Why bunt there?

[Blarg]

The book play is not to walk Pujols. That is the furthest thing from the truth. That puts the go ahead run on base without us having to do anything. When you are ahead you make them earn everything no matter who is at the plate especially when you have one of the best closers in the game on the mound. Walking Pujols would of been ludicrous.  

 

Votto's run yesterday was meaningless. The only run that mattered was standing on second base. You walk Votto because you don't let their best hitter have a chance to hit when the only run that matters is the one on second. Let Phillips beat you because even if he hits a gapper, it doesn't matter if Votto scores. If Hamilton hits a gapper, and Pujols scores, the Reds are now losing and you made Pujols do nothing to earn it.

 

I hate to be blunt, but you are wrong. 

Again Roblin, missing the situation for the trees. The Reds need was one run to win the game so Votto was a non factor as you said. So the Angels must get the outs and prevent a single run to score. They had the matchup on the mound as left vs right but that should have been pitching with no intent to give Votto something to hit. That is on Downs giving away a meatball.

 

But today  the Angels real need was to get Trout home in hopes of a tie. The Reds already had the home field advantage last night with the tie in place, the Angel needed that one run today more just to stay alive. So anything to secure the tie was in order and for the Reds a single run prevented does not insure the Angels a victory since they have last at bat.

 

The Reds had Chapman on the mound, a lefty in the wings and following Mark Trumbo that has plenty of problems with plate discipline. They do not have any real negatives walking Pujols, a poor runner, with Hamilton a free swinger up next. They do set up an inning ending double play. Pujols is not scoring on even a gapper by Hamilton, he was already thrown out once today if not for the catcher not making the tag.

 

And as I said before, the Reds have last at bat. So play for the double play and get the bat out of one of the best hitters in the majors.

[Blarg]

I don't really mind the bunt call by Scioscia but Eric's position here is 100% incorrect.

The go ahead run is at the plate. You guys are working too hard.

[meat]

I can tell I'm going to get a condesending response, but I need to know why you believe that.  Cause Trumbo steals a lot of bags and Howie handles the bat well...especially in clutch situations?

 

Exactly opposite 

[robblin17]

Again Roblin, missing the situation for the trees. The Reds need was one run to win the game so Votto was a non factor as you said. So the Angels must get the outs and prevent a single run to score. They had the matchup on the mound as left vs right but that should have been pitching with no intent to give Votto something to hit. That is on Downs giving away a meatball.

 

But today  the Angels real need was to get Trout home in hopes of a tie. The Reds already had the home field advantage last night with the tie in place, the Angel needed that one run today more just to stay alive. So anything to secure the tie was in order and for the Reds a single run prevented does not insure the Angels a victory since they have last at bat.

 

The Reds had Chapman on the mound, a lefty in the wings and following Mark Trumbo that has plenty of problems with plate discipline. They do not have any real negatives walking Pujols, a poor runner, with Hamilton a free swinger up next. They do set up an inning ending double play. Pujols is not scoring on even a gapper by Hamilton, he was already thrown out once today if not for the catcher not making the tag.

 

And as I said before, the Reds have last at bat. So play for the double play and get the bat out of one of the best hitters in the majors.

 

100% disagree, but that's okay. One thing I think we all can agree on is let's get the hell out of Cincinnati and pound Texas. 

[Troll Daddy]

Why you ask? ... because it's a little tougher to steal when you have someone throwing cheese at 100 mph . Would you have preferred a possible double play with your two best hitters in the wings?

 

Solid baseball decision ... not to mention that with Aybar bunting it's not always a automatic out. A rush throw to first will sometimes end up a wild throw.

 

Check and Mate

 

[Lifetime]

I can tell I'm going to get a condesending response, but I need to know why you believe that. Cause Trumbo steals a lot of bags and Howie handles the bat well...especially in clutch situations?

good lead in to rebuttal. I already stated my reasoning on this. I think this was the perfect time and situation to call for a bunt.

[Tyler]

LOL at exactly opposite backing up your opinion.

[meat]

I realize it's a very small sample size, but runners were 5 for 6 stealing bases vs. Chapman in '12.

[rick99gtp]

Ok.  Those in favor of Trout stealing second.  What happens when he's thrown out.  Now we have 1 out...and NOBODY on base.  Lock the thread.

[yk9001]

 

I realize it's a very small sample size, but runners were 5 for 6 stealing bases vs. Chapman in '12.

 

Chapman was throwing righthanded last year.

 

Duh.

[monkeywithahalo]

I realize it's a very small sample size, but runners were 5 for 6 stealing bases vs. Chapman in '12.

 

But they are 9 for 16 on him for his career, so...

[fan_since79]

Ok.  Those in favor of Trout stealing second.  What happens when he's thrown out.  Now we have 1 out...and NOBODY on base.  Lock the thread.

There are always a lot of "what-if's". I'd still rather not give up an out in that situation, on the road. Play for the win and take your chances. Aybar was already 3-4. Let him hit-and-run at least.

[Tyler]

What if Trout stole second, Aybar bunted him to third, and Pujols sac flied to tie game? #mindblown

[YouthofToday]

Aybar's bunt was a bad decision by the manager. Why you give the toughest 1 inning pitcher in baseball a free out is beyond me. It wasn't like Jeff Mathis was at the plate...

[Troll Daddy]

Aybar's bunt was a bad decision by the manager. Why you give the toughest 1 inning pitcher in baseball a free out is beyond me. It wasn't like Jeff Mathis was at the plate...

 

You make a great internet baseball manager ... I would hire you.

[Lifetime]

LOL at exactly opposite backing up your opinion.

LOL @ you saying that I did that

[Spirit]

If I'm Mike, I'd like to think I could get a hit out of Albert or Josh in the clutch.  Neither of them came through.

 

Light the FAILO.

[nando714]

3 pages

[fan_since79]

Lifetime is here. Could be five pages soon.

[Lifetime]

Typical

[tdawg87]

Aybar hits into a double play and this thread becomes, Why Not Bunt?

 

Thread should have been locked after this.

[reteegz]

Imo that was the right call there. You have a lefty in Chapman pitching, Trout would not have been able to get a great jump off him,so straight steal is out. Hit and run with Aybar, no. Puttng too much pressure on him to make contact is risky.

 

This is why your paying Pujols and Hamilton, to get the big hits when you need em.

[yk9001]

I love the notion that a guy who stole 40 bases last year at a 91% clip wouldn't be able to steal off a guy whom runners stole five of six last year.

 

I mean, sure Trout's fat and all this year, but come he could do it.

[Troll Daddy]

Imo that was the right call there. You have a lefty in Chapman pitching, Trout would not have been able to get a great jump off him,so straight steal is out. Hit and run with Aybar, no. Puttng too much pressure on him to make contact is risky.

 

This is why your paying Pujols and Hamilton, to get the big hits when you need em.

 

AMEN

[Angel Oracle]

Two things lead me to thinking that Aybar should have swung away.

1)  Trout SBs and Chapman allowing them,

2)  Aybar blossomed as a righty hitter in 2012 (.879 OPS).