Game Thread: Angels vs Twins, 4/17 @ 1:10 CT

[Craig Arko]

I don't get the 'taking out the best hitter' meme.

 

Nunez finished the game. So did Mauer.

[jimmer]

Gibson had a great game.  Mauer got on base four times, Arcia hits the game winner.  Kudos to many.

[Guest]

3-1 count, the pitcher *had* to get it over the plate. Molitor should have enough faith in Buxton that he'd make contact.

And not hit into a DP, with his speed.

 

Who knows, maybe it was Riverboat Gambler Mauch Molitor's strategy? "Hmmm. How do I get Buxton on base and get Mauer out of the way?"

[Mr. Brooks]

Yeah, I'm results oriented... That's why I agreed with the move the *moment* it was made.

 

No outs, you need one run. It makes all the sense in the world to pinch-run one of the fastest guys in all of baseball in that situation.

 

Hell, that's why pinch runners exist at all.

That is why pinch runners exist? To replace your best hitter?

Maybe you are right and I just have never noticed it before now, but I'd be curious how often Miguel Cabrera gets replaced late in close games.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'll just have to agree to disagree with those that like the idea of taking Sano out every time it's late and close.

I just think it's going to bite them more times than its going to work.

[twinsnorth49]

So Hammer follows Brian on the Game Threads until they lose I presume?

[Pardon My Dinger]

So Hammer follows Brian on the Game Threads until they lose I presume?

Only if he's willing to wear an ugly red shirt.

[Squirrel]

I'll just have to agree to disagree with those that like the idea of taking Sano out every time it's late and close.

I just think it's going to bite them more times than its going to work.

No one said this, at all. The point was at this moment it was the thing to do. In this situation, needing the run.

[twinsnorth49]

 

I'll just have to agree to disagree with those that like the idea of taking Sano out every time it's late and close.
I just think it's going to bite them more times than its going to work.

Said nobody ever in the history of TD.

[Squirrel]

 

Uhh, we won, you know that right? Let a little sunshine it.

I'm singing it ... I'm feeling it!

 

http://blog.dormify.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/allisoncase_p090218_02v.jpg

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Wasn't Sano's deceptive speed a huge part of the argument for those in favor of a move to the outfield? Now he's one of the slowest guys on the team when it fits this narrative?

Not arguing one point or the other. Just observing.

He's 270 lbs and very athletic. That doesn't mean he's fast. He's still 270 lbs.

 

I think Sano is speedier than Plouffe or Mauer but he's probably on par with a guy like Dozier... And they're both way slower than Buxton.

 

In that situation, pinch-running was the right decision if the following got on base: a catcher, Mauer, Plouffe, Sano, Park, Arcia, Dozier.

 

The increase in speed probably wasn't worth it if one of the faster guys was on base: Escobar, Rosario, Kepler, Nunez.

[twinsnorth49]

 

I'm singing it ... I'm feeling it!

 

http://blog.dormify.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/allisoncase_p090218_02v.jpg

Nailed it.

[Darius]

Mauer likely doesn't score there, so clearly trying to sac bunt and failing is always the correct decision there.

After all, we probably don't score in that inning if the bunt is successful.

I hope this is some kind of joke, because Mauer most certainly scores on a double (ruled a single, but really would've been a double) from second base.

[Mr. Brooks]

No one said this, at all. The point was at this moment it was the thing to do. In this situation, needing the run.

And I disagree.

I don't think it's going to make a difference often enough to make up for all the lost high leverage AB's that he will miss.

I think it's likely he scores on the grounder, just as Buxton did.

So we can't even be sure it "worked" this time.

[jimmer]

Mauer isn't as slow as some think he is and he's a very smart baserunner to boot.

[Squirrel]

 

Nailed it.

That's really a picture of me how I looked back in the 60s. Then I become that lovable Aunt Clara in later years.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

That is why pinch runners exist? To replace your best hitter?
Maybe you are right and I just have never noticed it before now, but I'd be curious how often Miguel Cabrera gets replaced late in close games.

Miguel Cabrera was pulled from the game 21 times last season. Some of those were surely defensive replacement but many were surely pinch-running situations.

 

So yeah, you just never noticed before. This kind of thing is common for even the best hitters when the team needs one run late in a game.

[jimbo92107]

Taser My Head ... your new moniker?

It's a moniker that leads to a whole new hair style!

[SwainZag]

 

Wasn't Sano's deceptive speed a huge part of the argument for those in favor of a move to the outfield? Now he's one of the slowest guys on the team when it fits this narrative?

Not arguing one point or the other. Just observing.

 

I would say Sano has deceptive speed from the standpoint that he is a huge man that weighs 270 pounds.  With zero outs, 1 run game and possibly the fastest player in the major leagues sitting on your bench, it's a no brainer IMO.  

[twinsnorth49]

 

Mauer isn't as slow as some think he is and he's a very smart baserunner to boot.

Uhhh Jimmer, you know Mauer's married, right?

[Pardon My Dinger]

And I disagree.

I don't think it's going to make a difference often enough to make up for all the lost high leverage AB's that he will miss.

I think it's likely he scores on the grounder, just as Buxton did.

So we can't even be sure it "worked" this time.

Brooks, your celebrating needs work.

[jimmer]

 

Miguel Cabrera was pulled from the game 21 times last season. Some of those were surely defensive replacement but many were surely pinch-running situations.

 

So yeah, you just never noticed before. This kind of thing is common for even the best hitters when the team needs one run late in a game.

And this time, bonus, it was both.

[jimmer]

 

Uhhh Jimmer, you know Mauer's married, right?

I am too, but a guy can dream ;-)

[Mr. Brooks]

Said nobody ever in the history of TD.

Maybe not TD, but clearly Molitor. Sano has been taken out of EVERY game this year that has been close late. Just as he said he would.

 

Like I said, we'll have to agree to disagree.

I know Sano has struggled out of the gate this year but he has a game changing bat. He will easily go down as the 2nd best power hitter in the history of the team. And if we can convince him to stay after 6 years, probably the best we've ever had.

IMO, guys like that, Sano, Cabrer, Stanton, there is no situation that you forfeit their bat late and close, none.

But, fair enough those that don't agree.

[jimmer]

You have very high expectations for Sano.

 

Maybe not TD, but clearly Molitor. Sano has been taken out of EVERY game this year that has been close late. Just as he said he would.

Like I said, we'll have to agree to disagree.
I know Sano has struggled out of the gate this year but he has a game changing bat. He will easily go down as the 2nd best power hitter in the history of the team. And if we can convince him to stay after 6 years, probably the best we've ever had.
IMO, guys like that, Sano, Cabrer, Stanton, there is no situation that you forfeit their bat late and close, none.
But, fair enough those that don't agree.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Miguel Cabrera was pulled from the game 21 times last season. Some of those were surely defensive replacement but many were surely pinch-running situations.

 

So yeah, you just never noticed before. This kind of thing is common for even the best hitters when the team needs one run late in a game.

How many times did his spot come back up with the game on the line?

Getting pulled for a defensive replacement up 2 or 3 in the 9th is one thing, it likely won't matter either way.

When it's almost 100 percent that his spot is going to come back up, I'm not comfortable taking him out.

[Craig Arko]

That's really a picture of me how I looked back in the 60s. Then I become that lovable Aunt Clara in later years.

I'm guessing you looked much younger than that in the 60's.

[SwainZag]

 

How many times did his spot come back up with the game on the line?
Getting pulled for a defensive replacement up 2 or 3 in the 9th is one thing, it likely won't matter either way.
When it's almost 100 percent that his spot is going to come back up, I'm not comfortable taking him out.

 

How many times has Sano been pulled out where it's almost 100 percent chance he would come up again?

[Brock Beauchamp]

How many times did his spot come back up with the game on the line?

Getting pulled for a defensive replacement up 2 or 3 in the 9th is one thing, it likely won't matter either way.

When it's almost 100 percent that his spot is going to come back up, I'm not comfortable taking him out.

I didn't count but he was pulled in the eighth inning several times last season.

 

Again, this is not uncommon when the team needs a single run to tie or win.

[jimmer]

Just a reminder, we won today and swept the Angels.