A Disappointing End

Actually, disgusting is a better description.  The final two games were pretty depressing.  Once again, no offense.  The pitching was terrific over 13 innings; the hitting non-existent.

I cannot carp too much about Maddon's game management in this one.  One might question leaving Hendricks in when he got in trouble with two outs in the 13th, but you have to figure he can retire a .170 hitter.  Similarly, removing Lester for a pinch hitter to begin the 7th was a questionable move.

I did not have the same opinion, however, on his use of the bench.  Batting Heyward with the bases loaded was, although defensible, an awkward move.  Pinch running for Rizzo with Gore was also defensible.  It's hard to take out your best player, but it was obvious that Maddon had no confidence in scoring that run unless he did something unusual.  In the end, they tied the score.  What puzzled me, though was leaving Gore in the game.  I mean, Caratini was available to play first base.

Gore batted twice in the ensuing innings.  It is plain that Gore is not a real baseball player, just a pinch runner.  He seemed to be thinking about bunting both times, but he clearly cannot bunt.  A guy with that kind of speed ought to learn how to bunt.  The last at-bat in the 13th was a joke.  Couldn't he at least have pretended to be grazed by that inside pitch instead of just standing around looking bewildered before running down to first base?

Maddon does a lot of magical thinking in his game management.  This was a really bizarre move and I am kind of surprised there has not been more criticism.

More tomorrow about personnel and the future.