Game 1 the 'Bunt'

[Troll Daddy]

Being a rainy day today I gave myself the day off. I watched game one against KC (for the third time) this morning.

There has been a lot of controversy here over the bunt call for Calhoun by Scioscia. Personally, I thought it was the right call in the bottom of the 8th inning in a tie game with Iannetta on first and Trout/Pujols to follow. The team needed one run for Street to preserve a playoff win. If Calhoun had executed it correctly there is a good chance the Angels win that game. Text book call by Scioscia.

Curious as to why others don't like the call.

Signed

Bored

Edited January 12, 2015 by Troll Daddy

[eligrba]

I didn't like the call of playing an automatic out in left field making believe that everything that player did before was a mirage.

 

I have never liked the call to cruise into the playoffs.

 

The Angels should have never been in such a position in the 8th.

[tdawg87]

If Aoki didn't snort lucky charms off a leprechaun's penis before the game the bunt wouldn't have even mattered.

 

Yes I'm still pissed about that. Stupid lucky bullshit catches.

[Ohtaniland]

It was baseball's version of NFL's "Marty Ball"

Marty Schottenheimer was a good coach, but a poor play caller during crunch time.

Edited January 12, 2015 by CALZONE

[Troll Daddy]

If Aoki didn't snort lucky charms off a leprechaun's penis before the game the bunt wouldn't have even mattered.

Yes I'm still pissed about that. Stupid lucky bullshit catches.

Now that's funny

[Sam Sanchez]

Wasn't the count 3-1? That in it self is a questionable count to still decide to bunt on.

Also, bunting the runner over, gave them a free out, which then they would simply intentionally walk Trout. Not only does it take the bat out of Calhoun's hands, but it also takes the bat out of Trout's hands. All they would need to get out of the inning is a double play ball off the bat of Pujols, which is no rare occurrence.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Sam Sanchez

[OregonLAA]

He also had people bunting in front of Hamilton with a lefty on the mound. Just awful

[stormngt]

Why did you bring this up again? Now I have to read the comments of manager hindsight!

Being a rainy day today I gave myself the day off. I watched game one against KC (for the third time) this morning.

There has been a lot of controversy here over the bunt call for Calhoun by Scioscia. Personally, I thought it was the right call in the bottom of the 8th inning in a tie game with Iannetta on first and Trout/Pujols to follow. The team needed one run for Street to preserve a playoff win. If Calhoun had executed it correctly there is a good chance the Angels win that game. Text book call by Scioscia.

Curious as to why others don't like the call.

Signed

Bored

[Stradling]

Why did you bring this up again?

Because TD

[Guest]

Move on.

[Troll Daddy]

I've yet to hear a valid argument why this was a bad call by Scioscia.

Is putting the runner in scoring position with the best player in baseball on deck a bad idea in a tie game? ... with Wade Davis on the mound they were going to pitch to Trout.

You had to try and win the game in the 8th with Street coming in the 9th rain or shine.

Am i the only one who feels this way?

If we had a rabbit on the bench a pinch runner for Iannetta would of been another way to go.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Troll Daddy

[Stradling]

You are the only one that feels that way. There was at least a 50-50 chance that with the base open they walk Trout to induce a DP ball from Albert. Would Albert have hit into a DP, I don't know, but they probably pitch around or intentionally walk Trout. Also you don't bunt with a 3-1 pitch when the batter is a good hitter and he hits lefty and the pitcher is a righty. The pitcher literally has to come into the zone on a 3-1 pitch and Calhoun would have a very hittable pitch in the strike zone to drive.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Wasn't the count 3-1? That in it self is a questionable count to still decide to bunt on.

Also, bunting the runner over, gave them a free out, which then they would simply intentionally walk Trout. Not only does it take the bat out of Calhoun's hands, but it also takes the bat out of Trout's hands. All they would need to get out of the inning is a double play ball off the bat of Pujols, which is no rare occurrence.

 

This is my take on it. KC would have intentionally walked Trout, because nobody fears Pujols anymore. In that situation there is probably at least a 50/50 chance that they get out of the inning on a double play grounder.

[Troll Daddy]

No way they walk Trout with RH Wade Davis on the mound. You don't put two runners on in that situation. They did pitch to Trout even when Iannetta took second on a wild pitch.

I believe when you have your closer coming in the ninth you don't want to waste him on a tie game. You have to get your runner in scoring position.

Still nice to hear other opinions.

[Troll Daddy]

You are the only one that feels that way. There was at least a 50-50 chance that with the base open they walk Trout to induce a DP ball from Albert. Would Albert have hit into a DP, I don't know, but they probably pitch around or intentionally walk Trout. Also you don't bunt with a 3-1 pitch when the batter is a good hitter and he hits lefty and the pitcher is a righty. The pitcher literally has to come into the zone on a 3-1 pitch and Calhoun would have a very hittable pitch in the strike zone to drive.

I doubt I'm the only one who understands the logic. Walking Trout to get to Pujols is a dangerous way to go in a tight game.

The odds of getting Iannetta into scoring position were much better by bunting than a 3-1 count to Calhoun.

[disarcina]

I liked the call and didn't fault Sosh -- I didn't like Calhoun's failure to execute.

[laagamer]

We gave them an out and us one less chance.

Call me new age but enough said IMO.

[stevestevens]

Bunting was a mistake.

 

The bigger mistake was neglecting to pinch run Cron for Ianetta and just having CJ swipe second base on his own.

[Docwaukee]

Davis had just walked Iannetta and had gone to 3-1 to Calhoun.  He was having control issues and got bailed out.  Calhoun had shown bunt on other pitches and got the count in his favor.  Trout still had a chance to drive a runner in from 2b.  As did Pujols.  As did Kendrick.

 

The entire situation was an exercise in futility.  

 

Much like this thread.  

[QuinlansMinion]

Im not saying Scioscia was to blame for losing the series or even that game, but it was and still is a horrible call, and it was over managing.  I understand the idea of bunting in that situation, but it just wasnt the ideal spot for it.  If I remember correctly, Calhoun went up 2-0 in the count and still stuck with the bunt.  First off, why would you want to open up 1st base for Mike Trout, with a guy notorious for GIDP hitting behind him.  You dont take the bat out of your 2nd best hitters hands to create an out, especially when the rest of your offense has done nothing the entire night.  Bunting in that situation and leaving Calhoun in the game was idiotic, when Calhoun has attempted maybe 5 bunt attempts all year.  If youre going to bunt in that situation, you bring in a guy who can bunt in his sleep.  To make matters worse, we didnt have Tony Campana on the roster, which was also a mistake.  

 

We should have won that series even despite the botched bunt attempt, but its just another Scioscia playoffs move added to the list that had bad consequences.  

[Kevin]

Why did you bring this up again? Now I have to read the comments of manager hindsight!

You must not have been reading the gameday thread. Most posters were calking it bs while it was happening.

Also who is forcing you to read the comments?

[stormngt]

Take a literature course and learn what the term sarcasm means.

You must not have been reading the gameday thread. Most posters were calking it bs while it was happening.

Also who is forcing you to read the comments?

[19HALO71]

I am a fan of small ball. However, I had two problems with the call.

1). I cant remember if Calhoun bunted all season. Although a professional player should be able to execute at any time, I would rather have seen him swing away.

2). The count. I think it was 3-0. Why not make the pitcher throw you a strike. Because at 3-1 you would get the same fastball.

[Oz27]

I've yet to hear a valid argument why this was a bad call by Scioscia.

You've heard a billion. You just choose to ignore them because...well, I don't know.

[Troll Daddy]

You've heard a billion. You just choose to ignore them because...well, I don't know.

There's no right or wrong answer. There were a few good arguments but most managers call for the bunt in the 8th in a tie game with Trout and Pujols coming up.

No way they walk Trout to get to Pujols with Wade Davis on the mound.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Troll Daddy