Gut punch last night. Need to sweep DH. Harrison, on his way to HOF after two starts is now back down. And, oh boy, Ross Stripling!
Kapler made yet another of his patented, short sighted splits over all moves. 8th inning up 1, he PH’s Pederson for Matos leading off. Thus, not only losing Pederson for a perhaps more high leverage AB, but weakening his defense ahead late. He then replaces Pederson with Slater. Thus losing the option of using Slater vs lefty in high leverage situation should it arise.
Sure enough, Slater the defensive replacement misses cut off in 8th, allowing lead run to get in scoring position. Got away with it. Then in 9th, bases loaded two outs up 2-1, Slater comes up vs RH. Waves at three sliders that weren’t close. That would have been a better time to use Pederson for Matos if Kaplervso inclined. (Although I’d have let Matos hit). Black would either have had Pederson vs RH or brought in a LH to face him. Then Kapler could have countered with Slater. But he’d already played that card.
Kapler doesn’t think beyond the moment. Good managers do.
Kapler made yet another of his patented, short sighted splits over all moves. 8th inning up 1, he PH’s Pederson for Matos leading off. Thus, not only losing Pederson for a perhaps more high leverage AB, but weakening his defense ahead late. He then replaces Pederson with Slater. Thus losing the option of using Slater vs lefty in high leverage situation should it arise.
Sure enough, Slater the defensive replacement misses cut off in 8th, allowing lead run to get in scoring position. Got away with it. Then in 9th, bases loaded two outs up 2-1, Slater comes up vs RH. Waves at three sliders that weren’t close. That would have been a better time to use Pederson for Matos if Kaplervso inclined. (Although I’d have let Matos hit). Black would either have had Pederson vs RH or brought in a LH to face him. Then Kapler could have countered with Slater. But he’d already played that card.
Kapler doesn’t think beyond the moment. Good managers do.