4/3 GDT: Cardinals(Flaherty) @ Brewers(Anderson) 6:40 PM CT

[Magneto2.0]

I was literally falling asleep waiting for the final strike, and then next I see is "run(s)" and I was pissed and was like "Let me just go to bed", I did one last check to make sure it went to extras and see we lost 5-4. I was sick.

[dmarx114]

I really disagree. Sheriff got 5 outs last night. Even Bowman got 6 outs on Sunday. Asking relief pitchers to go more than an inning every now and then is really not a big deal.

Neither of those examples were save situations; both were middle innings after the starter couldn't go deeper into the game. I have no problem with either of those moves. If your starter can't get past the fifth, then yes, by all means use your long man for more than an inning if he's going well. But, when you get to the 9th in a tight game with the middle of the order, play the matchups and situational odds.

Sheriff and Bowman are not what I would call "long men" in the traditional Norris Or Villanueva types of roles (which have been phased out). Those two pitchers have the same role as Leone. It shouldn't make a difference if it's the 6th inning or the 8th inning.

[Big Amoco Sign]

Leone had a good attitude after the game. It's already behind him and he's anxious to prove he can right the ship.

[dmarx114]

Additionally, the cost of having Tui, Mayers and Norris all on the team is the only bench player was the backup catcher if that game went extra innings. And Carpenter was removed.

It would seem to me the double switches were much worse decisions than the bullpen.

The first double switch was the strange one. There was no need to remove Carpenter for Munoz. The slight benefit of improving the defense and moving the pitcher's spot down 3 spots was not worth removing Carpenter's bat. Munoz ended up striking out (albeit on a bad call) in a big spot in the 8th. The larger benefit is supposed to be using your pitcher for another inning. This didn't happen because Bowman was lifted for Lyons. And that particular move made sense given that the Brewers had 3 of 4 lefties due up. Matheny should have just pulled Sheriff for Bowman in the 7th, pulled Bowman for Lyons in the 8th, and left everything else alone.

Once the first double switch was made, the second double switch made a lot of sense. Leone was due up third, and the benefit of having the option to use him for multiple innings made a lot of sense, since Garcia was going to bat 3rd in the 9th anyway.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I meant that the second double switch was made out of necessity because of the first one.

Either way, Matheny took out his 3rd place hitter when that spot in the order likely would (and did) come up to bat again. If he thinks the benefit of removing Carpenter in a close game for defense outweighs having his bat between Pham and Ozuna, he’d be better served using a different lineup and saving Carpenter to pinch hit.

[dmarx114]

I meant that the second double switch was made out of necessity because of the first one.

Either way, Matheny took out his 3rd place hitter when that spot in the order likely would (and did) come up to bat again. If he thinks the benefit of removing Carpenter in a close game for defense outweighs having his bat between Pham and Ozuna, he’d be better served using a different lineup and saving Carpenter to pinch hit.

Completely agree.

[go birds]

I meant that the second double switch was made out of necessity because of the first one.

Either way, Matheny took out his 3rd place hitter when that spot in the order likely would (and did) come up to bat again. If he thinks the benefit of removing Carpenter in a close game for defense outweighs having his bat between Pham and Ozuna, he’d be better served using a different lineup and saving Carpenter to pinch hit.

why does matheny do this seemingly every game?

[pioneer98]

There is a reason Leone wasn't closing in Toronto.

Roberto Osuna is that reason.

In his career which includes seasons in Seattle and Arizona, Leone is 1 for 10 in save attempts.

Are you just going by BS count? Because that wouldn't be an accurate reflection of how he has done in "save attempts". You get tagged with a BS any time you give up a lead as a reliever while technically in a save situation, no matter which inning it comes in.

That said, Leone's performance over the years in save situations is pretty poor. He has almost as many BS's as SV+Hold.

Yeah he has 9 blown saves, and 1 career save. Put whatever caveat or conditional phrase that you want on it, but closing games is not something Leone has hardly ever been asked to do. I would almost bet that this is the first time he's probably been ever asked to get a 5 out save.

[pioneer98]

Why carry 19 relievers if you're going to stick with bad matchups anyway?

Exactly. Why carry that many relievers if you're going to try for 5 out saves?

Giving up the HR to Yelich was forgivable but not the one to Braun.

[Big Amoco Sign]

Why carry 19 relievers if you're going to stick with bad matchups anyway?

Exactly. Why carry that many relievers if you're going to try for 5 out saves?

Giving up the HR to Yelich was forgivable but not the one to Braun.

Agree so hard. To both.