I always hate to be that guy who has to bring something negative to light after such a positive night for the Mets. But I'm gonna be that guy anyway. The reason is that Jerry Manuel really makes me scratch my head sometimes.
For example, in the bottom of the third, Reyes singled to lead off the inning and Pagan came to the plate. That situation practically screams hit and run. I understand some managers may think that Pagan and Reyes have enough speed to stay out of the double play. The way I look at it, though, is that Pagan puts the ball in play more than anyone else on this team and doesn't strike out a lot. Also, Reyes can easily steal a base outright should Pagan swing and miss on the hit and run. Sure enough, Manuel doesn't hit and run and Pagan grounds into a double play.
I can't help but think back to 1999-2000, when the Mets had Cedeno and Alfonzo batting 1-2 (then eventually Timo Perez followed by Alfonzo). Both Cedeno and Perez had great speed while Alfonzo was great at putting the ball in play. So what did Valentine do? Hit and run all day, everyday. I'd really like to see Jerry hit and run more than twice in a season.
In the 11th, Jerry brought Feliciano in to start the inning against Eckstein, a right hander. I understand that Headley and Gonzalez, the next two hitters, are left handed. However, Feliciano has routinely allowed the first batter he faces to reach base. So if you were planning on using both Feliciano and Dessens in that inning anyway, why not start with Dessens against Eckstein and then go to Feliciano for Headley-Gonzalez?
I know this team is playing really smart baseball right now. They're not making the mental errors and stupid mistakes they've been prone to the last few seasons. A lot of that credit has to go to Manuel. So maybe I'm being too hard on him. Sometimes I just can't help but scratch my head when I watch him work.
Jerry Manuel....Headscratcher?
