Michael Brantley, bunt, you idiot! There's no fielder at third base! World Series, lefty leading off 9th, down one!

Atlanta had just brought in lefty Will Smith to protect its 3-2 lead in game 4 against Houston batters who were lefty, righty, lefty. Atlanta was, of course, playing the extreme shift against Houston lefty leadoff batter Micheal Brantley in the top of the 9th inning with his team losing by one. He could score the run that would tie the game. The Atlanta manager was so sure that the Houston manager, Dusty Baker (24 years, 5 teams, zero World Series wins), would not order his batter to bunt into the ocean of empty space, that he employed the extreme shift. And the Atlanta manager, Brian Snitker, is not too bright either as his starting pitcher in this World Series game was Dylan Lee (Rookie Status: Still Intact through 2021). Dylan Lee's entire MLB experience consisted of two single inning appearances (8th inning both times) October 1 and 2, 2021 against the Mets. Career ERA 9.00. In last night's World Series game Lee threw 15 pitches to four Houston batters, retiring one: ERA 6.00.

Mark Teixeira, John Smoltz says lefty batters can easily bunt for hits against the extreme shift. Sunday, March 1, 2015

John Smoltz was inducted into the Hall of Fame a couple of months after that 2015 post, although not for his view on the subject. Smoltz was also providing color commentary during last night's game on Fox. I don't know if he addressed this as I had play by play announcer Joe Buck muted.

MLB has become so dumb that getting an almost sure hit by bunting into the open area does not even get mentioned. Instead Michael Brantley tried to beat the shift. Brantley had three ways to do that by swinging:

Hit to left.

Pull to right through the many fielders.

Hit a home run: 8 home runs in 469 at bats in 2021.

Brantley struck out looking.

The next two Houston batters made out. Three up, three down. Maybe if the leadoff batter had ... 

It makes your teeth hurt.

Would The Three Stooges bunt against the shift? Monday, May 5, 2014

Circa 1935-1937
Columbia Pictures/Pillsbury
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