A-1 BASEBALL: OVERMANAGING

Recently I saw a couple games get away late from teams that had a very demoralizing effect because they were leading most of the game. Bad teams lose games early and in the middle innings because they get blown out. When in position to win a game holding a 2-3 run lead in the 9th inning managers have to think a little different, especially those teams that don't have an established closer and are going by "committee".

The Astros led the Athletics 3-1 going to the bottom of the ninth. Matt Albers (ERA 0.90) pitched a fine 8th inning and is not a stranger to going 1+ innings. Chad Qualls (3.86 ERA) was brought into the game with 8 days rest. From the beginning, Qualls wasn't sharp. 1 walk and 4 hits later the A's walked away with a 4-3 win. The action of bringing in Qualls and the inaction of not taking him out when things were on fire falls on Bo Porter.

Bo Porter vs Oakland A's (Getty Images)

Yesterday, April 23rd, the Kansas City Packers (Arizona Diamondbacks) and the Chicago Federals (Chicago Cubs) celebrated the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field (April 23, 1914). A very nice day for the franchise with the Hall of Famers on hand and the teams fitted in their 1914 retro uniforms with stockings. The day ended on a sour note for the home team. The Cubs went into the 9th inning leading 5-2. Hector Rondon, having an excellent year (0.84 ERA) got the last 2 outs of the 8th inning on 6 pitches looking very strong. Pedro Strop (3.52 ERA) was brought in to close the game. 24 pitches later (2 walks and a botched double play grounder by Starlin Castro) Strop had not made the first out. He did manage 2 outs but then in combination with James Russell and Justin Grimm they blew up the game and handed Arizona a 5 spot to eventually lose 7-5. It took 42 pitches to end this ugly inning. The body language of the Cubs after this game was awful. The Cubs broadcast team was shocked.

Rick Renteria (shawmedia.com)

In both instances the managers played a vital role in the loss. With no established closers and the 8th inning guys pitching very well why not let them start the 9th and make moves if they get in trouble?

The bullpen is an area that can be constructed with efficiency and cost containment. The good teams do it all the time. This is a bullpen era and if you don't have a good one or handle it well the results are disastrous.

PITCHING SPECTACULAR

The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves just finished a 3 game series in Atlanta with the Fish losing 2 of 3 late , but giving the division leading Braves notice that they'll be tough this year. Evan Gattis was the hero in games 1 and 3 with a walk-off HR in game 1 and a pinch-hit 2 run double in game 3 to seal the win. Jose Fernandez gave the Marlins their first road win in the 2nd game with a sparkling 1-0 win with 3 hits allowed, 0 walks and 14 K's in 8 IP.
Overall pitching was spectacular in this series.