This could be a good poll question for the sidebar, but I thought we could just stir up some conversation within a post.
I was listening to the radio during the rain delay, and there were several callers that were talking about bunting (or lack thereof). One caller mentioned Ozzie Guillen of 2005, and while they only bunted twice in the World Series – which was quickly pointed out by one of the hosts – they had several wins, many against the Tribe, where they won by less than two runs. These wins ultimately got them into the playoffs where the hot team took over and won.
But the question stands: should the Indians play more small ball?
There have been several instances this season where the lead-off man were to get aboard. Off of the top of my head, the only Indian that I’ve seen bunt at all this season has been Asdrubal Cabrera. Obviously, there are likely more, but I digress. If we’re not moving runners over to manufacture runs, we’re relying on our hitting to get things done – especially in the power department.
When you have guys like Hafner, Martinez and Garko in the middle of the order, there isn’t exactly a lot of speed out there. This team is obviously molded to rely on power. Look at our leadoff hitter. However, when your team batting average is hovering at 13th in the American League – with only the White Sox below us – this may not be the greatest of ideas.
A few other stats to consider:
- The Indians are currently 12th in the AL in Total Bases + Average with a 763. League average is 818.
- The Indians are one of four teams in the AL to not break double-digit steals on the year (with nine steals year-to-date. AL average is 14).
- We are currently 10th out of 14 in the AL in bases on balls with 70. League average is 75.
Thus, 75 percent of the time, an Indians batter has recorded an out during an at-bat. Using simple math based on the team average, the odds of back-to-back hits is around 7 percent.
In 20 games thus far, we’ve averaged about 3.5 walks per game – about one every fourth inning. Adding this in to the mix, we’re looking at about one man on base each inning. Barely. And if these baserunners aren’t stealing, and only three teams have fewer home runs than we do, how are we going to get said fortunate baserunners home?
Just all food for thought. Have at it in the comments.
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1701 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Wedge’s stubborn refusal to bunt in obvious bunting situations is my biggest beef with him. Of course this team should play more small ball. When you’re team can’t score runs on their own, you have to try to manufacture runs any way you can. Get their confidence up, and then see what happens.
My fear is in games like the last, where we were hitting the heck out of the ball, and Wedge can go “see, I told you it works.” I agree though, his neglect in moving runners ahead baffles me.
They should start calling their shots out of the park only to bunt like in Major League…no one would ever see that coming.
at least the clubhouse wall wouldn’t have many batting gloves stapled to it…
In the past I’ve been really critical of Wedge’s unwillingness to try and move runners along. I’ll try to hold back. I will say that it is hard to steal bases when your slowest guys (Victor, Hafner, Garko) have the best on-base percentages.
You know what really gets me? Every once in a while we find ourselves in a situation like the other night in Minnesota, when Victor or Travis get on base in the 7th or 8th inning of a tie game. So Wedge pulls them in order to get a faster man on base. I understand the logic there, I don’t always agree with it, because those are our best RBI guys, but I understand it. Then he doesn’t bunt them over. Seriously, what was the point? Now it’s still a tie game, but we’ve lost our best hitters. GGGGGRRRRRRRR!
I question how much Wedge really thinks about baseball strategy. He doesn’t seem to have all that great of a grasp on in-game moves and strategies. He’s great a keeping the clubhouse united and focused, but I think he’s a terrible in-game manager.