While fantasizing about tonight’s game, the following situation popped into my head.
Game 7, World Series. Top of the 9th. 3-2 Angels.
Bases loaded, Lofton (who is speedy), Aurilia, Kent- 3rd to first. No outs. Bonds is up.
What do you do, Scoscia?
And what if the game is tied?
Bring on your own situations for the Teeming Millions to consider.
With any other player, it would be an easy call. Bonds, though, in this series, literally has numbers that say it’s statistically better to walk him every time–i.e., a slugging percentage greater than 1.000. I will mathematically be conceding less “bases” by walking him than by pitching to him. He’s that good–so good that you have to take the bat out his hands.
Then strike out Sanitago and hope for a double play.
What choice do you have? You pitch to Bonds and hope for the best.
Remember he doesn’t get on base ALL the time.
If it were a 2-run game, you might entertain thoughts of walking Bonds, but with no outs that would be a bad play.
Presumably if the Giants have the bases loaded, the pitcher in the game isn’t pitching well anyway.
Under no circumstances would I EVER pitch to Barry Bonds, unless it would walk in the game winning run. To me, it’s not even a decision.
You’d walk him to force in the tying run of Game 7 of the World Series when you have only one at bat left?
He hasn’t gotten a hit or a walk in every plate appearance. He could be struck out, as he was in Game 6 with men on.
Let’s also say the Angels have th 5-6-7 men batting in the top of the ninth.
That would have to be the bottom of the ninth. I could never justify giving up a lead with an intentional walk. The other guys have to beat me.