So far, no one has figured out a way to get to either of these guys with any regularity.
The question becomes how one might go about this? I'm assuming most of us have seen both pitch many times so you've done all the film work that opposing teams' coaches do to prepare to play us.
First I try to run up the pitch count; this is more difficult unless the ump is helping you out. Therefore, I first look at see who the ump crew is and determine which umps have tight strike zones, which have loose ones, and which ones are inconsistent. This is similar to trying to figure out what girl to ask to the prom.
I especially look for the umps who call strikes on pitches 6 inches inside/outside. If I get one of those umps I basically just give up and tell my guys "you're on your own; good luck.".
But, assuming a normal strike zone, pitch count is my first target. If I can get either one out of the game after 5 innings my odds increase somewhat depending on who is fresh in the Vandy bullpen.
If I get a lead off runner via walk/hit/HBP, I then bunt, bunt, bunt. Put the pressure on Vandy's defense, force them to make tough throws.
Apart from that, I give different instructions to my hitters depending on whether they are a power hitter or not. Non-power hitters should shorten their stroke, go with the pitch, try to hit to the opposite field, just try to put the ball in play and hope for the best.
My power hitters are to sit on the fastball, but not high fastballs. I always have them swinging on 2-0, 3-0, and 3-1 counts regardless of the situation.
Both pitchers have an assortment of pitches so I tell my guys never to just "guess", it's wasted effort.
If I do get runners on then I try to run at every opportunity, put the pressure on CJ or Max to make a good throw. I also selectively hit-and-run, especially on those 2-0, 3-0, and 3-1 counts.
If I get a runner on first, follow that up with a hit, then I tell the runner to take 3rd if at all possible, challenge our outfielders' arms [less so with Thomas.]
Bottom line, you can't count on stringing together a bunch of hits to score off either guy, especially Leiter. It's so rare to do that; spotting Yeti in the woods is more likely and the odds of that are infintesimal.
So that's my plan. This is proprietary info so don't sell it to the Chinese because they will, in turn, sell it to our opponents at inflated prices. It would be un-American to do that.
The question becomes how one might go about this? I'm assuming most of us have seen both pitch many times so you've done all the film work that opposing teams' coaches do to prepare to play us.
First I try to run up the pitch count; this is more difficult unless the ump is helping you out. Therefore, I first look at see who the ump crew is and determine which umps have tight strike zones, which have loose ones, and which ones are inconsistent. This is similar to trying to figure out what girl to ask to the prom.
I especially look for the umps who call strikes on pitches 6 inches inside/outside. If I get one of those umps I basically just give up and tell my guys "you're on your own; good luck.".
But, assuming a normal strike zone, pitch count is my first target. If I can get either one out of the game after 5 innings my odds increase somewhat depending on who is fresh in the Vandy bullpen.
If I get a lead off runner via walk/hit/HBP, I then bunt, bunt, bunt. Put the pressure on Vandy's defense, force them to make tough throws.
Apart from that, I give different instructions to my hitters depending on whether they are a power hitter or not. Non-power hitters should shorten their stroke, go with the pitch, try to hit to the opposite field, just try to put the ball in play and hope for the best.
My power hitters are to sit on the fastball, but not high fastballs. I always have them swinging on 2-0, 3-0, and 3-1 counts regardless of the situation.
Both pitchers have an assortment of pitches so I tell my guys never to just "guess", it's wasted effort.
If I do get runners on then I try to run at every opportunity, put the pressure on CJ or Max to make a good throw. I also selectively hit-and-run, especially on those 2-0, 3-0, and 3-1 counts.
If I get a runner on first, follow that up with a hit, then I tell the runner to take 3rd if at all possible, challenge our outfielders' arms [less so with Thomas.]
Bottom line, you can't count on stringing together a bunch of hits to score off either guy, especially Leiter. It's so rare to do that; spotting Yeti in the woods is more likely and the odds of that are infintesimal.
So that's my plan. This is proprietary info so don't sell it to the Chinese because they will, in turn, sell it to our opponents at inflated prices. It would be un-American to do that.
