Well, the story will be that Kirk Gibson gambled when he pulled Joe Saunders for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the third inning -- that he took some sort of daring risk. But that ignores the Joe Saunders Theorem, which posits:
Diamondbacks vs. Brewers: Kirk Gibson Gambles, Arizona Tacks On Two More
All things being equal, Joe Saunders is likely to pitch like Joe SaundersIt’s transitive gold. But while it wasn’t a risk, necessarily, it was the kind of move that a lot of managers wouldn’t have made. A lot of managers have odd infatuations with their starters eating innings just to eat them, not really mindful of how they’re digested and disposed of.
With Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young in scoring position, two outs, and the pitcher’s spot coming up, Gibson sent up Collin Cowgill, who had exactly 100 at-bats in the regular season and a .239/.300/.304 line. Cowgill singled through the left side, extending the Diamondbacks’ lead to 7-3. Good move by Gibson? With the benefit of hindsight, it looks like a great move.
Of course, Micah Owings is pitching now, and while he’s 8-0 -- not under .500 like that Tim Lincecum clown -- he’s not especially reliable either. The scoring in this game probably isn’t over.
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