Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Crown@club
Why not let Berroa loose on the basepaths?
a) ok I forgot its Torre.
b) Berroa bats in front of the pitcher
c) Berroa doesn't get on base enough
D) Berroa getting to old has Nomar legs.
E) All of the above
|
As long as they're smart at the plate, it's going to go o.k. That's been the big difference lately. See, despite what the quasi white supremacist types think, Kent getting hurt was a huge break. He is very, very slow, and struggles to time the hops on ground balls up the middle. On that last road trip he was killing us with missed plays on D in pivotal moments in games. He was leaving a ton of guys on base while hittn' in front of Manny. Quite simply he ran out of gas in late August of his final year. Since he has been hurt they've won 8 in a row. Do I think it's all because he is gone? No, I think they would of gone about 6-2, or 5-3 during this same time period. Why do I say he they are 2 or 3 games better without him?
1) defense...whoever you play at 2nd is a ton better up the middle. Remember the ball that hit off Loney and went to the 2nd baseman the other night. Don't think Kent's speed or reflexes would of allowed that play to be made, and it was a big play.
2) Here is the big one. Joe is realizing what I said over 3 -4 weeks ago: Ethier gives them their best team at bats. He simply doesn't give in. If he gets 2 strikes, he keeps fouling pitches off until he gets a walk. That's what allowed Manny to come up there atleast twice with 2 and 3 men on base on Saturday. Ethier is made to hit right smack in front of Manny. GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN ETHIER IS UP AT BAT IN FRONT OF MANNY. I think he is just trying to get on base any way he can. That means he is taking advantage of his ability to tire a pitcher out(instead of trying to hit a home run with each at bat.) He knows if he fails then Manny will still have a shot to get it done.
3) I think everyone is simply having more fun without worrying about what Kent is gunna say. They are just looser without him.