02-14-2009, 05:35 PM
<!--quoteo(post=17968:date=Feb 14 2009, 02:03 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Feb 14 2009, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Whenever you're up in a situation with a runner on 2nd and no out, your mentality should always be to hit the ball to the right side, but nobody goes up there "trying to ground out". You're trying to get a hit, but at worst you move the runner over to third base, which is a big deal. I don't want to depend on us getting 2 hits in an inning in the playoffs to score a run. If there's a runner on 2nd with no outs, at least get that guy to 3rd and then you can score on the next at bat by a flyball, groundball, error, balk, wild pitch, etc., rather than waiting for somebody else to get a hit.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well its a different game in the playoffs, i don't think thats what he was talking about. You face better starting pitchers, only the best bullpen guys pitch and runs can be very precious. When a lights out pitcher is on the mound that holds hitters to a sub .200 batting average and you know the next guy in is gonna be a lights out closer, then you do what you can. Its also a big change from a 162 game marathon to a short win or go home series. I still hate sac bunts to 2nd by anyone other than the pitcher or shitty hitter no matter when it is, but that's just my preference.
Also I wasn't saying its not better to move a guy to third than not, I just hate giving yourself up to move a runner over. Guys may not be officially "trying to ground out" but a lot of times they are purposely trying to put it on the ground to the right side which is gonna be an out a very high percentage of the time. Statistically you have a better chance of scoring more runs with a guy on 2nd and no outs than with a guy on 3rd and one out. I think that's what Law meant.
Well its a different game in the playoffs, i don't think thats what he was talking about. You face better starting pitchers, only the best bullpen guys pitch and runs can be very precious. When a lights out pitcher is on the mound that holds hitters to a sub .200 batting average and you know the next guy in is gonna be a lights out closer, then you do what you can. Its also a big change from a 162 game marathon to a short win or go home series. I still hate sac bunts to 2nd by anyone other than the pitcher or shitty hitter no matter when it is, but that's just my preference.
Also I wasn't saying its not better to move a guy to third than not, I just hate giving yourself up to move a runner over. Guys may not be officially "trying to ground out" but a lot of times they are purposely trying to put it on the ground to the right side which is gonna be an out a very high percentage of the time. Statistically you have a better chance of scoring more runs with a guy on 2nd and no outs than with a guy on 3rd and one out. I think that's what Law meant.