GDT 5/13/18 New York Mets (deGrom) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Nola)

[LoneStarPhan]

It seems that too often a reliever gets two outs and then struggles to get the third. Hunter gave up the run on two hits after getting the first two outs. Ramos got two out and then the 4 pitch walk. At least, he got the next hitter to line out to left to end the game. I would not be surprised to see more than one pitcher coming into games in the 9th in a save situation. No need to rush into naming someone as the "closer" right now.

Another great win for the Phillies. Record now 23-16. Home record 16-6. Road 7-10. I am hoping they can improve that road record in the coming week. They are 7-3 in last 10, 6-2 in last 8 games. I cannot help thinking how the losses in the last 8 games were the two Neris lost in the ninth with blown saves/losses. Regardless, as nice as an 8 game winning streak would look now, I cannot be disappointed with 23-16. Phillies in second place in the NL East, one game behind the Braves.

Again, Santana steps up at the plate, going 2 (double, homer) for 3 with a walk. Herrera (1 for 3 with a walk) had a hit to extend his streak. Of course, the big hit was the pinch hit home run from Nick Williams. Nola gets another win to run his record to 6-1.

[LoneStarPhan]

Nimmo

Called strike (92.0 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (90.6 mph two-seam fastball)
In play, no out (92.6 mph four-seam fastball)

Brandon Nimmo singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Maikel Franco.

The game started off with a bunt single and the Mets almost scored in the top of the first. Of course, the Phillies almost scored in the bottom of the first.

The game started off with a shift, Franco playing just off the second base bag on the left side. The bunt rolled down the line and hit third base. This shift is open to giving a base hit to any player who can bunt down the third base line. The Mets elected to take a base hit to start the game. Another hit due to the shift.

[tom81]

Today’s game is the first I have actually gone too this season while I have watched them a lot on tv. I have no problem with their shift usage with no men on base but it looked to me that they are too dogmatic with shifting and don’t take game situation enough into account when deciding when to shift. It must be a bit demoralizing for a pitcher to induce what would normally be routine ground ball double play ball to the shortstop now resulting in runners safe at first and second with no outs recorded.

[zambonir]

The numbers so far says the shift isn't working for them. But it's not like they don't see those numbers too. So they either have reason to believe it will come out ahead for them over 162, or they'll adjust. If opposing hitters/managers are adjusting obviously it's important they react to that, but we do already know shift teams are happy to give away the "free" hits overall.

Also, I think the intense focus on the bullpen is because we forget what it's like to actually be in games that matter. Relievers allow base runners. Sometimes even runs. Even great starting pitchers occasionally fail to give a quality start and great relievers are still gonna get tagged occasionally.

Funny thing about Santana is he's had this amazing power surge but his OBP hasn't improved at all. I'm sure it will though.

Agreed they gotta show better on the road. That's the difference between them and several of the teams they are battling with in the standings (division or WC).

[Slinging_Southpaw]

IMO, the shift is badly overused. Did it make sense against a player like Ryan Howard that either can't or won't adjust to it? Absolutely, but to give a player like Brandon Nimmo the whole left side and to dare him to beat you, is foolish.

[el-pietro]

Are we being a bit simplistic in counting the number of hits given up by the shift. Giving up a few bases empty singles are probably worth it if they are preventing doubles. So they might give up x number of singles but prevent y doubles/triples and still think its worth while?
I don't know if there has been any study done on that and expected runs

Obviously you would want to end up preventing more hits than you allow as a result but that might not be the only consideration. Just a thought, I don't have any evidence suggesting this is correct.

[andyb]

Though the shifts could make things like double plays and caught stealings harder also. I am sure the teams try to count that as well as extra base hits beyond singles. What is hard to measure is offensive adjustments to the shift. To have a large enough sample of data one probably needs to look beyond the current year and hitters are likely adapting to shifts in some of the same ways the shifts adapt to them.

Hopefully this settles down somewhat to an era of less severe shifts because hitter adaptations make the severe ones counterproductive. Maybe a power hitter like Howard will not adapt too much since their job is really to hit over the shift (not just Howard, every hitter looking at their launch angle). Shifts for guys like Crawford though will diminish because guys with Crawford's skill will need to adapt or will get replaced.

[el-pietro]

Thats a good point, I didn't consider that. The shifts aren't as extreme with runners on I assume though I do recall some comments around shifts with runners on in recent games.

[EastFallowfield]

I did notice that the Mets announcers did harp more on the bunt single against the shift than aboit the lineout that Kingery caught right behind second base. Both cited a result of shifts but the failed shift got a lot more discussion.