Here is a prime example of Hurdle's shortcomings that have nothing to do with Nutting: Friday July 5 vs Milw. Bucs have won 10 of 14, are 4 games out of the division lead and there are just 2 more games before the AS break. Up until this point Crick had been fairly effective as a back end BP guy and he last pitched 3 days earlier and only once in the last 4 days and they have 4 days off beginning that Monday. Bucs trail 2-1 in the top of the 8th and Hurdle puts his most problematic reliever, Neverauskas, in for the 8th inning. Neverauskas gives up 4 more runs, the Pirates later score 5 but end up losing anyway in the 10th. Hurdle later explains that he wanted to save Crick for the next 2 days.
Obviously he had much more faith in Crick than in Neverauskas or else he could have said Crick would pitch the 8th and Neverauskas could be used instead of Crick in at least 1 of the next games. But Hurdle was holding his breath and crossing his fingers that his worst reliever could keep the game close and then Crick would be available to 2 upcoming games prior to the AS break, the circumstances of those future games as yet unknown. But the following day, the Pirates had one of their best games and won 12-2 needing no help from Crick. So Hurdle had needlessly punted on a 2-1 game in the 8th just in case the circumstances of the next game would require Crick, which they didn't. And Neverauskas, who Hurdle trusted in that situation, was sent down afterwards and hasn't been seen in these parts since.
Nutting is the biggest problem. NH is a major problem. But Hurdle is also a significant problem in how he handles the players he is given. He never seems to prioritize winning unless he's sacrificing the game he's playing in order to enhance the chances of winning a future game even though the circumstances of today's game are right in front of his face while the circumstances of tomorrow's game are a complete unknown.
St. Louis vs Pittsburgh
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St. Louis vs Pittsburgh
735E53424554430300310 wrote: Here is a prime example of Hurdle's shortcomings that have nothing to do with Nutting: Friday July 5 vs Milw. Bucs have won 10 of 14, are 4 games out of the division lead and there are just 2 more games before the AS break. Up until this point Crick had been fairly effective as a back end BP guy and he last pitched 3 days earlier and only once in the last 4 days and they have 4 days off beginning that Monday. Bucs trail 2-1 in the top of the 8th and Hurdle puts his most problematic reliever, Neverauskas, in for the 8th inning. Neverauskas gives up 4 more runs, the Pirates later score 5 but end up losing anyway in the 10th. Hurdle later explains that he wanted to save Crick for the next 2 days.
Obviously he had much more faith in Crick than in Neverauskas or else he could have said Crick would pitch the 8th and Neverauskas could be used instead of Crick in at least 1 of the next games. But Hurdle was holding his breath and crossing his fingers that his worst reliever could keep the game close and then Crick would be available to 2 upcoming games prior to the AS break, the circumstances of those future games as yet unknown. But the following day, the Pirates had one of their best games and won 12-2 needing no help from Crick. So Hurdle had needlessly punted on a 2-1 game in the 8th just in case the circumstances of the next game would require Crick, which they didn't. And Neverauskas, who Hurdle trusted in that situation, was sent down afterwards and hasn't been seen in these parts since.
Nutting is the biggest problem. NH is a major problem. But Hurdle is also a significant problem in how he handles the players he is given. He never seems to prioritize winning unless he's sacrificing the game he's playing in order to enhance the chances of winning a future game even though the circumstances of today's game are right in front of his face while the circumstances of tomorrow's game are a complete unknown.
Agree 100%. This is why Clint Hurdle has to go - even though I think he's a good human being and a has done a decent job, until this year, of motivating his players.
Obviously he had much more faith in Crick than in Neverauskas or else he could have said Crick would pitch the 8th and Neverauskas could be used instead of Crick in at least 1 of the next games. But Hurdle was holding his breath and crossing his fingers that his worst reliever could keep the game close and then Crick would be available to 2 upcoming games prior to the AS break, the circumstances of those future games as yet unknown. But the following day, the Pirates had one of their best games and won 12-2 needing no help from Crick. So Hurdle had needlessly punted on a 2-1 game in the 8th just in case the circumstances of the next game would require Crick, which they didn't. And Neverauskas, who Hurdle trusted in that situation, was sent down afterwards and hasn't been seen in these parts since.
Nutting is the biggest problem. NH is a major problem. But Hurdle is also a significant problem in how he handles the players he is given. He never seems to prioritize winning unless he's sacrificing the game he's playing in order to enhance the chances of winning a future game even though the circumstances of today's game are right in front of his face while the circumstances of tomorrow's game are a complete unknown.
Agree 100%. This is why Clint Hurdle has to go - even though I think he's a good human being and a has done a decent job, until this year, of motivating his players.