Let´s discuss 2 things I noticed today. Looking for some explanations if you have them.
1. Snitker´s decissions... I´m a Braves fan, but a Snitker hater. Time and time again he minimizes the potential and talent that the Braves have. I want to leave away his atrocities with the bullpen and focus on the lineup now.
Vs lefties or vs righties, recently his starting 5 have been: Acuña, Swanson, Freeland, Donaldson and Markakis.
a) Why the hell is Acuña batting 1st when he has the most power of this lineup? You want him hitting those homers with someone on base, and you want those deep flyballs with someone on 3rd and less than 2 out. I know he started at 4th and was moved up after a slow start. But, come on, stick to it. Can you imagine the amount of runs the Braves are missing by having him batting 1st?
b) Swanson batting 2nd vs RHP? He is good vs lefties. He is below average at best vs righties. Snitker prefers having him batting 2nd and having a guy who has a habit for getting on base, but no power in his swing (Markakis) batting 5th (today he was moved to 4th). Markakis should be 1st or 2nd. I know he is not that that fast, but its not like Acuña is a base stealing machine.
Imagine if against righties they lined up like this: Markakis, Freeman, Acuña, Donaldson (or Riley if he keeps it up). Vs lefties, you go Ozzie, Swanson, Ronald, Freeman. They would be leading the NL East. Learn from the Dodgers, their record speaks by itself.
2. Brewers decision today. Top of the 8th, Woodruff had just got a HR against in the 7th. Woodruff batting 9th takes the plate. I dont care if this guy "can hit", he will never be a better batter than anyone on the Brewers bench. Why would you decide to have a 90% chance of going to your top of the order with one out? Thank Woodruff, send him to the showers and bring a guy who can get on base vs Tiki Tousaint. Of course they left Woodruff and took him out during the top of the 8th.
In the end, baseball has changed. Managers should be nerds who know how to use databases, not old fellas who still don´t know how to use "the Internets". Leave the old guys and the ex-players to teach the skills and lead the practices. But during the game, math and stats should dictate all decisions.