/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67035730/1172113272.jpg.0.jpg)
Good morning, Athletics Nation!
The 2020 MLB season will bring lots of changes, as the sport adapts to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. One of those new realities involves extra innings, where the rules will be fundamentally different than normal.
Starting in the 10th inning, teams will begin each frame with a free runner on second base, in an effort to spur the action, avoid marathon games, and get everyone off the field instead of lingering around increasing their exposure to each other. The idea has been tested in the minor leagues the last couple years, so it’s not coming completely out of nowhere.
With any change to the rules, much less one this significant, comes the question of strategy. What’s the smartest way to play this new situation, and what kinds of edges can be gained? Should you pinch-run? Bunt? Steal? Play it straight and hope for a single?
Over at MLB’s site, Mike Petriello took a look at the numbers in the search for answers. In particular, he investigated the idea of bunting the runner over to third base, where they can score on anything from a sac fly to an infield single to a wild pitch.
The short answer is that it doesn’t make much of a difference. The road team is hurt slightly by bunting, partly because plating one run isn’t a guarantee of victory in the top half of the inning. The home team might see a marginal increase in win probability, if they come to bat with the game tied and a walk-off opportunity.
Of course, there’s also the matter of personnel. If the batter is a weak hitter then it might be worth using him to advance the runner, but if he’s good at making lots of contact then you could play for the RBI single. Similarly, the speed of the automatic runner could make a difference. Also, is Matt Chapman playing third base for the other team? (If so, IT’S A TRAP.)
For the Oakland A’s, bunting might not be the best option. The strength of their lineup is power, not contact and batting average, although they actually had one of the lowest strikeout rates in the majors last year. Playing for one run on the road sells short their ability, and even at home their optimal bet might be to take as many swings as possible and hope to find a barrel.
Who in the A’s lineup would you give up for a sac bunt? Not Olson, Semien, Chapman, Laureano, Canha, or Davis, nor Piscotty if he’s back to his old self, and not Pinder if he’s facing a lefty. If Kemp or Barreto is up then you’re probably pinch-hitting anyway, and the same might be true for the catcher spot, unless Murphy pans out and keeps hitting dingers like he did last September. That leaves Grossman, who could be a candidate to lay one down, since his top skill of walking would be useless in a home-game situation — or even harmful, by filling the open bag and setting up the force at every base.
What would you do? Opening Day is just two weeks away, so we could find out soon how the A’s will play the new extra innings.
A’s Coverage:
- Slusser: Chris Bassitt may be back in A’s rotation — and he’s ready for anything ($)
- Slusser: Mike Fiers’ horrid cat-tail beard is now emblazoned on A’s face masks ($)
- Hickey: The Most Difficult Part of Bassitt’s 2020 Season With Athletics Will Come Off the Field
- Hickey: Baseball Won’t Get Back on an Even Keel Until MLB Players Feel They Can Trust Owners
- Coffey: ‘I don’t want to get sick’: Jake and Amanda Diekman slam MLB’s COVID-19 response ($$$)
- Hall: A’s-Angels rivalry is mutual, but with room to grow
- Hall: Austin Beck and Lazaro Armenteros are notable absences from Oakland A’s player pool
MLB News, & Interest:
- Bryant: The exile of Oakland A’s Bruce Maxwell and the birth of MLB’s Black player movement
- Carig: Saving Hinchliffe Stadium, one of the last remaining Negro League parks ($$$)
- Petriello: To bunt, or not? How to handle new rule in extras
- Laurila: Darren O’Day Talks Pitching
- Kelly: Why this submariner could reach great heights (It’s a Giant, sorry)
- Castrovince: Now batting vs. Satchel Paige ... Phil Jackson??
- Today in Baseball History
Summer Camp video
Enjoy some batting practice from Wednesday’s full-squad workout at the Coliseum! It’s split into three videos this time, so here’s one with Khris Davis, Mark Canha, and Marcus Semien.
Two more to watch:
Bonus! Here’s some PFP (pitchers fielding practice):
#Athletics pitchers starting the day with some defensive work. pic.twitter.com/KIzwNGCMuA
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) July 8, 2020
Best of Twitter:
Wishing the best for Mateo!
Jorge Mateo's COVID-19 intake test came back positive, Jayce Tingler said. Mateo has had some loss of smell and taste. Tingler said Mateo is starting to feel a little better.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) July 8, 2020
The 10th MLB player to opt out so far
Hector Noesi has opted out for family reasons.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) July 9, 2020
Touche
Mark Canha says maybe now when he wears his facemask in 65 degree weather he won't get quite so much grief for it on social media; he also says those amazing Mike Fiers cat-tail beard masks appeared in everyone's locker - Fiers might even have provided them.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 8, 2020
Looking forward to it! Hopefully there will be some video, like there has been for batting practice?
#Athletics manager Bob Melvin says the A's are still a couple of days away from intrasquad competition in their Summer Camp at the Coliseum.
— John Hickey (@JHickey3) July 8, 2020
What a catch! Twice, thanks to the bobble!
Held onto it with the bare hand.
— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2020
This catch is insane. pic.twitter.com/Ul9zLZXHOb
Think you could hit it? (Or even catch it?)
This view is so cool. pic.twitter.com/NaHBBo2T9C
— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2020
One of the best baseball photos ever taken
Oakland @Athletics manager Bob Melvin wears a mask imprinted with an image of pitcher Mike Fiers during practice at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. #baseball @sfchronicle photo by @ScottStrazzante pic.twitter.com/jSxGLnlBw6
— Scott Strazzante (@ScottStrazzante) July 8, 2020