An interesting conversation with Max Stassi and Rob Refsnyder on a moment from last night, when the Yankees had two lefty pitchers warming up at the same time in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Stassi: “Why do you think Boone had Hill and Cortes both getting hot in the bullpen at the same time in the 10th last night? I talked with a few people about it today.
Refsnyder: “Yeah I was curious about that too. I was thinking Hill for a double play situation maybe?”
Stassi: “You rarely, if ever, see two lefties double barrelling in the pen. … I think that was the case with Hill’s ground ball percentage.”
Refsnyder: “One out, go to Cortes, and Boone probably thought he had a better opportunity to navigate multiple batters? I’m getting old, hard to remember.”
Stassi: “With two outs, I would think they go to Hill. If there’s a runner on second, I think they weren’t comfortable with a lefty that gives up contact — ground balls (which Hill is very good at getting ) could possible score the runner at second.”