Summary[]
Ben and Sam critique the managerial moves of Game Two, then talk about the kind of pitchers the Red Sox hit best.
Topics[]
- Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals World Series
- 'Talk about' reporter questions
- Top prospects in postseason bullpens
- Pinch running strategy
- Mike Matheny bullpen decisions
Banter[]
Discussion about how Ben & Sam intro the show as compared to other podcasts.
Email Question[]
- Peter (Bloomington, IN): "In the NLCS Don Mattingly pinch ran Dee Gordon for Adrian Gonzalez when he was on first base and the move backfired. Gordon was immediately erased on the front end of a double play. In Game 2 of the World Series David Freese singled with one out, Matheny did not pinch run but after Freese advanced to second on a single Matheny removed him for a pinch runner, Pete Kozma. Kozma stole third and scored on a fairly shallow sac fly, Matheny looks like a genius. Is it better to wait for a base runner to reach second base before considering a pinch runner? The pinch runner is much less likely to be erased on a force play. Or if you're going to pinch run anyway why wait until the runner gets to second. If Dee Gordon have advanced from first to third on a single and scored on a sac fly would Mattingly's move have looked better? Is it better to not pinch run at all? In the 8th inning of Game 2 David Ortiz singled. He was the tying run and Farrell did not pinch run for him."
Notes[]
- Sam's favorite thing about World Series game 2 was a reporter asking John Farrell "Talk about going to St. Louis now with the series even 1-1."
- Any benefit gained from a pinch runner is often erased if the runner has to bat later in the game.