Apr. 20, 2009 (Kansas City Star delivered by Newstex ) --
One thing that I would like to explore here on the ol blog this summer is how Baseball managers can affect games. We all know that some pinch-hit more, some are more liberal with the intentional walk, some have strictly defined roles in the bullpen while others will freelance more, some change lineups constantly to take advantage of match-ups while others prefer the consistency of set lineups and so on. But there are many other things that managers do that will affect a team and the way it plays. It could be something a manager says to the media, or a strategic maneuver that is easy to miss, or the resting of a player that is in a slump, or letting a pitcher throw 120 pitches in a certain situation. It could be many, many things.
Obviously, I am closest to the situation in Kansas City but I would love for you to email me herewhen you see your own manager make a move that infuriates you or impresses you or utterly baffles you, something that you think went unnoticed.
Ill start with one:
The Kansas City Royals will start fifth-starter Horacio Ramirez (0-1, 11.12 ERA) on Wednesday against the reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Lee even though the Royals No. 1 starter, Gil Meche, will be on the full four-days rest.
So, some managers will use days off in April so that they dont have to pitch fifth starters like Horacio Ramirez.
And some managers will use days off in April to give their starters an extra day of rest they dont need.
Verdict: I have absolutely no earthly idea why the Royals are doing this, and I do not believe there is an explanation good enough. But Im always open to new ideas.
Newstex ID: KC-3053-34265374
