World series, game 7, bottom of 9th inning with 1 out and one runner on 3rd.?

Question

It is a tie game and your team slugger (avg .262, 49HRs) is at bat.
.You only need one more score....Now here's the question:
Will you have your slugger bunt and squeeze the winning run?
Or, will you have your slugger to swing the bat no matter what?

Answer 1

Swing away for two reasons:

1. He is paid to drive in runs -- either by getting a hit or a sacrifice fly.
2. Fundamental team baseball is rare these days, and I doubt sluggers practice bunting just for situations like this. Can you imagine Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, David, Ortiz, etc. bunting in this situation?

The chance of botching the squeeze play due to poorly placed bunt is riskier than trying to hit a sac fly or better. The worst that can happen from a poorly executed squeeze play is losing the runner in scoring position and perhaps even a double play, ending the team's hope of winning the series.

If the slugger swings away, the worst that can happen is an out, whether a strike out, a short fly ball, or a ground ball out. There is practically no chance for a double play (unless the slugger hit a line drive directly at the 3rd baseball, who gets to the base before the runner).

You still have one last chance to drive that runner in.

Answer 2

A good hitter would shorten up his swing, knowing that any outfield ball, even a medium length out, ends the World Series. Double play risk is low, except on a short outfield fly, so the bunt idea makes no sense, unless it is Ortiz at the plate (which unfortunately it won't be this year) and they have the overshift on. I have seen him bunt successfully for a base hit in that situation.

Answer 3

Definitely a squeeze or a bunt. It depends on fast the runner at third is. But I wouldn't have him swing for the fences when all you need is one run. It would be way more risky because having a .262 avg. guy at the plate, the chances of striking out is pretty high.

Answer 4

No question...let him swing away. If it's game 7, bottom of the 9th and especially 1 out it's no time for risky moves. Understood they might not be expecting a squeeze, but the fact of the matter is both teams made it to the World Series, so I think good old fashioned baseball will win the game.

Answer 5

Depends on whose on 3rd...if the guy is a good baserunner with good instincts and decent speed I squeeze everytime. Small ball wins championships. Think about it...as a .262 hitter that means he will fail to even get a hit 73.8% of the time. And lets say he has 600 AB's that season (bout avg.) thats 551 AB's that he didnt hit a HR (91.8% of the time). The squeeze is much more efficient and has much better odds. Plus not many teams will look for the squeeze with a guy like this up...

Answer 6

If I'm on the opposing team I walk the guy, try to get the next player to double up. It's smart baseball. You don't have a slugger bunt, he could pop it up and cause more damage to your team. If they don't wlak him, let him take a swing.

Answer 7

There is no way the other team would let a guy like that hit. They would walk him and the next batter to set up a force at any base allowing for an easy double play or at least get the guy out at home. There is no way you let a guy like that have a chance to beat you if you can help it.

Answer 8

ridiculous. a 49 hr guy has probably not bunted all year. You let him swing and hit a fly ball to win the game. boy that was dumb.

Answer 9

I'd let him swing away, especially with only one out, but good chance he ends up getting four wide ones.

Answer 10

You gotta swing the bat dude!!