Fire Matt Williams! (2015) - Standard Decision.

[Dschmiel]

is there any way of finding out how many games we have blown due to brutally bad management? whether it be leaving the starter iun too long, the relievers blowing it etc

or how many runners on with no outs we have had and have failed to advance or score in late innings.

i can't recall really more than 1-2 walk offs or late inning comebacks. The m,ain reason being a 1 run game becomes a 5 rund game with this BP

Just research it on baseball-reference.com

[Ray D]

who wants to start the rumor

What, Williams and his mother?

[OldChelsea]

So freaking stubborn to the detriment of his team, infuriating!!!

It seems to be a common tendency among the local pro teams - look how long Leonsis and Dick Patrick held on to the Capitals' incompetent GM George McPheebleminded.

[Kevrock]

What if they're both, Rizzo and Williams, flipping off the Lerners?

What, literally?

[PC]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/manager-matt-williams-isn-t-the-only-one-to-blame-for-nationals--mess-155224058.html

[mitlen]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/manager-matt-williams-isn-t-the-only-one-to-blame-for-nationals--mess-155224058.html

Ouch

[varoadking]

Ouch

Sounds legit...

[HattoriHanzo]

Brian Kenny on mlb now ripping MW idiot bullpen decisions. 

[HattoriHanzo]

Now Ken Rosenthal calling MW a rigid thinking fool.

[Natsinpwc]

Brian Kenny on mlb now ripping MW idiot bullpen decisions.

It's piling on at this point.  They seem to give Rizzo and the players a pass. Let's face it the only reliable bullpen guy the first part of the year was Storen and then he gets a new job and tanks. The only reliable one now is Papelbon.  And maybe Rivero. He has made bad decisions but he doesn't have good arms to pick from.

[HattoriHanzo]

It's piling on at this point.  They seem to give Rizzo and the players a pass. Let's face it the only reliable bullpen guy the first part of the year was Storen and then he gets a new job and tanks. The only reliable one now is Papelbon.  And maybe Rivero. He has made bad decisions but he doesn't have good arms to pick from.

It's about not using Paps in a tie game.  To win the game you need to extend the game with your best available pitcher.  Something he never does.  He always has wishful thinking that his mediocre arms can get him the lead then use the closer to finish.

[PC]

It's about not using Paps in a tie game.  To win the game you need to extend the game with your best available pitcher.  Something he never does.  He always has wishful thinking that his mediocre arms can get him the lead then use the closer to finish.

Well, the mediocre arms are Rizzo's fault.

[Natsinpwc]

It's about not using Paps in a tie game.  To win the game you need to extend the game with your best available pitcher.  Something he never does.  He always has wishful thinking that his mediocre arms can get him the lead then use the closer to finish.

I agree with that but would have prolonged the agony.  They really need to upgrade the bullpen next year. And get rid of Matt.

[Natsinpwc]

Well, the mediocre arms are Rizzo's fault.

Exactly.

[tomterp]

Back to basics, Mat Williams: a relief pitcher exists to pitch in critical situations. Exists to "put out fires". To stop rallies. The best reliever would get a "fireman of the year" award.

If the opposition rally is in the 7th inning, or even the 6th, use Storen or Papelbon. If either pitcher complains that he is paid only to get "saves", then:

(a) let him complain to his agent

(b) declare that the Nats don't count "saves"

(c) demote him to Syracuse as brain-dead.

This is exactly right.

[nfotiu]

It's about not using Paps in a tie game.  To win the game you need to extend the game with your best available pitcher.  Something he never does.  He always has wishful thinking that his mediocre arms can get him the lead then use the closer to finish.

I value going with the best decision to win the game vs going with the best decision to extend the game.  Even Jansen had a 80%:chance at worst of pitching a shutout inning. 

I still agree with firing Williams though.

[imref]

I value going with the best decision to win the game vs going with the best decision to extend the game.  Even Jansen had a 80%:chance at worst of pitching a shutout inning. 

I still agree with firing Williams though.

no, you pitch your best pitcher in that situation.  Maybe Papelbon shuts them down, then the Nats score 5 in the top of the next inning.   In no way at this point in time do you hold your best pitcher in reserve in a tie game for a 'possible' save opportunity.

[Mathguy]

Just for 1 night, can we lay off MW ?

[PebbleBall]

Just for 1 night, can we lay off MW ?

Why?

[mitlen]

Why?

Well played volley sir.

[ZIM4MVP]

What, Williams and his mother?

wait..what?

[nfotiu]

no, you pitch your best pitcher in that situation.  Maybe Papelbon shuts them down, then the Nats score 5 in the top of the next inning.   In no way at this point in time do you hold your best pitcher in reserve in a tie game for a 'possible' save opportunity.

If you have that situation ten times and you put papelbon in every time, then you will lose more of those games vs keeping your best pitcher available for a save.  I see no reason you should go with the option that gives you a lesser chance of winning in a "must win" game.  Making a decision based on the very unlikely scenario that they may get a 5 rub inning in the next half inning is not very sound managing. 

[Natsinpwc]

If you have that situation ten times and you put papelbon in every time, then you will lose more of those games vs keeping your best pitcher available for a save.

I tend to think we would have lost either way but how do you come up with your assertion? Is there data on this?  Of course even studies of the situations won't factor in how bad Janssen had been the night before.  There is a feel for managers when handling bullpens and matt does not have it.  Rizzo to blame also.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

nfotiu - I don't think the numbers back you up at all.  Yes, you are right that most pitchers should be able to get through one inning clean, which is why the standard 1 inning closer role is overrated.  That said, you will not have a more important set of 3 outs than the situation where one run ends the game.  Tie game, bottom of the 9th on the road, the home team wins if they score anything.  Get out of the bottom of the 9th clean, then you have a shot at scoring not just one run to take the lead, but possibly multiple runs.  It is possible you are saving your best pitcher for a situation where allowing a run to score causes far less damage in terms of the likelihood of a win if you do not go with him in the bottom of the 9th in a tie game.  That  really should be the "standard decision."

[Mr Clean]

Jon Heyman says Nats owners considered firing Williams a few weeks ago.  http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25290228/inside-baseball-managerial-heat-in-nl-east-especially-in-washington