HE DID WHAT? Kinsler swings at first pitch for DP

FACEPALM! As a reeling Justin Verlander tried to pitch his way out of Dodge, which is a bases loaded situation in the sixth inning of the ALCS Game #5, Ian Kinsler swings at the first pitch delivered and starts an inning-ending double play. As Homer Simpson would say, "D'oh!"

For a full, more comprehensive account of this situation, read Evan Drellich's online article at MLB.com.

Most of the time, when I'm watching games and the first pitch in an at-bat comes right down the pipe, I scream "There it is: Home run ball!", but the batter doesn't swing (8 out of 10 times). I suppose something in the numbers on Justin Verlander motivated Ian Kinsler to swing at the first pitch: During the regular season, Verlander's "Bases Loaded" ERA topped 23.14, and considering a WHIP of 1.29 in that situation Kinsler felt pretty good about swinging right away. Evan's numbers may also show Kinsler had every reason to swing at the first pitch, too. However, stats also show Verlander is not accustomed to pitching with the bases loaded (pitched only 2.1 IP during the season with the bases loaded): This could mean Verlander is really good, the Tigers' fielding stepped up when they needed to, or both.

Swinging at the first pitch is a toss-up, and without a history or pitch sequence the chances of hitting it just right is 50/50. Considering the situation, the inning, Verlander's state, and the score Ian Kinsler made a gutsy move swinging right away. Before scolding, consider the number of times Kinsler made gutsy moves in the past? You only need to search "Ian Kinsler" on Twitter to see what he is doing, and how he is makes plays out of nothing. Now consider if the Rangers would be playing in a second consecutive ALCS had Kinsler, or any Texas Ranger for that matter, play safe. This time it didn't work out, but kudos to Kinsler for trying.