The Alex Cora Managerial Decision Thread

[Kimmi]

I don't think I ever expected to see "Valentine", "genius" and "I miss him" in the same post. Jus' sayin'.

 

Ha ha. Well played!

[Kimmi]

It would seem that pitchers would do that, but I've also seen times when they were pitched away from the shift, especially against a pull hitter (like JBJ used to be!). When a pull hitter tries to pull an outside pitch he'll usually hit a weak ground ball near 2nd base. Some hitters are now getting smarter and learning how to go with the pitch and hit it to the opposite field.

 

If more hitters would do this the issue of banning shifts would become a moot (NOT MUTE! - that's one of my pet peeves. LOL) point.

 

Once again, I do not disagree.

[Kimmi]

Actually, it did work out. Beni hit a routine grounder which turned out to have eyes. He did not hit the ball hard.

 

I would have to go back and watch the play again, but it seems like the 2nd baseman could have dove for the ball and perhaps kept the run from scoring. I know that Jerry and Eck were all over Torres for a similar play in an earlier game.

[Kimmi]

There were runners at first and second, so the intentional walk was a questionable move.

 

But if there was only a runner at second and everything else was the same, the intentional walk would have been a no-brainer, right?

 

Not according to run expectancy. It certainly would have been a less questionable move, but I can't call it a no brainer. I can't recall the exact numbers, but I remember reading something to the point that the batter behind the one being intentionally walked has to be a significantly weaker hitter to make the IBB worthwhile. I guess some people would consider JBJ significantly weaker than Beni.

[Emp9]

I would have to go back and watch the play again, but it seems like the 2nd baseman could have dove for the ball and perhaps kept the run from scoring. I know that Jerry and Eck were all over Torres for a similar play in an earlier game.

 

Naw, the earlier play to Torres was a Buckner-like gaff. Beni walk-off hit was pretty unreachable.

[Kimmi]

Naw, the earlier play to Torres was a Buckner-like gaff. Beni walk-off hit was pretty unreachable.

 

OK, I'll take your word for it.

[vegasbob]

Not according to run expectancy. It certainly would have been a less questionable move, but I can't call it a no brainer. I can't recall the exact numbers, but I remember reading something to the point that the batter behind the one being intentionally walked has to be a significantly weaker hitter to make the IBB worthwhile. I guess some people would consider JBJ significantly weaker than Beni.

 

Some people ?? Now you are stretching the fabris in an unattractive manner

[dgalehouse]

Not according to run expectancy. It certainly would have been a less questionable move, but I can't call it a no brainer. I can't recall the exact numbers, but I remember reading something to the point that the batter behind the one being intentionally walked has to be a significantly weaker hitter to make the IBB worthwhile. I guess some people would consider JBJ significantly weaker than Beni.

 

Like a lot of decisions , this was situational. With the winning run on second , the intentional walk would not set up a possibly bigger inning. It is hard to have one set rule for every situation.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Holt has 3 hits in his last 37 at bats. Cora can't give Renda an opportunity? Edited August 8, 2018 by Fan_since_Boggs

[a700hitter]

Holt has 3 hits in his last 37 at bats. Cora can't give Renda an opportunity?

Devers should be back any day and Holt will get a rest. He has been playing almost everyday for a few weeks— too much for him.

[Bellhorn04]

Not according to run expectancy. It certainly would have been a less questionable move, but I can't call it a no brainer. I can't recall the exact numbers, but I remember reading something to the point that the batter behind the one being intentionally walked has to be a significantly weaker hitter to make the IBB worthwhile. I guess some people would consider JBJ significantly weaker than Beni.

 

Wouldn't a 200+ point differential in OPS qualify as significant?

[notin]

There were runners at first and second, so the intentional walk was a questionable move.

 

But if there was only a runner at second and everything else was the same, the intentional walk would have been a no-brainer, right?

 

Extremely questionable given that Romine had 1 passed ball in the inning already and Holder was a lucky stab away from adding a wild pitch to the box score...

[Kimmi]

Like a lot of decisions , this was situational. With the winning run on second , the intentional walk would not set up a possibly bigger inning. It is hard to have one set rule for every situation.

 

There are run expectancy matrices for scoring one run in an inning and there are run expectancy matrices for total number of runs for the inning.

 

Even in terms of scoring just one run, intentionally walking Beni increases the chances, though slightly.

 

It could be that there is enough of a drop off from Beni to JBJ to make it the right move. I just wouldn't call it a no-brainer.

[Kimmi]

Wouldn't a 200+ point differential in OPS qualify as significant?

 

Yes, it would. You are probably right that walking Beni would be the right move in the situation you mentioned.

 

Not a no brainer, though.

[dgalehouse]

There are run expectancy matrices for scoring one run in an inning and there are run expectancy matrices for total number of runs for the inning.

 

Even in terms of scoring just one run, intentionally walking Beni increases the chances, though slightly.

 

It could be that there is enough of a drop off from Beni to JBJ to make it the right move. I just wouldn't call it a no-brainer.

 

The situation that Bellhorn set up had two outs , game tied , winning run on second and first base open. In that situation , walking Benintendi would have been the right move. You not only bring up a weaker hitter , but you set up a force play at second and third. Walking the bases loaded is an entirely different scenario. I would not have done that.

[oldtimer]

There are run expectancy matrices for scoring one run in an inning and there are run expectancy matrices for total number of runs for the inning.

 

Even in terms of scoring just one run, intentionally walking Beni increases the chances, though slightly.

 

It could be that there is enough of a drop off from Beni to JBJ to make it the right move. I just wouldn't call it a no-brainer.

 

You sound kind of like my wife, who was a college math professor before she retired. The analytical approach and I agree with you. It probably was the right move but not a no-brainer.

[vegasbob]

The failure to have an arm up and ready in the bullpen in the 7th inning was a big mistake by Mr. Cora. Not prepared to deal with Johnson's unfortunate 3 run HR. BJ pitched a freat game up to that point and even ended the inning with no further help, but that was on Cora and he needs to suffer Red Sox Nation banishment for it.

[Bellhorn04]

The failure to have an arm up and ready in the bullpen in the 7th inning was a big mistake by Mr. Cora. Not prepared to deal with Johnson's unfortunate 3 run HR. BJ pitched a freat game up to that point and even ended the inning with no further help, but that was on Cora and he needs to suffer Red Sox Nation banishment for it.

 

A small mistake.

[mvp 78]

A small mistake.

 

A miniscule mistake that cost the team 0 wins.

[Slasher9]

A miniscule mistake that cost the team 0 wins.

 

fine. but what did it do to BJ's psyche?

He could have walked off that mound with his chest puffed out and been the man.

as a pretty good (HoF) catcher once said...

BASEBALL IS 90% MENTAL AND THE OTHER HALF IS PHYSICAL

 

In case everyone forgot...BJ has had some well known mental issues/anxiety.

[mvp 78]

fine. but what did it do to BJ's psyche?

He could have walked off that mound with his chest puffed out and been the man.

as a pretty good (HoF) catcher once said...

BASEBALL IS 90% MENTAL AND THE OTHER HALF IS PHYSICAL

 

In case everyone forgot...BJ has had some well known mental issues/anxiety.

 

If one home run ruins his psyche, he should just hang up his cleats now.

[Bellhorn04]

fine. but what did it do to BJ's psyche?

He could have walked off that mound with his chest puffed out and been the man.

as a pretty good (HoF) catcher once said...

BASEBALL IS 90% MENTAL AND THE OTHER HALF IS PHYSICAL

 

In case everyone forgot...BJ has had some well known mental issues/anxiety.

 

So after the game Cora says, 'Brian, we really needed you to give us 7 and you delivered the goods. Normally I would have gotten you out of there a little earlier but everything worked out. Great job, big guy.' (Hugs him.)

[mvp 78]

And if anxiety is still a concern, they better not let him pitch in the playoffs.

[kenmeister]

So after the game Cora says, 'Brian, we really needed you to give us 7 and you delivered the goods. Normally I would have gotten you out of there a little earlier but everything worked out. Great job, big guy.' (Hugs him.)

 

Why aren't they playing Hector Velazquez???? Johnson could have gone six, Velazquez 2 or 3.

[mvp 78]

Why aren't they playing Hector Velazquez???? Johnson could have gone six, Velazquez 2 or 3.

 

Why not rest him for a game where you actually need him?

 

Why not build up Johnson's arm strength to the point where he can go 7 IP most nights?

[SoxnCycles]

Why aren't they playing Hector Velazquez???? Johnson could have gone six, Velazquez 2 or 3.

 

They probably would have, if they didn't have a lead all night.

Looked like they were confident that they were going to pound the Jays pen, and they were right.

[Slasher9]

So after the game Cora says, 'Brian, we really needed you to give us 7 and you delivered the goods. Normally I would have gotten you out of there a little earlier but everything worked out. Great job, big guy.' (Hugs him.)

i like this.

[sk7326]

And if anxiety is still a concern, they better not let him pitch in the playoffs.

 

That's what the medicine is for.

[mvp 78]

That's what the medicine is for.

 

So then leaving Johnson in to give up a bomb should be fine and not an issue.

[mvp 78]

Not to go too far down the rabbit hole on Johnson's anxiety (which we'll do eventually anyway), but from everything I have read he was having concerns over regaining his health. He was worried that his arm would force him to retire and a lot of his stress was due to wondering what his life will be like after baseball. Maybe now that his injury is in the past his anxiety is probably much more manageable.

 

I don't think he gives up a homerun and he slumps back to his hotel room worrying that he'll have to retire. No reason to treat him with kid gloves.

 

Also, I'm a firm believer that the Sox didn't screw up Cla Meredith. If Meredith was good enough, he would have rebounded at some point. Do the people that think the Sox killed Cla Meredith's career also think the Sox killed Charlie Zink's career?