IGT - Mets @ Cubs -- 6/5/14

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Wait... have the Mets been going around and telling folks how tired they are? I was getting the Cubs feed.

Gary mentioned something in passing. I assume it was something TC said. Might have been Mex who said you shouldn't let the other team know that.

[RealityChuck]

I did enjoy the game at Wrigley; the 'Friendly Confines" is not just hype. The fans gave only minor ribbing to Mets fans and there was a lot of chatting (one girl asked me how many innings in a game!). And it's a beautiful ballpark.

[Ceetar]

Watching the Miracle Of Life last night instead. Looking at the boxscore I'm unsure which is worse.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: It has to be said. Recker got the tag down and d'Aranud did not, and that has made all the difference. Not remotely close to the same play.

Well, I think it's remotely close, in that they're both tag plays at the same remote base, and one was successful and the other missed.

[Edgy MD]

I just means to make a point that a missed tag cost us big. Obviously, less than perfect defense and pitching wouldn't matter so much if the team would hit a little.

[MFS62]

Why pitch your closer in a non-save situation, especially when losing?

Later

[RealityChuck]

Actually, I think the key play was Valbueno's double in the second. If den Decker (or Lagares,alas) were in center, it's an out and the runs don't score.

[Edgy MD]

MFS62 wrote: Why pitch your closer in a non-save situation, especially when losing? Later

Because using save situations to dictate when to use your closer is succumbing to a false hierarchy of values.

He had already missed three days while pitchers of lesser status toiled. It was the Mets last best hope to win a game, and saving their allegedly best available pitcher for a save opportunity would have been counter-productive.

[RealityChuck]

MFS62 wrote: Why pitch your closer in a non-save situation, especially when losing? Later

In theory, to keep the other team from scoring more runs and to give your team a chance to win. It didn't work this time, but the strategy is sound.

[MFS62]

I guess another reason is that he hadn't pitched for a while (didn't realize that) and they wanted to keep him sharp.

Later