Become the Manager: Late-Inning Situation

The situation is a quite simple one. It is the top of the eighth, and your starter is winding down. He has led your team to a 3-2 lead and just gave up a lead-off double to the top of the order. Now the meat of their order, 2-3-4, is coming up and the decisions made by you will dictate the team"s success.

What"s Looming in their Line-Up

The second hitter is the prototypical two-hole hitter. A contact rate that is upwards of 85%, an on-base percentage at .370, and is a tough out. On top of that he is swinging from the left-side.

The three hole is the best hitter on the team. From the right side, he is hitting upwards of .320 and is leading the MLB in RBIs. On top of that, he hits .340 with runners in scoring position.

The four hole is similar to the Adam Dunn make-up. He has 40 home run potential. But is in the bottom echelon of the league in contact rate and has a swing-and-miss rate of 60%. After that, a switch hitting five hole that hits better from the right side is looming.

What You Have In the Bullpen

As the manager, you have a right handed bullpen arm, and a left handed specialist. The right-hander is a common strikeout pitcher, a K/9 of 14.32, and a K% of 25.3%. The left-handed specialist has a groundball percentage of 54% and a BABIP (batting average of balls in play) at .224.

The right hander is a two pitch pitcher, relying on his 97 MPH Fastball and a 85 MPH slider that ranks in the top 20 in swing and miss % of all sliders in the MLB.

The southpaw relies primarily movement. His best pitches are his 92-93 MPH sinker, and his 82 MPH changeup. However, he can mix in a slider against left-handed bats if needed.

So with a left-handed contact guy, the right-handed star of the line-up, a left-handed home run or nothing bat, and a switch-hitting clutch bat are looming, and the tying run is on second. Who do you call out of the pen? Remember as well, the next choice must face at least the next three batters.

Who will get the Call out of the Pen?

Also, Have Fun as a Manager!

ENJOY THE OFFSEASON AND STAY SAFE!

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The Right-Handed Strikeout Specialist

Your first move as a manager is the choice of the right-handed arm. It"s a bit of a risk with the left-handed contact hitter coming up, but I like your moxie and confidence in your decision. The next decision will prove pivotal if your team will maintain your lead.

How will you approach this at-bat against the scrappy left-hander?

The Left-Handed Specialist

Your first move is to play the percentages, and go for the weak contact to maintain your lead. I like your thought process. However, with a threat looming in the three hole, the decision made against the pesky lefty at the plate will set up the rest of your debut as the manager.

How will you will approach the two-hole hitter?

Runners on 1st and 2nd Base with the Third Hitter Up

A decision to get a double play in order is certainly an interesting one. The third hole hitter is the best bat in their line-up, and the other manager seems to be laughing in your face right now! What will your redemption move be?

TIE BALLGAME!

Pitching cautiously led to a groundball that leaked through the infield! Your big right-hander let a slider catch too much plate, and the pest that is their two-hole hitter punished him for it. As the manager now, each decision bears more weight, as you do not want to head into the bottom half of the eighth.

How will you approach their big bat in the three-hole?

Runner on Third with One Out

After a lengthy eleven pitch at-bat, the pesky left hander rolled over to the second basemen and grounded out. However, the runner got to third, and the best hitter in the line-up is coming up. With the tying run 90 feet away, what will you do?

Runner on Second with One Out

This is quite the bold move. Attacking a contact based hitter with a pitcher that tends to induce contact. But it proves to be the right move. Your left hander jammed him and got him to pop out in foul ground. So far so good in your debut as manager!

How do you approach the big right-handed bat?

Runner on Third with One Out

Your decision to pitch cautiously proved to be somewhat successful. After a tough eight pitch at-bat, the pesky left-hander rolled over to second, moving the runner to third, now with one out. With the tying run now 90 feet away, you decide to bring in the infield. What is your next move as manager?

First and Third with One Out

Obviously you walked the two hole for a reason! Going for the double play is the smart move as manager. The pitcher did get his ground ball but it was a diving play up the middle, causing a 6-4 fielder"s choice. Now with the tying run on third, the corners come in, and their big lefty comes up.

How do you approach the clean-up man?

You Can Put it on the Board! YES! 5-3 Bad Guys!

Not only was everyone in the stadium questioning the intentional walk, but now everyone is questioning the first pitch slider you just called! With guys on base, pitching for the strikeout is the wrong decision here, especially with a guy as clutch as their three hole up. Your reliever begrudgingly threw the slider, as it spun, the batter"s eyes lit up and he hit it over the left field wall.

Putting the guy on before him was meant to create the righty-righty situation, and although he may be a strikeout pitcher, the situation did not call for that. The hitter, knowing your right-hander"s strengths, sat slider and he got it first pitch! You have got to be smarter than that!

Your days as manager may be over soon!

A Pitcher"s Best Friend

Even after surrendering the run in his first batter out of the pen, your right hander remains focused. He knows that he can not let up another, as it would be a backbreaker. You know the opposing manager may want to put the man on first in motion, so you call fastball. It gets in on the hands of the batter, and it is a 6-4-3 double play!

Now with two outs, you cannot have a let down against their home run or bust clean-up man! What will you do against their four-hole?

GOT HIM LOOKING!

Knowing the severity of the situation, your right hander seems laser-focused on the strikeouts. It is an 2-2 count, and you as the manager call a backdoor slider. The hitter was sitting fastball, and he goes down looking! One down, and now the big clean-up man steps up to the plate.

How do you want the right-hander to approach him?

GOT HIM SWINGING!

Two away now, and the tying run remains at third. Everyone can take a deep breath. Mr. Clutch could not come up clutch against one of the best sliders in baseball, and got him swinging at one breaking low and away. The second out was obviously big, but with the threat of a home run looming with their four-hole, this next at-bat can be pivotal for your career as a manager.

With the tying run on third, what is the gameplan against the power hitting four-hole left hander?

Tie Ballgame! Two Outs, Bottom of the Eighth.

Going primarily with the fastball led to the clutch three-hole hitter to do his duty and drive home the runner. A deep drive into center eventually led to a sacrifice fly, and now the game is tied three apiece.

Now with the big lefty looming and the bases clear, what will be the gameplan to keep the score tied?

Runners on First and Second with One Out

Another smart move as manager, deciding to intentionally walk the clutch right handed bat in the middle of their order. Now you get lefty-lefty with the chance of a double play! But this next decision as acting manager will have an effect on what happens against their clean up man.

What will the primary pitch used be against the big lefty?

Runner on Third with Two Outs

Your southpaw attacked the big right-handed bat and got him out on his front foot with a changeup. A weak ground ball to second base moves the tying run to third, but now with two outs, the fielders take a deep breath.

With the home run or nothing bat of their four-hole stepping to the plate, how will you attack him to keep the lead?

First and Third with One Out

Pitching him cautiously led to a liner through the infield. Your southpaw primarily relied on the sinker away, but it caught too much plate. The three hole batter threw his barrel at it and got it through the infield. However, with a strong arm in right field, the man on second will not score.

Now with corners in and the four-hole up, what is your move Mr. Manager?

First and Third with One Out

An intentional walk to get the double play in order seems to be the right move here. However, the leading run is now on base as well and that puts pressure on your southpaw. What is your next move as manager against the big lefty?

Runner on Third with Two Outs

Attacking the right handed three hole batter with the infield in proved successful! A hard groundball to the shortstop kept the tying run on third, and now with two outs, everyone can take a deep breath!

How will you approach the clean-up man with the tying run 90 feet away?

GOT HIM SWINGING!

A strikeout pitcher against a batter that is prone to swing and miss? That is a match made in heaven for a manager! Now with the switch hitting five hole that struggles against right handed pitchers coming up with runners on the corners with two outs, what will you do?

Tie Game. Runner on Second. Two Outs.

Pitching for the double play against a guy that looks to elevate the ball is difficult, especially for a strikeout pitcher. After making a mistake and leaving a fastball up, the clean-up man does his job, hitting a sacrifice fly, tying the game up.

Now the switch hitting five hole comes up. He has struggled against righties in his career, but do you want to keep him in?

Out of the Inning with a 3-2 Lead!

Congratulations! You have success in a very tough situation as a manager! Staying away from the big clean up man turned into a routine 5-3, and the inning is over.

Man on Second with Two Outs

Pitching in against the left hander was not successful as he turned around a 96 MPH fastball into a double down the right field line! Now with the switch hitting five hole hitter coming up, what will you do to keep the lead?

The left hander is up and ready in the pen, but the hitter on deck sees southpaws better in his career. In one of the easier decisions as a manager, who will throw against him?

GOT HIM SWINGING!

Facing off against the swing and miss prone lefty, your righty put him away in three pitches! The inning is almost over, as your right faces off against the switch hitting five hole hitter in a tie ballgame. Knowing he struggles against right handed pitching you decide to keep your right hander in.

How do you want to manage this at-bat?

Inning Ending Double Play

The strikeout prone lefty got out on his front foot against your righties devastating slider and rolled over. 4-6-3 double play, and the offense is ready to take back that lead!

Got Him Swinging! Inning over!

The home run or nothing lefty will have to accept nothing here as he strikes out on a 1-2 slider down and in. Your team heads into the bottom of the eighth ready to add on to the lead in your debut as their manager!

Popped Him Up!

Pitching cautiously proved to be the right move here! With the tying run on third, he tried to do to much on a backdoor slider and popped out to the catcher in foul territory. Inning over.

Strike Three Looking! Heading into the Bottom Half of the 8th Tied!

Going for the strikeout against a strikeout prone batter? Sometimes being a manager is as simple as that. Calling the pitches to get the clean up man looking at a backdoor slider ends the inning deadlocked at three.

4-3 Bad Guys!

With a home run or bust type batter, choosing to play it cautiously proved to be the wrong decision here. Your right handed pitcher hung a slider and the clean-up man capitalized. Sometimes being a manager is not as easy as tweeting from the couch.

Now get up and get back at it!

4-6-3 DP! Inning Over!

Beautiful work done there Mr. Manager! Working out of a jam with ease!

A Two Run BOMB!

Your southpaw"s slider is nothing special, and relying on it in a spot like this proved costly. A hanging slider on a 1-1 count makes this game a 4-3 game and the catcher is starting to question your pitch-calling.

Prove him wrong and start this situation over!

Routine Groundout Keeps the Lead!

Attacking him with sinkers is the smart move. The late tail on your lefty"s pitch gets the clean-up man to roll over and ground out to second. Inning over. 3-2 Good Guys.

Well done manager!

Back, Back, Back, Back…. WOW!

CAUGHT ON THE WARNING TRACK! What an amazing play in centerfield! You may have made the wrong managerial decision trying to use his third best pitch to get an out, but pitchers get lucky. This was one of those instances. Your team escapes the eighth with a 3-2 lead!

1-6-3 DOUBLE PLAY! Two Runners Stranded

Why not do it yourself if you are the pitcher? Even though the four hole makes solid contact, the left handed specialist did what he does best, induce ground balls, and this one could not come at a more opportune time. Your team escapes with the lead!

Tie Game. Man on First. Two Outs.

The left hander was never a strikeout pitcher, even against a strikeout prone batter such as the four hole hitter. But a missed spot proved pivotal in this game. The big clean-up man hits a sacrifice fly to center, tying it up.

Now the switch hitting five hole is coming up and he hits better from the right side. Your right hander is ready in the pen, will you go to him?

Inning Ending Double Play!

A well placed sinking fastball gets the big clean-up man to roll into a 4-6-3 ground ball double play! As a manager, you look like a genius, calling the shots and keeping the lead doing so.

Got Him Swinging!

With runners on the corners, the lefty manned up and struck out the clean-up man, however, now a bigger decision looms. With the switch hitter that sees left handed pitchers better on deck, will you make the call to the pen? Your right handed strikeout specialist is still warm.

Got Him Looking!

Believe it or not it was with his third best pitch too! The slider caught everyone by surprise on a 2-2 count and the big bat in their order goes down. The comeback fails, and your team heads into the dugout with a lead!

Popped Him Up!

Using the sinker to bite inside to the lefty, he just about breaks his bat as he pops it up behind the plate. The catcher makes the play and the inning is over. Crisis averted for your debut as manager.

Line Drive….

Caught! The switch hitting five hole wanted to make his presence felt right away, swinging at first pitch fastball. He made solid contact but it was caught by a leaping shortstop. Inning over.

Strike Three Swinging!

Good call with the slider! Down and in, it ties the switch hitting five hole in a knot, ending the inning on a hilarious strikeout. Time to get the bats going!

Strikeout. Tied at 3-3 Heading Into the Bottom of the Eighth.

Pretty simple decision sticking with the throwing side the batter struggles with the most. Sometimes being a manager can be as easy as that! Some of your decisions were questionable as the game is now tied, but it could have been much worse.

A Blown Lead!

The decision was simple. You know that the switch hitter has struggled from the left side of the plate. But bringing in the left-handed arm gave him a chance to capitalize, and that he did! A single up the middle makes this a 4-3 game!

Crisis Averted.

Although he surrendered one run, keeping him in is the right call. Knowing the switch hitter struggles from the left side, using the righty keeps the score where it is at, as the five hole grounds out to end the scare.

Home Run. 5-3 Ballgame.

Why bring in the lefty? You as the manager know the splits! You see his struggles from the left side of the plate. Yet you let the early struggles from the righty deter you. Now it is 5-3 as the five hole punished a sinker that was high, and it is more work for your offense.

Strikeout Swinging!

Utilizing your right handed reliever"s best pitch, the five hole batter stood no chance. He fell victim to a slider low and in, and the team heads into the dugout tied up!

Heads Up!

Your reliever tried to sneak a fastball by the five hole, and he hit one hard back at the pitcher. Luckily the pitcher was able to knock it down with his mitt and throw him out at first. The game remains tied, and your pitcher may need some new pants.

The Right Hander Does His Job!

Bringing in the strikeout specialist from the right side did not do any favors for the switch hitting five hole hitter. As the manager, you knew his weaknesses from the left side, and capitalized on them. A groundball to first ends the threat, and the team is ready to take the lead back!

A Deep Drive to Center! Off the Wall!

Keeping with the left hander proved to be detrimental. The switch hitting five hole hitter saw his pitch and led his team to a late lead on an RBI triple to center. 4-3 bad guys, and the threat is not over yet!