Minnesota Twins (30-23) @ Toronto Blue Jays (30-20) - June 3-5, 2022

[SharoneWright]

Would Charlie risk "clubhouse fun/bruised egos" by giving the take sign to Bo with a 2-0 count and only 1 runner in scoring position and with 2 out in the 9th and the wheels obviously falling off the Twins and where a walk creates a situation requiring only a single to tie the game and with Vlad on deck. Because I would. Not that he should have to if our 250million dollar shortstop would pause consider the situation and the odds. Probably a moot point. Doubt Bo had ever been reminded to look down to 3rd.

Bichette shouldn’t be taking on a 2-0 count against anybody with his kind of power, least of all with the game on the line. That’s an incredibly favourable position to swing in.

The guy threw a good pitch and he missed it (Bo was sitting changeup the entire AB, if he left it up, it’s probably over the fence but he didn’t). It happens.

Disagree.

I don't give Bo that kind of leash. He's not so good that he can gamble against the house. Maybe as a courtesy in the 3rd inning, but not in this situation with such a thin margin for error. Taking pitches was the play, especially after ball2. You don't have to do the hard thing and hit a ball 400 feet. Let the Twins implode on their own by making them have to do the hard thing (medium-hard thing) and throw 1 bloody strike. Bases loaded with Vlad coming up is where you want to be, and we could taste it. Bo wanted it for himself and we lost.

You say Bo's power could have won the game with a homer on a 2-0 pitch. True. Vlad could also have tied the game with a single or won with anything better. Choose the scenario that wins more games. Once Bo got to 2-0, it was his job to make scenario 2 happen.

[pilkoids]

I guess learning English is not a priority for Vlad?

First, why should it be?

Second, he does speak English, just not comfortable speaking English in interviews. Not uncommon with players for whom English is not their first language.

I guess that implication comes across, but nowhere did I pass judgement or say that he should. I just find it odd that he's in his 3rd season, is the face of the franchise, and that he/the team don't think it's important he communicate in English in interviews. I don't care either way, it was an observation that stood out.

[vaff87]

Is Kirk already one of the best catchers in baseball? He’s second in fWAR among catchers.

[Randle McMurphy]

Would Charlie risk "clubhouse fun/bruised egos" by giving the take sign to Bo with a 2-0 count and only 1 runner in scoring position and with 2 out in the 9th and the wheels obviously falling off the Twins and where a walk creates a situation requiring only a single to tie the game and with Vlad on deck. Because I would. Not that he should have to if our 250million dollar shortstop would pause consider the situation and the odds. Probably a moot point. Doubt Bo had ever been reminded to look down to 3rd.

Bichette shouldn’t be taking on a 2-0 count against anybody with his kind of power, least of all with the game on the line. That’s an incredibly favourable position to swing in.

The guy threw a good pitch and he missed it (Bo was sitting changeup the entire AB, if he left it up, it’s probably over the fence but he didn’t). It happens.

Disagree.

I don't give Bo that kind of leash. He's not so good that he can gamble against the house. Maybe as a courtesy in the 3rd inning, but not in this situation with such a thin margin for error. Taking pitches was the play, especially after ball2. You don't have to do the hard thing and hit a ball 400 feet. Let the Twins implode on their own by making them have to do the hard thing (medium-hard thing) and throw 1 bloody strike. Bases loaded with Vlad coming up is where you want to be, and we could taste it. Bo wanted it for himself and we lost.

You say Bo's power could have won the game with a homer on a 2-0 pitch. True. Vlad could also have tied the game with a single or won with anything better. Choose the scenario that wins more games. Once Bo got to 2-0, it was his job to make scenario 2 happen.

He’s one of the best hitters on the team and he’s in a 2-0 hitter’s count where he was very likely to get a pitch in the zone. It’s a complete no brainer. I could cite for you his numbers in such counts in his career, but I would think that it would be self-evident how good those would be.

There is no issue with him swinging there at all. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing his job.

[Randle McMurphy]

Is Kirk already one of the best catchers in baseball? He’s second in fWAR among catchers.

I think there’s a fair argument that he’s the best catcher in baseball.

[vaff87]

Is Kirk already one of the best catchers in baseball? He’s second in fWAR among catchers.

I think there’s a fair argument that he’s the best catcher in baseball.

It’s rather crazy how few catchers can actually hit.

[SharoneWright]

He’s one of the best hitters on the team and he’s in a 2-0 hitter’s count where he was very likely to get a pitch in the zone. It’s a complete no brainer. I could cite for you his numbers in such counts in his career, but I would think that it would be self-evident how good those would be.

There is no issue with him swinging there at all. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing his job.

It's a good hitter's count. So is 3-0. (you might argue he should swing) So is 3-1. So is 2-1. (he grounded out on another ball )

You and Bo are tooooo impatient. With other good batters coming up with more runners on base.

[Randle McMurphy]

He’s one of the best hitters on the team and he’s in a 2-0 hitter’s count where he was very likely to get a pitch in the zone. It’s a complete no brainer. I could cite for you his numbers in such counts in his career, but I would think that it would be self-evident how good those would be.

There is no issue with him swinging there at all. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing his job.

It's a good hitter's count. So is 3-0. (you might argue he should swing) So is 3-1. So is 2-1. (he grounded out on another ball )

You and Bo are tooooo impatient. With other good batters coming up with more runners on base.

Bo Bichette didn’t get to this level by taking pitches in incredibly favourable hitter’s counts. You want your best hitters taking swings in exactly such spots. That’s how runs are scored and games are won. Not taking a pitch for the mere hope of something that may never come anyway.

[SharoneWright]

He’s one of the best hitters on the team and he’s in a 2-0 hitter’s count where he was very likely to get a pitch in the zone. It’s a complete no brainer. I could cite for you his numbers in such counts in his career, but I would think that it would be self-evident how good those would be.

There is no issue with him swinging there at all. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing his job.

It's a good hitter's count. So is 3-0. (you might argue he should swing) So is 3-1. So is 2-1. (he grounded out on another ball )

You and Bo are tooooo impatient. With other good batters coming up with more runners on base.

Bo Bichette didn’t get to this level by taking pitches in incredibly favourable hitter’s counts. You want your best hitters taking swings in exactly such spots. That’s how runs are scored and games are won. Not taking a pitch for the mere hope of something that may never come anyway.

This might be exactly his level then. Bad swings in key moments. When you could give your swings to Vlad with better odds for winning...

You are literally banking on a home run. Which is a bad bet. If you say you are betting on a swinging single, then you are betting on 2 singles in a row to get the job done. Which is something south of 10%. Which is a much worse bet than a walk on 2-0, followed by a hit.

Bo swinging out of his shoes on 2-2 is way better than on 2-0 in this case.

[Randle McMurphy]

It's a good hitter's count. So is 3-0. (you might argue he should swing) So is 3-1. So is 2-1. (he grounded out on another ball )

You and Bo are tooooo impatient. With other good batters coming up with more runners on base.

Bo Bichette didn’t get to this level by taking pitches in incredibly favourable hitter’s counts. You want your best hitters taking swings in exactly such spots. That’s how runs are scored and games are won. Not taking a pitch for the mere hope of something that may never come anyway.

This might be exactly his level then. Bad swings in key moments. When you could give your swings to Vlad with better odds for winning...

You are literally banking on a home run. Which is a bad bet. If you say you are betting on a swinging single, then you are betting on 2 singles in a row to get the job done. Which is something south of 10%. Which is a much worse bet than a walk on 2-0, followed by a hit.

Bo swinging out of his shoes on 2-2 is way better than on 2-0 in this case.

I’m banking on him being able to drive the ball on a 2-0 count, which he has great odds of doing given his career numbers in such a count. Simply taking a pitch in the hopes that another better scenario will arise that may never come makes very little sense statistically (because the most likely outcome of any 2-0 pitch is a strike) and no team would ever want a good hitter doing it.

The fact that Bichette absolutely mashes LHP in his career (154 wRC+) is also all the more reason for him to be swinging away rather than hoping for a reset count against Vlad (a 116 career wRC+ vs LHP). There is not one issue with Bichette’s approach there other than the final outcome.