The 2020 season will begin next week. There are several rules changed in this season. One is that extra-inning games will feature innings starting with a runner on second base. The runner-on-second rule has been in place in the minor leagues for the past two seasons. Since the season is short and tight, the new rule is to hasten games, and to avoid marathon contests such as 18-inning games.
The new rule could be really interesting to think whether a manager would place a pinch runner on second. Looking at the statcast website, there are several good choices.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez couldn’t be happier, there are 2 fast runners (Victor Robles and Trea Turner) in the Nationals. Meanwhile, runners such as Byron Buxton, Billy Hamilton and Tim Locastro could be also dangerous if they are on second in the extra innings. However, a manager’s decision depends on the different scenarios. Besides, managers also have to think about the game plan in the extra innings. There are some possible scenarios.
Home team
1 run to win
- The batter can bunt or hit to let the runner advance to 3rd and the team can win by hit, error, wild pitch, sacrifice fly/bunt or balk.
- Just let the batter hit, a walk-off hit means game over.
1 run to tie, 2 runs to win
Firstly, the team has to tie the game and a manager can
- Let the batter bunt or hit to let the runner advance to 3rd
→ If the runner advances to 3rd successfully and the batter is out, 1 out, the team can score a run to tie the game by hit, error, wild pitch, sacrifice fly/bunt or balk.
→ If the runner advances to 3rd successfully and the batter reaches on the first base safely, 0 out, the team can score a run to tie the game by hit, error, wild pitch, sacrifice fly/bunt or balk.
If the team ties the game, the team has different options depending on how many outs there are.
- Just let the batter hit, a base hit would be able to tie the game or even win the game
→ If the team ties the game and the batter is on base, there are several options to win.
→ If the batter hits a home run, game over.
2 runs and more to tie or win
Not many choices, to try to tie first or win, the home team needs more hits and more players on base.
Visiting team
We see that there are several scenarios for the home team to react. For the visiting team, it’ll be extremely important to score. If the visiting team fails to score a run, the home team will have plenty of options to do at the bottom of the inning. Even if the visiting team scores only 1 run, a good closer could be able to handle the situation with a runner on 2nd and none out.
The extra innings will not be the same as usual. The runner-on-second rule will be a good test for managers. It will be important for a manager to identify a good plan based on their pitching staff, batting order and runner. The visiting team and the home team will have to cautiously find the right plan to win.
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