In the seventh inning of the Phillies’ 10-7 win over the Mets on Sunday, New York manager Mickey Callaway chose to intentionally walk Philadelphia catcher Andrew Knapp with two outs.
Knapp has a .194/.326/.259 slash line on the season, and entered the game with a .218/.327/.322 career slash line in 545 plate appearances.
Oh, and this was to load the bases. And with *Bryce Harper* on deck.
Well, Harper walked (as he does in 15.1% of his plate appearances) to score a run, putting the Phillies up 10-6.
After the game, Callaway was asked why he made this decision. The Mets’ skipper said that he wanted to remove Philadelphia reliever Mike Morin from the game; Harper pinch-hit in Morin’s spot in the lineup.
Well that’s an, um, interesting explanation.
Morin shouldn’t be dictating an opponent’s gameplan. The right-hander has a 4.12 ERA and 4.38 FIP this season, and entered with a 4.56 ERA for his career. If we’re talking a reliever like Josh Hader, Aroldis Chapman, or Kirby Yates, Callaway’s explanation would be at least *sort of* understandable.
But putting a very bad hitter on base… to load the bases… to get to one of the best hitters in baseball… who’s also one of the most patient hitters in baseball… in a spot where a walk allows a run… when you’re already trailing by three runs.
The logic isn’t exactly there for this one, Mickey.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.