Doug’s Four-Point Stance: Why pitch to Goldschmidt?
Jun 5, 2013, 5:07 PM | Updated: Jul 26, 2024, 1:09 pm
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Top of the 14th inning. Two on and two outs. He does it again.
In baseball terms, if you have runners on second and third, there is a base open. If the runners are on first and second, there is not a base open no matter how much your eyes scream at you there is no one on third. The reasoning is the first scenario only brings one force out to the table and no double play while the second scenario gives you three force outs and the double play possibility. It’s easy to understand because managers don’t want to put another runner on base just to only add the plate as force out, but are willing to accept the risk of the added runner when it increases the force outs fourfold.
Tuesday night the Cardinals did not walk Paul Goldschmidt with runners on first and second, two outs and Miggy on-deck. The “managerial manual” says you pitch to Goldschmidt for the reasons listed above. Let me challenge the book with two questions:
1. Is Goldschmidt more dangerous at the plate or first base?
2. Are your chances of giving up a crucial run better or worse pitching to Goldschmidt and not Montero?
Good managers know when to throw away the book.
BUD SELIG
Complain all you want about Jordan Baker’s call at third last night in the bottom of the sixth. If you didn’t see it, Carlos Beltran was tagged by Martin Prado while sliding into third. Despite this, Baker said Prado missed the tag.
Sure, Baker blew it, but I’m tired of blaming umps for a terrible system. Bad umpires aren’t fired and good umpires aren’t promoted because the union wants to protect employees who aren’t good at their job.
The blame needs to shared with Bud Selig as well. He has continually refused to allow expanded replay. A fifth umpire in the booth would have had the call corrected before the next pitch. Selig has been quoted as saying, “I’m not hearing this loud demand for more replay.” Mr. Selig, you’re clearly not listening.
TREVOR BAUER
In light of the Chris Paul/Vinnie Del Negro issues, did you know Bauer is a Clipper? He now has a 2-2 record along with a 5.05 ERA with the Columbus Clippers.
Bauer being a Clipper while Gregorius is a D-back isn’t the story (OK, yes it is but not here). Here’s a blurb from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Tribe brass wants Bauer to narrow his pitching repertoire, from eight or nine to no more than five. It also wants him to focus more on pitching to contact instead of strikeouts.
E. GORDON GEE
All you need to learn about where the American education system is going is read the glowing comments regarding Gee from people within education. Educators look at Gee as a role model. I rarely agree with Rick Pitino, but I see Gee exactly as Pitino does.
