Games: Los Angeles Angels, April 7: Judging the Royals with Lee Judge

Games » Los Angeles Angels

Apr7

The pitching change

When I started managing amateur ball, I quickly realized I had no clue about handling pitchers. Fortunately, I knew Clint Hurdle and Bob Apodaca (the Colorado Rockies pitching coach), so I asked for advice. They helped me a lot, but one of their rules for a pitching change helped more than any other: “Better an inning too soon than an inning too late. Better a batter too soon than a batter too late. Better a pitch too soon than a pitch too late.”

Managers are supposed to get what they can out of a pitcher, then pull them before disaster strikes. Waiting until the lead is gone and then making a move is not good managing. There may be times when a manager’s best option is to stick with his starter, but I’ve spent a lot more time kicking myself over moves I didn’t make than moves I made.

What we’ve seen in the first two games of the 2012 season is Royals manager Ned Yost pulling his starting pitchers before disaster struck. He did it with Bruce Chen in game one and again in this game with Luke Hochevar. Luke gave the Royals another quality start, but when the Angels got two runners on in the seventh inning, Ned changed pitchers. And that follows another Hurdle-Apodaca rule: “Never let your starter struggle after the fifth.” The starter is tired by then and will have trouble making adjustments.

I don’t know if this is how Yost will manage the rest of the season, but I understand why he made the pitching changes he did in the first two games.

Context is everything

It didn’t surprise me that Yost used Greg Holland and Jonathan Broxton in a non-save situation. The Royals lost a tough one the night before, and Yost may have felt the need to step on the Angels’ throats in the eighth and ninth innings. The Royals didn’t want to start the season by getting swept by the Angels — or losing two tough games. The opportunity for a win was there, so they took it.

It’s not an accident

A co-worker who reads this site regularly came up to me the other day and said he had finally read my bio posted in the “About” section. He said he had no idea I had managed more than 500 games with a team made up of mainly former college players (along with a few pros sprinkled in). That was where I developed an approach to the game that I still prefer to this day.

I liked pitching and defense (just like everybody else), but as a manager, I really fell in love with speed. Speed shows up at the park every day, and it helps in just about every phase of the game. When you’re standing in the third-base coach’s box, speed gives you options.

That’s why I like Chris Getz. He’s fast and versatile. He is the kind of player I would want on my team, and he showed why in the eighth inning of this game. Yost sent Getz out to play defense in the bottom of the seventh. (By the way: Interesting move. You put offense in the lineup when you’re behind and defense on the field when you’re ahead. Does that mean Ned Yost thinks Chris is a better defender than Yuniesky Betancourt? I have no idea, but keep watching for that substitution pattern.)

Anyway, Chris led off the eighth inning with a double, then stole third base with one out. The throw sailed into left field, and the Royals got an insurance run. That insurance run meant when the Angels’ Bobby Abreu came to the plate in the ninth inning, he was not the tying run. And that meant Jonathan Broxton could pitch to Abreu any way he liked. No matter what Abreu did, he couldn’t tie the game with one swing.

Speed kills — and it also wins quite a few ball games.

And before the Getz-haters start in, sure, his run didn’t mean any more than any other run the Royals scored. But home runs always get attention — nobody will miss what Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas did — it’s just nice to appreciate speed manufacturing a big run late in the game.

Other stuff

• I would love to ask Yost this one: Was Getz also inserted in the lineup because the Angels had already used lefty reliever Hisanori Takahashi? The only other left-hander in the Angels pen was Scott Downs, and he’s being used primarily as a set-up man. If Yost felt that the Angels wouldn’t use their set-up man unless they had a lead, then his managing guaranteed Getz an at-bat against a right-handed pitcher.

• Angels catcher Bobby Wilson made a nice play by going after the trailing runner when Jeff Francoeur and Yuniesky Betancourt were trying to advance on a wild pitch. The trailing runner has to make sure the lead runner is really going. Yuni got a worse jump than Frenchy, and Wilson made a smart decision.

• Royals pitcher Humberto Quintero has shown he likes to attempt pickoffs at first base. I hope he pays attention to who he has playing there when Hosmer takes a day off.

• Quintero has also shown good work habits. He blocks pitches without runner on base. Blocking every pitch in the dirt is more work, but it simplifies the thought process. Over the course of 162 games, it’s easy to occasionally lose track of the situation.

• I’m sure I would love Albert Pujols if he played in Kansas City, but he doesn’t. Pujols ran through a stop sign and got thrown out at the plate by Alex Gordon. Then Pujols whined about it. In the eighth inning he got called out on strikes and whined about that. Holland actually had him struck out on a previous pitch, but Pujols got the call. I don’t remember Holland whining — he just threw another strike.

• One last thing: in the eighth inning Erick Aybar got straightened up by a pitch up and in. Whenever that happens, look for the next pitch to be low and away. If it’s not, you may see a batter get drilled when he dives to cover that outside corner.

Comments

Curtis Ruder
1 year, 1 month ago

I don’t think the fact that Getz would be facing a right-hander would be part of the equation, given that for his career he actually has a reverse platoon split, hitting moderately better against lefties. The move, in my opinion, was all about defense.

In fairness to Pujols - only the greatest righthanded hitter in eighty years - he was pretty clearly safe at home. The throw drove Quintero back, and he caught the plate on the slide before being tagged on the thigh.

I totally agree with you about the decision to pull Hochevar. It might be different if we were several starts into the season, but especially since they have been limited in spring training, it is all the more reason to have a quick hook.

I also continue to believe managers would handle relievers better if the save statistic had never been invented.
Mike Krambeck
1 year, 1 month ago

I think this is going to be a great outfield, even better than last year’s outfit. Seeing Frenchy intimidate a runner in the 7th when the Angels were trying to get something going. Number 1 he hustled in after the ball to keep the runner close to third, and then the threat of his arm kept him there.

On the flip side, Gordo follows it up with a smart baseball play on the next batter keeping a man on first INSTEAD of making the agressive throw to the plate. The runner would have been dead to rights, but the right play was made and Hunter died on first.

As you’ve said before, good, solid baseball plays win games, but they don’t get you on Sportscenter. This one doesn’t even show up in the Polk system, but I feel is worth a mention. Situational discipline…I’m sure Sisson was thrilled with the way the guys played today. I know that I was.
Joel Kallem
1 year, 1 month ago

A couple of thoughts Lee. One, I assume they outstanding play credited to Escobar was the bare handed pickup and throw in the eighth. If not, it should have been. Two, you are exactly right on Getz. It was also nice to see him drive the ball to the opposite field with authority. Last year that would have been a weak ground ball that the third baseman would have had a play on. Three, concerned about Alex’s lack of contact (not just lack of hits). Wonder if he is seeing the ball okay. Four, Royal outfielders showed us we can expect a continuation of last year’s good D. Throws by Frenchy and Alex were strong.

An aside. You called Quintero a pitcher in the text above when you meant cather.

Nice to have first win under our belts
Gaines Arnold
1 year, 1 month ago

Do you have any insight on how the batters gauge there at bat by how the umpire is calling the game? I was watching on Fox and on the web at the MLB site watching the pitch fx stuff at the same time. The umpire was all over the place. I would assume the hitters make adjustments accordingly. Just curious.

BTW…not a Getz fan at all, but agree on that heads up base running. Great job. You can sometimes see why Yost loves him.
Joel Kallem
1 year, 1 month ago

Several things. One, I assume the outstanding play you gave Escobar was the bare handed pickup in the eighth. If not, it should have been. Two, it was nice to see Getz drive the ball to the opposite field. Last year that would have been a weak ground ball. Three, worried about Alex not making good contact. Can you find out if he is seeing the ball okay. Four, nice to see strong outfield play continuing this year. Great throws from Alex and Frenchy this game.

An aside, Quintero is a catcher, not a pitcher as I am sure you know.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

When you’re watching today’s game, keep an eye on Humberto Quintero’s mitt. Jonathan Sanchez has all kinds of movement on his pitches and Humberto’s mitt will tell you how much.
Darrell Pierce
1 year, 1 month ago

Don’t know for a fact, but I assumed Geta replace Yuni because his ankle that he tweaked last week may still be a little sore after several innings.
Kevin Flanagan
1 year, 1 month ago

Nice win for the Royals. I think its important psychologically for a young team to get off to at least a decent start. Now they have a chance to steal a series win on the road, what a boost that would be!

Royals starting pitchers now sporting a cool 1.45 ERA after 2 games against one of the most loaded lineups in the AL. Nice.

I appreciate the little things that Getz does, especially the speed element he brings. Unfortunately, for most of his Royals career Getz has not been able to do much of the two biggest things that a player can do to help his team: getting on base and slugging. The problem has always seemed to me to be his hitting mechanics. He (and Maier, too) is too big and athletic to be slugging like Fred Patek. He’s always been a front side hitter but now finally seems to be addressing that issue with his new stance and setup.

I hope it works for him. If he can just put up an OPS (On base Plus Slugging) around 700 he can be a very valuable player for the Royals. He had one year at AAA (2008) where he banged out 24 doubles, 1 triple, and 11 (!) homers in just 404 at bats. He had a slash line of 302/366/448 for an OPS of 814. If you get a chance ask him what was different for him that year.

I was surprised too when Yost pulled Yuni for Getz defensively. My first thought was that Yuni’s ankle is still bothering him.

Looking forward to seeing Sanchez toe the rubber today.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Curtis: You could be right about everything, but without talking to Yost I don’t know. I agree the Getz move was probably about defense.

I was writing on deadline last night and don’t know what Getz has done against LaTroy Hawkins, but I know Yost likes to lefties in the pen for the very reason I named: if you only have one and you use him, the other manager can send up a lefty and you’ve got no answer.

You’re also right about Pujols probably being safe—and being a fabulous hitter, but in the few games I’ve seen him in recently there seemed to be an air of entitlement to him. A how-dare-you-pitch-me-up-and-in-don’t-you-know-I’m-Albert-Pujols? attitude.

Holland had him stuck out on the third pitch—and Albert had chased two bad ones previously. The called strike three was right there and Pujols complained.

I also agree with you about the “save” stats. Worrying about the numbers your players put up is an unnecessary distraction for a manager trying to win a ball game.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Mike: You’re exactly right about the play Gordon made. I wrote a bit about how the outfielders are deciding where to throw the ball and, if they don’t have a great shot at the lead runner, they’re keeping the double play in order.

Gordon could have gone for the play at the plate and some more glory, but even if the throw beats the runner, that’s still a tough play. Making the catch and tag at home plate is not a sure thing.

Alex made the smart play—and you’re right—Sportscenter is not about that kind of play. When I do my job right, that’s the kind of play I’m trying to point out.

And thanks for mentioning it—I noticed that play, but it did not make it into my game notes. Nice to see fans paying attention and spotting good baseball on their own.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Joel: Calling Humberto Quintero a pitcher was a little assist from an editor. I wrote Humberto Quintero and they incorrectly added “Royals pitcher.” I figure people who come to this site know the players.

The spring I said I was going to see a game in Peoria—about 15 minutes from Surprise—and the editors changed it to Peoria, Illinois. Quite a drive from Arizona.

(OK, clearly I do not share the ballplayer’s credo of not throwing a teammate under the bus, but I really feel like I make enough mistakes on my own.)

And I don’t know about Alex. He was seeing the ball OK in spring training. It might just be good pitching.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Joel: I forgot (See? A mistake I made on my own!): Yes, Escobar’s outstanding play was that bare-hand pickup.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Gaines: So I’m finally wearing you down on the subject of Chris Getz? Just kidding, I really don’t expect anyone to change their minds about him, but as you graciously conceded, there are times you can see why a manager finds a player like Getz useful.

As for the umpire being inconsistent: it drives everyone nuts. For hitters they probably wouldn’t change their zone until they had two strikes. Then they might feel like they can’t afford to take anything even close. Word of that will spread quickly through the dugout—protect the zone with two strikes.

Pitchers and catchers would be looking for an umpire pattern they can exploit: if he’s consistently giving a pitch off the plate down, up or sideways they want to take advantage of that.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Darrell: You might be right about Yuni’s ankle, but if Getz keeps replacing Yuni when the Royals have a lead late in a game, it’s something esle.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Kevin: I once told Getz I thought he was more valuable off the bench—not sure that went down great—because of his versatility.

Knowing I have a guy available that can get down a bunt, conduct a hit and run, move a runner over, steal a bag or play solid defense is a valuable thing to have in my hip pocket.

If he wasn’t hitting four times a night, his OPS would be less important. You’d just use him when his value would be highest.

Interesting numbers from the minors and I will ask Chris about that season—assuming he’s still speaking to me.
Bob Forer
1 year, 1 month ago

I went to Royals.com and reviewed the play at the plate involving Pujols. Played it several times, starting and stopping it. At one point, with Pujols’ lead foot still around six inches from the plate, it appears that Quintero’s glove briefly made contact with the side of Pujols’ knee area, before the “full” tag was put down on Pujols’ follow foot after he had crossed the plate. .

With the camera angle, its impossible to determine for sure.

This type of plate demonstrate the difficulty of umpiring, especially when the part of the runner’s body tagged is nearly three feet away from the part of the runner’s body which first contacts the plate.

In any event, Pujols had no business blowing throw the stop sign at third, and when a throw clearly beats the runner by a good 4 to 5 feet, the plate umpire will usually give the defense the benefit of the doubt on those few very very close calls.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Bob: Runners always have the option of blowing off the base coach, but if they do, they better be right.
Bob Forer
1 year, 1 month ago

Lee: It’s probably easier to blow off coach if you are the best player in the major leagues. Although the play at the plate was close, it didn’t seem like the type of play that would normally warrant an on-the-field protest by the manager.

I am wondering whether the protest was more an of an attempt to protect his star from ridicule as opposed to truly believing the ump had blow the call.
Lee Judge
1 year, 1 month ago

Bob: You’re right—Pujols can get away with running through a sign, a rookie might not. And I noticed the same thing in St. Louis; Tony La Russa would jump out of the dugout and protest anything he interpreted as a slight to Albert.

It’s probably unfair on my part—I spend a lot of time explaining that until you get to talk with these guys you don’t know what’s really happening—but managers coddling their star players adds to the sense that the player thinks he deserves special treatment.

I could be way off on Pujols. Maybe it’s just protecting a sizable investment.

Judging the Royals