Analytics

We have so much data at our fingertips.

Information overload, actually, and, of course it has entered the baseball conversation.

Years ago, the Oakland Athletics used all that information to battle the all-mighty New York Yankees.

They lost, but it made a nice little story staring Brad Pitt (it is a great movie).

Yet, the movie never mentioned that the A’s had three of the best pitchers in the sport.

I mention it because Boston removed their pitcher in the 5th inning of Game 1.

“Why are they taking him out?” Sam asked.

“They want the lefty to face Rice.”

Rice promptly homered.

None of the analytics worked and the Yankees hammered them 9-0.

So, onto Game 2.

It was 1-0 in the 5th inning.

Here comes Boston’s manager.

“They aren’t doing it again, are they?” Sam asked.

“They think they need a lefty.”

The pitcher, Sonny Gray, wasn’t tired. He is a good pitcher.

Didn’t matter.

They made the move and ten minutes later the game was over.

They don’t watch the game in front of them.

Now, of course, having information is great, but sometimes you need to trust what you’re seeing.

I’m sure somewhere along the way I’ll be screaming at Aaron Boone, but for now…

Hahahahaha…

…Boston sucks.