Over the last five years, the Tampa Bay Rays have led a new charge across the MLB putting analytics as a top priority in their organization. For the Rays, it stretches deep into their Minor League System and all the way to the top at Tropicana Field.
But last night in Game 6 of the World Series, a key decision by manager Kevin Cash to pull starter Blake Snell after 5.1 dominant innings and nine strikeouts was the turning point.
That decision alone started the Dodgers rise back into the game and gave them the opportunity to go win their first World Series since 1988.
Wednesday on The Fan Morning Show, Jeff Rickard and Big Joe Staysniak discussed the decision by Cash and the rise of analytics in sports.
“The analytics have gotten to where decisions are being made about game instances before the games start,” Rickard said. “I am not anti-analytic at all. The more information and data you can get about anything, the better. Last night Snell wasn’t just good, he was dominant. In that situation when you’re down three games to two, you have to give him a little bit more rope.”
When Snell was pulled for Nick Anderson, the Dodgers began to feast. LA came back to win after being down early following a Randy Arozarena solo home run in the 1st inning. With two runs in the bottom of the 6th following Snell’s departure, then a Mookie Betts home run in the 8th for the dagger, the Dodgers became World Champs.
“(Snell) wasn’t even at 75 pitches yet,” Big Joe added. “I don’t understand that kind of stuff because the game that I played was all physical. There is a place for analytics but I wonder if sometimes we get too into it.”
Following the game, legendary Dodgers Play-by-Play Broadcaster Vin Scully took to Twitter to give his thoughts on the title.
Whenever sports championship parades are allowed to be held again, you can bet that dual Dodgers and Lakers celebration will be a sight to see.
Tune into The Fan Morning Show weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
