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I am not sure who sets the infield defense but it certainly seems strange that for every right-hand hitter, we play the 2nd baseman almost up the middle. And, for every left-hand hitter, the shortstop is also very close to second base bag. Surely, the advance scouting does not believe that this is the case with every right and left hand hitter. I watch time and time again, weak ground balls where the second baseman used to play normally roll in to right field for a single like Hayes hit tonight that ended up being the winning run. Just seems strange. Not every team is doing this.

They hug the pull side at second base to the extreme

It has cost them several times this year

The holes in infield are gaping.

When your Manager has zero “feel” for the game that is what you get.
Watch the next few times Helsley pitches.
He throws 100 and yet they play everyone to the pull side.
Even bottom of the order hitters.

not to be that guy, but that's the standard alignment across pro ball. And I can't speak for all 30 teams, but I believe almost every team aligns like that ...they change it up with LHP, and with runners on base.

you live and die by it.

Actually the proper defensive alignment move is to adjust hitter to hitter.

You don't play every hitter up the middle pull side, you shade as needed, but don't leave open gaping holes in the infield.

Cusecards wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:45 pm When your Manager has zero “feel” for the game that is what you get.
Watch the next few times Helsley pitches.
He throws 100 and yet they play everyone to the pull side.
Even bottom of the order hitters.

LoL. You think the manager moves the placement of fielders?

LMAO.

Thank you...I needed to laugh! And the all caps...priceless...

craviduce wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:51 pm not to be that guy, but that's the standard alignment across pro ball. And I can't speak for all 30 teams, but I believe almost every team aligns like that ...they change it up with LHP, and with runners on base.

you live and die by it.

Yes. It's not unique to the Cards

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 08:17 am

Cusecards wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:45 pm When your Manager has zero “feel” for the game that is what you get.
Watch the next few times Helsley pitches.
He throws 100 and yet they play everyone to the pull side.
Even bottom of the order hitters.

LoL. You think the manager moves the placement of fielders?

LMAO.

Thank you...I needed to laugh! And the all caps...priceless...

All caps???
Still hung over are we??? LOL

Cusecards wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 09:10 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 08:17 am

Cusecards wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:45 pm When your Manager has zero “feel” for the game that is what you get.
Watch the next few times Helsley pitches.
He throws 100 and yet they play everyone to the pull side.
Even bottom of the order hitters.

LoL. You think the manager moves the placement of fielders?

LMAO.

Thank you...I needed to laugh! And the all caps...priceless...

All caps???
Still hung over are we??? LOL

No. I just read your thread title... Did you not post that?

You believe the manager sets the infield/OF defense?

hmoss859 wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:56 pm Actually the proper defensive alignment move is to adjust hitter to hitter.

You don't play every hitter up the middle pull side, you shade as needed, but don't leave open gaping holes in the infield.

Herzog certainly did!!!

I agree with you.

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 09:18 am

Cusecards wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 09:10 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 08:17 am

Cusecards wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:45 pm When your Manager has zero “feel” for the game that is what you get.
Watch the next few times Helsley pitches.
He throws 100 and yet they play everyone to the pull side.
Even bottom of the order hitters.

LoL. You think the manager moves the placement of fielders?

LMAO.

Thank you...I needed to laugh! And the all caps...priceless...

All caps???
Still hung over are we??? LOL

No. I just read your thread title... Did you not post that?

You believe the manager sets the infield/OF defense?

Not my OP!
You really need to read, study, and comprehend before your usual “act”.
Have a nice day!

Dazepster wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 09:22 am

hmoss859 wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:56 pm Actually the proper defensive alignment move is to adjust hitter to hitter.

You don't play every hitter up the middle pull side, you shade as needed, but don't leave open gaping holes in the infield.

Herzog certainly did!!!

I agree with you.

Exactly. They have real time spray charts for every hitter and they can filtered for lefty and rightly pitchers, career, last 50 ABs, whatever. They can easily adjust things on the fly and also consider the strengths of the pitcher on the mound. Trivial to come up with scenarios for each hitter before the game, and of course adjusted by the manager's feel for the game. Of course the manager delegates authority, but he makes the final call.

I noticed on pitching changes Oli hands all the infielders a card which I'm assuming is where they are supposed to play each batter...or maybe it's an inspirational quote?

craviduce wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:51 pm not to be that guy, but that's the standard alignment across pro ball. And I can't speak for all 30 teams, but I believe almost every team aligns like that ...they change it up with LHP, and with runners on base.

you live and die by it.

Bingo

rockondlouie wrote: ↑02 Jul 2025 09:56 am

craviduce wrote: ↑01 Jul 2025 21:51 pm not to be that guy, but that's the standard alignment across pro ball. And I can't speak for all 30 teams, but I believe almost every team aligns like that ...they change it up with LHP, and with runners on base.

you live and die by it.

Bingo

See my reply above. Geez they have real time data. You could look at a guy's last 20-50 ABs and make a more tailored approach for each hitter, modded for your pitcher.