Comments on: Game 2009.050: Red Sox at Tigers

By: jb61973

jb61973 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:25:21 +0000

ALmost everything has a higher probability of success than bunting. In any situation. DO NOT GIVE AWAY OUTS.

By: Mith

Mith — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:50:40 +0000

Just to be clear, you’re advocating a 2 strike bases loaded bunt? Seriously? Sheer craziness. I’d rather take the chance he’d get a little blooper somewhere for a hit.

Also, ennerved is not really a word is it?

By: Coleman

Coleman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:47:10 +0000

Ejax gets the gong! Although Ed-Jack is fine I think. I’m still surprised though that nobody liked by suggestion of ‘Dwinj….(pronounced like ‘dwinge’)…

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:15:54 +0000

Hey look I’m all for bunting.

But, in my opinion, the situation clearly dictated against it.

With

1)a force out at home

and

2)a very slow runner at third

and

3) 0 outs, down by 4 runs

I just don’t see the point. In hindsight yes, anything (well anything besides a DP which could have happened ie 5-2-3, or 2-4-3 or any # of combos) is better than a K.

Still I’d have him look for the walk or try to find a hole. Easier said than done, but I’d think it had a greater probability for success.

By: Chris in Dallas

Chris in Dallas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:56:03 +0000

Make that ‘Molina’

By: Chris in Dallas

Chris in Dallas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:55:46 +0000

If the bunt is good, Cabrera (or anyone, really) can score.

Caveat: Anyone whose last name is not ‘Moilna’…

By: Ryan P.

Ryan P. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:34:46 +0000

Frankly, I’d rather go up against Papelbon in the 9th than say, Okajima. Their whole bullpen is stupid good, so I don’t really think that means much.

By: Dave in New Have(n)

Dave in New Have(n) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:17:14 +0000

I still think it would be an improvement in the odds, though I admit I’m partially relying on the hindsight that the actual outcome was a strikeout (I say partial because it did seem likely at the time, too). Utlimately, it would have depended more on the bunter than Cabrera. If the bunt is good, Cabrera (or anyone, really) can score. If the Sox know the batter can bount, they’ll position themselves accordingly. I figure, though, that Anderson was (is) an unknown quantity wth respect to bunting skills, so the Sox wouldn’t have been all the way ready for it.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:02:32 +0000

That end of the last sentence should read:

“Cabby would be a sure out if the bunt wasn’t perfect. Only if the Sox managed to make an error or the bunt was perfect would he be safe.”

By: Chris in Dallas

Chris in Dallas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:02:19 +0000

I like the fact that he’s likely unavailable tonight after having thrown so many pitches. You know, in the event that the game is close late.

By: Mr. X

Mr. X — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:54:29 +0000

This was the 2nd time this season I saw Papelbon get himself into a bases loaded no out jam and then k the side to get out of it. Yes, he’s real good.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:43:28 +0000

Cabrera is your guy at third… And he is pretty much a statue.

Plus with bases loaded and the good IF defense they employ a bunt in that situation could be considered suicide.

I mean there is always a chance they could flub it or throw it away, but with a super slow runner at third I wouldn’t risk it. The easiest play to make in that situation if he bunts it to third or first is to come home because your momentum is carrying you there and Cabby would be a sure out if the bunt wasn’t perfect or the Sox managed to make an error.

By: Dave in New Have(n)

Dave in New Have(n) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:18:18 +0000

As the Anderson bat dragged on, I started to really hope he’d try to lay one down. It seemed clear he was overmatched, swinging it, valiant as it was to keep fouling them off. A swing-and-miss seemed inevitable. Why not go for a bunt? you know a fastball’s coming, the corner IFs are probably back and guarding the lines. If it works, the tying run is on base, and Papelbon is more ennerved.

By: Chris in Dallas

Chris in Dallas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:41:19 +0000

Yeah I saw that. I like Eddie J better, though. Yeah, that’s right – I’m done with EJax…

By: Mr. X

Mr. X — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:36:22 +0000

Joyce had a great game Yesterday. 3-4, 4 rbi’s and a HR. Raises his avg up to .353