Down 2-0 in the bottom of the 8th, bases loaded, 2 outs. Who do you want pitching? Your flame-throwing closer who had 71 Ks and a 2.73 ERA this season or a mediocre swingman who has just walked two batters and has yet to throw a strike?
Keep in mind, there's a day off on Friday and Feliz has already had 5 days of rest, so keeping him rested isn't an issue.
Well, the batter is a lefty and so is swingman Derek Holland. But Feliz has a reverse-platoon split. Career #s vs LHB:
Holland - .246/.318./.377, 39 K, 19 BB
Feliz - .136/.216/.233, 58 K, 13 BB
Did I already mention that Holland has just thrown 8 straight balls? AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Of course, Holland walks the batter on 5 pitches. 3-0 Giants.
Okay, the game's still within reach. Definitely time to take out Holland. Who does Washington bring in from the pen?
Mark Lowe.
Mark Lowe!?! Mark Lowe pitched a total of 3 innings for the Rangers this season. And he pitched poorly in those innings, with a 12.00 ERA. He pitched for the first time in the postseason on Wednesday and allowed 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning.
Basically, this decision says that Washington has given up on the game and doesn't mind going down two games to none.
Lowe walks a batter. 4-0.
Lowe gives up a single. 6-0.
FOX showed a shot of GM Jon Daniels and Joe Buck said "and Daniels wonders what's happened to his talented bullpen."
What happened is that your talented closer is sitting on his ass in the bullpen while some guy who pitched 3 innings for you all season blew the game.
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2 comments:
excellent point, and it's not like it was Game 1. Now they are staring into the abyss without having used their best weapons.
Another year passes without a 7-game World Series. The ratings have been poor for teams from such big markets.
So frustrating. You nailed it. Could have used Felix in Game 1 of the ALCS as well. Thanks for O'Day by the way.
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