Games » Chicago White Sox
Jul6Think small
Lee Judge
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When the Chicago Cubs were just a few outs away from going to the 2003 World Series (right before you-know-who reached for that foul ball), former pitcher Al Leiter, who was the TV analyst hat night, was asked what the Cubs had to do to close out the game. His answer?
“Think small.”
Break the game down into its smallest elements, and make sure each task is handled correctly. I thought the advice was so good, I wrote it down and stuck it on my bulletin board. Whenever I screw up (and trust me, I’ve had a lot of experience) it usually is because I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I “thought big” and didn’t take care of the details that would make the big thing happen. (Boy, I hope you guys are enjoying a description of my personal philosophy … but what’s all this have to do with the Royals?)
Just like the 2003 Cubs, the Royals need to think small. How do they become a winning team, go to the playoffs and win a championship? Throw strike one. None of the big things will happen if the small things aren’t handled correctly.
Take this game and Bruce Chen (finally). He pitched six innings, and, according to my scorebook, here were the counts when the White Sox put the ball in play or struck out: 1-2, 1-2, 2-2, 0-2, 3-2, 0-2, 3-2, 1-1, 1-1, 0-1, 0-1, 1-2, 3-2, 1-1, 3-2, 0-2, 0-1, 1-0, 3-2, 0-2 and 0-1.
Notice anything? There was only one at-bat in which Bruce was behind. He was ahead or even in the count all day. That meant he could use all his pitches and expand the strike zone. Reliever Greg Holland pretty much did the same thing and so did closer Joakim Soria. Throwing strike one is a small thing that can make a big thing happen.
Like taking a series from the White Sox.
A key moment
Chen gave up one run in the sixth inning. The bases were loaded with one out, and he walked Adam Dunn. Then he faced Paul Konerko. Had Chen given up another walk or a hit, or even a long fly ball, and this was going to look like a very different ballgame. He started Konerko with a slider, low and away at 84 mph, and Konerko was way out in front. Chen next threw a changeup at the same exact spot at 79 mph, and, once again, Konerko was way out in front.
So, what’s a smart hitter thinking at that point?
Stay back. Don’t jump at the pitch. Wait as long as you can. Bruce humped it up, threw a 91 mph fastball (he must have got a running start), hit the exact same spot and locked Konerko up for strike three. That’s veteran pitching. A pitcher has to know which batters will adjust and which batters will keep falling for the same trick. Konerko is smart enough to adjust, and Chen used that against him.
Holland gets ahead
A few weeks ago, Greg Holland said his improved results this season were because he was pitching ahead in the count. For the most part, he showed that in this game. He would throw strike one (either a fastball or a slider) and then expand the zone.
He didn’t give up any runs, but he did make one mistake: walking off the mound, convinced he had thrown strike three to Brent Morel (if memory serves and it often doesn’t). Anyway, umpires don’t like that, and they have long memories.
Holland had showed up home-plate umpire Alfonso Marquez. Remember that name (because I probably won’t) and see whether he has issues with Greg in the future.
Frenchy likes his arm … but if I had it, I’d like it, too
As I think I’ve demonstrated, Jeff Francoeur has a very good arm. Often, guys who have good arms like to show them off, and that can be used against them. Here’s an example. Chicago’s Alex Rios hit a single to right on the sixth inning and took a wide turn at first base. Frenchy threw behind Rios, hoping to trap him off base. Rios scrambled back. So no harm, no foul, right?
But a smart base runner who sees that, might take a wide turn, act as if he’s caught off base and head for second when Francoeur lets go of the ball. That was exactly what happened to Jeff earlier in the year and he admitted he had been “deked.” (Short for “decoyed.” … Hey, I know you guys probably already know this stuff, but just in case.)
In fact, every mental mistake Francoeur has made involved his arm and making throws that allowed trail runners to advance. Other guys might make mental mistakes by forgetting how many outs there are or by forgetting to back up a base, but Frenchy’s mistakes have all been “mistakes of enthusiasm.” (That’s what Royals first-base coach Doug Sisson called it, and I love the term.) Jeff isn’t being dumb or not paying attention. He’s just letting his natural optimism (Hey, maybe I can get that guy!) lead him into hot water.
I still would like to have Frenchy in right field any day of the week because sometimes he is right. He can get that guy.
A team player
The last few days we’ve been talking about team players and how they react to adversity in their personal performances. You can’t beat Alex Gordon’s response when he was asked about striking out four times on Tuesday. Gordon said he normally would be upset, but the team won, so who cares?
The old first-and-third move
It never works, so why do pitchers still do the fake to third and throw to first pickoff move? Because sometimes it does work. Guys do get picked off, but more commonly, guys give their team’s plans away. In the first inning of Wednesday’s game, White Sox pitcher Edwin Jackson tried it with Chris Getz on third and Melky Cabrera on first. Jackson almost got Melky, which may have been a sign that Melky was going to take off for second. That meant the White Sox could change their plans accordingly.
The same thing happens in a sacrifice-bunt situation. The pitcher throws over, not to get the runner, but to see whether the batter will show bunt. Not every successful pickoff ends in an out.
Getting the steal sign
Unless you bring a stopwatch to the game (and there’s nothing stopping you), it’s unlikely you will know the pitcher’s time home. If you do bring a stopwatch, time the pitcher from the moment he gets into his set position until the ball hits the catcher’s glove. If it’s more than 1.3 seconds, you may see a steal.
If you don’t want to carry a stopwatch (good Lord, are you going to bring a radar gun next?), just watch the pitcher’s front foot. The higher he picks it up, the longer he’s taking to get the ball home.
Just one more piece of information that you can use to irritate the fans sitting next to you.
Chen
Francoeur
Hosmer
"Right before you-know-who reached for that foul ball" should be replaced by "right before Alex Gonzalez booted a routine grounder". Poor Steve Bartman.
Scott: Absolutely right, Bartman had plenty of help.
If you enjoy Jeff Francoeur (someone recently told me he had become their favorite player after reading about him on this website), he's doing an interview with Ryan Lefebvre tonight on Fox Sports Midwest at 5PM. Frenchy is always entertaining, the guy can make me laugh just standing in the outfield (I'll explain how in tomorrow's post).
Lee, what are your thoughts on the six-man rotation??? I think it is time for Ned to get back to a 5-man rotation, PERIOD! We have three to four, depending on the night, dependable starters- Chen, Paulino, Francis, and Hochever. Duffy will be very good! Davies- UGH!! Makes no sense to have 4 decent starters miss a start every week, to see if Duffy or Davies will get it done. Plain and simple, let our better ones pitch more. I would rather see an oldtime rotation of 4 starters then 6! I think they should either keep Duffy in the fifth slot and KO Davies, or send Duffy down for more fine-tuning and confidence building, still get rid of Davies, and bring up Suppan who has been pitching very well of late. With Sup, we would at least have 5 somewhat dependable starters and allow our better ones to get the starts they deserve. A six-man rotation is absurd in this day and age!
Jeff: Not a big fan of the six-man rotation idea. Maybe someone can explain it to me in a way that makes sense, but on the surface it just seems like a way to avoid making a decision.
Hey Lee, loved the Konerko v Chen breakdown. THAT is what makes my heart the shape of a seamed sphere. Was the last fastball Chen's decision or did it come from someone else? I would assume Chen makes the final decision but didn't remember if he shook Pena off or not. Do some pitchers have more "leverage" regarding the pitch selection than others based on status? Like is Duffy less inclined to shake off the pitch than a veteran?
"Jeff: Not a big fan of the six-man rotation idea. Maybe someone can explain it to me in a way that makes sense, but on the surface it just seems like a way to avoid making a decision."
Lee, I think the decisions have been made, it's now a matter of getting to the All-Star break and see who gets moved and what slots and even players to fill them are available. Francis is a good trade chip, Davies will get DFAed or put in the bullpen, Master Chen may be traded, and Soria is in the mix with Crow, Coleman, and Holland in line to replace him. I expect Montgomery up when space is cleared, so we'll be looking at a rotation of Paulino, Hoch, Duffy, Montgomery, and whomever of Chen and Francis who doesn't get traded. If GM Moore decides it's time for Butler to go, might see Trevor Cahill or even Gio Gonzales coming in from Oakland in exchange for him, Aviles, and one of the young bullpen arms. Like Yost's line-ups, everything is in flux until after the trades. The next week should be interesting.
Chad: Now that you mention it, I don't know if Pena put the sign down or Chen shook to get to it. A good point that I missed. If I get the chance, I'll ask.
Pena has been matched with veterans mainly because they want him receiving for pitchers not afraid to shake off.
Most pitchers have the final call, but a rookie is much more likely to go along with a veteran catcher. There have been concerns about Brayan's game-calling and I think that's why Treanor has been catching Duffy.
Such a great metaphor for life as a whole. Instead worrying about the big picture, ie; college funds for the kids, promotion at work, etc. Plan those big picture things by putting in "small things" along the way that let you reach the ultimate goal. Then execute those "small things" daily/weekly/monthly, whenever. I continue to love your posts and check everyday, even if I don't comment everyday. Thanks!! www.fluffyballskc.com
Agree that the trading period should be interesting. Yesterday's game shows how competitive the Royals can be with effective starting pitching and our need to get it on a more consistent basis. I think it is the last remaining "hole" which needs filling to see us finally begin our real march to the top.
Darral: Thanks, I appreciate it.
Joel: Your comment's interesting. After watching the game I thought, that's it, that's the formula for this team to win: good starting pitching, the bullpen closes the door, solid defense and the offense scrambles for runs.
I picked up the Star this morning and Bob Dutton had pretty much the same take: what we saw in this game is the way the Royals can win on a consistent basis.
Sounds like you feel the same way. Despite their record, I still don't think they're that far away from being competitive, but the trdaing deadline could change that.
Joel and Lee- in total agreement! The Royals have shown signs of being a very good team this year. Soria is back. One wonders if he hadn't blown some of those early saves how the psyche on the team would be and where they would be at now. It could be an interesting trade deadline, or a much ado about nothing. Dayton at some point has to quit being Trader Jack (BTW- nice Star article on McKeon) and be a keeper! Why bring in Frenchy and Cabrera and trade them? I'm sure they didn't have that premise when they signed.
With all that said, I will keep coming back to this: 1) Way too many haters out there! There are signs of great things to come. 2) This could still be a good team this year! 3) This is still a weak division that is there for the taking. 4) Remember 1984!!! After 94 games the Royals were 42-52 and 11 games out (Sound familiar?) and with Howser's brilliant leadership and the second-half development of some young rookies and second-year players (Do the names Saberhagen, Gubicza, Jackson, Sheridan, Motley) the Royals won the division. I would put all of our Rookies and 2nd-year players in that comparison. We are starting to see the pitchers really getting it, and Hos is becoming a Hoss! Moose will get there after another month of adjustment. George didn't even have a great year in 1984 (Thank God he saved it for 1985- still HOT about him losing MVP to the 4th Place Yankees Mattingly!) The biggest thing is Schuerholz didn't panic and trade away everyone! He did that in 1982 and especially 1983 after the drug scandal- bye, bye Leon Roberts, Vida Blue, Gaylord Perry, etc...
Stick to our guns! Keep our players and continue to find Maier playing time! We can still do it! WE CAN DO IT!
Jeff: I hope Royals management shares your optimism and doesn't dismantle what they've put together.
Lee, Great Blog. You have my dream job!! I recently started scoring the games as I watch and was amazed at how much more I pickup and can anticipate strategic decisions now. For instance, you commented on Bruce "Come on" Chen getting ahead in counts. I anticipated some of the trouble he had in the 4th and 6th because he didn't throw first pitch strikes as he had been previously (and cruising when he did). I thought Frenchy got robbed of a stolen base tonight though. That wasn't defensive indifference. The Tigers were holding him on and the only reason the catcher didn't throw down was because of a difficult pitch to handle. Keep up the outstanding work.
Keith: Thanks. The scorekeeper eventually changed the call and Frenchy got his stolen base.