Re: Official Game Thread - 8/26 - Bucs vs Cubbies
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:10 am
So watching directly into the dugout, one could read Shelton's body language on the Bido implosion, it was clear he was indecisive on what to do. He was slow to get someone up, despite Bido's track record of falling apart once he's walked a man or 5. Yet, he allowed the 5 run inning to occur, when it was obvious he was trying to show confidence in the guy again, when he had guys that should have been back up again the moment the first batter, and certainly the second, reached base. You could just see the wheels spinning worrying about the bullpen the rest of the way, instead of worrying about today's game.
I don't care about what lineup he puts out there. I care about how he manages the pitching staff, and for the vast majority of the time, he just doesn't seem to be able to read the room. Bido had a tremendous amount of pitches in his first inning of work, and despite the 1-2-3 inning, he was already at a heavy workload heading into his third inning of work.
I'm really tired of him pulling the plug on a pitcher after he's already put the next guy coming in with his back up against the wall.
Peguero didn't help matters much either. I have no idea where to play the guy, he's starting to look like Castro 2.0. Williams doesn't come across as some elite or even above average fielder, his footwork is awful, and he goes for the backhand snare way too much when it isn't necessary. His throws are rarely on target, even routine outs he has the first baseman stretching.
I was at the game, and have no clue what happened when the first three guys reach HR, single, BB....then 9 of the next 12 batters strike out, and he sets down 15 in a row, and three more after that once he was lifted? It looked to us like they were trying to upper cut balls down at their ankles, but IDK. Did the rookie just get it together? It was sickening after the game to see him out there, as the Pirates allowed his gazillion guests to come out onto OUR field and give him hugs and photo ops.
Why wasn't Rivas inserted into the game in the top of the ninth? I'm not saying he stops Bellinger's 2 out single that preceded the 2 run Suzuki double, but Joe looked to have come pretty close. Going back to Peguero, was it a freak hop to his left, or did he just misread Swanson's swing? He went to his right when it looked like from where he was positioned, a step over and he has that ball. Either way, Hatch was getting hit hard, and Shelton needed to pull him, instead of hoping on hope he could get Suzuki in the righty on righty matchup.
Hayes, Reynolds, and Cutch all looked like they threw in the towel with their AB's in the 6th with the new pitcher on.
Bae has to quit swinging for the fences when he isn't trying to slap the ball to left.
Speaking of Cutch, he looks hobbled, and has for quite some time. IIRC correctly, he nose dived for a while at the plate leading up to his 2,000th hit. The same seems to be occurring with the 300th HR. He looked horrific striking out with Reynolds on 2nd with a chance to make it 8-7, or even better, get that 300 and tie the game.
I know Reynolds had to face the closer, but looking at strike three after swinging at two pitches that looked out of the zone? Of course, we were all hoping for the fairy tale of Cutch coming up with a chance to tie the score again had Reynolds reached.
I said it back in spring training. This team strikes out way too much for a team with little power.
Worst part of it all? Friday night, I was out of character on a foul ball that went directly overhead but way back, I always turn around for a rebound. But I didn't this night, and it sailed right past me to the guy right in front of me who wasn't even paying attention. Tonight, I had a screaming line drive come right to the seat next to me, but it clanked off the base of my thumb, and down to the seats below. So now I have a massive bruise and a swollen hand.
I don't care about what lineup he puts out there. I care about how he manages the pitching staff, and for the vast majority of the time, he just doesn't seem to be able to read the room. Bido had a tremendous amount of pitches in his first inning of work, and despite the 1-2-3 inning, he was already at a heavy workload heading into his third inning of work.
I'm really tired of him pulling the plug on a pitcher after he's already put the next guy coming in with his back up against the wall.
Peguero didn't help matters much either. I have no idea where to play the guy, he's starting to look like Castro 2.0. Williams doesn't come across as some elite or even above average fielder, his footwork is awful, and he goes for the backhand snare way too much when it isn't necessary. His throws are rarely on target, even routine outs he has the first baseman stretching.
I was at the game, and have no clue what happened when the first three guys reach HR, single, BB....then 9 of the next 12 batters strike out, and he sets down 15 in a row, and three more after that once he was lifted? It looked to us like they were trying to upper cut balls down at their ankles, but IDK. Did the rookie just get it together? It was sickening after the game to see him out there, as the Pirates allowed his gazillion guests to come out onto OUR field and give him hugs and photo ops.
Why wasn't Rivas inserted into the game in the top of the ninth? I'm not saying he stops Bellinger's 2 out single that preceded the 2 run Suzuki double, but Joe looked to have come pretty close. Going back to Peguero, was it a freak hop to his left, or did he just misread Swanson's swing? He went to his right when it looked like from where he was positioned, a step over and he has that ball. Either way, Hatch was getting hit hard, and Shelton needed to pull him, instead of hoping on hope he could get Suzuki in the righty on righty matchup.
Hayes, Reynolds, and Cutch all looked like they threw in the towel with their AB's in the 6th with the new pitcher on.
Bae has to quit swinging for the fences when he isn't trying to slap the ball to left.
Speaking of Cutch, he looks hobbled, and has for quite some time. IIRC correctly, he nose dived for a while at the plate leading up to his 2,000th hit. The same seems to be occurring with the 300th HR. He looked horrific striking out with Reynolds on 2nd with a chance to make it 8-7, or even better, get that 300 and tie the game.
I know Reynolds had to face the closer, but looking at strike three after swinging at two pitches that looked out of the zone? Of course, we were all hoping for the fairy tale of Cutch coming up with a chance to tie the score again had Reynolds reached.
I said it back in spring training. This team strikes out way too much for a team with little power.
Worst part of it all? Friday night, I was out of character on a foul ball that went directly overhead but way back, I always turn around for a rebound. But I didn't this night, and it sailed right past me to the guy right in front of me who wasn't even paying attention. Tonight, I had a screaming line drive come right to the seat next to me, but it clanked off the base of my thumb, and down to the seats below. So now I have a massive bruise and a swollen hand.