Why bother pinch hitting?

Dave Cameron thinks we're successful in part because we don't pinch hit, considering how poorly pinch hitters have been hitting.

8 months ago Torgen 4 comments 0 recs |

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fascinating

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 19, 2009 6:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Problem is his one example is the one spot Cito will bring in a pinch hitter

Rather than making a knee-jerk replacement of a lefty hitter like Lyle Overbay (pictured) when the other manager brings in a left-handed pitcher, Mr. Gaston simply stands pat.

That’s the time he has brought someone in. I still think bringing someone in to hit for Mac at a big moment in the game is a no brainer…..

by Tom Dakers on May 19, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the analysis probably has some use when we’re talking about swapping Millar/Overbay and Bautista/Snider late in the game, but not when we’re talking about pinch-hitting for Mac (and I would also include Chavez in that category) in high-leverage situations

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on May 19, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is another small sample size thing....

the other part is, often when you do pinch hit it is against a good pitcher so the numbers will be down. But yeah pinch hitting for Lyle and Millar is likely not a big deal most the time.

by Tom Dakers on May 19, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs