The White Sox continue to hold a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers, thanks to Jim Leyland mismanaging two recent games.
1. A few days ago, the Tigers were trailing the Yankees 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers had first and third, no outs. The first batter should try to get a hit, as you want to try to score two runs and win the game. Should this batter fail, you need to squeeze to make sure you tie the game, so you can go from there. The Tigers’ first batter did not get the run in, the Tigers failed to squeeze with the second batter, didn’t score as a result, and lost the game.
2. Tonight, the Tigers were tied with the Texas Rangers 1-1 in the top of the ninth. The Tigers had bases loaded, one out. The Tigers had only one run all game, hadn’t scored since the first inning, and two of the three runners on base reached on walks. What made Leyland think they could automatically start hitting and scoring, since they hadn’t been able to do this all game? He didn’t squeeze, and the Tigers didn’t score. Stranding a man on third with less than two outs and not scoring in that inning significantly increases the chances the other team will score in their next at-bat, as the momentum has changed. Texas did score in the bottom of the ninth, and won 2-1.
Sounds like this Larry guy missed his calling…………he should be an NFL coach and a MLB coach. Maybe if he was he wouldn’t be “whining” so much about White Sox and Bears victories.
So “walks and hit by pitch” are gifts when the Sox are the beneficiary………..but they are not gifts when the Sox do the walking and hitting batters????
Also, does Dunn get any credit for hitting a home run? Was it automatic that on a 2-0 pitch fastball that he would connect and hit it out?
Once again, these comments are “sour grapes” by a Cub Fan who can’t stand it when the Sox do well!
All teams get gifts–the Sox just get a lot more than other teams! Yes, Dunn gets credit. However, he’s a major-league batter, and when a major-league batter knows what’s coming, it dramatically increases the chances of success. I had a strong feeling Dunn would homer if thrown a low fastball, as did my son, and I think everyone watching, including Dunn, knew it was coming. Just like Viciedo knew the 3-1 fastball was coming later that inning. I think pitchers/catchers have to be smarter than that. If you know the batter is looking fastball, why throw one?