Outside of certain, Bartolo-related exceptions, watching pitchers hit is not the most exciting thing in a baseball game. Yes, very, very occasionally they crush a ball and it’s fun because oh-hey-a-pitcher-did-that! But, for the most part, the best thing a pitcher can accomplish at the plate is successfully getting himself out on a sacrifice bunt.
To that end, Tigers starter Justin Verlander pulled off a perfect sacrifice bunt today.
Except, um, he was leading off the inning, and there was no one on base:
In Verlander’s complete defense, this is Spring Training, and he was told to lay down the bunt:
https://twitter.com/JustinVerlander/status/713836006819176454
Verlander on bunt: "I told Brad before I went up there, 'You're gonna get me booed.'"
Ausmus: "I told him, 'I don't care.'"— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 26, 2016