you have to take what you can get, and if that means playing small-ball, that's what you do.
I think at some point, Lou Piniella's job will come into question. Sure, he's won the division both years he's been here, but that doesn't matter in 2009.
Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto had both reached base to begin the inning, and Reed Johnson at the plate. So we had first and second, with nobody out. The Sox are already up 2-0 by this time, and the Cubs have had their troubles scoring runs.
Conventional baseball wisdom says "It's the second inning, you've got an above average hitter at the plate, and a chance for a big inning. Swing away." That must be what Lou went with.
Here's what I think Lou should have been thinking. First and second, nobody out, down two runs. We've had trouble scoring runs lately, and we can't let this game get out of reach too early. Johnson handles the bat well, and you have an above average contact hitter on deck in Mike Fontenot. BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT!!!! Sacrificing the runners over takes away the double play, and a simple single by the next guy, Fontenot, would probably drive in both guys.Well, Lou didn't bunt, Johnson went down 0-2, and eventually hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
It's these kinds of decisions that make me wonder if Lou is fit to manage in the National League. We all know that the NL is more of a small-ball, get on, get him over, get him in kind of league. It's hard to win when you rely on base hits all the time. Sometimes you have to take what you can get, and if that means playing small-ball, that's what you do.
I think at some point, Lou Piniella's job will come into question. Sure, he's won the division both years he's been here, but that doesn't matter in 2009.
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