Sooo I am guessing you didn't agree with the decision to pinch hit for him with Jon Singleton? That was like subbing Chris Jent for Robert Horry in the playoffs.
It was like pulling Daryl Strawberry for Homer Simpson. And I was rooting for Homer there... the spot for Homer to pinch hit was for Carl.
Can you remind me who the manager was that moved Pena out of the two hole in the first place? Who was it that stubbornly waited till the rangers series to correct that stupid decision? Making a stupid decision and continuing it all damn summer then finally correcting it in September does not count as a wise decision. If you wish to defend Dusty at least try and find something he has done that is defensible. There must be something.
Hey Now : Dusty :: Scarface : BOB hope I remembered my English class correctly to get those symbols right.
Dusty Baker, because, until the Ranger series, Jeremy Pena had posted a .264 batting average and .294 on-base % as the #2 hitter, and was actually doing much better hitting 8th. So moving him back to the 2-hole was not the soundest decision, on paper - but it paid off in a gigantic way in what might've been the most important regular season series of this era. Any other questions?
LOL. This is like the Colts hanging a "AFC Finalist" banner. Congrats, I guess, on awarding yourself the winner....
Maldonado - because the starting pitchers request their catchers, and at least two of them favor Maldonado's work behind the plate. I can't answer Dubon over Chas; it doesn't make sense to me. It sure sounds like Dusty doesn't like Chas in CF, and LF is crowded. But Chas has started 5 of their last 7 games so hopefully that continues.
and those two pitchers are not managers. Deferring to them is not good management. And none of that explains why the worst catcher in the league is catching Javier while the best sits on the bench. If you cannot respond with a serious, fact-based answer, just stop responding. Regarding Chas, how many of those 5 out of 7 were in CF? That is all that matters. Between Yordan and Brantley they have plenty of LF’ers. Add in Diaz and they have plenty of DHs. Look man, I get your deference to authority. But you have to apply some independent thinking to this discussion. Just repeating “Pitcher X wants Maldy, and Manager Y wants Dubon, and who are we to disagree” is not informative, interesting or (frankly) intelligent.
Really? Moving Pena back to the #2 hole is the great Dusty decision you want to trumpet? Bregman had been completely mashing in the 2 hole. Moving Pena to the #2 hole was a bad decision. This team is at its best when Pena hits 9th. Again, my opinion. In 7 games with Pena back in the #2 hole: Pena .324 OBP/.706 OPS. Bregman .364 OBP/.830 OPS The 7 previous games w/ Alex 2nd and Pena 7th-9th. Pena .466 OBP/.1.252 OPS Alex .424 OBP/1.113 OPS
I was pleasantly surprised that Chas got the start over Dubon yesterday. Maybe they are starting to switch to the playoff starters and lineups. It would also explain moving Pena back to the #2 hole though I don't like that move.
That's the answer. Verlander and Valdez want Maldonado. Good managers defer to their starting pitchers; this is true at every level of baseball. You're delusional, or not terribly smart, if you think a manager is going to strong-arm a pitcher's preferred catcher. Doesn't happen no matter how loud you stomp your feet and how far you stick your fingers in your ears . Having his bat in the line-up is what matters - where he plays is just another something for you to cry about. They are very obviously being very careful with Yordan and Brantley so LF becomes a viable opportunity to get Chas's bat in the line-up. It's deference to reality. You asked a question, and I provided either what is the answer, or what I think is the answer. He very clearly feels more comfortable with Dubon in CF. I really can't speak to it. Obviously, Chas' bat would be preferred - but if they feel Dubon is creating value as a defender based on their #s... But... what, exactly, is the issue? Dubon is hot right now (.333/.400/.722/1.122 during this seven-game stretch). Why are we upset his bat is in the line-up? Yes; it's a small sample size. But he's in the line-up, he's hitting, the team is scoring a lot of runs, and they're winning. I just don't understand the angst.
In the Rangers series - when he made the move - Pena went 7/18. It was a gigantic swing that paid off over and over and over again in what was unquestionably the most important regular season series of this era. If all the people in this thread want to nitpick Corey Julks starts - which is absolutely happening - it is disingenuous to not also nitpick successes. But, yes - I would agree Pena is better-suited for the 8/9 slot - hopefully, he'll be back there in the postseason because they're playing their LUoD.
I disagree. Yordan is playing everyday, so will be at DH if Chas is in LF so Brantley and Diaz are on the bench (unless he's catching). If Chas is in CF then one of them can start (both if Diaz catches) and they are both better than Dubon no matter what hot streak Dubie is on. Say what you will about Dubon, but before a game starts do you really expect him to be better than one of them?
