Comments on: ALCS Coverage: Scioscia’s Blunder

By: Midland TX

Midland TX — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:12:28 +0000

Anybody notice the final at-bat of the ALCS?

Hint: GMJ strikes out pinch-hitting for Napoli. Again.

By: WY

WY — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:17:20 +0000

I fully grasp that. But there’s a pretty big difference between putting money on double zero and pinch-hitting for Napoli. The difference between his talent and the others’ isn’t nearly as vast. Furthermore, the team has information about their players that we simply don’t. We can agree or not agree with the moves, and we can have good reasons for disagreeing, but I don’t think it’s fair to call the people “stupid” when they know more about their players and more about baseball in general than the self-appointed experts who post and comment on sites like this. (And if you think I don’t understand statistics and math, think again.)

By: Alireza

Alireza — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:16:23 +0000

It is one thing to PH Izturis for Napoli, because he can hit a RHP pretty well. Matthews, on the other hand, doesn’t do much well anymore…

EXCEPT

For some reason, Lesser Sarge turns into Albert Pujols with RISP. I am pretty sure that had something to do with Scioscia’s thinking, even though such thinking isn’t always solidly supported statistically.

By: David Bradvica

David Bradvica — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:21:58 +0000

Thank you, thank you for pointing what was obvious to me at the time. When managers make such poor decisions, their teams deserve to lose.

By: Mike Green

Mike Green — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:30:44 +0000

“Not sure if it is true, but it has been said that Napoli has difficulty catching up to hard fastballs.”

The fangraphs pitch-type splits suggest that Napoli makes his money off fastballs. It would be interesting to see what the results are depending on speed, and compare Napoli’s results with Matthews on fastballs over 93 (say).

By: ineedanap

ineedanap — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:34:14 +0000

I agree WY.

I really like Cameron’s work on USSM. But it seems when he writes over here he takes a more “Ken Tremendous” approach, minus the funny.* Instead of railing on a manager for a certain decision simply because you cannot find a reason for that decision, why not try to ascertain his motive and then work from there? If you can’t find a motive, then simply say “I don’t know why this move was made” or don’t write a piece at all, instead of calling the move a blunder.

Also, most likely Napoli will catch Kazmir as he as caught every game for Kazmir since his arrival. After Kazmir leaves the game, though, all bets are off.

*Its one thing to blow all over a journalist who is relatively the same distance as the writer, its another thing to blow all over someone who has spent his entire life dedicated to his craft, works with his players everyday and is, therefore, privy to more knowledge about them than you or I. Criticize, yes. Rail on them without understanding their motive, no thanks.

By: ineedanap

ineedanap — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:12:14 +0000

Not sure if it is true, but it has been said that Napoli has difficulty catching up to hard fastballs. Also, although (I think) Napoli has increased his contact rate this year, he still is very prone to striking out. Perhaps, Scioscia, both in the case of Izturis and Matthews Jr, wanted a player with a better contact rate and a better chance to turn on a good fastball.

Again, I’m not sure if Napoli does have problems catching up to such fastballs, but Scioscia has been pretty consistant with using a PH’er for Napoli in high leverage situations when the pitcher has some gas.

By: ineedanap

ineedanap — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:02:59 +0000

Nothing quantifiable.

Visually, Mathis is the better defensive catcher ability-wise, although not always results-wise. Mathis is quicker, more agile, and has a better arm. But the difference really seems minute visually.

The other issue is that Napoli had offseason surgery. Not that it matters much in this case, but it may be a clue into why Scioscia tends to favor Mathis over a season.

Funny thing is Mathis leads the Angels in SLG for the 2009 playoffs and Napoli has only really drawn a few HBP.

By: ineedanap

ineedanap — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:48:58 +0000

Yep.

That one was worse than this decision. Should’ve left Oliver in, then let Fuentes get the last two outs for the save.

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:41:45 +0000

I don’t think this has been pointed out yet…

This is actually the SECOND TIME this playoffs that Scioscia has pinch-hit Matthews Jr. for Napoli.

The first time was with one out in the 9th in game three. Matthews proceeded to hit a harmless fly ball to center.

Don’t be surprised if Scioscia makes this move again in an even dumber situation.