We aren’t talking about anything that formal; these are the supposed unwritten rules. But if you bitch about a bunt attempt and I noticed that you shifted four to the right field side of second, I’m gonna call you a hypocrite.
I guess that’s my point though. You seemed to imply that a new innovation (the defensive shift) based on statistical analysis somehow invalidated some or all of the unwritten rules. I was just wondering if ANY innovation did the same or if it was just the shift.
If you think a bunt is your best chance to prolong the game, it’s not stupid at all.
Leaving aside all the different individual possibilities of types of hits, and walks, and strikeouts and groundouts, etc., every at-bat comes with a basic binary set of outcomes: either the batter gets out, or the batter does not get out. If it’s two down in the ninth, then the only possible way to prolong the game is for the batter not to get out. And if the most likely way for that to happen, for a particular batter, is a bunt, then a bunt is absolutely the best choice.
Obviously, you have to weigh that option carefully. After all, a bunt only gets you to first, unless there’s an error in the field. If the guy at the plate is a power hitter with 15 home runs already, then your best bet might be to let him swing away and hope that he connects, especially if he’s also a slow runner. But if the guy at the plate is not a power hitter, but he’s fast, then a bunt might be your best shot at getting that one run back.
The element of surprise is also a factor. Play that’s excessively driven by stats and averages is play that’s highly predictable to the opponent who has access to the exact same stats & averages.
Choosing to bunt in a situation where almost nobody would bunt gains the element of surprise. Which, at a fatigued point in a game, might well be the difference.
As I said up-thread, some (most?) of the “unwritten rules” are really about the player-to-player dynamic, not the team-to-team. Sort of “I won’t screw up one of your career highlight days if you’ll do the same for me.” In one perspective the players are all on one team against management, and career highlight moments increase the salary bargaining power of that player and by extension all players.
In the presence of a quasi salary cap, this instinct may have some unintended consequences, but the practice long precedes MLB’s efforts to contain total salaries.
Toronto’s new pitcher Taijuan Walker was sharp today, six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win.
Toronto is also being linked to Andrelton Simmons and Lance Lynn. The rumours about Simmons suggest they are not confident Bo Bichette will return. Simmons is a free agent after this season and the Angels are a dumpster fire, so that could work well for both teams.
The Padres just got Mitch Moreland from the red Sox for a couple of prospects.
Moreland is off to a great start but is obviously playing over his head so I hope the Padres aren’t expecting him to keep hitting .328. One presumes he will DH.
The Chicago Cubs hit 6 HR today. Two each for Schwarber, Happ, and Heyward the three outfielders.
It is the first time in the 145 year history of MLB that three outfielders for the same team in the same game had multi-HR games! Any team, not just the Cubs.
How about that!
Toronto won t oday in part because the Orioles issued an intentional walk in the bottom of the ninth that ended up being the winning run, Item #98,138,076 in the list of things demonstrating that intentional walks are a terrible idea.
This ruined a hell of a day by Ryan Mountcastle, who hit his first career home run, and a few innings later, hit his second career home run. They were both absolute moon shots, too.
I’m surprised you couldn’t hear me yelling at my computer from where you are. Fucking stupid decision.
Toronto’s new pitcher Taijuan Walker was sharp today, six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win.
Glad you like him. He was a good student.
Cool!
AJ Preller acquires the 27 Yankees later this afternoon. 
Wow - that’s a huge move. I’m surprised that Colorado isn’t doing anything right now other than getting Givens. That’s not a huge move. Maybe they’re content with their infield gridlock, hoping that letting Rodgers wither on the vine is going to create runs somehow.
I wonder if they realize that they cant catch LA or SD this season and would rather hold on to their prospects?
The Rockies ownership doesn’t care about winning, all they care about are butts in the seats. Since this year there are no butts to be had I think they are focusing on drumming up excitement for next season.
That’s a good point - I forgot how loathsome Rockies ownership was (even compared to most other ownership).
They sure put on a good party though Coors Field is one of my favorite stadiums. There is a reason they draw 40+K each season no matter what.
They did resign Arenando for 260 mil.
So we’re about halfway through the season. How’s everyone liking it?
I’m friggin’ loving it. I’m a Royals fan, and they’re just miserably bad, and my favorite player (Mondesi) is just atrocious at the plate. But because of the shortened season and late start, I’ve gotten to watch far more baseball than I normally would have (my wife feels sorry for me, and puts up with more baseball than normal this year. I can always watch downstairs on a different TV, but I’d rather watch on the main screen.) I also got to see this, which is as strong an argument for roboumps as I can imagine. What do you think, discobot?
@discobot fortune
I decided as the season started I’d pick an NL West team to root for, since I’d likely be able to watch more West games on TV at night because of the time change, and I picked the Padres. What a great decision that was! It’s been a tremendously fun team to watch, and they’re obviously doing great.
I also think that the DH has been a good move, and will likely be here to stay (thank God). I think that the 7 inning doubleheader is dumb, but the upside is that it allows for more doubleheaders (sort of - it’s not like 9 inning games were a deterrent), and more baseball packed into a day is a great thing. Runner on 2nd is also dumb, but I do enjoy the strategy that it forces the pitchers into. No pitching from the stretch, little opportunity to make a mistake, etc. It gives the away team too much of an advantage IMO, though.
1 Like
Hi! To find out what I can do, say @discobot display help.