Joe Girardi’s use of the bullpen today demonstrated something that always bothers me. After six good innings from Joba Chamberlain, Girardi goes to Brian Bruney, who easily retires the side in order. Instead of sticking with Bruney, Girardi goes to Marte. My problem is that the more a manager goes to the pen, the more likely he is to bring in someone having an off day. Marte, however, retires the first two batters, both lefties. With a righty coming up, however, Girardi starts playing the lefty-righty game, and the things blow up. Veras walks a batter, then Coke gives up three hits, and a 4-3 lead turns into a 6-4 loss. Why not Bruney for two, then Rivera?
I can understand not wanting to bring in Mo for the four out save. He’s 39 and just had shoulder surgery, so there’s no reason to push him in the sixth game of the season.
I can even understand replacing Bruney with Marte because of the lefties due up, but why not just leave Marte out there to get that last out of the inning? Joe got too cute.
however it should also be noted that it was raining pretty hard all game and everyone was slipping around the field all game long, both team scored multiple runs on plays that fieldesr probably should have gotten to but didn’t get a firm footing or simply fell. and Joba clearly lost a good deal of control after the first 2+ inning. so it was a messy affair to start with.
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