POLLMAN: Managerial Decision

The assumption here is that the starter is tired having walked 2 in the 9th after only walking 1 through the first 8 innings. You're up two and you've got a potential strikeout victim at the plate so go with your closer and have him pitch for the K righty vs righty. Once again the assumption is that the closer is a strikeout pitcher.

There really isn't a wrong choice though unless the starter looks like he's fatigued enough to injure his arm. I don't like the IBBs even though they put the double play in order simply because I don't want to put the potential winning run on base.

The wrong choices: (Unless it's Bonds or similiar hitter at the plate)

Walk the batter, then put in RHP closer
Walk the batter, then put in LHP mid-relief

Rule: Don't intentionally put the winning run on base!

oops, Just noticed more than half of the votes so far were for one of those choices. Sorry, have to disagree with the majority here.

Giving a pass to an overdue fifth batter seems like a good bet.

Bring in the mid relief lefty and look for the dp.

Unless you have Ron "Instant DP" Davis in the bullpen.

if we are talking hs and under. the pitcher is out of gas. Bring in a fresh arm.

If it were really the Dodgers and the Pirates. The closer would have started the 9th inning or at worse been put in after the first walk. This is the exact reason you have a closer! This is a save opportunity.

Right on PG, Save opportunity. Bring in the money guy before the 2nd walk. But if your one of these mgrs. that don't know when to go get him, nows a good time.

The pitcher has obviously pitched his heart out. PG Staff and Coachric are right. This manager has allowed his starting pitcher to be put in a situation where at best he'll get a no-decision and at worst he'll lose.

Bring in the closer. Even better, bring in that closer before the tying run is up to the plate.