5/11 Game Thread - Cole in the desert
Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 1:13 pm
103D30212637206063520 wrote: Other than the Polanco HR, the Pirates had only 2 baserunners. Both were thrown out stealing. They are the only team in the NL (and one of two teams in MLB) that has been caught stealing (16 times) more than they have stolen (15 times). They are also 13th in team OBP in the NL. Which means that they are one of the worst teams for getting men on base and are far too often having the few runners that do manage to get on base needlessly removed from the base paths and sent back to the dugout.
I understand the thinking that the hitting is so nonexistent that getting around the bases from 1B is unlikely to be achieved by getting a few subsequent hits in the same inning. So a SB has the potential to get a guy into scoring position where it might only take 1 hit to score him. But when you have runners thrown out more often than they get the SB, that strategy becomes counterproductive. So it's darned if you do; darned if you don't.
I've also been reading that MLB is on a pace to set a record for most HRs in a season. Even saw an article speculating the ball may be juiced this year. But here's our poor little stepchild Pirates in 14th place in the NL in HRs with 30. The league average is 49.
In their last 23 games they have scored 2 or fewer runs 12 times (52%). In all, they have played a total of 35 games and scored 3 runs or less in 22 of them (63%). It is becoming unwatchable.
I agree.
Many want them to play small ball, steal bases, or hit & run. The problem is that they can't afford to give away outs, the current players aren't good at stealing bases, the team isn't hitting. This strategy would be counter productive.
I understand the thinking that the hitting is so nonexistent that getting around the bases from 1B is unlikely to be achieved by getting a few subsequent hits in the same inning. So a SB has the potential to get a guy into scoring position where it might only take 1 hit to score him. But when you have runners thrown out more often than they get the SB, that strategy becomes counterproductive. So it's darned if you do; darned if you don't.
I've also been reading that MLB is on a pace to set a record for most HRs in a season. Even saw an article speculating the ball may be juiced this year. But here's our poor little stepchild Pirates in 14th place in the NL in HRs with 30. The league average is 49.
In their last 23 games they have scored 2 or fewer runs 12 times (52%). In all, they have played a total of 35 games and scored 3 runs or less in 22 of them (63%). It is becoming unwatchable.
I agree.
Many want them to play small ball, steal bases, or hit & run. The problem is that they can't afford to give away outs, the current players aren't good at stealing bases, the team isn't hitting. This strategy would be counter productive.