Would very much have liked to see Ramos in the 9th instead of Wade. Again, the devotion to splits is a bit much. Think it through. Wade PH for Ramos to lead off 7th. Giants were ahead 3-2. It was obvious the spot was going to come up again. Ramos is a pretty good outfielder. Better than Wade. So, you may lose a bit defensively. Which you also don’t want to do ahead late. More to the point, if the Giants are behind, it’s going to be Puk in the 9th. But Kapler just had to get that lefty righty matchup. Damn whatever consequence comes later.
So, what what happens? Top 9 runner on first no one out down a run. Wade up instead of Ramos. He bunts. Which you never want to do down one on the road in the ninth inning. Ramos would not have bunted in that situation.
Good managers play out game situations in real time. They think ahead. Kapler manages by computer and by rote. And essentially, he’s just following game plans drawn up by the FO.
It’s the modern approach that Joe Maddon referred to - the game is being run by men in suits. And he did not mean Connie Mack.
So, what what happens? Top 9 runner on first no one out down a run. Wade up instead of Ramos. He bunts. Which you never want to do down one on the road in the ninth inning. Ramos would not have bunted in that situation.
Good managers play out game situations in real time. They think ahead. Kapler manages by computer and by rote. And essentially, he’s just following game plans drawn up by the FO.
It’s the modern approach that Joe Maddon referred to - the game is being run by men in suits. And he did not mean Connie Mack.