Quote:
Originally Posted by KCGal
So Nost left Guthrie out there today to help him get a win. Do you think Yost has been taking a similar approach with hitting? That is putting an emphasis on letting batters swing away to get practice on trying to hit home runs (that is, fire Seitzer because we need to hit more home runs). There have been so many times this year where the royals just needed good situational hitting (sac fly, etc) and they just can't execute. The announcers on the game today (Ripken etc) were commenting on how Lorenzo Cain looked like he was swinging for the fences with men on 2nd and 3rd. And that he just needed to shorten swing and focus on an RBI. I have wondered all season if Yost has not put a focus on situational hitting in an effort to "get more home runs."
I am not sure I'm making sense but hopefully.
|
This is where I disagree with a manager being important. Hitting is much more up to the player. Every player who goes up with a man on 2nd/3rd and one out knows they need to drive the ball. Their execution is based on skills. A manager isn't telling them to swing for the fence. You try to drive the ball and if you get the barrel on it, you might homer but that isn't your initial plan. We just don't have a lot of consistent hitters.
Pitching, however, needs to be managed from the standpoint that you play the matchups correctly to win close games. You know your bullpen and starters and no when someone is done or can keep going. No excuse for thinking Guts had it today.