Macha puts the brakes on the running game

[bork]

Link

"We were getting thrown out at an alarming rate," Macha said. "In order for stolen bases to be a factor, you have to have a 75% success rate. Right now, we're at 50-50 (actually, 10 for 19), so we're not going to give up outs.

This is exactly what a lot of people here have said in the past. And really not much reason to run with so many big hitters in the heart of the lineup. I'm really liking Macha and how he's not afraid to make adjustments.

[owbc]

As we develop a reputation for not running, it will probably give us more chances to run again in a few weeks. Corey Hart is capable of stealing bases and I like when Braun takes a base with Fielder at the plate.

[pogokat]

Taking the stolen bases away from players who are successful at it like cameron and hart negates some of their value...i agree with macha, of course, but some guys are good at this...a blanket stop order for the team will cost us runs

[Gobias Industries]

Weeks, Hart, and Cameron should all have the green light. I'd be fine with everyone else not stealing though.

[Fatter than Joey]

but some guys are good at this...a blanket stop order for the team will cost us runs

 

My guess the general approach Macha took was to prevent from calling players out in the press. I suspect that all this means, is that the Brewers will pick their spots better.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I'm glad he's putting the brakes on the running game. It's not generating much success and the risk of getting thrown out with all of the power that we have on this team is not worth it.

[Ennder]

I would hope he would let the guys run in good situations, baserunning can give a couple extra wins a year if you are good at it.

[bork]

Macha did say in the article that he'd rather pick his spots, like in late game situation, instead of just running all the time.

[Fatter than Joey]

Interestingly...

 

The Brewers have 10SB + 9CS = 19 Attempts....

 

9 NL teams have more SBs than the Brewers have total attempts (>19)

 

Only one NL team has less attempts than the Brewers (ATL 13). The Brewers have one of the leagues worst SB% though.

 

We haven't demonstrated an ability to steal effectively so far this year -- but it's not like we are causing significant damage either.

[jeffy]

I was happy before the season started when Macha made a reference to Earl Weaver. Then in their first game they were running like crazy and successfully, that was confusing. We'll see what they actually do now, but I am not a fan of a lot of running.

[logan82]

I don't like the blanket statement about not stealing. Something is "off" about our base stealing this year. I don't know if it is Macha taking more/less control over the running game than Yost, players not being as good at stealing bases for some reason, or making poor choices on when to steal. I agree that Hart, Weeks, and Cameron should have a green light to go when they want or a stop.

 

I think maybe Weeks hitting for more power and Hart not getting on base much over the last month has made things look a little worse that they really are.

 

I'd much prefer to steal a base in the seventh or eighth inning when we really need it as compared to just looking at raw numbers and saying, 'These guys are stealing a lot of bases.

 

A caught stealing really hurts in those situations as well. I would prefer him trying to find out what is going wrong instead of not trying to steal anymore.