Bunting: That Thing That Losers Do

[Guest Edgy DC]

You've probably not thought about it, but perhaps have felt it, but it's been 49 2/3 innings since the Mets last sacrifice bunt --- at least their last successful one. It was a fifth-inning jobbie by Turner in a 4-1 victory over Oakland actually led to a score. That's what big gaps and AL rules will get you.

The Mets have had only five sacrifice hits in June, compared to 11 in May and 14 in April. Trending positive, there.

They are now 13th of 16 NL teams in sacrifice hits.

They're suddenly bleeding third in OPS! Tied for second, really!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Lead the world in walks drawn.

[Guest Edgy DC]

And it's not boring either. And my engagement is deep. Suck it, Jonah Leher.

[Vic Sage]

walks up, bunts down.
The ****bunter drank the Kool-Aid!
Yea, Terry!
Go, MoneyBall Mets!

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: You've probably not thought about it, but perhaps have felt it, but it's been 49 2/3 innings since the Mets last sacrifice bunt --- at least their last successful one. It was a fifth-inning jobbie by Turner in a 4-1 victory over Oakland actually led to a score. That's what big gaps and AL rules will get you. The Mets have had only five sacrifice hits in June, compared to 11 in May and 14 in April. Trending positive, there. They are now 13th of 16 NL teams in sacrifice hits. They're suddenly bleeding third in OPS! Tied for second, really!

wow...good times

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Well, if the aim's to get a guy to second, a walk works just as well.

Capuano got one down last night, BTW.

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Well, if the aim's to get a guy to second, a walk works just as well. Capuano got one down last night, BTW.

wish Gee had bunted on Saturday. SqueEEEEZeee

[Guest Edgy DC]

Squeegies turn into doubleplays often enough also.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Squeegies turn into doubleplays often enough also.

Yeah yeah..i guess Texiera's a good fielder, but Colon and A-Rod not so much. What's the philosophy on a squeeze, where are you supposed to bunt it? towards first? Probably makes sense if the first baseman is left-handed because he'd have to pivot to throw home, and vacates first making it harder to turn 2?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'd think third-base line. You have the screen of the runner coming home-- any play at the plate will have to go through/around the runner himself-- and if they get him, the catcher has to turn, then throw against the direction of the turn.

I would have tried a squeeze with Gee, too.

[metirish]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I'd think third-base line. You have the screen of the runner coming home-- any play at the plate will have to go through/around the runner himself-- and if they get him, the catcher has to turn, then throw against the direction of the turn. I would have tried a squeeze with Gee, too.

Just to hear Sterling say SqueeGee would have been worth it.

[Frayed Knot]

A good squeeze play is more about THAT you bunt it than WHERE.
The problem with the squeeze with the bags loaded is that it makes a force-out or even DP easier (particularly if not disguised well) - or if it's the suicide variety then a missed bunt fucks the inning just the way the GiDP did.



The string of few Sac Bunts by the Mets is not all good news as much of that is/was due to the pitchers failing horribly when called upon.
The better news is that [u:1ik5sfpy]NYM position players[/u:1ik5sfpy] have only SB'd like 8 times this year. Under previous skippers 8 SBs was more like a series' worth.