Mariners Manager Faces Tough Decision During ALDS Game 1

SEATTLE — In the fifth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS, Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson confronted a key decision with Detroit Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter at the plate, a runner on second base, and two outs.

Options on the Table

Wilson had two choices: first, he could call on left-handed reliever Gabe Speier for a better matchup against Carpenter; or second, he could let right-handed starter George Kirby pitch to Carpenter for the third time. “It’s a tough one,” Wilson commented. “We thought George still had a lot left in the tank.”

Carpenter Strikes Back

Choosing to stick with Kirby backfired for Wilson. Carpenter, a left-handed batter, hit a two-run homer, propelling the Tigers to a 2-1 lead in a game they eventually won 3-2. The home run came off a sinker thrown by Kirby that was elevated above the strike zone, traveling 409 feet at an exit velocity of 112.5 mph.

Carpenter’s Confidence

Carpenter expressed confidence against Kirby, stating he was ready to face him again. Statistically, Carpenter performs better against right-handers, with a .257 average and .812 OPS, compared to his struggles against left-handers.

Analytics vs. Gut Instinct

Analytics suggested bringing in Speier, but Wilson trusted his intuition. Following the game, he noted, “Those are tough ones. I thought George was throwing well.” However, Kirby’s effectiveness drastically decreased the third time he faced batters, reflected in their improved OPS against him.

A.J. Hinch’s Perspective

The decision to stick with Kirby made things easier for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who has a reputation for strong in-game decision-making. If Speier had entered, Hinch would have faced a dilemma of replacing Carpenter or sticking with him for close at-bats later.

Looking Ahead

Despite the disappointment, Wilson remains optimistic about his team’s resilience. “One of our strengths is bouncing back, and we have to do that,” he stated, highlighting the team’s capacity to recover from setbacks as they prepare for Game 2 of the ALDS.