I wish Davey had used Storen in the 8th vs the bottom of their lineup and saved Clippard for the 9th vs the middle of their order. Disappointing but so predictable from Davey.
They had seen Soriano in three straight games. He wasn't fooling anybody. He continues to put baserunners on base at an alarming rate. He can't punch anyone out like every other closer in baseball to get out of jams.
My goodness, Post of the Year, from Sportsfan, in a game day thread.
Casting roles and not reading the line up card. This isn't Shakespeare, it's baseball. Match my best against your best, not my overworked and clobbered around Closer against your heart of the order. The role of "Closer" should not determine who pitches last in a game with a lead.
"Closer" is a title, right? Shouldn't it be capitalized? It is sort of like "Sir" for a Knight. Lord Soriano of Get Ahead in the Count and then Give Up the Hit.
Some will say, well, if he does not bring in Clip, and they rally, then we don't get to use our best at all. I say you have to get 6 outs to win and you plan on the best way to get the 6 outs in that spot. Be prepared to blow through guys on match ups if you have to in the 8th (Storen, Krol, Stammen) but you match Clip agains the heart of the order when it comes up. If we rack up runs in the bottom of the 8th, well, great. Then both Clip and Soriano are rested for the Barves.
Just poor in game bullpen strategy. I can even get wanting to stick with guys early in the year thinking it is a matter of confidence and psychology, but at this point, you manage to win. This was not crisp thinking, just like blanking in the 5th game last year.
