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Author Topic: Why not squeeze in the 9th?  (Read 2836 times)

T. J.

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Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« on: October 26, 2005, 10:31:37 am »
Was I crazy to be expecting a squeeze in the 9th when Willy was up?  Even if you miss it, you've got Bidge at 2nd with two outs.  I didn't second-guess much from that game, but I was surprised there.
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lc_db

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2005, 10:37:19 am »
Because.... fundamentally, WillieT is not an accomplished "bunter".  

Sure he can drop a drag bunt (Hell, he even pushed on towards first earlier in the series) for an attempted hit, but when he HAS to put the bat on the ball he is a risk.
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Astros Fan in Big D

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2005, 10:38:54 am »
I agree, a safety squeeze would have made sense.  Especially with 2 strikes, Taveras should get a pitch he can handle.  If he strikes out/bunts foul, like you said, you still have Biggio coming up.

Luckily there are so many scars/scabs from other playoff losses that this one's effect has been blunted on me.
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BudGirl

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2005, 10:40:17 am »
Quote:

I agree, a safety squeeze would have made sense.  Especially with 2 strikes, Taveras should get a pitch he can handle.  If he strikes out/bunts foul, like you said, you still have Biggio coming up.

Luckily there are so many scars/scabs from other playoff losses that this one's effect has been blunted on me.



Biggio was already on first.  You meant Berkman, right?
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MikeyBoy

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2005, 10:41:14 am »
Quote:

Was I crazy to be expecting a squeeze in the 9th when Willy was up?  Even if you miss it, you've got Bidge at 2nd with two outs.  I didn't second-guess much from that game, but I was surprised there.



a) El Duque was all over the place
b) Taveras popped up a bunt earlier in the game
c) Berkman/Ensberg due up
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T. J.

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2005, 10:41:59 am »
Perhaps.  He did royally screw up a bunt in the early innings.  And I remember a game early in the season (in the 15-30 days) in which Willy blew a squeeze attempt.  I dunno.  Like I said, that was really my only second-guess.

If you want to see somebody REALLY second-guessing the Astros, read this morning's Tom Verducci column:  The Link  Warning, you'll be pissed off when you finish (if you have the energy to be pissed off this morning.)
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BudGirl

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2005, 10:43:36 am »
Quote:

Perhaps.  He did royally screw up a bunt in the early innings.  And I remember a game early in the season (in the 15-30 days) in which Willy blew a squeeze attempt.  I dunno.  Like I said, that was really my only second-guess.

If you want to see somebody REALLY second-guessing the Astros, read this morning's Tom Verducci column:  The Link  Warning, you'll be pissed off when you finish (if you have the energy to be pissed off this morning.)



Second guessing?  I would have pinch hit Palmeiro for Willy.  A sac fly would have won the game at that juncture.  No way Berkman was going to get a good pitch to hit.
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Tralfaz

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2005, 10:47:17 am »
Quote:

Because.... fundamentally, WillieT is not an accomplished "bunter".  

Sure he can drop a drag bunt (Hell, he even pushed on towards first earlier in the series) for an attempted hit, but when he HAS to put the bat on the ball he is a risk.



I can't fault Phil on that call either.  Willy is hitting (.308 after the K) and I I'd still take my chances on him getting the hit before laying down a good squeeze there.  
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Phil_in_CS

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2005, 10:49:17 am »
Quote:


a) El Duque was all over the place




That's the main one for me. The pitches were coming in erratic and high. A suicide squeeze and Burke's dead at home; moving Bidge to 2nd has zero impact.

The idea to hit OP for willy is a good one though; fly ball and its game over.
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Curly

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2005, 10:52:30 am »
Contact is all we needed....ball on the ground or a flyball to the outfield gets us about an 85% chance of winning the game right there.
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Limey

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2005, 11:06:01 am »
Quote:

Was I crazy to be expecting a squeeze in the 9th when Willy was up?  Even if you miss it, you've got Bidge at 2nd with two outs.  I didn't second-guess much from that game, but I was surprised there.


The crowd in Roeder's was chanting "Squeeze!  Squeeze!  Squeeze!"
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BudGirl

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2005, 11:12:50 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Was I crazy to be expecting a squeeze in the 9th when Willy was up?  Even if you miss it, you've got Bidge at 2nd with two outs.  I didn't second-guess much from that game, but I was surprised there.


The crowd in Roeder's was chanting "Squeeze!  Squeeze!  Squeeze!"



I hate Morgan Ensberg.
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NeilT

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2005, 11:27:45 am »
How was Roeder's last night?
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BudGirl

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2005, 11:33:23 am »
Quote:

How was Roeder's last night?



I had a good time.  I think Kevin kept laughing at me, you know since I cheer for Ausmus.

Chuck was really stressing.  Matt seemed pretty calm.  Ankur was very tired.  Ray grew a lot of hair quickly.  Tim kept disappearing, I think because Matt told him to go away.
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Limey

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2005, 11:43:25 am »
Quote:

Chuck was really stressing.  Matt seemed pretty calm.  Ankur was very tired.  Ray grew a lot of hair quickly.  Tim kept disappearing, I think because Matt told him to go away.


Chuck lived and died on every pitch.  If at any time I felt that I couldn't stand it any more, I looked at Chuck and I felt better.
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BudGirl

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Re: Why not squeeze in the 9th?
« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2005, 11:48:38 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Chuck was really stressing.  Matt seemed pretty calm.  Ankur was very tired.  Ray grew a lot of hair quickly.  Tim kept disappearing, I think because Matt told him to go away.


Chuck lived and died on every pitch.  If at any time I felt that I couldn't stand it any more, I looked at Chuck and I felt better.



I hope he is feeling better this morning.
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