Giants @ -3 runs for +2000

[Biz]

Excellent, excellent call here. The dagger in your favor, of course, was bringing in Jose "Going Through The Motions When Not In A Save Opportunity" Valverde, WHO ALWAYS GIVES UP RUNS in these kinds of situations (As a lot of closers do). It's laughable when managers ignore this obvious and common-sensical characteristic of emotional closers - it's HUMAN NATURE and just continues to happen repeatedly. Screw "getting them work in" when the "work" usually ends up being counter-productive and hurts their confidence.

But yeah, great call with Verlander. I anticipated something similar, as I wrote about in my article how the eight days off would completely throw him off his routine and leave him in a state of being too content. When that happens, human nature kicks and you just lose that edge that propels you to the top. Obviously tonight, that's what happened to Verlander and nothing more.

Cat,

Valverde has been torched several times in closing situations. Reportedly he pitched in a simulation Sunday and didn't fare well. Leyland needed to get him in a live game, he has already lost his closers job.

No problem putting him in that situation. It was a 6-1 ballgame at that point in the bottom of the 6th. It wasn't "laughable" that he put him in there. What would have been laughable was putting him in a situation where he blew another lead.

The guy has lost all confidence, and Leyland was putting him in a no pressure situation to get him back on track. Obviously, Valverde still has issues getting people out. Jim Leyland knows what he is doing. It was absolutely the right thing to do, even if the results weren't what they had hoped. No disrespect, but I think Leyland has a better idea of pitching staffs and how to handle them that the average fan.

 

[varkeyboy]

I love seeing winning tickets like this!! I read this thread before going to my buddy's house to watch the game. He asked me, "Vark, what would the -2 or -3 be on the Giants tonight???". LOL! I knew the answer right away.

Congrats on the big payout!