I think he initially wanted to go to 3rd but nobody was covering. Why?!? There is no possible way a runner from 2nd could be slower to third base than the batter to first base. Pujols on 2nd, Hamilton at the plate. Let's try it.
Not sure where this comes from. He threw 36 pitches today and Wednesday will be over three full days of rest. Last year he threw 41 pitches on April 6th and came back and threw 30 on April 9th. He threw 39 on May 5th and then 26 on May 8th. He threw 30 on May 22nd and 31 on May 25th. He threw 35 on June 11th and 18 on June 13th. He threw 33 on July 21st and came back two days later and threw 10. He threw 27 on August 24th and 21 on August 26th and then 24 more on August 29th. He threw 35 on September 7th and 24 on September 10th. He threw 26 on September 21st, 27 on September 24th, 19 on September 26th and 22 on September 28th.
I like to think of it as a pick your poison for Maddon. Can someone fill me in? Not watching right now. Counsell had Braun in the on deck circle for Hader and Maddon intentionally walked Yelich to force his hand. After Counsell pulled Braun back and sent Hader out Counsell had a huge grin on his face and Maddon had a wry smile and nod to Counsell.