NLDS: Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers

[NAHSTE]

Yeah, I hear you. I typically don't jump on managers for relief ace usage because..well, as you say, all of these dinosaurs do it the same way, so there is no point yelling about it. These guys are stubborn and set in their ways, and I don't expect them to change.

However, he could have brought him in with Puig on second, at minimum. It's win or go home.

I didn't even necessarily want him to go two innings. I just wanted him to face Puig. Get through the 8th since that was the more immediate threat with bottom of the order due up in the 9th if you can successfully get through Puig/Uribe. If he couldn't get through the 9th then at that point, you can always match up LOOGYs to navigate Crawford/Ellis/Gonzalez. But you have to use your best to get out their best, no matter the inning.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Somebody went back on twitter and added up the times that either Law, Sheehan, or Kenny complained or joked about Chapman not being used in a game. When combined with when he was used, it came out to like 130+ total games.

I mean, i'd use the best more often if I were calling the shots, but jeez.

The biggest thing I would do different is the 3-run lead. I would rarely use my best guy in that spot unless he was very fresh, against the meat of a really tough lineup, or a very important game down the stretch. Even bad bullpens have a couple of guys who can handle that task. This would free up innings for the relief ace to be used in more tie game scenarios, or maybe even earlier than the 8th or 9th (WAT) in a key spot (two on, one out in the 7th, three run game, THAT is your critical moment, not bases empty in the 9th).

Basically, baseball found the sweet spot for the relief ace in the late 70's, early 80's. Somehow we evolved into this 9th inning three or less run lead, or 9th inning at home if tied pattern. And it sucks. But I don't see any signs of it changing yet. But it will. Everything does.