Uhhhh....

I think he's right....I DO need to watch more baseball.  Not sure Mrs Chief's gonna concur, though.

'There are two common situations in which an intentional walk may be a good idea. The first is to bypass a strong hitter who may have been having a good game. If there is a runner on second base and a good hitter comes to the plate, it is not uncommon for him to be intentionally walked so as to set up a force out.'

 

Hicks has been very good lately and was having a good game.  Check. He was walked and it set up a force out.  Check.

 

And they aren't talking about setting up a double play in that because if you read the story linked, where the above quote comes from,the second common is to set up a double play.

 

 

 

http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/intentional_walks.htm

Edited July 31, 201511 yr by jimmer

So they walked him to pitch to Mauer who has been struggling in RBI situations.

For the season all his stats (BA, SLG to start with) are far better with men on base than with the bases empty, and even better when the situation is RISPy.

 

If he's been "struggling" recently, it's the smallest of Small Sample Sizes. I really wish we could put this Joe Isn't Clutch meme to rest some year.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=mauerjo01&year=2015&t=b

 

Get in line. I made the same observation about myself near the end of yesterday's game thread, and Stringer also stood up to take some blame.

Green light for victories with the TD crew here to cheer them on!

did you forget the part where I said AND pay attention to defensive strategy.  I have no doubt he's watched plenty of baseball.

OK... It's Eastern Time.. I got like 4 pillows waiting for me... I gotta decide which one is going to feel right tonight. 

 

In Conclusion I just like to say

 

I love Joe... Always have

 

I completely understand when and why you IBB someone. 

 

Walking Hicks to pitch to Joe in that situation was goofy. McClendon may have been the only manager to ever consider doing that in that situation.

 

Thank God we won tonight... It feels a little bit better... Here's to hoping that TR surprises us all with a couple of quality additions tomorrow.  

 

For the season all his stats (BA, SLG to start with) are far better with men on base than with the bases empty, and even better when the situation is RISPy.

 

If he's been "struggling" recently, it's the smallest of Small Sample Sizes. I really wish we could put this Joe Isn't Clutch meme to rest some year.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=mauerjo01&year=2015&t=b

That and this has been his best month with overall OPS going into tonight.  So why would a manager walk Hicks to get to Mauer when Mauer has been hitting very well with RISP all year.  Because Hicks had a great game and walking him sets up a force at 3B, 2B (and, as always 1B) for out #3.

 

And it didn't work anyway.

Edited July 31, 201511 yr by jimmer

did you forget the part where I said AND pay attention to defensive strategy. 

Thought I was doing you a solid, there, by letting it pass.

 

Thought I was doing you a solid, there, by letting it pass.

this site is freaking out on me (like it often does). I quoted someone else when I responded to that and it didn't show up :-)

Alright, I'm posting this late, but I made it to the game. I was actually gonna check out the new Saints stadium, but apparently they had an away game... thankfully, the Twins were playing too.

 

Good show, I say! I approve of Sano at 3B defensively and the questions about Polanco's arm at SS are definitely warranted. He looks like a 2B to me.

 

Alright, I'm posting this late, but I made it to the game. I was actually gonna check out the new Saints stadium, but apparently they had an away game... thankfully, the Twins were playing too.

 

Good show, I say! I approve of Sano at 3B defensively and the questions about Polanco's arm at SS are definitely warranted. He looks like a 2B to me.

I'm glad Sano looked good but one game doesn't tell us anything. I'm rooting for him though.

 

and what a great game to see!

Edited July 31, 201511 yr by jimmer

I wasn't looking at Mauer's recent OPS when I made that comment. I was going off of the recent statistic that in Mauer's last 19 games he's had 2 RBI. 

 

That's a pace for 20 RBI in 190 games, or for Mauer, 20 RBI in one and a half seasons. Sorry for the confusion.

 

No, it was an unusual statistical Quirk.

I sit corrected.

I'm watching this the next morning, and holy lord! does Sano have a cannon.

 

If the whole batting thing doesn't work out maybe he can be the shut down eighth inning guy.