NEWSLETTER
I guess once you declare yourself someone who willingly puts batters on base even after you’ve got them in a two-strike count, there’s no reason to go back. That’s who you are now.
So White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who was lambasted for his previous decision to intentionally walk Trea Turner in a two-strike count (Max Muncy followed with a home run), DID IT AGAIN:
The runners had just advanced, opening up first base, which is “why” La Russa did it. But when it’s a 1-2 count, there’s NO REASON not to let the pitcher work, unless you think he sucks. If you’re OK with a walk, fine, then make sure he’s clear on the strategy. But intentionally walking in that situation just so you can get a different same-handed match-up? It’s bonkers.
The next batter flew out, by the way, so La Russa can say this one “worked.”
After the game, he was NOT in the mood to discuss his unusual decision.
“We’ve been through this before, the most ridiculous thing in this season has been (reaction to) the 1-2 walk. I mean that’s the most ridiculous,” La Russa said after the game, per The Athletic. “That’s what I say. Anybody says…I mean. I don’t want to get into it, man. Gets me upset. Ain’t a baseball man that I know would pitch to that one guy (Trea Turner) instead of Muncy and now, if he leaves the left-hander in (Jones), not going to face Gonzalez, he’s hitting .300.”
Fun fact? Oscar Gonzalez is actually hitting WAY BETTER against fellow righties this year than lefties. So right there, not a sensible move.
Other fun fact? Gonzalez actually is hitting well this year when he reaches a 1-2 count (.310/.333/.414), so hey, maybe he’s the magical guy where you absolutely want to walk him with an open base once he reaches two strikes. … or that’s a whopping 60 plate appearances and is just noise that comes from a .514 BABIP. The guy strikes out 38.3% of the time once he gets to a 1-2 count.
Another fun Tony La Russa moment in a season full of them.
