Quote: Jerry Manuel on Pitching to Pujols
“Albert hadn’t had any hits. It was a tough call. We were trying to leave the ball away, get him to hit the ball on the ground and hopefully we’d be able to get it. We were playing with fire and we got burned.”
~ Jerry Manuel, on choosing to pitch to Pujols in the 13th inning
Frankly, I am not a huge fan of the Intentional Walk, because the probability never makes sense, especially with a guy like Matt Holliday batting behind him.
That said, it’s Pujols.
I think what kills me most in this quote is how Manuel assumes any pitcher on the Mets, other than Johan Santana, can dictate how Pujols will hit the ball.
I mean, I have seen the man hit, and he seems pretty much in control of what is happening at the plate… and so, if there is a reason to walk him, it’s that.
