The National League has men on first and second. LaRussa has to decide whether to let Orlando Hudson face K-Rod, or whether to pinch hit with Albert Pujols. Why would he stick with Hudson over the perennial MVP candidate?
Hudson hits from the left side. K-Rod is right handed, and lefties fare significantly better against him, although still not very well.
Also, Hudson has seen K-Rod before, when Hudson played with Toronto. He was 1-for-4 against K-Rod with two walks and a strikeout. He has an OPS of .750 against K-Rod in 6 plate appearances. Not awe-inspiring, but not a disaster.
Pujols, on the other hand, has faced K-Rod once, and struck out. So maybe sticking with Hudson made sense. I wouldn't, but it worked out. Hudson walked.
Bases are loaded, so now LaRussa's choice is Aaron Rowand, or the perennial MVP candidate. He sticks with Rowand, even though Rowand has the exact same batting history against K-Rod as Pujols, but has never even had an all-star quality season before. Meanwhile, Pujols is widely considered one of the best hitters in the game.
I thought these games were supposed to matter.
