Either
a.)leave KRod in or
b.)Percival
were the logical and only choices to me.
He did say in postgame interview that KRod had thrown 40 pitches the night before as well as this game. Hello! KRod used to be a starter. Still I will prop Scocia for looking out for KRods health. I dont think another batter would have hurt him but Scocia says that was the reason he took him out so I'll respect that. Nonetheless Washburn over Percy? Horrible. Bubba Cox did the right thing in bringing in his closer Schmoltz when ATL was behind 2-1 in the 8th. Good move by Bubba.
All i can say is it gives Kurt Shill more rest to kill Skunks in Game 1. Also will start Game 4 on proper rest.
Shill in 2001 vs Skunkies was sweet.
zig on the same subject of managerial meltdowns and relievers, could you and all believe the BoSox relievers walking 3 runners with a 6-1 lead? :bash: Including a based loaded walk!
For his career Ortiz was 2-7 against Washburn, and 1-10 against Percival. Ortiz definitely hits righties better than lefties, but he has stuggled against hard throwing closers. For his career he is 9-48 (.188) against hard throwing righthanded closers, but of that he has owned Mariano Rivera going 5-10 against him. So throwing Riveria out he is 4-38 (.105) against righthanded closers who throw hard. That tells me go with Percival, and see if you can get an inning or 2 out of him.
This is one case where I agree with Bill James. He believes that it is foolish to always pitch your best pitcher only when you are ahead, the typical closer approach. In this situation go with your best pitcher, and hope you can score some runs in the next inning.
