Angels Fans: Do you walk Votto with first base open?

[Chuck]

I say it's a no brainer. I don't trust Downs and Votto can actually hit lefties. 

 

Boo! Terrible non-call by Scioscia to let him face the Reds best hitter. 

[Angels Never Die]

but but, lefty vs lefty.

[Glen]

Leading poll phrasing.  Adding "Downs is awesome" after he blew a game ensures it will get no votes.

 

I'm not saying Downs is awesome, and I would have stuck with Richards and walked Votto. 

[Mark68]

No...but not because Downs is awesome.

 

I'd certainly not throw anything close to the plate. Try to get him to chase.

[Jason]

Downs is shakey. I agree with Chuck on not trusting him.

[FabulousFabregas]

Walk him no doubt, I was thinking the minute the Reds bunted how idiotic, they're taking the bat out of Votto's hands.  You don't pitch to one of the best hitters in baseball with an open base in the 9th inning of a tie game, especially with a guy who's been shaky like Downs pitch.

[Chuck]

but but, lefty vs lefty.

 

I don't buy it. Scioscia needs to realize that Downs isn't a lefty specialist. 

 

Oh and that Votto is not only their best hitter, but one of the best in the game. 

 

Lame! 

[Ohtaniland]

In all fairness to Sosh, hitting the first batter was mistake # 1.

[mancini79]

Walk Votto even with nobody on base

[Chuck]

In all fairness to Sosh, hitting the first batter wss mistake # 1.

 

True, part of the blame is on Downs and the error by Pujols. But as a manager you have to manage the game as it's played, in different circumstances. 

[worldofx]

Can't believe Dusty did that two games in a row.

 

It pretty much cost them the first game, I guess Scioscia wanted to return the favor.

[mancini79]

True, part of the blame is on Downs and the error by Pujols. But as a manager you have to manage the game as it's played, in different circumstances. 

 

No way that's an error by Pujols. That ball was smoked.

[Ohtaniland]

Plus our big lineup is struggling right now. They did fight back on the road so I'm good with it. Tomorrows another game.

[jshep]

Can't believe Dusty did that two games in a row.

 

It pretty much cost them the first game, I guess Scioscia wanted to return the favor.

 

Ya, bunting ahead of Votto is dumb.

 

I was pretty surprised that they actually pitched to Votto there.

[gotbeer]

Scioscia haters should take note on the correct way to make a F'n Scioscia thread.  

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Sosh laughs at you all.

[Dreams]

Votto = MVP candidate for the past THREE years. Open base, his run doesn't matter. Walk the MVP candidate, pitch to the inferior Phillips.

[Sully151]

I was driving home from Jerry's Dogs and I say to my wife, trying to sound all cool "Walk Votto and set up the double play. No brainer" Then they didn't. I still looked pretty cool.

[AngelsLakersFan]

It doesn't even matter that Votto is the batter. You walk whoever is batting in that situation 9 times out of 10*.

 

The fact that its Votto just makes it even more LOL worthy. 

 

You need to get 2 outs before the runner on second scores, and you can pick your battles before then (2 out of 3). In what world is facing Joey Votto with a lefty the best option? 

 

 

 

 

* The one situation where it is the right move is when the pitcher is batting, and 'Joey Votto' is on deck. You take your chances with the pitcher (pinch hitter) to afford you the ability to walk 'Joey Votto' in the second at bat.

[nate]

Hind sight.  I feel like yes you do but do we know if there was a RHP up in the pen?  Probably not.

[AZMike]

Hind sight.  I feel like yes you do but do we know if there was a RHP up in the pen?  Probably not.

 

Lefty-righty matchup w/ potential GIDP and forceout available at 3rd 

> 

Lefty-lefty matchup w runner at 2nd, 1B empty

 

When said lefty-lefty is Downsy and Votto-y, it looks particularly stupid, regardless of the manner in which the ball might or might not be coming out of Downsy's hand.

[RenoHalo]

I don't buy it. Scioscia needs to realize that Downs isn't a lefty specialist. 

 

Oh and that Votto is not only their best hitter, but one of the best in the game. 

 

Lame! 

The word...

[RenoHalo]

It was a pretty sh!tty situation after Downs-y dotted Choo, and (some dude) bunted him over. Walk Votto, then leave Downs in to pitch to Phillips, who hit a bomb earlier, to try and get a DP? That seemed unlikely, given Downs' cutty-thumby stuff now. Maybe the Skip was thinking Votto pop-up-ground ball out, then get a righty to face Phillips? Was there even a guy warming up? I don't know, I think we were screwed either way there.

[m0nkey]

If they walk him and phillips wins it, someone would have made a thread asking "why walk the hitless votto and pitch to phillips who hit a jack earlier? "

[Corona]

Someone should email Arte about this.