Bullpen

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29907:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:09 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29899:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29896:date=Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM:name=Destined)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29893:date=Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29872:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->and lets break down greg's game last night.

1. it was a non-save situation and for whatever reason, closers seem to struggle in those.
2. he got the first two guys out easily before giving up a solo home run with a 4 run lead.
3. the next batter hit a line drive that should have been caught. that should have been the game right there, but sparkle misplayed it badly.
4. he walked braun. no excuse for that.
5. he struck out the most feared hitter on the team on, i believe, 4 pitches.

when you look at it like that, it really wasn't all that bad a performance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, when you put it that way, it doesn't look too bad, at all. Even walking Braun isn't so terrible...considering that he's their best hitter, Gregg can be excused for pitching him carefully.
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I don't mind the Braun walk either, KB. Prince is way more of a strikeout candidate and can only hit for power, thus he fell into Gregg's lap.
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Say Braun hits a homer in that situation -- Prince still comes to the plate representing the tying run. In the bottom of the 9th, it's the same exact situation. But the odds of Braun getting a hit are only about 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 (against a decent pitcher). The odds are even slimmer that he hits a home run. Giving him a free pass isn't a good idea. There's no benefit and there isn't really any risk in pitching to him in that situation. I'm pretty sure Gregg didn't want to walk him there.
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You're exactly right. I'm just saying that I'd rather face Prince anytime before Braun.
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Not this year I wouldn't. He's been smoking the ball.