He had pitched great, it's 1 fucking batter. Okajima had pitched poorly, especially in clutch situations, all year. The difference between 119 pitches and 123-125 really isn't that big of a deal. Lester is a LHP as well.
I was screaming the whole time to just leave Lester in to face Giambi. I was watching the game online with some people. I didn't post here because I didn't have the time to take my eyes of the game LOL.
Nobody brings in the closer in a tie game on the road? That makes sense considering he did....I just don't see why you even wait until the bases are loaded? It's the typical american thinking...wait until theres a problem then try to fix it. Also, PLAYOFFS are on the line. The Yankees season is pretty much over reguardless, but that doesn't mean they can afford to blow games to teams that are right behind them only 2-3 games back in the WC.
Also, not only did he manage the pen bad. Why didn't he attempt to move Jason Bay to 2B with a bunt? Or atleast try and let him steal 2B? Remember, it's on the road vs MLBs best CL ever. Does he not realize that the odds of getting Jason Bay from 1B to home plate with Kotsay, Lowrie, Cora, and Varitek due up were about impossible? The worst part is, Kotsay hit a towering(almost HR) to RF, and Bay could've been on 3B with 1out.
The majority with a baseball sense would tell you that Francona poorly managed this game throughout.
He brought in Paps cause he was fucked. The bunting and all that other stuff is a different argument. He went with a fresh lefty which vs a guy sitting on the bench all day, normally that works out well. He isnt brining in Papelbon to start the 9th. No manager does that. He brought him in cause he had no choice at that point.
I wasn't saying to wait to start the 9th. I'm saying he should've brought him in to face Pudge. When there were just runners on 1st and 2nd. Most likely, unless he gets an infield pop up, or strike out...or unless Andruw Jones is up, bases juiced and 1 out in that situation, it's game over.
