More Than Numbers

The shift is on.

With the home team hanging on to a 2-0 lead, Giants closer Sergio Romo took the mound in the top of the ninth. Diamondbacks left fielder Jason Kubel was the first batter up, and the shift was on.

The Giants moved shortstop Brandon Crawford to the right of second base, and third baseman Pablo Sandoval was all by his lonesome on the left side of the infield.

Kubel's spray chart

Jason Kubel is a left-handed "pull" hitter who is almost incapable of hitting the ball left when he faces right-handed pitching. True to form, he flew out to right field.

Before Sabermetrics became widely employed, managers made decisions based on personal experience, gut feel, and scouting reports. Now no one makes a move without extensive data collection and number crunching. Though rooting for the Giants, I was secretly hoping to see Jason Kubel hit the ball to left field to show that man is more than numbers.

By the way, the Giants did win, 2-0. © 2013 Stephen Yuen