All articles tagged with #small ball
The Milwaukee Brewers exemplify a resurgence of small ball and contact hitting in MLB, emphasizing speed, defense, and putting the ball in play over power, driven by rule changes and a focus on contact skills, signaling a potential shift back to a more balanced style of baseball.
The Phoenix Suns have assembled a deep and versatile roster, and the team's success will depend on how they experiment with different lineup combinations throughout the season. The article explores three intriguing lineups, including a small ball lineup with Booker, Beal, Gordon, Bates-Diop, and Durant, a defense-focused lineup with Booker, Allen, Gordon, Bates-Diop, and Eubanks, and an experimental lineup featuring Booker, Beal, Okogie, Bates-Diop, and Metu. The author also mentions two honorable mentions and highlights the importance of finding synergies and optimizing the roster's depth.
The San Francisco Giants won their fourth straight game by beating the Miami Marlins 4-3 with a small-ball approach, hitting just one homer this week. Thairo Estrada hit a slow tapper in front of the mound that was going to go for an infield single given his speed. Alcantara tried to throw him out at first and winged a missile down the right field line, allowing both runners to reach scoring position. The Giants had just seven sacrifice flies in their first 43 games, but J.D. Davis and Michael Conforto went back-to-back, driving two-strike pitches deep enough that both runners scored. Patrick Bailey made his big league debut for the Giants.
Anthony Volpe's small-ball display and baserunning helped the Yankees come back from a 6-4 deficit to defeat the Rays 9-8. Volpe opened the sixth inning with a bunt single, stole second and third base, and scored on a wild pitch. His energy plays inspired the team, and he became the first Yankee to start his career with 13 straight successful stolen bases. The Yankees chased Rays reliever Ryan Thompson and put up a pivotal five-spot in the sixth inning to secure the win.
The Golden State Warriors' small-ball lineup with JaMychal Green in Game 2 allowed them to stretch the floor with more shooters while still maintaining enough size to hold off the Lakers. The Lakers will have to counter as the series shifts to Game 3 in Los Angeles tonight. The Warriors' success was only possible by running more pick-and-roll through Stephen Curry. The Lakers' response to trap or double Curry didn't work out. One way to mix up their looks would be to feed Anthony Davis in the post.
The Golden State Warriors face a dilemma with Kevon Looney's inability to pose a scoring threat, which allows Anthony Davis to turn the paint into a vault the Warriors can't access. While they want and need Looney's rebounds, the only way to get them is if he is on the floor. The Warriors may have to turn to small ball to generate enough offense to make Davis sweat a bit more than he did in Game 1.
The Milwaukee Brewers won the series against the Chicago Cubs with a 9-5 victory in the rubber match, using small ball tactics to secure the win. Every starting position player had at least one hit and four had a pair, including rookie Brice Turang. The Brewers have yet to hit a home run this season, but their consistent hitting and speed on the bases have proven effective.