Late Innings Strategy, NYM vs. the little angels

Late Innings Strategy, NYM vs. the little angels I've never been a big proponent of the ole "play for the tie at home, play for the win on the road"...but I did find myself seeing the game this way tonight. Mets have Reyes on 2nd, and a man on 1st, no outs, down 4-3 btm9. Carlos Beltran is at bat, definite slugger to be sure. I say bunt here. It gives you a chance to tie with a fly ball or most ground balls (speed on 3rd) with the next batter, and a chance to score on any hit with the next batter, if the next one fails to score, and keeps you out of the double play.. Also, why not ask Reyes to steal at some point? The game ended with three straight strikeouts by the young stud closer for LAA...what a slider this one has. On aside, the Mets Reyes was fraternizing with the SS from LAA during much of the time he was on second. Again, if anyone on the team has the right to steal at will, it'd be him. Cmon man, get your head in the game.

Especially since Reyes is in a contact year and the MADOFF METS are not going to resign him. I agree with you HardRock

Only issue is that do we know whether Beltran even knows how to bunt?

The obvious answer is let Reyes attempt to steal third in one of those ensuing at-bats. However, you had Beltran and Pagan, both switch-hitters, batting lefty against Walden, a righthander, and Murphy, a lefty, sandwiched in-between. I believe the mindset was that had Reyes gone, the throw to third would be much easier than otherwise as Mathis, the catcher, would have a direct sight line to third base and there was a decent chance Reyes would be thrown out. Additionally, there was an assumption that Beltran would at least make contact and Reyes could easily grab third as the likelihood, had Beltran made contact, was that the ball would be hit to the right side. As for Beltran bunting, I believe too many managers do not think of the meat of the order batters as possible bunters and after the first slider to Beltran, Collins probably deduced that Beltran was not going to get a [U]clean[/U] bunt off against a a decent slider. JMHO Rudy