badgerbob72

Very few if any managers will ever pinch hit there backup catcher unless there is no other options, especially this early in the game. It not something you plan on, but if you do use Rivera, what happens if Kendell does get injured. Try again please

Just reported on 1250 post game. Russel has been recalled to the majors. TGJ is back to Nashville again

I don't know, leave Braun in for once? That second run is much, much more valuable than any defensive upgrade. Braun was subsituted to for in the top of the inning, as part of a Double Switch. Counsell was batting in the 9 spot so Braun wouldn't have been in the plate in that situation. Lets say for the sake of arguement, Braun wasn't taken out, Pitching spot is up with Runners on 1st, 3rd, and 1 out, 1 run lead, isn't Counsell one of your best bets for a pinch hitter to get the run in? Chances are the same person is at the plate in that situation, being a pinch hitter for the pitcher. Then the question is do you leave Counsell or Braun in the bottom of the 10 with a 1 run lead. (Braun's spot batted 2nd in the top of the inning and was Suppan's sac bunt) As for Hall playing 3rd, does anyone honestly think has taken a ground ball at 3rd in practice this year, let alone in a pressure game. Dillion is unknown if he is better as a defensive sub at 3rd. He has had a grand total of 7innings at 3rd base this year. (Compared to 19 inn at first base, and 46 in the outfeild.) And given a choice of subbing for either Braun or Weeks, I'll the the 70 point difference in feilding percentage that Weeks have over Braun any day.

Ok, I've heavr everyone ask why make the defensive substution for Braun and Not Weeks. Here is Why Braun 104 Games, 875 Innings 22 Errors, .903 Fielding % Weeks 103 Games, 911 Innings 13 Errors .973 Fielding % --Source, Brewers.com I think when put side by side, its easy to see that Weeks is much less of a liability in the feild compared to Braun. (FYI, Hardy has a .973 feilding%, and Counsell is 1.000, yet to commit an error). Now for the question, Pinch hitting for Counsell, Lets look at the situation again Top of 10, 1 out, Brewers lead by one. Stocker (teams fastest player) on third, Hall on first Defense was playing double play depth (Game Day doesn't give full details, but there was TWO pickoff attemts to first.) Ring (LHP) on the mound. Now, I have no problem with the attempted bunt to gain an insurance run. (it's called small ball) I do beleive theat Stocker (unless he gets a HORRIBLE jump) would score on any bunt to the right side of the diamond. You have a pitcher trying to cover who falls off to to the left side of the mound, so will have to take 2-3 extra steps crossing the mound compared to a RHP. Counsell is one of the teams best bunters, so I let him go to the plate and it allows me to keep his glove in the game. To everyone wanting to pinch hit Mench, who will you bring in to play 3rd base in the bottom of the ninth and please justify you choice as being better then Counsell. (and for all those who like to use what happend after the choice, remember Counsell make a great play on Jones shot down the line for out one, which if allowed by would have went for extra bases)