Here is the problem with bunting PB

[Brent Maguire]

Having two chances to get a single with trout and Pb is much better than one chance with pujols.

You can leave Hamilton out of the discussion. With his approach right now there is no chance for him to do anything versus a lefty specialist.

Yeah I don't trust him getting a lousy single or even a fly out against lefties at this point.

[Torridd]

Hindsight. I see no problem with PB bunting. True, they may walk Trout to pitch to Hamilton, but if PB hits into a double play then we are wondering why didn't he let him bunt like he would ordinarily.

 

Unfortunately, it's just another game this year that goes into the "just one of those games" category. Generally, we win these games - just not this year.

[stevestevens]

You cant think of what if Pb had hit into a double play. As a manager you choose between situations and putting your players in the best spot to execute and succeed. Here are your choices you have to choose from.

Scenario A: bases loaded, one out with Hamilton facing a left specialist and then pujols

Or

Scenario B: first and second, no outs with Pb and trout facing a righty and Hamilton facing a lefty specialist.

If you had to score one run which option would you choose.

[stevestevens]

And just so you know. Hamilton is batting .149 versus lefties and striking out at a 40% rate. He has 3 rbi's against lefties. It would be interesting to see his stats against lefty relievers.

[Adam]

I was stoked PB got to hit. Sosh managed the 9th very well. 

[ScottT]

Hind sight? As soon as Iannetta walked, I was calling for Bourjos not to bunt.

[Blarg]

Trout really blew that at bat with RISP. He must not be clutch.

[Torridd]

You cant think of what if Pb had hit into a double play. As a manager you choose between situations and putting your players in the best spot to execute and succeed. Here are your choices you have to choose from.

Scenario A: bases loaded, one out with Hamilton facing a left specialist and then pujols

Or

Scenario B: first and second, no outs with Pb and trout facing a righty and Hamilton facing a lefty specialist.

If you had to score one run which option would you choose.

Also, Hamilton may feel less stress in A knowing he only needed a sac fly.

[Torridd]

Hind sight? As soon as Iannetta walked, I was calling for Bourjos not to bunt.

I could see if he was a small guy with a lot of experience like a Pedroia or something, but Bourjos is just a guy on a hot streak. He could have easily popped up or struck out as he ended up doing.

 

He hasn't been doing it, but you have to give Hamilton the chance to drive in the run.

[jshep]

I could see if he was a small guy with a lot of experience like a Pedroia or something, but Bourjos is just a guy on a hot streak. He could have easily popped up or struck out as he ended up doing.

He hasn't been doing it, but you have to give Hamilton the chance to drive in the run.

And a popup or a strikeout in that scenario is actually preferable to getting the bunt down. It still gives Trout a chance to swing the bat, which the bunt doesn't.

Hamilton has K'd 37.5% of the time versus lefties this year. And when he's lucky enough to make contact, he's popped the ball up on the infield a Vernonesque 16.7% of the time against them. He's basically hit lefties like he's a crappy hitting pitcher.

He's shown nothing to make anyone think he would be successful in that spot, particularly with a guy who can strike some lefties out in Furbush on the mound. He's probably the guy on the team I have the least faith in in that spot, including the bench guys.

Trying to take the bat out of your best hitter's hands in order to bring that guy up with the bases juiced and 1 out is insane. And it's more than a little annoying that this team's manager thought that made sense.

[DEATHRACERCHEVY]

I couldn't believe that Pb got out looking. What the hell kind of a pitch was he looking for. The minute Hamilton went up I knew it was over.

[Torridd]

And a popup or a strikeout in that scenario is actually preferable to getting the bunt down. It still gives Trout a chance to swing the bat, which the bunt doesn't.

Hamilton has K'd 37.5% of the time versus lefties this year. And when he's lucky enough to make contact, he's popped the ball up on the infield a Vernonesque 16.7% of the time against them. He's basically hit lefties like he's a crappy hitting pitcher.

He's shown nothing to make anyone think he would be successful in that spot, particularly with a guy who can strike some lefties out in Furbush on the mound. He's probably the guy on the team I have the least faith in in that spot, including the bench guys.

Trying to take the bat out of your best hitter's hands in order to bring that guy up with the bases juiced and 1 out is insane. And it's more than a little annoying that this team's manager thought that made sense.

Yes, he's in an horrific slump, but he can't get out of it if he doesn't get the opportunity. He's paid millions of dollars to be "The Man" and he has to get a lot of chances at doing that before relegated to the slaughterhouse.

[Glen]

I couldn't believe that Pb got out looking. What the hell kind of a pitch was he looking for. The minute Hamilton went up I knew it was over.

 

 

 

I've been a big Bourjos supporter, but seeing him watch that pitch pissed me off a bit. 

[jshep]

Yes, he's in an horrific slump, but he can't get out of it if he doesn't get the opportunity. He's paid millions of dollars to be "The Man" and he has to get a lot of chances at doing that before relegated to the slaughterhouse.

Not relegating him to the slaughterhouse, but there's no reason to go out of your way to give him the biggest AB of the game right now, particularly against a lefty specialist.

[Troll Daddy]

PB bunting was the right move according to the game situation. PB bunting is also no automatic out either. If he's successful and they walk Trout intentionally ... MS might have pinched hit in the situation (although doubtful).

 

That's got to be one of the worse nights offensively for Hamilton.

[Torridd]

Not relegating him to the slaughterhouse, but there's no reason to go out of your way to give him the biggest AB of the game right now, particularly against a lefty specialist.

That's what he's paid for.

[Torridd]

Not relegating him to the slaughterhouse, but there's no reason to go out of your way to give him the biggest AB of the game right now, particularly against a lefty specialist.

Also, being a manager is partly being a psychologist. He's only been on the team for a few months. You've got to give him the chance to drive in the run. I mean, is the team going anywhere? It's a June win and he's needed way beyond that. Can't ostracize him so early in his tenure.

[jshep]

But there's next to zero reason to think he would get the job done there.

Taking away a chance for guys who are effectively doing their jobs to do their jobs(and doing so for the purpose of moving Aybar from 2nd base, where he is already in scoring position, to 3rd) so Scioscia could cross his fingers that Josh would finally not f up is just flat out stubborn.

[jshep]

Also, being a manager is partly being a psychologist. He's only been on the team for a few months. You've got to give him the chance to drive in the run. I mean, is the team going anywhere? It's a June win and he's needed way beyond that. Can't ostracize him so early in his tenure.

But by bunting with Bourjos, you're giving Josh that chance at the expense of Trout getting that chance.

It would be putting Josh's ego ahead of what's best for the team, plain and simple. And that's not what a manager should be doing.

[Torridd]

I don't agree, shep. PB bunts. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out gives the Angels a better chance to win via wild pitch even if Trout is walked.

 

I understand your thinking - go with the hot hand - but I think you have to manage as you would ordinarily unless the situation is extra special. I don't think it is in this case.

[Torridd]

But there's next to zero reason to think he would get the job done there.

Taking away a chance for guys who are effectively doing their jobs to do their jobs(and doing so for the purpose of moving Aybar from 2nd base, where he is already in scoring position, to 3rd) so Scioscia could cross his fingers that Josh would finally not f up is just flat out stubborn.

Also, as a manager, you can't afford to think like your first sentence. You have to go by the player's history.

[Coachbulldog]

Trout really blew that at bat with RISP. He must not be clutch.

 

I liked this post after I wiped off the sarcasm that was dripping down my monitor screen. 

[stevestevens]

I am glad we can sacrifice chances to win for the sake of self esteem

[Torridd]

I am glad we can sacrifice chances to win for the sake of self esteem

So the manager has to think, "I better let Bourjos hit because if not they'll walk Trout and Hamilton will not get a hit."

 

You can't be a good manager thinking like that. Like any good manager, you need to be positive and give your team the best chance to win. Bourjos doesn't do that. I can see Kendrick or Aybar who have more experience under their belts. Bourjos has to bunt.

[jshep]

So letting Bourjos swing the bat with no outs and a runner on 2nd doesn't give you the best chance to win, but giving away an out and taking the bat out of Trout's hands for thr current version of Hamilton to give it a whack does?