Two Outs Man On Third Game Tied In 9th Who Do You Want Up?

[Sports Guy]

See, this is another good question to ask. Nick IS better vs. righties and Tejada IS better vs. lefties.

But these whole "Last week, Tejada hit a GWRBI, so he's better!" and "I know Nick is bad because I trust my eyes over stats!" arguments are completely stupid.

Of course..situation dictates the answer...How are each hitting at the time? Who are they facing on the mound? Any lingering imjury issues that are hurting performance? Is one in a slump at the time?

End of the day, Nick is clearly the better all around hitter.

[Sports Guy]

Why isn't Adam Jones a choice?

[Pedro Cerrano]

Why isn't Adam Jones a choice?

Consider who created this poll.

[Sports Guy]

Consider who created this poll.

That's my point...He feels Jones is the best player.

[makoman]

Haha, actually he intentionally conjured this scenario up because it's one where the walk doesn't gain the O`s anything and just passes the buck to the next hitter. He's really pressing to advance his anti-Nick agenda lately in light of Nick's good hitting.

This isn't quite correct. He didn't say bottom of the 9th, could be the top. A walk would give us more of a chance to get more than 1 run, which is particularly important given the bullpen we've had this season.

[El Gordo]

See, that's a fairly reasonable argument. "I prefer Tejada because he strikes out less." And he does, the stats bear that out.

But we're not talking about making sure the guy doesn't strike out, we're talking about specifically GETTING THE HIT TO DRIVE THE RUNNER in. If the argument is "I want the person more likely to get the hit", Nick still wins, because he has the higher batting average. Not the higher OBP, not the higher SLG or SLG, the higher AVERAGE. He still hits better than Tejada in this exact situation.

So if you want a hit to drive the runner in, Nick still wins. If you just want a guy who won't end the inning ... well, Nick also wins, because his OBP is higher. But if you want a guy who won't strike out, sure, Tejada will work.

Tejada is a great player, this is true. I'm not arguing that I DON'T want to see him in a situation where we need a hit. But if you're going to say "Pick one", I'm going with Nick.

Indeed it is but it is not my argument. The difference in career BA between them is.009 I don't consder that to be significant. I do think the fact that Tejada strikes out less and is more likely to put the ball in play, is significant. Nick's batting average is driven by the fact that he walks a lot more . I want a guy to put the ball in play in that situation. Nick is less likely to do that, and more likely to strike out.

[Sports Guy]

Indeed it is but it is not my argument. The difference in career BA between them is.009 I don't consder that to be significant. I do think the fact that Tejada strikes out less and is more likely to put the ball in play, is significant. Nick's batting average is driven by the fact that he walks a lot more . I want a guy to put the ball in play in that situation. Nick is less likely to do that, and more likely to strike out.

But Miggy is also more likely to have a poor at bat, see less pitches and swing at a pitcher's pitch.

[waroriole]

But Miggy is also more likely to have a poor at bat, see less pitches and swing at a pitcher's pitch.

That's true, but it usually doesn't matter with Tejada. He can hit a poor pitch, and he can hit a great pitch. Still, my answer is Nick b/c he's the best hitter on the team.

[snatch311]

It doesn't suggest that at all.

Okay, how about the fact that he has a .444 BABIP against LHP so far this season, despite having a 15.8 LD%

When a guy is hitting .321, with a .444 BABIP, a huge K rate, low LD rate, and a history of not hitting lefties, what does it suggest? I'm curious.

[bluedog]

Right now I want Wigginton. When Wiggy isn't white, scorching hot, I want Markakis.

[Old#5fan]

This isn't quite correct. He didn't say bottom of the 9th, could be the top. A walk would give us more of a chance to get more than 1 run, which is particularly important given the bullpen we've had this season.

I meant bottom as a hit would win the game. Why the heck would you think I meant anything else? (In case you have never done a poll it limits you how many words and I couldn't cover it all to be that damn specific but most would assume the game was on the line meaning BOTTOM of the 9th! Good Golly Miss Molly!

[Old#5fan]

See, this is another good question to ask. Nick IS better vs. righties and Tejada IS better vs. lefties.

But these whole "Last week, Tejada hit a GWRBI, so he's better!" and "I know Nick is bad because I trust my eyes over stats!" arguments are completely stupid.

Edit: Though I am with Sports Guy, the K's don't tell you anything useful about whether he's been lucky against lefties or not. It'd be more useful to see how often he strikes out against lefties in his career and also look at his BABIP and LD% against them.

If I am so stupid put up or shut up. I bet you Miggi has more GAME WINNING RBIS than Markakis does this season. The loser puts "I bow to the wisdom of the winner in their signature line the entire off season. Either man up or quit calling me stupid because I sure as hell ain't scared to backup my position that Miggi is better in the clutch.

[Mackus]

If I am so stupid put up or shut up. I bet you Miggi has more GAME WINNING RBIS than Markakis does this season. The loser puts "I bow to the wisdom of the winner in their signature line the entire off season. Either man up or quit calling me stupid because I sure as hell ain't scared to backup my position that Miggi is better in the clutch.

But you certainly are stupid enough to think that one player having more GWRBI than the other would prove that they are better in the clutch, apparently.

[ledzepp8]

If I am so stupid put up or shut up. I bet you Miggi has more GAME WINNING RBIS than Markakis does this season. The loser puts "I bow to the wisdom of the winner in their signature line the entire off season. Either man up or quit calling me stupid because I sure as hell ain't scared to backup my position that Miggi is better in the clutch.

I'll say this again:

Before you go betting someone, tell us all how many GAME WINNING RBIs that Tejada and Markakis have for their careers. You have no idea do you?

[trk001]

If I am so stupid put up or shut up. I bet you Miggi has more GAME WINNING RBIS than Markakis does this season. The loser puts "I bow to the wisdom of the winner in their signature line the entire off season. Either man up or quit calling me stupid because I sure as hell ain't scared to backup my position that Miggi is better in the clutch.

:rolleyestf:

GWRBI is a worthless stat, as has been explained countless times, and I'm not making a dumb internet bet over it. I'd just as soon make a bet on a lousy coin flip.