UF game 3 question

[Zona]

Why did we pinch hit 0-for-the-season Whitaker at the end? Why did we pinch hit Allen Dye for Andrew Miller earlier? What kind of ...-backward decisions were those?

 

[bamamick]

Sometimes I think Gaspard does things just because what we are already doing isn't working, and sometimes I think I'd agree with him. If NOTHING is working you HAVE to at least try something. Sometimes dumb luck comes through for you.

Four runs in the last five SEC games? Is that some kind of record?

rtr

 

[JoJoforHeisman]

With a chance to tie or take the lead in the 9th inning, you pinch hit with a guy who hasn't even been on base since 2010? It would be nice if the media covered baseball as aggressively and thoroughly as they do football, that way someone could at least put Gaspard on the spot and have him try to explain some of the bizarre managerial decisions he has made this season.

Even if nothing is working and you have to just try something, there were other alternatives available than the guy with the .000 average. If you're trying to catch lightning in a bottle, why not go with Ladson Montgomery? He's only got two hits on the season, but they were both doubles. Or maybe Case Nixon, who is 4-for-10?

At least the starting pitchers have done their jobs this season. They deserve a lot better.

 

[baseballfanatic]

I don't know why, but maybe he's trying to send a message to a few guys. I wouldn't know who, or why, or whatever, but it's all I can think of as far as pinch-hitting a guy batting 0-fer. He did it in the last game of the Tennessee series too, pinch-hit a guy hitting about .150, with Rosecrans sitting on the bench, who has the opportunity to win the game with one swing.

 

[ptide12]

The most frustrating aspect of yesterday's
Game for me was when Josh sanders led off
the 7th (or 8th) with an infield hit and then promptly
gets picked off of 1st with our best hitter at the
dish...just absolutely inexcusable. Seems like we
are close to setting the record this year for # guys
picked off.

On a side note, since sanders has actually resembled
a real 2b the last week, I wonder if kelton moves back
to left? Any update recently on his or Hawley's status?

 

[tidehawk83]

Have to chime in here as some of us watched all three games and Sanders played lights out at second base all weekend, not to mention he and Reaves tied for the most hits. Now whether or not he keeps that up remains to be seen. But from a defensive standpoint there were plays he made robbing hits that Kelton or Tullidge neither one makes and at this stage does Gaspard go with someone that can take hits away or reinsert Kelton? In his defense the pick off at first appeared to be a balk and even the Florida announcers thought the pitcher got away with one. Dugas was 000 for the weekend so who knows what would have happened although in that situation it's a given he was probably bunting.
Smart pitched a heck of a game and hopefully they will rebound this weekend against State.

 

[JoJoforHeisman]

Have to chime in here as some of us watched all three games and Sanders played lights out at second base all weekend, not to mention he and Reaves tied for the most hits. Now whether or not he keeps that up remains to be seen. But from a defensive standpoint there were plays he made robbing hits that Kelton or Tullidge neither one makes and at this stage does Gaspard go with someone that can take hits away or reinsert Kelton? In his defense the pick off at first appeared to be a balk and even the Florida announcers thought the pitcher got away with one. Dugas was 000 for the weekend so who knows what would have happened although in that situation it's a given he was probably bunting.
Smart pitched a heck of a game and hopefully they will rebound this weekend against State.

The most pressing need at this point is clearly offense. Prioritizing defense doesn't make much sense when you're struggling to score even a single run a game. The fact that Sanders is currently "swinging the hot bat" says more about the overall state of the team's hitting than anything. I would caution against relying too heavily on the four singles he hit this past weekend as any indicator of future success at the plate. If he keeps putting the ball in play and chipping in a few hits, then by all means, play him. But over the long-run, you're going to get more production out of a healthy Kelton for sure. Stick with Sanders for now, but once he starts showing signs of slowing down at the plate, turn to Kelton, immediately. It's too late in the season and there's too much at stake to wait around for a senior with limited ability to work out of a slump. Sanders could always be used as a late-inning defensive replacement. With the glove of Sanders and the bat of Kelton available, Tullidge would be relegated to a bench role.