@adbono posted:A sign of analytics going too far (and replacing good common sense) is the Astros batting starting pitcher Zach Grienke in the 8 hole in a must win World Series game. There is no world where that makes sense. Front office decisions like this that are being forced down a manager’s throat are driving good baseball men out of the game. I’m looking forward to seeing spineless Rob Manfred present a World Series trophy to the Braves after woking them out of hosting the All Star game.
The world where it makes sense is the world where your catcher batted .179 in the regular season and is 3 for 37 in the post season coming into the game. The dude couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.
Greinke comes out and goes 1 for 2 and once he is pulled you know you will pinch hit for any reliever that comes up in the lineup. Hard to argue it wasn’t the right decision.
If you need one hit and your only two options are Grienke and Maldonado, who are you sending to the plate?
Greinke career BA .225
Maldonado career BA .212