elset191 wrote:
Because Tex is a lefty. They didn't want to leave the first base side open in case he swung. Second generally covers when a righty is up, and short when a lefty is up. Same thing here only it was short and third because of the massive shift.
I realize he's a lefty. Maybe because 1st was occupied, that did open up the right side more. In general, you really only see the overshift occur for lefties who are really well known for their pull tendencies. I didn't think Tex was one of those with that reputation. But when you get to the playoffs, managers just seem to start doing things that they wouldn't normally do during a regular baseball game.
Generally with an overshift, the 3rd baseman usually winds up at about the honest shortstop position. And the SS winds up right of second, but generally not that far away. So I would have thought the SS would have still been naturally closer to 2nd and should have made the play. When the play happened, I didn't even realize they had an overshift on. I don't think they showed or mentioned the defensive alignment. So when Damon popped off and starting getting away, I thought they were going to have him dead to rights in a rundown as he approached 3rd. I didn't realize it wasn't the SS who took the throw as it appeared in a normal situation. And considering the fact the player really didn't even try to chase him down, I thought he was just waiting to make the throw to the 3rd baseman. Until the camera pulled away and I wonder where in the world the 3rd baseman went to, did I realize he WAS the 3rd baseman.
Being a Baltimore fan, I've grown up hating the Yankees and am rooting for the Phillies to win. But after seeing stupid plays like that, I have my doubts.
By the way, your pumpkin picture icon looks pretty cool.
