World Series Game 3 Analysis

John Farrell is not a good late-game manager. There were so many things wrong with how he managed the game last night that I am most likely going to leave something out.

Before I bash John Farrell, I should point out a GOOD decision he actually made; starting Daniel Nava instead of Jonny Gomes. How could Farrell start Gomes in place of Daniel Nava, a top-15 hitter in the American League during the regular season in terms of batting average. I would honestly have to say that Nava is probably the fourth best hitter on the Red Sox this year only behind Ortiz, Pedroia, and Ellsbury. But let's get back to what this post is really about, John Farrell making terrible decisions. 

Peavy likes to yell ----- at himself

After Peavy scraped through four innings while miraculously giving up only two runs, Farrell put in Felix Doubront. Doubront pitched pretty well in two innings, giving up only one hit and one walk. Then, for some bizarre reason, Farrell decided to put in Craig Breslow, the man who almost single-handedly gave away Game Two. Farrell can't even say that he was trying to get the left on left match-up, as both Breslow and Doubront are left handed pitchers. Breslow came in, gave up a hit, and grazed Beltran on his elbow guard. After two batters, Farrell decided it was time to bring in Tazawa. 

As hindsight is 20-20, I say that Farrell should have brought in Tazawa to pitch. Farrell was right in taking out Doubront, as he will most likely be an important reliever for Buchholz in Game Four. However, the only reason to bring in Breslow instead of Tazawa would be to face Matt Carpenter and get the left on left match-up. This idea of the handedness match-up being the most important thing for determining relievers has always confused me. A manager is more likely to bring in a worse reliever just as long as it is a "good match-up". Tazawa has proven throughout the regular season and post-season that he is more than capable of getting out left and right handed hitters. 

The Breslow decision was certainly not the only questionable selection by Farrell. Later in the game, Farrell decided to bring in Will Middlebrooks for Stephen Drew, a man who has not played well for most of the season and has been sitting on the bench for this entire series. Although Drew is having one of the worst post-seasons ever in terms of hitting, his defense has been a major plus for the Sox. Middlebrooks didn't do anything offensively, and his defense may have very well cost the Red Sox the game. The first play happened with runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh. Junichi Tazawa was facing Matt Holliday, when Holliday cracked a grounder three steps to the right of Middlebrooks at third base. This play was, by no means, routine. However, a professional baseball player SHOULD be able to at least knock the ball down. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the ball was not snagged by Middlebrooks, and instead went down the line for a two RBI double. 

First World Series Game to end on an obstruction call

The second misplay by Middlebrooks definitely cost the Red Sox the game. To set the scene, it was the bottom of the ninth, tied four to four, with runners on second and third. The Red Sox brought the infield in to cut down the runner at home. Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay chopped a grounder to the right of Dustin Pedroia, who made a magnificent diving grab on an in-between hop. Pedroia got up and easily threw out Yadier Molina at home. As Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia tagged out Molina, Allen Craig decided to advance from second to third. Saltalamacchia then attempted to throw out Craig at third. This is where Middlebrooks comes into play. The throw by Saltalamacchia was not the greatest, but it was surely not errant. If you want to see an errant throw to third, look at Game 2. The throw hit Middlebrooks in the glove, but somehow managed to skip down the left field line. Craig then tripped over Middlebrooks, and was awarded home on an obstruction by Will Middlebrooks. Now, I'm not very upset with Middlebrooks about the obstruction call; there really wasn't anything he could do about that. I am, however, upset with his inability to catch/knockdown the throw to third. As a third baseman, you HAVE to do everything in your power to not allow the baseball to get by you, especially when the game winning run has the ability to score if the ball does get by. Middlebrooks, maybe because he is a poor fielder, maybe because he was sitting on a cold bench for the previous two-and-a-half games, did let the ball get by, and the game winning run scored.

If I were in Farrell's position, I would have kept the left side of the infield exactly the same as it was to start. Drew's not going to give you any hits, but his glove is keeping him in the lineup. Bogaerts is a plus glove at third and he can give you some pop in the lineup. Middlebrooks has the range of Miguel Cabrera and will occasionally give you something at the plate. 

Although Middlebrooks should have made a play on the throw by Middlebrooks, the whole situation could have and probably should have been avoided. With runners on second and third with one out, I was certain that Farrell was going to have Uehara walk Jon Jay to face Pete Kozma. Kozma may have been pinch-hit for, but still, the only player left on the bench for the Cards' at that point was Tony Cruz and pitching around Jay would have also allowed for a force out at home and a possible double play. Instead, Uehara pitched to Jay and the above happened.

Napoli has not shaved
for over 7 months

The final questionable decision by Farrell happened in the top of the ninth and continued into the bottom of the inning. With the pitchers' spot up, many assumed that Napoli was going to pinch-hit for Brandon Workman, a pitcher who has never had an at bat in his minor and major league career. Instead, Workman hit for himself and struck-out. In the bottom of the ninth, Workman got one out but allowed a couple of base runners to get on. Only then did Farrell decide to bring in Uehara. This tactic makes no sense to me. I suppose that Farrell must have been hoping that Workman would be able to make it through the ninth to save Uehara for a save situation sometime later in the game.

Trying to save Napoli and Uehara for later in the game is similar to a coach in basketball or football saving their timeouts for later in the game, only to have time expire and the timeouts be wasted. 

Farrell is not a very good game manager at this point in his managerial career, but he knows his players much better than Bobby Valentine did. A team cannot make the World Series if it doesn't trust and believe in its manager, so the Red Sox should by no means look for a new manager in the off-season. Hopefully, for Red Sox fans, Farrell learns to manage end-of-game situations better and to not bring in Craig Breslow in a playoff situation ever again in the history of baseball.

The Return of the NBA Center

I am sorry for ruining your
 life with this picture

The recent signing of Dwight Howard by the Houston Rockets made many Lakers fans upset. On the other side of the coin, however, Rockets players and fans were rejoicing. That is, everyone except for Omer Asik. The 27 year old center didn’t want Howard to join the Rockets, mainly because he didn’t want a downgraded role after starting all 82 games for the Rockets last year. Asik formally asked Rockets management for a trade, but it appears as if the Rockets aren’t planning on trading Asik anytime soon. Asik has a 3 year contract worth $25 million, a cap hit of a little over $8 million per year. With the signing of Josh Smith to the Detroit Pistons, the hopes of having a big three in Houston all but evaporated. With the request made by Asik, the Rockets could look into trading Asik for a power forward like ***Ryan Anderson, a three point specialist who could stretch the defense and give Howard room in the paint to operate. Anderson’s cap hit is about the same as Asik, so the deal would make financial sense.

               

  Another NBA big man who’s in the center of NBA news is Andrew Bynum. The Andrew Bynum Sweepstakes now includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, who join the Dallas Mavericks as the main suitors of the former Laker star. After the fiasco with the 76ers, I would be cautious in signing Bynum to anything other than a 1 year deal. Not only did he not play AT ALL the entire year, but Sixers fans had to look at his god-awful hair, taunting them with its existence.

             

He really enjoyed
the nachos he had
earlier

  If the Cavaliers do end up signing Bynum, they would have a key piece to add to an already solid starting lineup. Kyrie Irving is a rising superstar in the league, Dion Waiters is instant offense, Alonzo Gee can hold his own at small forward, Tristan Thompson is developing into a solid NBA power forward, and Anderson Varejao is the Brazilian version of Joakim Noah. Not to mention the number one overall pick Anthony Bennett. Cavaliers sources said that no player in the 2013 Draft would be in their starting lineup from day one, so unless Bennett absolutely tears it up in the summer league and in training camp, expect to see him coming off the bench for at least a solid part of the season. 

***Note this was written before I noticed that SB nation had the Asik for Anderson rumor

Bobcats, Pelicans, 76ers, Oh My!

Man, look at that nose

The NBA Draft was one week ago and after finally digesting all that happened, it’s finally time for me to review some of the picks. There were clearly some major losers in this draft, but also some teams had very solid picks in what was considered to be a poor quality draft.

With the surprise pick of Anthony Bennett to the Cavaliers at the first overall pick, followed by Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter Jr, the Bobcats had the fourth overall selection in the draft. Still on the board was Ben McLemore, the stud out of Kansas who was considered by many to be the best prospect in the draft. Along with McLemore was Nerlens Noel, the 7-footer out of Kentucky, who was expected by most analysts to be the 1^st overall selection by the Cavaliers. Looking at the Bobcats, it’s obvious that they wouldn’t be able to solve all of their problems with one pick, especially in this draft. They do have some rising talent in Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but no interior presence to speak of. This led to the decision by management to take Cody Zeller, the big man out of Indiana. Zeller runs the floor well and has good touch around the basket, but even in college basketball he struggled to finish through contact. To expect him to go up against NBA centers is nothing but a pipe dream.

Jrue Holiday, with one of
the best names in the NBA

 In poor drafts like this one I always think that it’s best to take the best overall player rather than to fill a need. I don’t even consider it  “filling a need” if the player is going to have to be replaced anyway. A guy like Ben McLemore has deep NBA range and great athleticism. He will be able to come into the NBA and score right away with his exceptional shooting stroke. The ceiling for McLemore is the highest out of any player in this draft. Most of the players in the draft are going to be flops anyway; you might as well pick the player with the most potential.

Michael Carter-Williams as he
knocks off top ranked Louisville

One of the most interesting picks was made by the New Orleans Pelicans. They chose Nerlens Noel 6^th overall and used him as trade bait. The 76ers ended up with Nerlens Noel and a top-5 protected pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, while the Pelicans got All-Star Jrue Holiday and the 42^nd overall pick, Pierre Jackson. I really think that the Pelicans came out on top in this trade, getting a solidified point guard in Jrue Holiday, and a really good sleeper pick in Pierre Jackson. If I were a 76ers fan, I wouldn’t be too excited about the top 5 pick in next year’s draft as it probably won’t come to fruition.

The 76ers are obviously placing all of their faith in Michael Carter-Williams, the former Syracuse point-man who was third in the nation in assists. Carter-Williams has the size and length to be a great defender in the NBA, but at times Louisville pressure caused him to turn the ball over at an outrageous clip. Carter-Williams won’t have to deal with full court pressure like that in the NBA, but he needs to adjust to the length of NBA defenders if he wants to stay in the league.  

Analysis of the Andrea Bargnani Trade and the Emerging Knicks-Nets Rivalry

Recently, the New York Knicks finalized a deal that would trade Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, and a 2016 First Round Pick to the Toronto Raptors for the services of Andrea Bargnani. This deal helps the Knicks solidify another scoring threat to help ease the load off of Melo. The 7 footer out of Italy was drafted 1st overall by the Raptors in the 2006 NBA Draft. Since entering the league, Barg has shown promise as an offensive threat, similar to that of Dirk Nowitzki, a 7 footer with deep range and great touch. It’s now interesting to look at the Knicks’ lineup: at point-guard, you have Raymond Felton; at shooting-guard, if re-signed, they will have J.R. Smith; at small-forward, there’s the ever-present Carmelo Anthony (MELO!); at power-forward, you can have Amar’e – if he stays healthy; and at center you have the 2011-2012 Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler. Coming off the bench is Iman Shumpert, the defensive ~*~wizard*~ out of Georgia Tech, alongside the sharpshooters Bargnani and Chris Copeland.

There are some main questions about the Knicks’ roster. In my opinion, the biggest question is whether or not Raymond Felton can lead this Knicks offense. He showed promise in the past and had a very solid season last year. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when Carmelo takes over the offensive, just as Lebron James does with the Miami Heat. Hopefully for the Knicks he doesn’t just become a bystander.

Another question about the Knicks roster concerns J.R. Smith. He had one of the best seasons of his career last year, but had a major breakdown during the playoffs. With the disappearance of J.R.’s quick-strike offense, the Knicks suddenly became the New York Carmelo Anthonys in the playoffs.

A final question remains the health and productivity of Amar’e Stoudemire. Coming off his injury last year, Amar’e was never able to fully mesh with Carmelo. This is one of the reasons why I really like the Bargnani trade for the Knicks, as it will now allow for Mike Woodson to put in another scoring threat if Amar’e is struggling.

In the previous offseason, the Knicks’ lineup was crafted to help them defeat the Miami Heat, one of the reasons why the loss to the Indiana Pacers wasn’t so shocking to me. In this current offseason, the lineup has been molded to not only be able to beat the Heat, but also to compete with the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets. When looking at the Nets’ lineup after the blockbuster deal with Boston of Williams, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett, and Lopez, I would have to give the advantage to the Nets. The Nets have a killer combo with Garnett and Lopez, as Lopez stays as close to the basket as possible for easy dunks and layups, while Garnett will stay 15-17 feet from the basket doing pick and pops with one of the best point-guards in the league, Deron Williams. On the defensive side of the ball, Lopez is a bit of a liability, but Garnett will seemingly add toughness to the paint for the Nets.

Also with this trade, the Nets have a solidified closer in Paul Pierce.  Last year Joe Johnson showed that he was semi-capable of being a closer with some of his buzzer beaters, but there are only a handful of closers in the NBA better than “The Truth”.

This Knicks-Nets rivalry is shaping up to be one of the best in the NBA. With the disappearance of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, as both have fallen off the map of finals contenders, the Knicks and Nets have grabbed the torch and, alongside with the Thunder and Heat, hope to carry the NBA for years to come.