Change Your Fundies: Rockies/Mets iGT 8/10/10

[bmfc1]

I'll give Jerry kudos for learning from a mistake... last night, he pinch ran Francoeur for Carter in the 8th. He could have used Castillo, arguably faster than Francoeur, but that would have left him without the option to PH for Tejada if he wanted to. On Sunday, he PH Castillo in the 5th which left him without a backup middle IF so he felt that he had to let Tejada bat in the 9th (when he could have PH Hessman). This is obvious stuff but Jerry didn't get it on Sunday and he got it last night so good for him.


(I added "middle" before IF. Hessman's an IF but plays 1B/3B. The point is the same.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

That's why my tee shirt says "LEARN, JERRY, LEARN!"

I would guess Niese is a faster runner than Francoeur. Would a faster runner have scored on that double?

[Ceetar]

That's why my tee shirt says "LEARN, JERRY, LEARN!"

I would guess Niese is a faster runner than Francoeur. Would a faster runner have scored on that double?[/quote:2pe7wtn7]

I think Frenchy may have even scored on the double. But if it was Castillo it'd be a more sure thing. I think they held him at third because there were no outs.

[Gwreck]

There was no chance of Francouer scoring. A runner would have scored only if they were running on the pitch.

[Guest themetfairy]

You do get some amazing photos. Thanks.[/quote:2z5t9uj1]

Not amazing, but I'm learning. But thanks for the compliment

[Frayed Knot]

There was no chance of Francouer scoring. A runner would have scored only if they were running on the pitch.[/quote:20agsd9v]

I agree. It was a liner that came off the wall and straight back to the strong-armed Hawpe.
Thole wound up only barely getting to 2nd and I don't think Reyes/Pagan score on that one unless they were off on the pitch.

The best thing about that switch was that it got Carter off the field (that, rather than speed, was its main purpose anyway) because an inning later Martinez - moved over to LF to make room for Francoeur - makes that diving catch coming in that Carter almost certainly doesn't.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yes, I'm certain that switch was about defense. I was just asking if there was a somewhat better baserunner in the meantime.

At any rate, making a switch for defense before the team has achieved a lead (or indeed come any closer than getting a runner or first with no out) is dangerous business. Classick Jerry playing for the tie there. He certainly could have made the swap after achieving the lead.

The difference in footspeed though is near negligible, isn't it? I'd put Carter at below average and Francouer as a little bit less below average.

[Frayed Knot]

Eh, I don't think that's such a conservative move.
It's already bottom 7 and that spot in the lineup isn't even a sure bet to come around again (it didn't as things turned out) and scoring there makes it even less likely. Besides, it's not like Carter is some great established hitter that's being yanked here -- unlike, say, Girardi pulling ARod for a pr the other day and having to hit backup IF Ramiro Pena in his spot in the 9th inning of a tight game later on.

So speed was upgraded somewhat; defense upgraded significantly; and I think we'll survive without a (possible) Chris Carter AB in the late inning for a guy who - flaws and all - has most of our GW-RBIs over the last two weeks.