Brilliant Performance by Hill Wasted

I posted over a year ago on the MLB forum, "Why does Roberts scare so easily?"  It was about how he handles pitchers.  The game I was refering to was one in which Roberts took out the starter (I forget who), who allowed one base runner in the 7th, and the reliever served up a two run  homer to tie the game.  Nowadays, a reliever allows one base runner and he's removed.  It used to be that the staff had 10 pitchers, now it's 13, and not many bench players to pinch hit if needed.  I bet Honeycutt and Roberts have arguments about how to use pitchers.  I'd defer to Honeycutt, having been an MLB pitcher.  

It’ll never happen because his tenure (other than winning the World Series) has been successful, but Roberts and his book of analytics would be gone if I was the owner.

He’s fallen into that same “original” DDF mode and continues to lose us games based on his “computer reports” instead of his gut. I can say IMHO that his “decisions” have cost us at least two of the three games lost, and the third is not far off.

Up 2 - 1 with Ryu on the mound (and only at 70 pitches) he brings in gas can Madson who promptly walks in a run and then gives up a base hit for another two. Game over - no way we come back down two in their park in that weather.

Up 4 - 0 last night, pulls Hill after he just blew a dude away on strikes. Okay - I read where Hill said to “keep an eye on him”, but it’s probably his last game of the year - why not see if he can get you through seven?

That way, if he brings in Jansen for two innings (which again I STILL don’t and never will believe is a good move), the HR makes it 4 - 1, instead of 4 - 4.

Nope - we get a walk out of Alexander and a bomb out of Madson.

Even at 5 - 4, bases loaded and two out, he brings in Kenta who has not been good coming in with runners on. Bam - bases clearing double and again, game over.

And going back to game one, Baez literally blows two guys away with his high heat. But Davey pulls him for Wood who coughs up one over the monster and 5 - 4 becomes 8 - 4. On a rainy night in Boston, no chance in hell we’re coming back.

Even BEFORE the series started, he was considering starting Hill in game 1. Should have made that call. Remember how good Kersh pitched in game 2 against Atlanta? He seemed a little pissed with Ryu getting the opener and that was a GOOD thing.

Maybe we come back from Boston up 2 - 0, or even tied. Now we’re in the unenviable position of having to win three straight, two of which are in Boston.

Who knows which Kersh we’re going to get tonight. Our odds are long and we’ll be there again tonight. I just hope we don’t have to watch those lousy Sox celebrate on our field.

GO DODGERS!!!