OFFICIAL TLR HEAD SCRATCHER THREAD

[greenback44]

Another big head scratcher is how the ML roster/bench is configured right now. I suspect it's a little more TLR than Mo. And the options sometimes sets up TLR's headscratching moves.

He shouldn't be double-switching with an 8-man bullpen and a 3.5-man bench. He's going to keep double-switching though, and they really should build the roster around that. The paranoia about how the bullpen will handle early exits from the starters is costing the Cardinals close games. Or maybe it's the concern about losing cannon fodder like MacDougal or Hawksworth that's costing them games, which would be even goofier.

[jagtrader]

If La Russa wanted to keep Franklin in for two innings, a dubious notion considering the team was leading heading into the bottom of the ninth, he should have double-switched Miles to put the pitcher in the 7 spot. He can't obviously because he has no backup infielders.

The Cardinals have six pitchers in their bullpen who haven't pitched since Tuesday and they have no flexibility with their lineup because they can't pinch-hit or sub for anyone except Rasmus or the right fielder. It's absolutely crazy.

[jim]

2 outs, up 4 with 2 runners on. In comes Franklin and Craig for Rasmus. Nice. So in the 1 in 100 chance or more that they score exactly 4 runs, we won't have to PH for the guy that gave up the runs. Never mind his pitch count would probably be at a point where he might not be available to pitch a second inning in that case, we just gained a strategic advantage by not having to PH for him. And all we did was swap out Rasmus for a guy that hasn't been able to find a position in the field since his professional career started.

General rule of thumb is go with your best defensive outfield in the 9th with a lead. Tony rewritin' the book.

[Vidor]

2 outs, up 4 with 2 runners on. In comes Franklin and Craig for Rasmus. Nice. So in the 1 in 100 chance or more that they score exactly 4 runs, we won't have to PH for the guy that gave up the runs. Never mind his pitch count would probably be at a point where he might not be available to pitch a second inning in that case, we just gained a strategic advantage by not having to PH for him. And all we did was swap out Rasmus for a guy that hasn't been able to find a position in the field since his professional career started.

General rule of thumb is go with your best defensive outfield in the 9th with a lead. Tony rewritin' the book.

From the clubhouse?

[M1IRONMIKE]

2 outs, up 4 with 2 runners on. In comes Franklin and Craig for Rasmus. Nice. So in the 1 in 100 chance or more that they score exactly 4 runs, we won't have to PH for the guy that gave up the runs. Never mind his pitch count would probably be at a point where he might not be available to pitch a second inning in that case, we just gained a strategic advantage by not having to PH for him. And all we did was swap out Rasmus for a guy that hasn't been able to find a position in the field since his professional career started.

General rule of thumb is go with your best defensive outfield in the 9th with a lead. Tony rewritin' the book.

From the clubhouse?

do you really think he isn't calling the shots from the clubhouse

[InvincibleCakeEater]

do you really think he isn't calling the shots from the clubhouse

yes

Rasmus would have been out of the game much earlier if he was calling the shots

[M1IRONMIKE]

do you really think he isn't calling the shots from the clubhouse

yes

Rasmus would have been out of the game much earlier if he was calling the shots

maybe you're right.....lol

[Arthur Dent]

do you really think he isn't calling the shots from the clubhouse

[jim]

One of the funniest pranks I have ever seen.

[ghostrunner]

This is one of these quintessential weird TLR quotes. Can't completely follow the logic, sort of an insult and compliment to Craig.

"I don't think this is really doing (Craig) a justice," La Russa said. "It's one of those moves you make because you have to make it, not because you want to make it. I don't hesitate to make it because I really think this guy is a gamer, a talented gamer. ... It's not really good for our club if he has to do it."

The opportunity to play on a major league team isn't doing him justice, whatever that means. I know what he's getting at, but he often gives statements like this. Composed of 4 or 5 what seem to be non-sequiturs that take a few reads to piece together and then it still doesn't make complete sense.

I'd love to read that letter he wrote to Rolen.