The Cardinals opted to take out Albert Pujols with the bases loaded on Wednesday night, trusting analytical thinking over situational greatness.
St. Louis was down several runs to the Braves at the time. Facing Jesse Chavez — a player he had a .357 lifetime average against — Pujols was pulled in favor of Nolan Gorman.
Pujols had two hits in the game, as well, making manager Oli Marmol’s decision all the more strange. If anything, it was ripe for second guessing once Gorman recorded an out in his lone at-bat.
“I think it’s (been) very honest and open with how he’s (Pujols) going to be used,” Marmol said. “I think the worst thing you can do is lack communication and honesty from the beginning because then there’s ambiguity all throughout. If you’re honest and keep communication throughout the entirety of the season, then, yeah, it’s a combination of coaching and receiving.”
Pujols is used primarily against lefties, where he remains an elite hitter. His overall batting average is a subpar .200.
Cardinals: Oli Marmol defends controversial decision
Marmol’s move is rooted in analytics, rather than the eye test. Despite Pujols success so far that game and his career average against the pitcher on the mound, Marmol went with the numbers.
It didn’t work in his favor, but he’d do it again if necessary. St. Louis has been open and honest with Pujols about how he’ll be employed at this point in his career, despite being one of the best right-handed bats of all-time.
“There’s a strong bias there when you’re talking about the best right-handed hitter of all time,” Marmol continued. “Yes, your gut is always going to tell you to let him hit there, if I’m being honest.”
Marmol did not listen to his gut, and for once, it didn’t work out as St. Louis planned.
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