Critiquing the Playoff Managers: Day One
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by user Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)
Throughout the MLB playoffs, I am going to look back at each game and highlight some of the key strategic moves that were or were not made. Obviously, I have the benefit of already knowing the outcome; however, my opinions will be presented as if I did not know the outcome.
Oakland Athletics @ Minnesota Twins
Top of the Ninth: Jesse Crain replaces Johan Santana
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Ace and probable Cy Young winner Johan Santana started Game One at home. With Santana on the mound, this was a must-win for the Twins. After eight innings of baseball, the A’s led 2-1. With a somewhat volatile closer for the A’s, a one-run deficit was far from insurmountable. In the past, Ron Gardenhire has taken grief for overworking Twins closer Joe Nathan. This may have led to his decision not to bring in Nathan, with the Twins trailing by one run. Instead, Jesse Crain entered the game. Frank Thomas, the first batter he faced, drove the ball out of the park to leftfield. Minnesota scored one off of Street in the bottom of the ninth, falling in Game One 3-2.
If I were the manager
I would have brought in Nathan, the best weapon in my bullpen, to try and keep the game within one run. With Santana on the mound at home, this was a game that I could not slip away without using my best reliever.
St. Louis Cardinals @ San Diego Padres
Top of the Fifth: David Eckstein Sacrifice Bunts
With pitcher Chris Carpenter on first and the Cardinals up 3-0, Eckstein laid a sac bunt down the first base line. Firstbaseman Adrian Gonzalez, playing in, threw out Carpenter at second. The next batter flew out, but then back-to-back singles by Pujols and Edmonds led to a run scoring. St. Louis left the inning up 4-0.
If I were the manager
I would have let Eckstein swing away. There is no need to give up outs this early in the game. With the firstbaseman playing shallow, Eckstein should have tried to slap the ball past him. At worst, you are looking at a man on with one out. At best, you have two men on base with no outs and Pujols on deck.
Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Top of the Second: Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen Double-steal
Magglio led off the second inning of a scoreless game with a double to deep center. SP Wang walked the next batter, Guillen. With a .300 hitter in Pudge Rodriguez at the plate, Leyland sent both his runners on a double-steal. Catcher Jorge Posada threw out Ordonez at third base, leaving a runner on second with one out. The next two batters got out and the Yankees went on to win 8-4.
If I were the manager
I would have played more conservatively in the beginning of a game with run-scoring potential. Striking first would have been a huge benefit to the Tigers, but they made a stupid decision in trying to press early. Wang was feeling pressure with two men on and no out. I would have sit back and let Pudge use his bat to drive in a run.
I was lucky enough to watch all three games yesterday, and the se are the three managerial moves that stuck out to me as dumb as soon as they happened. I will report back with some more decisions as the playoffs proceed. Feel free to disagree with my opinion or add some more questionable moves made by your favorite team’s manager yesterday.
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Date
Wed 10/04/06, 6:51 am EST
