I missed last night's game against the Marlins due to another commitment. When I got home I saw the Mets had lost to Florida 2-1. I was bummed.
While watching the news, I heard, and saw, the Mets once again blew an opportunity to score a runner, Luis Castillo, from second base. Why? Because Jose Reyes couldn't get down the bunt. Should Reyes have been able to deaden the ball? Probably. That's not the question though. The question is, why in the world in the manager having his "#3" hitter laying down a bunt?
This is the second time in the last two (or three) games he has called upon Reyes to bunt. I know Jose is struggling, but if you're so confident in him as your #3 hitter, then when not let him try and drive the ball? Even when slumping Reyes is always a double/triple threat, which would have easily scored Castillo. A bunt? That is the role of the lead-off hitter, which Reyes is no longer.
Secondly, Reyes isn't a good bunter. Castillo and Cora are much more accomplished. Even Pagan is a better bunter than Jose. Aside from breaking from conventional wisdom, this was a stupid move on another front: Jerry not knowing his players' strengths and weaknesses.
Reyes isn't a good bunter, yes, but with a runner in scoring position with your "#3" hitter up, why are you bunting? Not only that, but this is the second time in the last two or three games you've made this mistake.
Not comparing Jose to these men, but would Davey Johnson have had Keith Hernandez, a #3 hitter, bunt in that situation?
Would Miller Huggins have had Babe Ruth, the #3 hitter, bunting in that situation?
Yes, Jose didn't get the bunt down, but the real screw up was the manager having called for a bunt in that situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment