MLB: Innovative Analytics Conclude Traditional Plays Win

Innovative Analytics Conclude Traditional Plays to Win MLB Games

So far, the Tampa Bay Rays have done ‘the double switch’ three times the past two seasons: on June 26, 2018, vs the Nationals in St Pete, and twice this season: April 7th vs the Giants in SF, and again on July 24th vs the Red Sox in St Pete.

In all three instances, the Rays won the game.

The key move is replacing the pitcher with another pitcher and then sending the pitcher to a fielding position, usually first base, only for one batter and then returning the pitcher to the mound and then bringing in a replacement fielder. All told it’s a manager using his lineup to the fullest.

By moving pitchers to fielding positions and fielders creates the ideal pitcher-batter matchup for the Rays.

This play is now an anachronistic move mainly due to two major factors: the AL employing the Designated Hitter thus freeing pitchers from batting, and the increased specialization of players, with the typical lineup filled with players not trained or expert in playing multiple positions.

Moreover, with youth leagues and the NCAA using the DH, most players have never seen or participated in this type of play during their developmental years.

MLB history informs us that this age-old baseball strategic play sometimes does not work. Interestingly the loser, way back when was the Original Boston Red Sox, then known as the “Red Stockings.” (To make matters more muddled today we call this team the Atlanta Braves.) The game occurred on July 26, 1873, 146 years earlier minus two days.  For the Bostonians that day they did the double switch employed by now Hall of Famer George Wright. It did not work as Wright came into pitch and out of position players made a series of errors, all told the Bostons gave up six more runs resulting in a 17-14 Baltimore victory.

Yet more often it does work, especially when the fielder turned pitcher is none other than Babe Ruth. Two such reported examples are in October 1, 1920, when the Yankees were still playing in the Polo Grounds vs the A’s. and the NJ state semi-pro championship held on October 27, 1929, when the Babe came in from Right field to pour cold water on the oppositions attempts to rally.  The October game box score notes the Babe played LF-1B-P, had an RBI Stolen Base and as a pitcher gave up a HR, HBP, and walked three. All told he pitched four innings in relief and got the win.[i] All told the Babe was 5-0 as a relief fireman for the Yanks.[ii]