I’m somewhat surprised at all the second guessing going on about Don Mattingly and his decisions in game one. The truth is that the Dodger offense couldn’t score against an inexperience starter and a group of relievers that included Carlos Martinez and Seth Maness. Mattingly tried to execute one-run strategies late in a tie game, when you’re supposed to execute one-run strategies. They didn’t work out, but that doesn’t mean the reverse would have been true. The manager can only do so much.
The next time he sends in a runner to steal a base, however, he should make it clear to the batter that he should take a could of pitches.
It was the bunting to take the bat out of Hanley’s hands that really set many of us off. What did he THINK was going to happen with first base open and a runner in scoring position? Of course the Cards would walk him (twice)!