I'm confused - was Strop unable to run or did he injure himself trying to run? Because obviously any good manager should be able to predict an injury.
MLB: ***Official 2018 Chicago Cubs Season Thread***
- Thread starter chuckd4735
- Start date
I get why he let Strop swing. He's a converted infielder that at least has some experience hitting in professional baseball. No way to know he was going to pop a hammy....
In fact, he's an emergency infielder in case of injury, still takes ground balls and does some infield drills.
In fact, he's an emergency infielder in case of injury, still takes ground balls and does some infield drills.
He grounded into a double play that he tired to leg out, and the only reason he had to leg it out was because of his lack of any speed. Joe most definitely is aware that Strop has no speed, and that there is a VERY good chance he grounds into a double play.
For the record I hated the decision before he hurt himself. You've got the best pinch hitter in baseball on the bench with the bases loaded and one out. A high probability of at least one run, if not more. You jeopardize that to have a pitcher hit, all so he can go back out after already throwing 21 pitches. It just doesn't make sense. I think you play the odds and figure they get at least another run in, and trust Rosario can manage a 2 run lead.
I didn't think it was a horrible idea to waste the out so you could use Strop and let the rest of the pen sit, then let Russell come to the plate with bases loaded and 2 outs and see if he can do something. But to let Strop swing there was really dumb.
I’ve said it the last two postseasons and I’m going to say it now - since the Brewers series, Joe has reverted to his postseason issue of overmanaging.
I have no issues with how he treats our lineup, he can put out whoever he wants to hit. But he has no ******* clue how to work with pitchers in October and apparently now as well.
I have no issues with how he treats our lineup, he can put out whoever he wants to hit. But he has no ******* clue how to work with pitchers in October and apparently now as well.
Strop was already 21 pitches in. It was basically down to La Stella with the bases loaded and a fresh Rosario vs. Strop hitting and Strop pitching having already thrown 21 pitches. I guess I don't even see those two options as close.
To be fair, if that had been called safe initially he probably would have been safe on review. It isn't like he was running like Bartolo Colon to first base. Also if he hadn't pulled the hammy he might have been a split second faster and there is no review necessary. I'm not sure if he pulled it on his second to last stride and only really felt it when touching the bag or he pulled it when he stepped on the bag.
When you're trying to keep a fresh bullpen after the stretch we have had, I get Joes reasoning for burning Strop and not having him available today and having a 100% fresh Rosario.
Sure, but I think the luxury of saving the bullpen is kind of out the window right now. That's a luxury for teams with 3+ game leads. Until we are back to that, you've got to manage to win every game.
Managing to preserve your bullpen for the next game is part of managing to win every game.
No, you manage to win the most games out of a 162 game schedule, and manage so your not exhausted come playoff time. If you have to take a few lumps along the way for the good of the season as a whole, you do it.
I've said this a few times, but the Cubs have a HUGE advantage in being able to sleep in their own beds the last 11 nights of the season, and if they get home field advantage in the Divisional Series, they will sleep in their own beds for 15 straight night. I think Joe gets this to, and is pretty confident that we will prevail down the stretch.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
