On 5/9/2024 at 11:01 AM, wabene said:

Platoon split pinch hitting has been done since before the computer was invented.

Baldelli is a baseball lifer with a highschool education, not some Ivy League nerd.

That doesn't mean I always agree with him. I would not pinch hit for a hot bat like Larnach, especially with an ice cold one like Margot. 

Just now, dxpavelka said:

On 5/9/2024 at 11:01 AM, wabene said:

Platoon split pinch hitting has been done since before the computer was invented.

Baldelli is a baseball lifer with a highschool education, not some Ivy League nerd.

That doesn't mean I always agree with him. I would not pinch hit for a hot bat like Larnach, especially with an ice cold one like Margot. 

My decision on whether or not to pinch hit for Larnach would most likely be predicated on whether or not the pitcher possesses the ability to throw a baseball in a direction other than straight.

The frustrating part with Baldelli is he's so inflexible and rigid.  Unwilling or unable to do much in game managing at all.  Remember his philosophy is its the process not the results that we are interested in.  He's mentioned that word for word over the time he's been here.  I think analytics are fine if they are used in a collaboration with commonsense sense eye test managing.  I think he is an OK manager but clearly gets out managed in many games.  Go Twins

I do not have an issue some times, but he does it wayyyy to early in some games.  I remember some games the other manager used it against Rocco last year.  They used the opener a right handed guy, so Twins used heavy lefty line up.  Then in second inning, they bring in a lefty to face some of the lefties, having Rocco pinch hit guys before their first at bat.  Then the other team brought in the bulk guy, a righty and we lose the platoon splits the rest of the way.  

I do not mind it in the 5th if a big hit will break game open, but if no one is on base and the other team has limited lefties in the pen take the one at bat with bases empty in the 5th knowing the hitter will come up again later on. I get the theory that you may not get a chance to do it later on, or the game will be out of hand by then and take each inning as it comes, but you need to have some thought down the road.  I am for it with say a bases loaded 2 out need a platoon split in the 5th because a big hit will score many runs, but a 2 out no one on in the 5th does us no good in the 7th or 8th when the spot comes up again.