That sound you heard in the 8th was the collective groan of Nats fans when Vivas pinch hit for Young who already had a homer and a double. I understand PCA did not end up catching the ball. But anyone can do the L/R matchup thing. Is that all there is to Nats managing analytics?
That’s not analytics. That’s sound old school baseball. Putting a left hand bat to face a right hand pitcher is a strategy that has been used by Cap Anson, Connie Mack, Leo Durocher, Earl Weaver, Billy Martin and on and on and on….
Weaver would've gone on a lot more information than simply, “A right handed pitcher is in, so I need a left handed batter.” Who the pitcher was, how Young matched up against him, the game situation, and how well Young was swinging the bat would all have played a role.
Weaver certainly believed in platoon advantages, but he wasn't simply managing off a lefty/righty checklist. With Young already having a homer and a double and hitting .359/.471/.590 over his last 15 games, I think the hot bat would've been part of the equation too.
After all, playing the hot bat is old-school baseball too.
Weaver’s use of stats to get an advantage is Analytics. In fact Weaver practiced analytical baseball before it was a thing. To have a lefty face a righty based on handedness is old school.
I agree Weaver was using analytics before the term existed. My issue is that Butera’s moves seem too heavily based on platooning instead of the whole situation. This one depleted the bench, cost them the DH and made the defense worse, all to get the left/right matchup when he already had a hot hitter at the plate.
Butera’s doing okay, but I’m not ready to put him up against Earl Weaver just yet. You can disagree, that’s just my opinion.
I think were in agreement. Looking at the stats at FanGraphs, it doesn’t seem like Butera’s decision was analytically base. But then again I don’t have access to the Nationals’ internal stats and all the various in-game permutations/ odds risks that their sabermetricians formulate.
I think we are too. And that’s fair, none of us knows what internal numbers the Nationals are looking at. I just thought in this particular situation there were enough other factors that I would’ve left Young in.
I know you know baseball and are a big analytics guy, and I agree with most of it. I just think there’s a human side to managing too, how well a player is playing, his confidence, and what’s happening in that particular game. I’ve seen managers get better with experience, and I think part of that is developing a feel for the game. I just don’t think every decision can be reduced to the numbers.
And I enjoy talking baseball, so I’m certainly not trying to attack anyone. People point out things I’ve missed or gotten wrong all the time. I learn a little more from those discussions and maybe even understand the game a little better.
I guess he has to start here at some point, but the Cubs are a tall order. I dont want his confidence shaken. Remember Cornelio's debut? That seemed brutal.
Jake not pulled quick enough (and showing he shouldn’t be counted on in the rotation next year). Kranic not good enough. Mikolas actually looked pretty good as a reliever - John Smoltz did it, why not MM?
Tomorrow is all about Kent. Most Nats pitchers starting have struggled in their call up. Current Nats management has been patient, hope he is ready for the stage. There clearly are openings on next year’s rotation for the taking.
So that was it for MM tonight. I see he said his goodbyes. I see and appreciate the team’s focus on next year’s roster, unlike in previous years when a Littel or a Mikolas like vet would have been around to the bitter end.
In previous years they would’ve been traded or dumped also, and Rizzo could’ve gotten something in a trade….he was a beast with dumping offing players like that. Rizzo also was actually quoted once that a pitcher was dumped because he simply got tired of watching him.
I expect Mikolas to be DFAed as the corresponding move to calling up Kent. Since he's reached 10 years of service time, I wonder if Mikolas would consider retiring as a player and transitioning to coaching. He seems like someone I would want to keep around the org...so long as he stays far away from the mound during gameplay.
"...Jackson Kent will indeed make his MLB debut tomorrow night. The Nationals aren’t announcing any corresponding moves yet, but Miles Mikolas was saying goodbye to teammates and coaches in the clubhouse."
Get 'em tomorrow, fellas!
Go, Nats!!
Eh can’t be mad at the offense. They battled. Brady House POTG for me tho.
Get em tomorrow. Excited for Jackson Kent’s debut
That sound you heard in the 8th was the collective groan of Nats fans when Vivas pinch hit for Young who already had a homer and a double. I understand PCA did not end up catching the ball. But anyone can do the L/R matchup thing. Is that all there is to Nats managing analytics?
That’s not analytics. That’s sound old school baseball. Putting a left hand bat to face a right hand pitcher is a strategy that has been used by Cap Anson, Connie Mack, Leo Durocher, Earl Weaver, Billy Martin and on and on and on….
Weaver would've gone on a lot more information than simply, “A right handed pitcher is in, so I need a left handed batter.” Who the pitcher was, how Young matched up against him, the game situation, and how well Young was swinging the bat would all have played a role.
Weaver certainly believed in platoon advantages, but he wasn't simply managing off a lefty/righty checklist. With Young already having a homer and a double and hitting .359/.471/.590 over his last 15 games, I think the hot bat would've been part of the equation too.
After all, playing the hot bat is old-school baseball too.
Weaver’s use of stats to get an advantage is Analytics. In fact Weaver practiced analytical baseball before it was a thing. To have a lefty face a righty based on handedness is old school.
I agree Weaver was using analytics before the term existed. My issue is that Butera’s moves seem too heavily based on platooning instead of the whole situation. This one depleted the bench, cost them the DH and made the defense worse, all to get the left/right matchup when he already had a hot hitter at the plate.
Butera’s doing okay, but I’m not ready to put him up against Earl Weaver just yet. You can disagree, that’s just my opinion.
I think were in agreement. Looking at the stats at FanGraphs, it doesn’t seem like Butera’s decision was analytically base. But then again I don’t have access to the Nationals’ internal stats and all the various in-game permutations/ odds risks that their sabermetricians formulate.
I think we are too. And that’s fair, none of us knows what internal numbers the Nationals are looking at. I just thought in this particular situation there were enough other factors that I would’ve left Young in.
I know you know baseball and are a big analytics guy, and I agree with most of it. I just think there’s a human side to managing too, how well a player is playing, his confidence, and what’s happening in that particular game. I’ve seen managers get better with experience, and I think part of that is developing a feel for the game. I just don’t think every decision can be reduced to the numbers.
And I enjoy talking baseball, so I’m certainly not trying to attack anyone. People point out things I’ve missed or gotten wrong all the time. I learn a little more from those discussions and maybe even understand the game a little better.
Wonder about calling up a pitcher fresh from Rochester to start for tomorrow’s game is a good idea against a solid Cubs team?
Apparently the guy grew up as a Cubs fan. Could be fun!
I guess he has to start here at some point, but the Cubs are a tall order. I dont want his confidence shaken. Remember Cornelio's debut? That seemed brutal.
I remember his debut; it was brutal!
The good ones rise to the occasion. Won’t kill him.
Jake not pulled quick enough (and showing he shouldn’t be counted on in the rotation next year). Kranic not good enough. Mikolas actually looked pretty good as a reliever - John Smoltz did it, why not MM?
Tomorrow is all about Kent. Most Nats pitchers starting have struggled in their call up. Current Nats management has been patient, hope he is ready for the stage. There clearly are openings on next year’s rotation for the taking.
So that was it for MM tonight. I see he said his goodbyes. I see and appreciate the team’s focus on next year’s roster, unlike in previous years when a Littel or a Mikolas like vet would have been around to the bitter end.
In previous years they would’ve been traded or dumped also, and Rizzo could’ve gotten something in a trade….he was a beast with dumping offing players like that. Rizzo also was actually quoted once that a pitcher was dumped because he simply got tired of watching him.
If he was tired of watching him, I’m sure I was too.
I expect Mikolas to be DFAed as the corresponding move to calling up Kent. Since he's reached 10 years of service time, I wonder if Mikolas would consider retiring as a player and transitioning to coaching. He seems like someone I would want to keep around the org...so long as he stays far away from the mound during gameplay.
"...Jackson Kent will indeed make his MLB debut tomorrow night. The Nationals aren’t announcing any corresponding moves yet, but Miles Mikolas was saying goodbye to teammates and coaches in the clubhouse."
Source: Mark Z. posting on X.
Bad night for the Irvin sombrero.
And Happy Birthday Mark (+1)! It was on the scoreboard last night!