Acta's Use of Pinch Hitters

[aclayman]

This is probably something Paulie C. would take the time to assess with actual stats, but I am too lazy. It's not a complaint exactly (who's complaining at this point?), but it certainly seems like Acta has been almost unusually reluctant, from my observations, to pinch-hit in what would seem to be obvious situations: ie, Sizemore or Hafner or LaPorta are available on the bench and Austin Kearns or Adam Everett are due up in the 8th inning of a close game. Maybe it's a lefty/righty thing in some instances... or concern for potential extra innings and having bench guys available later. Certainly compared to Wedge and Hargrove during past contending seasons, though, it feels a bit different (Wayne Kirby might spell Manny Ramirez from time to time, but when the game's on the line, his ass is back on the bench).

This could and likely would change later in the year, of course. Still, I'd prefer having the best available guy take the swings when it counts.

[gotribe31]

I think part of it is due to the fact that when a Sizemore or Hafner is available on the bench, it's because he wants to give them a full day off due to injury. I do agree, I was pleading for a Sizemore/Hafner appearance a couple of weeks ago in a close game when both were available on the bench, but when questioned about it after the game Acta replied that he wasnted them to have a full day's rest.

He's used Sloth a few times off the bench when Hanahan or Brantley has come up against a tough lefty, if I recall correctly.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

You are correct.

These stats actually are available on ESPN.com on the Team Batting Stats in their baseball section. (Go to Stats, then select Team Batting.)

Under Expanded II Batting Stats, it shows the number of pinch-hit ABs for each team. Cleveland is 26th in all of baseball (tied actually), with 7. Only three teams have used fewer.

Hopefully all seven were used for Adam Everett.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

P.S. AL average use of PH is 11 times.

[Prosecutor]

National League teams are going to use pinch hitters a lot more than AL teams for obvious reasons. So you have to compare the Tribe's frequency of pinch hitting to the other AL teams.

But yeah, Acta doesn't seem interested in pinch hitting except for using Duncan from time to time.