The Reds & and the new DH debate

[jojo]

But what factors led up to that bases loaded situation? And how many decisions were made by the managers that got you to this point? How do those decisions change if you are an AL versus NL manager?

The AL and NL styles don't really present dramatically different sets of decisions in this hypothetical. The largest really is how the #8 hitter is handled.

Bottom 6th inning 1-1 ball game, you're the home manager. Your best starter has been pitching brilliantly and has a low pitch count.

The first 2 batters reach base. With runners on 1st and 2nd the 7th place hitter is up. He has been in a terrible slump lately, but he's your catcher and you can't really PH for him. He is really slow and hits a lot of grounders, so a DP is possible. Do you have him bunt?

No and frankly very few times ever in the NL would the decision actually be yes.

Now assume he bunts, and does so successfully, play out the rest of the inning DH versus no DH for both the home and visiting teams.

I don't know of an NL manager who would take his pitcher out in that situation. Assuming the catcher was the first out, you've slightly reduced your run expectancy with the sacrifice and now have one out with runners on second and third. In doing so, you've taken the bat out of the hands of a competent hitter (I don't care about a slump, I care about his true talent level and the most likely next outcome). The opposing manager then has the option to bring in a releiver to exploit a platoon advantage on your #8 hitter or presumably given the scenario you described, his starter is pitching lights out too so the opposng manager decides to let him stay in the game and punch out your #8 guy mano to mano. Do you pinch hit for your ace in the bottom of the 6th in a game where he has been brilliant? No. You watch him strike out and end the potential rally. No manager pulls their ace in the scenario. Ever. Its way too easy to be criticized and managers don't keep their jobs by having giraffe necks. But by giving up a free out, you've dramatically increased the odds that your lead off hitter wont see the plate this inning.

How would this play out in a DH-league? You probably wouldn't have to endure watching your catcher bunt. But I donno. I've seen Mike Hargrove do some pretty interesting things.....