Little Things

It’s the attention to detail that wins games, right?  I just can’t figure when Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch decided to start paying attention in game five of the World Series.

Oh, it definitely was in the bottom of the tenth inning, with two out.  As soon as Brian McCann got hit with a pitch, I thought Hinch would use a pinch runner, but he left McCann—as in 33-year old catcher weighing 225 pounds—in to run for himself.  Then he lifted McCann for pinch runner Derek Fisher after George Springer walked.  Huh?

Why didn’t Hinch pinch run for McCann right away?  Waiting for him to reach second is hardly smart baseball.  What if Springer had hit a slow roller to third or short where the fielder’s only play was to second base on a slow-running McCann?  Or what if Springer doubled into the gap and McCann was thrown out at the plate?  Hinch had no way of knowing Springer would walk instead, setting up Alex Bregman to deliver the game-winning hit.

Like they say, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, especially when it comes to the little things that can win a World Series.