Isaiah Paige replacing Jordan Nwogu as DH today
The pitcher? Something doesn't sound right.
He's not hitting.
Actually it looks as though he is hitting. Many/most of the top HS pitchers were also outstanding batters. He's a redshirt freshman...likely still has it.
relax, Michigan wins 3-2. unless of course I'm wrong.
No Riley Bertram? Dude lit up UCLA.
From what I remember he lit up Creighton and Cincinnati and Blomgren replaced him in the lineup for the last game in the Super Regional. We haven't seen Bertram since.
Didn't Brian's post show that he was 10-25?? I don't understand how he wouldn't be in the lineup.
Unless he is awesome off the bench.
Ako at the top was expected. He is having a pretty solid tournament. Not worried about the lineup. It's pitching and defense that will win this game.
No. He'll get subbed out when he goes to bat. Gamesmanship + Bakich (fire Bakich) wanting to watch BP first.
This is most likely correct and also gives him situational flexibility for the type of hitter he wants.
wasn't there the guy from Texas Tech who was a backup pitcher untill the middle of the season when texas tech was slumping. He asked if he could try his luck hitting and ended up top 3 batting average on their team and playing first base or DH i think?
It was one of the teams we faced pretty sure it was tech. either way I believe
Isaiah Page doesn't have an AB all year.
this is brilliant actually. when his time in the order comes up, bakich can pinch hit a righty or lefty bat, depending on who is pitching.
How good is Isaiah Paige as a hitter? Would have thought Bertram or Miles Lewis would be our DH.
Hasn't struck out all year.
He's like Babe Ruth, only with more power. Fred Jackson told me.
His stats:
Lol no
College teams do this sometimes: list a "placeholder" as DH and insert somebody appropriate to the situation when the spot comes up.
It's illegal in MLB, where the starting DH must complete at least one plate appearance, but there is no rule against it in college.
Good knowledgeable post. Probably going to be Clementi again today if I had to guess.
Bertram was on the on-deck circle for the last at bat yesterday so suspect it will be Bertram for at least a few at-bats today.
The advantage of the "placeholder" is that you can decide what type of hitter to insert when the place comes up.
Maybe you need a bunt. Maybe you need a long fly ball. Maybe you need somebody who walks a lot. You get to delay your pick until you know what you need.
Place holder seems good,need a lefty/right or maybe someone good at bunting early on to step into that spot
In looking back at last night’s game, I was very skeptical about a lot of the pitching decisions last night, but in hindsight I was being naive. Bakich is playing a game of chess out there right now. He knew he needed to win game 1 at all costs with Henry on the mound, and he wasn’t going to waste a dominant pitcher against a guy like Kumar. On the other side, Vandy needed game 2 and if Michigan could get past Rocker and make Corbin go to his bullpen he wasn’t going to take any risks. All in all, Michigan saved their best available pitching combination of Kauffman and Criswell to oppose a still difficult, but more beatable pitcher.
This is exactly the right explanation. Can you believe there are clowns in our fanbase that pulled out their torch and pitchfork over that decision by Bakich last night? Brilliant move really, especially considering we scored all of 1 run. This move gives us our best chance to win. We are still a +200 to win, but this is indeed our best chance. Good job Bakich.
Can you believe there are clowns in our fanbase that pulled out their torch and pitchfork over that decision by Bakich last night?
This is the same board that just a few weeks ago featured the non-ironic FIRE BAKICH post we're talking about, so yes, yes I can.
He's not fired yet?!
I thought about it for a while, it didn’t make sense to me but then after a few more beers I got off my chair, so no arm chair was available and though “hot damn he’s the coach of the year for a reason” and realized he was right. Our horses are ready, fantastic game plan. If we lose we should definitely fire him (/s very obviously).
Excited for the game, loud and proud, let’s do this boys!
It's just a placeholder. Most likely Riley Betram as a left handed bat against Vandys right handed pitcher. This is also on Twitter and will not be the batting order given to the umpires.
This absolutely will be given to the umpires. Then they’ll promptly pinch hit for him in his first AB. I expect a loud roar from UM fans when this gets announced.
Paige isn't hitting. That just makes Vandy scout and prepare for all 3 likely DH candidates. In Bakich we trust. Anywho this game will mostly be about pitching and fielding for Michigan. Execute both facets and get a couple of timely hits to win this tilt like 3-2. Go Blue !!!
This is hilarious, great move by bakich to not give away his number 9 hitter. But if Vandy was watching (they were) Riley Bertram hit after Donovan in BP, Isaiah took the equivalent if 0 swings...looks like “the kid” is our 9 hitter tonight.
Likely Paige is a decoy. However, it’s possible he could be their best bunter and when his spot comes up, and it’s a sacrifice situation...
I’d expect a situational DH all night. Go Blue!
Gimme dat Natty
Why not Tommy Henry as placeholder? Would make liars out of those who said he'd played his last game for Michigan on Monday.