Author Topic: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1  (Read 33455 times)

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Offline spidernat

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Re: Nationals @ Cubs, Game 1
« Reply #100: August 25, 2009, 09:11:34 PM »
Yes. But the suicide squeeze requires a level of execution that should only be expected from the best bunters who do it regularly. Wil is a part time player who has made his bones this season batting 8th (not a lot of bunts happening before the pitcher) and hitting liners to RF. Gotta let him do what he does best. That ball was tailing outside. For most bunt attempts, a batter is going to pull the bat back. The squeeze requires a bunter to act like a true hitter - the ability to go with the pitch. It becomes a split-second decision to go for the bunt or foul it off. Wil is not the guy to do that, nor is any part-time player.

Besides. There is no reason to risk that with the pitcher due up. Should have let Wil either go for the sac fly, walk, RF hit, or IF grounder to plate the runner. Let Mock try to bunt or hit the runner home.

I don't disagree that the timing was bad but we don't know whether Riggleman has been working with Nieves on that very play (no one would expect it with Nieves at the plate) and Nieves just failed.