5/11/08 Cardinals (Looper) at Brewers (Suppan): 1:05 PM CDT

[Ennder]

Wow that wasnt' anywhere close to a strike on gameday.

[And That]

Why not let one of your better hitting pitchers take a shot at a single?

Suppan has a career OPS a tick over 400. "Better hitting pitchers" is usually a term that should be taken with context.

 

[Glennron]

One out with a guy on third is less likely to score a run than no outs and a guy on second. A sac bunt isn't a guarantee to work, it has a decent chance of getting the runner gunned out at third. Why not let one of your better hitting pitchers take a shot at a single?

Does that take into consideration who's up to bat? I find it hard to believe Suppan has a better chance of scoring Hardy from 2nd than Jason "contact hitter" Kendall does scoring him from 3rd. I mean isn't that what Kendall should be good for?

[sargennm]

Yeah, that looked pretty awful on gameday. It sure seems the Brewers have been the victims of some pretty inconsistent strike zones this year.

[TerraceReserved]

Rickie has a right to be pissed there.

[And That]

Should also mention that a runner on third with one out is more likely to score than a runner on second with one out. Suppan's odds of getting out were so high, I can't really see the argument of not bunting... especially with a slower runner like JJ on the basepaths.

[Oldcity]

2nd than Jason "contact hitter" Kendall does scoring him from 3rd. I mean isn't that what Kendall should be good for?

Letting him swing away at least guarantees you won't get your lead runner thrown out, and with Hardy running that's a big concern for me. Suppan has a decent chance of grounding out to the right side anyway, and small chance of getting a hit.

 

[davemakovec]

I know that this doesn't really matter, but that ground-out by Kendall probably would've scored Hardy.

[Oldcity]

The thing that bothers me about sac bunts is that when people argue for them, they act as though a sac bunt is guaranteed to advance a runner. Bunts can be missed, popped up, hit too hard, etc. Neither bunting nor swinging away is a sure thing, so why not take a shot?

 

Edit: Hey, Suppan settling down!

[MoneyballMan]

Was that interview with Bill Hall's mother one of the more awkward ones you've ever seen?

[Glennron]

Was that interview with Bill Hall's mother one of the more awkward ones you've ever seen?

Yes. "It was teriffic...wonderful.......it was terrific."

 

That's what Gwynn brings to the table!

[sheetswannabe]

Tie doesnt go to the runner anymore apparently..

[And That]

Neither bunting nor swinging away is a sure thing, so why not take a shot?

I'd wager that the odds of Suppan getting a bunt down towards third base are much, much higher than the odds of Suppan getting a base hit.

[Oldcity]

That's as good as you can bunt, and it still isn't a hit. Gross.

[Oldcity]

I'd wager that the odds of Suppan getting a bunt down towards third base are much, much higher than the odds of Suppan getting a base hit.

Clearly. But you won't get Hardy thrown out if he swings away, and you won't get an RBI if you bunt.

 

[Glennron]

Bill Hall is no longer Mr. Mothers Day.

[davemakovec]

Ryan Braun is definitely getting hot.

 

JJ, Billy, Rickie, Prince everybody else - take notes.

[yfinn6]

Yep, Braun is getting hot.

[Oldcity]

Braun! Excellent.

[adambr2]

The book on Prince must be really well established, he seems to hit directly into the shift every time.

[And That]

I'd wager that the odds of Suppan getting a bunt down towards third base are much, much higher than the odds of Suppan getting a base hit.

Clearly. But you won't get Hardy thrown out if he swings away, and you won't get an RBI if you bunt.

 

But you would have a slow baserunner at third base... I'm not sure Hardy would score from second base on a lot of balls that Kendall would hit.

Hardy could get doubled up in a lineout, thrown out at home on a Texas Leaguer, etc. And I'm not too concerned about Suppan's RBI totals.

Odds of moving slow runner at third base > any chance of Suppan getting a hit. I'll always take the odds play with a terrible hitter at the plate.

 

[lukevan]

It feels really good to have a lead. Gagne anyone?

[sheetswannabe]

We need a pitcher to pass the 5th!

[hurricanecrush]

I think Hart could have gunned Pujols at first on that play.

[Oldcity]

Odds of moving slow runner at third base > any chance of Suppan getting a hit. I'll always take the odds play with a terrible hitter at the plate.

 

Yep, but again, that's assuming a sac bunt is a sure thing. Suppan getting the bunt down in the first place is far from a guarantee.

 

At this point I'm guessing we'll have to agree to disagree. I've never liked sac bunting with a runner already in scoring position.